18 March 2014

Dear Family,

Did you enjoy the entry last week about me eating the royal rat? Because this week I have one to top that! This week I had the privilege of eating Pig's Foot. I had to take pictures to give you a better idea of what it looked like and to prove to you that I did eat it. I dove right in and ate the majority or my piece. I am pretty sure that it was about 98% fat. It had the texture of a cellulitish-jello. It was not very enjoyable but not terrible so I kept eating. It was only when I saw the hair that, yes, was STILL on the meat, that I put the foot down and did not eat any more. Ha! I hope you all enjoy the picture!

The Pig's Foot that I ate this week. Yes, that is hair that you can see. I had to have evidence that I really ate it!

This week has been a hard week because in one night, 4 people committed suicide by hanging themselves. Three men from Orange Walk and one 13 year old girl from Corozal. One man was an inactive member, the girl was a member, and another one of the men was married to an inactive member of the church. Sad day. We spent a lot of time with the member families, supporting them, helping them, and comforting them. It is part of our covenant at baptism to mourn with those that mourn and comfort those that stand in need of comfort. So that's what we did. It was so sad to see the loved ones who did not have or trust in the plan of salvation. There was a lot of screaming, wailing, and crying until fainting. We truly are so very very blessed to have the gospel in our lives to comfort us in times like these. It was very interesting to see the difference in culture as well. At the "wake" or viewing there was a ton of people who came to just drink away the night. The screaming was something I had never seen before. They never bury people underground. They just make a cement box around the coffin. Interesting. It was a sad week though. 

Dad, you should be happy. I got several comments this week about the piano. I showed up to one of the funerals and the 1st counselor in the branch presidency hurried up to me to tell me that they were in desperate need of a piano player. Later that day, one of the slightly in active members of the branch told me that she hopes that they never transfer me from Orange Walk. When I asked why, she said she just loves the piano being played at church and will miss it when I leave. So, Dad, all of your determination and money for piano lessons really have fulfilled their purposes. Thank you so much for giving me that gift to share with others. 

Well I hope Ashlyn had a great birthday last week and the Wendi has a great one this week. I love you all! Have a great week!

Sista Heap

 After being in Belize for over 6 months, I finally got my English name tag!!! How cool to get to have the both, one in English and one in Spanish.