4 March 2013

Another week is gone. Luckily this one went a little faster than the last one. My progress is slow here but my companions assure me that I am progressing. I dont talk very much because I dont know what is going on so I feel like my speaking skills are decreasing. I finally broke down in tears with my companions this week. It was comforting to see my trainer cry as well. She only started her mission in November so we are both feeling pretty lost. It was a good bonding moment to acknowledge that we are both struggling.

We went to San Salvador twice this week for immigration paperwork for me and Hna Gonzalez. This gave me the opportunity to ride the crazy buses here. Luckily there were not chickens like in Romancing and the Stone. But there was crazy music, tons of people, venders selling everything, and women with baskets on their heads (this is very common here). The travels were long and frustrating because it took away from my study time but they were definitely interesting experience.

The last two days have been windy here. This is almost comforting because it reminds me of home. And it wasnt hot!!! What a blessing! ha! It is hilarious though because the people here think that it is freezing when there is wind. It was a warm wind and the temperature was probably 75 degrees with a nice breeze and everyone, including my companions, broke out their sweaters. HA!

A lady fixes us lunch everyday. She and here soon to be husband are my favorite people here to far. They are so incredibly nice to me even though I can hardly communicate with them. They are also so generous. The people here are very poor but give so freely. This week she gave me a dress, just because she had it on hand and felt like giving it to me. I wore it yesterday to church and she was so pleased. :) I will try to send a picture. She isnt a member but has a testimony of Joseph Smith and everything. Rafael is a member and a very strong one at that. We are hoping after their marriage today the door will be open to get Mama Enma baptized. I am excited!

One of our investigators, Karina, lived in the USA for a little while so she knows english. She asked me to offer the opening prayer to our lesson in English this week. I was excited at first but as I started praying, I could hardly hold back the spanish words. I havent prayed out loud in English for a long time so it was almost hard. Whoa! Maybe there is hope for me yet.

This week I studied the story of Alma and Amulek when they were cast into prison. I took your advice and applied it to myself. They suffered SO much, no food, no water, no clothes for days and having to watch their investigators burn! I am suffering very little in comparison. But in the end, with faith and strength from the Lord and on the timetable of the Lord, they were delivered. This helped remind me that I need to continue in faith and the Lord with "deliver" me as well from this language barrior. I love the scriptures and treasure the time I have to study them!

Well I have to go. I love you all.