Week 15

Holaaa!

Another week in the beautiful country of El Salvador. And another week of adventures.

So this week our lights and electricity were cut off...that was fun haha. We were living in the epocas antiguos (old days) with candles. And flashlights. But yeah our leaders finally figured out the problem after 3 days and our light was returned. You never know what you have until it's gone...we were very happy to have our electricity back! It was fun living in the past for a little while but I wanted to return to my modern life. Don't know how the pioneers did it. Seriously.

Also, I was sick with gripe (a cold) for a few days which made everything a little bit harder to do, but I pushed through it with the help of Hermana Dumay's magic decongestant tea! She made this tea for me with onion, cinnamon  lime, and chinola (idk what that is but it's good haha) and it killed my cough like that! and I thought it would be disgusting but it tasted great too! Hermana Dumay really is like a mother for me. I don't know what I'm going to do without her when we're parted! 

Which is soon we think. Cambios are next week! I don't want to leave all of my investigators and members but whatevs, we'll see.

The L family, recent converts of ours, are doing great! K is gonna be baptized this weekend. She's nervous about the water and said that if her baptism doesn't work the first time she's not gonna do it again because she hates water. But I know she'll be baptized because Hermano D is gonna baptize her, and she has A HUGE crush on him haha. K and F were in the primary program for the anniversary this sunday. They were nervous to go up and sing but they did a great job. I'm so proud of my patitos (ducklings)!

Also, we've been visiting C a lot lately. I don't know if I've talked about him, but he's the SWEETEST old man in the world. He's been a member for 50 something years and his wife recently died in May. He shared with us the night she died in their bed and how he held her hand until her last breath. I was bawling, no lie. Their love story needs to be made into a movie. He's suuuper sad without her but has a really strong testimony of eternal families and is kinda just waiting to die so he can be with her again. We visit him for company and to encourage him. His life is crazy interesting. He's been all over the world with his wife and has witnessed lots of miracles. He's so humble it amazes me. This opportunity has reminded me of how important it is to live everyday to the fullest and always keep my priorities in order. God first, family second, the world third. I love the elderly, they are so full of wisdom and are so meek. I think I want to work with seniors as a career because they make me so happy :)

The R family is doing well! They're praying together more and reading the Book of Mormon. We just have to get them to come to church every week, because W hates getting up in the morning. 

This week we were with G, an 80 year old man, and he was talking about how we have all this crazy technology today and so we asked him what he did to pass the time back in the day and he says "make children" ...he had 25 children so he obviously kept very busy! 25! crazy...

Our investigators F and M are really positive! The both of them are gonna be baptized next month. They're both 30-40 something men who live together. Their families don't live with them because they were both alcoholics really bad and their fams left them. But the 2 of them really want to change their lives and are following the steps to do so! It's weird teaching these men because they can't read really well and they're minds are a little out of wack from all the alcohol and so we need to teach them like children. We taught M how to pray yesterday, he's super timid but did a great job! F is like a big brother to him and the 2 of them are changing really fast for the better.

It's a great privilege to be here serving these people. I've really grown to love them a lot! Well, hasta proxima semana (until next week)! Love you all! I'm grateful for all your prayers and letters, and please feel free to email me! I'd love to hear from you all and how life is over there in the states.

Con amor, 

Hermana Infanzon

Week 14

Oh hombre (man), I am sorry sorry sorry that I didn't have time to write last week! I was a little preoccupied staring at the mountain of photos of my new little nephew and crying over them for my whole hour of writing time...woops. I'd still rather be looking at all the photos this week but I know I have to write.

and PUCHIKA (dang) I have alot to write about!

We have been working with families this week! It's amazing to teach families, because our message is really directed towards them. Of course it's for everyone, but I feel like I'm fulfilling my calling so much more when I teach a family. 

So this week we went to visit W and C. We had been teaching them the lessons in order but every visit they seemed less and less interested. Our last lesson with them I felt prompted to ask W what he expected out of our visits. and he said to us, to be honest I don't really care right now if Joseph Smith was a true prophet or if the Book of Mormon is true, my marriage is falling apart and we need help. Huelaaa (aw man) we did not expect that response! C started to cry and said she'd been praying for her marriage because they don't have any love between them or respect and don't pray. We shared our testimonies of how the Gospel blesses families and the importance of each principle. We had a noche de hogar (FHE or Family Home Evening) with them and the N family. Aw man, the N family is PILA (firm) in the Gospel- C and X gave a lesson on eternal marriages and families it helped W and C a lot and they came to church yesterday!

We had 8 investigators in sacrament meeting. Wow, what a blessing it was! My only worry is that A and X didn't show up. They are my favorite couple in the world and I want more than anything for them to be sealed in the temple together but X doesnt want to marry A and they're not keeping the commitments we give them so we might have to let them go. It makes me really sad and I'm trying everything to help them understand the importance of making covenants. we're going to visit them this week, wish us luck that everything progresses with them.

But oh man, the G family is doing great! J and K are so positive! And the coolest thing happened. We hadn't seen them in a week and we went to visit them and luckily they were there. K told us that she had a dream of us and we were like oh cool, what were we doing? And she started to explain us all sitting in white chairs with white walls, flowers, clothing, everything white. she said that we were all very happy and that everyone was welcoming her in. My heart dropped when she told us that! We told her that she had a dream of the temple and we explained to them what the temple meant to us and what we did there. It was so amazing! I've heard stories like this but never experienced something like that. 

The mission is full of amazing experiences. I feel so lucky to be here. Anyway, another week in Las Arboledas, the best ward in the zone! We have cambios (transfers) Sept 4 already, I hope I'm not transferred! But I have complete faith that the Lord knows what is best. When we put our faith in Him, anything is possible! I truly believe that with all my heart. 

Love you all! 

Con amor, 

Hermana Infanzon

Week 12

First things first.

BIENVENIDOS AL MUNDO NATHANNN!!! (Welcome to the world, Nathan!)

Mi sobrino precioso, ya te amo! (My precious nephew, I love you!)

Por fin (finally), he's been born! I'm so excited to hear everything, how it all went, and why it took him so long to get here! Haha. But seriously...

Felicitaciones (Congratulations) Casey & Matt! I'm so happy for you guys.

Okay, so this week in all honesty was chafa (I think this translates to "cheap" or "this week stunk" as we say). We had a Casa Abierta (open house) and almost no investigators came. We had bastante (quite a bit of) appointments fall and not many new investigators. The investigators that were progressing, fell off the face of the Earth. There was a lot of walking this week from place to place. And un monton de (a lot of) rain. We were supposed to have a baptism this Saturday for M, the prima de (cousin of) J, but it didn't happen. The baptistry was all set up, the members were waiting, and the font was full. But when we went to her house to pick her up no one was home except for her aunt. She told us that they left and she didn't know where they went. Confused, we returned to the chapel to talk to the bishop and call them (our mission is very viejo (old-fashioned). We don't have phones, microwaves, or any normal people stuff. I feel like I'm living in the past sometimes). When we called no one answered. After a little while, we returned to their place to see if they came back. Only her aunt was there but this time she says to us "Oh, no puedo mentir" (I can't lie) and told us that they went to the country fair. It's vacation for everyone right now, and there's this HUGE fair that the whole world goes to, apparently. And supposedly it's more important than salvation. Haha no I'm kidding, but we were really surprised! She was really excited the night before and we did not expect this. Hey, but everything is in the Lord's plan! I was disappointed in M for flailing on her baptism, but at the end of the day, I know it's all good. She definitely wants to be baptized and so we're gonna work with her on having the baptism next week. Vamos a ver (We'll see)! Even with this difficult week, I am more than happy. I don't doubt that the Lord has a plan for every one of His children. And I have faith that everything happens for a reason. He never leaves us solo (alone). And we can ALWAYS find blessings in our hard times.

One blessing is that we found a really positive family! I was talking to the husband in the street and he allowed us to visit his family and share our message. So we went yesterday. He wasn't there but his wife and daughter were. They are extremely kind and amable (friendly)! There names are W, J, and C. Their daughter is 24 and so sweet! I love her. She sells kitchen supplies with her mom. The Spirit was very present when we taught them, and J said that they attend a church but when they go, they feel like they're missing something. And the husband said that if they felt a church was right, they will be baptized. We're going to teach them again on Saturday, please pray for this family! The family G-A, they are awesome and totally prepared by Heavenly Father!

Okay. Sorry mom. But I have a CRAZY weather story that I have to share. I'm in all pieces (I think she means "I'm all in one piece"), though, no preocupadas (don't worry). So 2 nights ago we were leaving a lesson and I looked up to see this GIGANTIC black cloud brooming (looming? haha she's forgetting English!) over us. It looked like it was literally chasing us, it was so fast. I freaked out and was like "Mire! Mire!" (look! look!) to Hermana Dumay and Hermana Walstrohm. And we booked it! Haha. But we didn't know where to go! Our next appointment was way lejos (away) and we knew it was too dangerous to go in this weather, so we headed toward our casa and tried to contact a couple people. No one was home, of course. The rain was sooo strong and the wind was stronger than I'd ever felt it here. It was like we were literally in a hurricane. Then we saw this woman with her 2 kids hiding under a bus stop without umbrellas so we helped them to their house, and I gave the little girl my umbrella. So I was SOAKED head to toe. Stranded in El Salvador in the middle of a thunderstorm...and then I remembered the familia G lived close to where we were so we headed to their house. It was the greatest sight to see Hermana G making homemade pizza and hot chocolate. She quickly let us in and fed us the best pizza I've ever tasted (it's really good with quesito) and we talked about her mission. She served here too, and told us what changed and what was the same. A lot is the same, apparently. Just another reason why the members are a huge blessing to missionaries!

Random funny stories. 

We went to M's house to have her interview with the district leader and Elder Warnick (from my CCM district and from Utah) is his companion so he joined our NDH (Noche de Hogar or FHE) while Elder Vasquez did the interview. M's aunt randomly walks in and said she was talking to her sister who lives in California and who wanted to talk to the Americans. So she gave the phone to Elder Warnick and he awkwardly held a conversation with her for 5 minutes and only I could understand what was going on. Everyone else was just watching, confused. Then she said, "Now the girl", and he handed the phone to me. I don't even remember what we talked about, her English vocabulary was very strange. But it was a really awkward/funny moment.

I made empenadas! One of our investigators wife has a tienda (shop) in front of the house and I helped her make empenadas. Everyone wanted to watch the gringa (white girl) cook and, being me, I wasn't very good at it and they all thought it was funny. I did, too. And it was fun! I'll keep practicing so I can show you my skills when I return.

The O family, who are members, have the CUTEST puppy in the world who is my very best friend. And the other day we were visiting them and he was there so I said, "Donde esta el chuchito" (Where is the puppy?) and the youngest son said he was "escondio" in Spanish which means hidden but what I heard was "con Dios" (with God) and I started freaking out, "el es con Dios?! que paso?" (he's with God?! what happened?!) and then they explained to me what he really said. We had a good laugh at that one. After my heart broke! But it's all good, he's alive and as precious as ever.

Anyway, I must return to my crazy awesome life, so until next week!

KYRA- You're leaving on Tuesday!! How exciting! I can't wait to get your feedback on the MTC and how loco it is there.

SHANNON AND KAYLA- I expect an essay on Girls Camp for next week. That is all.

CASEY AND MATT- Congrats again on bringing the first baby of Generation 3! He's the cutest baby in the world. I want a mountain of pictures sent to me, por favorrr!

CON AMOR!

Hermana Infanzon