Last week I didn´t have a mini, nor was I training. I´m still with Hermana Godfrey until the end. Hermana Pruner (who yes, does, go home with me in November) and Hermana Gurr (who goes home one transfer after us) moved in and they are heading up the work in Navarro. They are working with ______ towards her baptismal date set for the 14th of November and with her daughter. They were able to set the same date for both and bring them to church yesterday.
Nata – I loved what you said about finding a rock and so I will make it my special quest these last 5 weeks to seek out a truly stellar rock to cherish forevermore.
Fun stuff:
I was reading in a Liahona and found out that Joseph F. Smith was so meticulous that he ironed his money. Hmmm...who have we seen do that? Oh yeah, the Sister missionary that is writing you!
Did you all hear that they are changing our flights and sending us home a day earlier? I bet you´re excited as all get out, but that Mom will fight with the blog counter to make it accurate again. He he. It seems like it will make the experience much smoother for all of us involved. After transfer meeting we will go to the mission home and that night they will take us to the airport. I can´t believe that my mind is really starting to accept that I will be leaving this country. It seems too crazy.
I have been assigned one last time to do divisions with the Sisters of Navarro, and the Sisters of Mercedes. I don´t know why in my last transfer I will be spending so much time in trains and buses… it feels so much like precious time lost in travel.
Last Sunday in Navarro I forgot to tell you that there were 8 of us in the kitchen making pizza and everyone gathered around to watch Mariso light the burners… she didn´t have to light a match to do so. It was like a stove top in the states, but it caused such awe and joy that they all came over to watch her do it again and again. It reminded me again that I´m not in Kansas anymore. And the other day this woman talked about not coveting and she said that she doesn´t live all day thinking, “I´d sure like to have a new bike.” It was like “bike? Don´t you mean car?” Not in Kansas anymore…
We recently stopped to talk with 4 young people and one of them extended his hand to offer me some marijuana. He said, “do you smoke marijuana?” Ready to find out how your oh so polite daughter responded? I said with a confused look on my face “no… but thanks.” Yep, I was a little clueless in the moment...obviously it is not necessary to express gratitude for an invitation to do that....but hey, I´m polite.
Yesterday we street contacted an 80 year old lady who had in her hands a loaded sling. She was shooting the dogs. We asked her if she was a good shot and she said something like, “you better believe it.” I couldn´t stop from smiling… this 80 year old woman was cloaked like the young David from the Bible ready to attack the foe of her day and age… stray dogs!
Yesterday was Mother´s Day in Argentina and we were blessed to be able to attend the Miguez Family's ASADO. My companion tried morsillo – it´s made with hog's blood, raisins, pine nuts, oregano, and mint and put together in a giant hot dog form. She even liked it. I can tolerate it, but in small portions and with great effort to not think about what I´m eating. She took it really well too, just like I did when I first tried it in Castelar.
In the ditches here there are mosquito fish. It makes me very giddy. There are also tons of tiny, tiny polliwogs. I think about my Daddy when I see them.
The other day we went to Navarro to the house where we have church to lay ceramic tiles. It was super fun, with the grout, smoothing tools and all that jazz. I thoroughly enjoyed myself.
Well had I not lost 35 minutes writing the first 2 failed emails, I would have told you a wonderfully spiritual experience about how yesterday I really learned more about what the Atonement is like, but it will have to wait until we are together again. Just know that this last transfer has literally been the key to my testimony being what it is. I see with new eyes and understand with a new heart and mind. What our Savior did… we can never grasp completely, but as we come to capture a glimpse here and there, it is truly a beautiful experience. To love as He loved. I am learning it!
I know with all of my heart and soul that Christ really loves us. He gave all because He wants us to return. He is the way, the truth and the life. I will serve Him all my days. I will soon be with you again, but until then, may we all do more and more to thank Him for His infinite sacrifice and atonement. He lives. Find someone who doesn´t know, or isn´t sure, or has forgotten… and testify!
Love Always,
your polite daughter... "no, but thanks." :)
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