Week 11

How is it already almost August? Bueno, time flies when you're having fun! And I'm having lots of fun. I had my first real baptism on Saturday! It was for Y, the sweetest 14 yr old in the world. She's the first in her family to get baptized and we're hoping the rest follow her example. She was definitely ready to hear and accept the gospel in her life. She wants to serve a mission! I just love her. The baptism was great. Lots of members came to support her. It was a little awkward cuz she wanted our ward mission leader to baptize her and he's a lot smaller than her, so it took 3 times until it worked, but who cares! She's baptized! And her cousin M has her baptism this Saturday.

It's crazy how all of our investigators that are progressing are youth. But it makes sense because they're the future in the Lord's work and he's preparing his children much younger now. Yesterday at church we had 8 ward missionaries called to help us with all the work we're doing here in Las Arboledas, and 5 of them were youth.

We have a new investigator, E, who is so funny! He's always making jokes with us and acts like my dad. He hates that I crack my knuckles and also chastises me about it, just like dad does to me haha. He's had a lot of struggles in his life. He has 2 daughters in Guatemala (he was born there) but he can't visit them because he's not allowed in Guatemala. Something crazy happened with his daughter and some man. I don't understand the full story but all I know is that he macheted the guy in the back and now he's paralyzed so he can't return to the country. He lives alone and feels like he can't be forgiven for his sin. I have bastante esperanza (lots of hope) for him! He's an amazing guy.

Oh my gosh, and he lives in this crazy weird area where all the bolos (drunks/bums?) live. We're not allowed to teach him after 5 pm anymore because last time we left it was kinda dark and there were a bunch of drunks. They fall like flies on the pasaje (street) when they're really drunk. I almost stepped on a drunk guy as we were leaving! It was actually really funny. I know mom won't think it is...but I swear we're protected and we don't go there at night anymore. Anyway...

We're teaching this family who's really great. V and E. They're really amable (friendly) and love to talk with us. Pray for them that they'll accept the gospel in their lives!

S has been having problems this week. Her job is really difficult and some delinquent robbed their house. She's had to work every Sunday lately and seems kinda depressed. I hope we are able to meet with her this week and help her out.

Oh hey, guess what? I'm in a trio now! Cambios (transfers) this past week were crazy. The mission was cut in half when I got here and now a bunch of missionaries are coming and there's nowhere to put them! So my other companion is Hermana Walstrohm from Peru. Her name is so gringo but she's not at all haha. She's the sweetest most humble person ever and Hermana Dumay is a fireball so together we're an awesome mix! We all have our different strengths and weaknesses.

SHOUTOUTS!

Shan and Kayla, have so much fun at Girls' Camp! You know how much I love it and I'm hecka jealous haha but it's so going to be so fun! And it's your first time Kayla! Think of me when you sing "Walk Tall You're a Daughter", it's my favorite! The YW sang it at the baptism in Spanish. I almost died when they started singing because that song has a tender place in my heart.

Kyra! Awesome job with your farewell talk. I'm sure it was amazing. 2 more weeks mi amor!

Mads! I got your invite last monday, everyone wanted to look at it and said it was really well done. I told them you did it cuz I know you got skills with that. And your wedding! I heard it was beautiful and that you were glowing. Felicitaciones (congratulations)!

Erin! Feliz cumpleanos mi amiga! Te amo!

Casey! Have your freaking baby already. I'm dyinggg (NO, I'm dying! He's heavy and it's hot outside). But I'm sure you're anxious too haha. I secretly hope he's born on July 31st so he has the same birthday as Harry Potter...sorry not sorry (I secretly wish that too, not ashamed of my nerdy-ness).

Mom and Dad! Just a shoutout of love. Casey sent me a pic of you guys and you both looked very guapo(a). Everyone said I look like you mama, but morena (brunette) ha.

Ok I have to go, I love you all! Remember to share the gospel with everyone!

Con amor,

Hermana Infanzon

Week 10

Hola de El Salvador!

Okay so this week was pretty awesome. Nothing too new, just getting in the swing of things here. Everyday we get up at 6:30 and workout. Then we study for 4 HOURS, eat lunch, and peace out for the day. We walk pretty much always but sometimes we use the bus. You know the knight bus in Harry Potter 3? Well it exists. Here in El Salvador. Its craaaazy.

We always eat at this comedor (restaurant) down the street from our apartment. Theres this girl who works there, N, who I just LOVE. She's only 17 and works all day, every day. It surprises me how many young men and women here work full time jobs so young. But they need to to get by, I guess. It makes me grateful for the opportunity to receive an education at BYU. I have high hopes for N but she never has time to take the lessons so we'll seeee!

S is doing great! Her baptism is set for the 10th of August. She loves reading the Book of Mormon, it's legit.

So the L Family still has issues with drinking coffee so we have to push their baptismal date. The only one who hasn't drunk coffee is Y so her baptism is this Saturday! She's awesome. Only 14 years old but she is definitely the example for her family. She has felt the Spirit so strong and KNOWS that this is true. She comes to church every Sunday!

Oh gosh, getting our investigators to church is tan dificil (so hard) because we have it at 8 in the morning and no one ever wants to get up early to go. So that's something we've been working on with them, haha. 

Oh so we have changes this Tuesday! It's going to be loco. I'M GONNA BE IN A TRIO WITH HERMANA FOSTER! We have more sisters coming in than we have room for in the mission and so we're basically all gonna be in trios. Some sisters have to train 2 new hermanas! It's crazy scary for them but crazy cool. We have amazing sisters and I know they're ready. Also, once my training is over I'm gonna be training, President said. Ayy I hope I'm ready! It's really soon! Usually people train after like 6 months in the mission.

We had a Conferencia de Hermanas this week! It was awesome. I love love LOOOVE the President's wife. She's the cutest, sweetest person I've ever met. We sent messages of hope in balloons and sent them to the world! It was precious. The view at the President's house is of San Salvador. It's gorgeous.

Anyway that's pretty much it! Thanks for all your support! Love you all!

Con amor,

Hermana Infanzon

Pictures from the Conferencia de Hermanas! Nicki's words:

 "It was hecka luxurious for us cuz life is nothing like that at our casas but the prez and his wife treat us well haha."

This is probably what Nicki meant when she said "luxurious", she loves chocolate!

Sending notes of hope and love to the world!

Blog update

The First Presidency of the Church has asked that those who are keeping blogs for missionaries refrain from using the names of the people they meet and teach for their own privacy. So from now on, all names will be initials. Just thought I'd clear that up!

Week 9

Holaaa!

Well the work is still going here! How's everyone at home? It sounds like craziness with Kyra leaving and Brit moving and Casey waiting for her baby boy! And Kayla wearing makeup? And ashlin losing a tooth? Stop growing up please. Matt looks like a grizzly bear in that picture you sent of him and Ashlin haha. When did he grow all that facial hair? I think you're all trying to look older to weird me out, and it's working. I barely recognize you guys!

Well as per usual, I have like 2 minutes to write. So I'll just tell you that we're working hard and seeing results. We have 8 baptisms set for this month.

And this week we met S! She came to sacrament meeting and cried from the spirit she felt. She turned to me during it and said "How many years do I need to wait to be a member?" Of course I told her she could be a member much sooner haha.

Basically she's perfect. I love her. And we found her on a hard day when all of our appts fell through.

I know the Lord has a plan for his work and if we remain obedient we will see the fruits of our labors!

Well I'm sorry it was so short this week, but we have lots to do!

Oh btw (translation for dad: btw = by the way) I climbed a mountain last week! It was awesomeee! I miss hiking the Y haha.

CON AMOR!

Hermana Infanzon

Week 8

Ahh familia and friends! I have very little time to write this week. Heavenly Father knows one of my pet peeves is crappy computers so I think He's trying to teach me patience my giving me the worst computer every week...heh heh.

Anyway, this week has been amazing! We're working hard. The ward is getting more excited to do the work with us and I'm getting accustomed to everything now that I'm on my second week. Like its not a big deal that I shower with a bucket anymore haha. 

We have an investigator named O who is getting baptized on the 3rd of August! We're really excited for him. He's making amazing changes in his life. And we have an investigator named R, he's 22. The only problem is his family is evangelico and they don't want him to get baptized and he cares about his family a lot and doesn't want to do anything that would upset them. He hasn't come to church yet but I think that when he does he will have the desire to take action.

We have 2 investigators who are jovenes (young), A and J, who also have a huge desire to get baptized but their moms won't let them either. It happens a lot here and it's sad but I know the lord will soften the hearts of their parents as they live the things we have taught them.

We had a baptism this week! It doesn't really count haha, but kinda. B is an 11 yr old who lives in M and was visiting family here. They wanted him to get baptized by his uncle who lives in our ward so we finished the 2 lessons he has left and baptized him. Sweetest kid I've ever met. He has helped me a lot with having childlike faith in the Lord.

I've had many lessons about faith this week. I'm learning to have faith at all times and in all things and in all places, not just when it's easy. It's brought a lot more happiness to my life.

So we have this one investigator B who is so great. She loves us and said we are her daughters since she only has sons. So we teach her in her restaurant and there was this one woman one day who was asking us about where we were from and when I told her I was from the US she said, "Oh I know English! I can say "I love you, I need you, I'm hungry" hahahaha I told her that was awesome and all she needed to know to get by in the US haha. It was so funny, but only to me obviously, so I was trying not to laugh too much, but still with her accent, it was priceless.

Que mas? The weather has been crazy! It's dang hot alllll day and then in the night it pounds rain! I've never heard or seen rain this strong. Oh and last night I experienced my first earthquake! We were planning when the apartment started to tremble like crazy. It lasted for like 5 seconds but me and Hermana Dumay had to recover for like 5 minutes because it startled us so bad. It was pretty strong! Well I can't compare it to anything but it seemed like a big one to me. But don't worry mom, not a scratch. I haven't gotten sick at all yet! And the food is great. I eat frijoles and platanos all day erry day and it hasn't phased me yet haha so good. I'm obsessed with platanos. The only annoying thing is that my legs look like a minefield from all the bug bites. Todo bien.

Everyday gets better and I learn more. I can't believe I've only been in the field for 2 weeks. Missions are hard but sooo fun everyone! I just want you all to know that.

Con amor,
Hermana Infanzon

Photos of Hermana Infanzon with other sister missionaries at the CCM, her district at the temple and her district in the CCM:

Week 7 - In the field!

Ok, sorry for the disappearance! The computers in the MTC weren't working during my last week and we didn't have time to write when we arrived here in El Salvador so I've been dying to talk to you all! And finally, here I am.

And I don't know what to say, haha.

Well we took a nice bus ride to El Salvador and I cried the whole way there cuz I missed all my good friends in the MTC. Nooo, I didn't really cry the whole way but I've never hated goodbyes until I started my mission. Now I'm a baby when it comes to goodbyes. I cried so much when I left my teacher, and then the MTC, and then my district, and then my companion. BUT! We're in the same zone here in El Salvador so I get to see her a lot still and Elder Warnick from my MTC district too, so it's great to see their familiar faces.

Ok so the change was huge this week because they were splitting the missions. A lot of missionaries were really sad and crying cuz they had to say bye to a lot of missionaries. And I'm over here all excited for the work and we're singing "God Be With You Til We Meet Again" the first day I arrived. It was un poco (a little) random but all good haha.

So they had this huge screen with all of our faces and it showed our companion and area. I was like one of the last ones of course...but it's all good haha. So I'm actually not in San Salvador, strangely. Right now I'm serving in...

ILOPANGO LAS ARBOLEDAS! Apparently it's a tinyyyy area but I wouldn't know since it's my first. Also, they transferred both the hermanas in this area before to the other mission so it's a new area for me and my companion.

Sooo my companion is from the Dominican Republic! My faveeee. Her name is Hermana Dumay. I'm so sorry but I forgot my cord to send the pictures this week haha...so you can see our faces next week! She's a great trainer. We've been helping each other learn our own languages. We speak english in the house (a tiny bit since she just started learning) and spanish out of the house. My space is much bigger haha, but it's all good since I'm kinda surrounded by spanish 24/7.

The first few days were a little rough for me since I couldn't understand everything people were saying and I didn't know anyone, the both of us didn't know the area, and there aren't many investigators in this area. Also, I never knew what was going on! When my companion walked, I walked, when she talked, I talked. I like to lead and not follow, and it was bugging me that I couldn't take charge in anything. All my excitement I gained from the MTC was gone. I felt defeated and exhausted after the first 3 days. I hated our house, I hated that we never had time to do anything for ourselves, and I hated that no one would listen to us. If I'm being honest, I didn't think I would be able to do this. I wanted to go home to everything that I KNEW and that I LOVED. I couldn't talk to anyone about my struggles except my companion and I felt bad throwing all my issues on her. She was working so hard to get us appointments and find people to teach. It was difficult for me, I can't lie.

BUT. I prayed. I kept on going. Heavenly Father softened my heart. I gained a testimony on having faith even when I couldn't see the blessings yet. I know He was watching over me those 3 days, I was just being stubborn and needed to learn humility and patience. I realized I needed to have hope and on day 4, there was a turn around. We finally had an investigator and taught a lesson. I started to understand people better and gain a sense of what was going on haha. I was happier AND ready to work. It feels like I've been here for a lifetime but in reality I haven't even been here a week. I've grown and changed so much, I can't imagine how much I'm going to grow in 18 months.

I know my purpose here is to invite others to come unto Christ. He's not asking me to do anything else but that. I have a much more willing and open heart. The people we teach live in extremely poor circumstances. I come home to our little apartment now grateful for the blessings. I have more of a desire to think of my investigators and less of myself (this is a work in progress, but I'm learning) and I'm meeting great people.

Alright I have to go in 2 mins, but I want you all to know I love you sooo much and miss you like crazy!

Happy belated birthday to my dear sisters Kayla and Casey! 12 and 24 woot woot!

I'm so happy you got to go through the temple Keeks! What a great experience.

I've never been more grateful for all of you in my life. I have amazing family and friends.

I pray for you always and I hope you know I'm happy because I'm doing what Heavenly Father wants me to do. I'm learning to be a follower of his will.

Love,

Hermana Infanzon