Hola Familia,
I love you all so much! I am going to arrange the email differently this week because I think the day to day thing is boring. I don't have the cable yet, so still no pictures. But is okay because I am always sweaty and I look the same other than that. Here we go! Let me know how you feel about the new format:)
Investigator and Lesson Highlights:
We have an investigator named Joel and he had a dream that essentially symbolized the Kingdoms of Glory. In the dream he felt that he was going to the second highest and needed to find the path to the other. They are really into dreams here, and it is apparently a spiritual gift of these people. I am starting to believe that. It is a running theme here.
Manuel. We went to try to contact him. He was an old investigator and we needed someone new to teach. Apparently last time he was contacted he was very mean and like verbally abusive. His wife and daughters are inactive members. When we got to the house, they were super friendly and I bore testimony of the Atonement because he asked me what my favorite hymn was. I told him "How Great Thou Art" and "I Stand All Amazed" because of how amazing the Atonement and Jesus Christ are. It was a really good lesson, and we are going back this weekend. :)
We taught two part member families this week. The first time we could catch both all together! In one, the dad is an inactive member and the mom is an investigator, and the other is the opposite. I hope at least one of them will progress. I would love to reunite a family into the gospel and get someone on the track to being sealed in the temple. Pray for them! Familia Padrasa and Familia (well I actually don't know) Miguel and Kelly. :)
We had a weird lesson with a kid who kept asking about what our beliefs were on exorcism. Then he told me that he believed I was a priestess and could cast the spirit of his great grandfather out of his bedroom. He wants to be baptized. When we can get through a lesson without having to hear about his great grandpas spirit or I have to bite my tongue to keep from laughing, maybe that can happen.
What I learned:
I read in Mosiah 2:19-24 about obedience and how God gives us everything and only asks that we be obedient. Obedience is one of the things I am really learning the importance of on my mission. I think it will slowly start to make more and more sense why I am supposed to be learning this for my future life.
Favorite conference quote of the week was in Elder Eyring's talk when he said "The happiness of eternal life comes through strong family bonds that exist forever" and I love that. Also, I wrote Mom and Dad letters about my thoughts on General Conference. I will send them today or tomorrow. :)
Peru:
People cross themselves when we walk by sometimes....and I find it hilarious. Also, we saw a guy cross himself while riding his motorcycle in front of the chapel. Do you know how funny it would have been if he died like that? Awkward.
Also, the cheek kiss greeting thing. They do that here, including the men. But obviously we can't. So occasionally there are awkward situations where we must painfully explain ourselves and just generally want to die. And this practice is slowly killing my sense of personal space. I even greet the North American sisters with a kiss. Awkward.
Awkward Moments (Too Many to Count):
We were walking at night on like Tuesday and there was a firework. I thought we had been shot. I was just waiting to feel the spot. It was awkward because we were with Miguel and Diana and I just stopped walking. I was mocked. Hahaha.
Someone either stole or I lost my $7.00 Walmart watch.....which I find hilarious because that is talent right there. But my wrist feels naked.
Besos de Mosa are these really unhealthy candy things and the translation of that is "Kisses of a Young Girl" which we find incredible awkward so we call them Besos de Diabetes because that is what they really are. Hahahaha
Everyone tells me I have the face of an angel. I think it because I have chipmunk cheeks that are always red because I am slowly dying of heat. But then the other day a man told me that I looked like a virgin. And for like 10 seconds I didn't realize he meant like the Virgin Mary and I was like, well, um ya, but how did you know that and why would you say that. And then I figured it out. Awkward.
Weird Foods and Their Possible Side Affects:
Tuna. Here tuna the fish is called atun and tuna is fruit that is like red. I really like it:) Google it. It is kinda weird. Also, it made my poop a a very lovely and distressing vibrant orange. On a side note, I have also eaten tuna the fish a few times. Bleh.
Alfajores. I am literally addicted. There is probably meth in them or something. They are so delicious. I am in love.
Chicha. Don't know how to feel about it. It is a purple drink. I think they have it at Cafe Rio. You should try it. :)
I have a new found obsession with manzanilla, which is chamomile tea. I love it. So much.
Ecco. It is a drink mix from Nestle brand that tastes like coffee and I hate, but tolerate it. Haha
I GAVE A TALK IN CHURCH YESTERDAY!! The Bishop called me the night before and asked me to. It actually went really well. :) Everyone understood me very well and complimented me on my Spanish. I think it was good because Hermana Saenz will probably be leaving next week and I need to have the trust of the ward a little more. Ah. Haha. But really it was good. ;)
I don't know how you feel about this format, but it is more interesting and only hits the highlights. The other stuff is the same every week. I love you all so much! I miss you dearly but love Mondays to hear how everyone is doing:) You are all so amazing. Remember how much I love and pray for you. :) I feel your prayers and faith. I love you. Learn about Christ. He is everything to me. I love you familia. I am so thankful for all of you. :) Have an amazing 10 days!!! Because of the transfer, Pday won't be until next Wednesday.....ahhhhh! Hahaha, I love you :))
Love,
Hermana Lauren Bailey
Sunday, April 20, 2014
Tuesday, April 8, 2014
Earthquakes (not), High Goals, Salchipapa and GENERAL CONFERENCE!!
Oh My Dear Dear Family,
How I love you! I am so thankful to know we were watching the same conference at the same time, and it was an amazing one! Hey Mom, it has been 18 months since the age change, so maybe there is hope this will go by decently fast? Haha, I am going to go through the week in my usual, scattered inefficient way. :)
Monday! I am ever thankful for email time on Mondays. I love you all so much and I love to know what is going on in your lives. Also, I am getting very good at typing very fast. Hahaha. After email last Monday, we went to lunch at the mall thing as a district and went shopping with the other hermanas in Tottus. I love spending time with them, especially Hermana Dillon. It takes some pressure off companionships and gives us all time to just chat. We spent all of our PDay time (until 6) with them and then went to work:). We weren't wildly successful, but we did find Dwight and Carlos and teach them. Dwight is less active and Carlos is his cousin. I love to teach them because I feel comfortable with them and we can talk Spanish. We also had some ward missionaries with us who are all somewhere around our age and a lot of fun to go proselyting with.
Tuesday we had our District Meeting, and it turns our all of our district is struggling to have success recently (Elder De'Leon, Hermana Dillon and Hermana Rodriguez and us). So we are all struggling and growing together. I got a letter from Grandma. Tell her thank you and that I love her :). We went to eat lunch with the other hermanas after because we do not have a pencionista and we didn't want to leave them yet, so that was fun. Then that night we heard about the Chile earthquake from our Mission Leader. When we got to his house, they were moving all of their emergency stuff down. I was really worried about Trevor and a lot of missionaries in our Zone are from Chile, but I felt strangely assured that we would be safe. And our Mission President didn't even tell us anything, so I am sure we were totally safe the whole time ;). We didn't feel a thing. Although I fell that day, so we are going to blame it on the earthquake. It was all very embarrassing. The sidewalks are worn and slippery, and fell flat on my butt. Quite painful. That night we ate salchipapa and it was amazing. It is just french fries with hot dogs and a bunch of different sauces. But it is heavenly, if not asking for a heart attack. You must try it. :)
Wednesday. I had a change of heart about study time today. :) I still would rather be out, but I see the importance of study and planning to be able to be effective and have fun during the time we are out. That being said, we struggled that day. Literally all of our appointments fell through and I felt kind of like we were just working in circles around ourselves. It was rough. But those days come ;), more often than not I am sure. Also, I sent letters this day. :) Let me know if you get them!
Thursday. We had Zone/Training for the first of the month and as always I love meetings. I love learning and I love being with everyone. It seems like someone always gets offended in them though, so maybe I should be less happy. Or maybe I don't speak Spanish as well as I thought. But really I kind of think it is because I grew up with all brothers and never was in to the dramatic girl thing as much as everyone else. I know I am dramatic, the first phrase I learned in Spanish was "Vamos a morir", which means "we are all going to die". :) It is just different drama. We ate lunch with Hermana Dillon and Rodriguez again. And then we still had a sort of rough night. But we taught one of our investigators and his little brother who is sweeter and sweet (12 years old) and is going to be a new investigator. He is really smart. Their names are Luis and Fabrizio. :)
Friday. We had to go to the nice part of the city for a doctor appointment for Hermana Saenz. It was a nice change up. The hospital was niceish, but it was still terrifying. It made me firmly decide to never, ever get sick here. Firmly decide. Hahaha. Well it looked really nice and the guy was intelligent, but it kind of reminded me of like an insane asylum. I don't know. REGARDLESS. Not going to get sick. :) After we went to the nicest McDonalds I have ever seen, for real, then we went back to the slums. Just kidding, ahahaha. But it is remarkable how big of a difference is like 20 minutes away. Then we had weekly planning and we made really high goals. But why not? I truly believe that if we are exactly obedient and pray and work our hardest, we can do anything. So we will :). I have faith. That day I saw a lady walking with two big bags and asked if we could help her. After that SHE asked US when we could visit! There are miracles to be seen here in San Juan. We also had a lesson with one of our investigators, Lenia, and I talked the most! :) Yay progress! Also, that afternoon, sweet Hermana Lourdes Tapia (Miguel's mom, mission leaders's wife) asked us to come make a cake. But really she didn't know how and that is why we were invited and I made a cake from scratch. You would be proud, it was delicious! :)
Saturday: General Conference! That morning we had breakfast with the Tapias and during the sessions, we watched in English with our Zone. I was amazing. I have 17 pages of notes in all. :)
Sunday: I was blown away. Apparently everyone as a tradition comes to the morning session at the Stake Center, not just the leaders and random ones like yesterday. It was PACKED. It was a beautiful thing actually. :) It touched my heart. My favorite parts of conference were sitting with the other missionaries and these quotes:
"We are made of the stuff of eternity" Elder Uchtdorf
"I pray because I can't help myself" C.S. Lewis
"The Gospel isn't weight, it is wings." Sister Stevens
"Standing on the shoulders of giants." Elder Walker
I like that one because that is the reference to pioneers and I also feel to all of my family. I am standing on your shoulders and you are giants to me. :)
My all time favorite part was Boyd K. Packer's testimony. I bawled like a baby. Through the T.V., through his feeble physical body, came a testimony of a man called of God has seen the living Christ and walked with Him. I know that Christ lives and that he has appeared to man. I love the Gospel. I love my Christ. I have goosebumps and tears in my eyes as I write this. :)
I love you all! I love hearing what you are all doing. I hope all is going well. You sound busy, but we always are! It is the best way to live life. :) I also noticed everything said about families and am truly thankful for mine every second of every day. Thank you, thank you, thank you. I love you so!
Love,
Hermana Lauren Bailey
How I love you! I am so thankful to know we were watching the same conference at the same time, and it was an amazing one! Hey Mom, it has been 18 months since the age change, so maybe there is hope this will go by decently fast? Haha, I am going to go through the week in my usual, scattered inefficient way. :)
Monday! I am ever thankful for email time on Mondays. I love you all so much and I love to know what is going on in your lives. Also, I am getting very good at typing very fast. Hahaha. After email last Monday, we went to lunch at the mall thing as a district and went shopping with the other hermanas in Tottus. I love spending time with them, especially Hermana Dillon. It takes some pressure off companionships and gives us all time to just chat. We spent all of our PDay time (until 6) with them and then went to work:). We weren't wildly successful, but we did find Dwight and Carlos and teach them. Dwight is less active and Carlos is his cousin. I love to teach them because I feel comfortable with them and we can talk Spanish. We also had some ward missionaries with us who are all somewhere around our age and a lot of fun to go proselyting with.
Tuesday we had our District Meeting, and it turns our all of our district is struggling to have success recently (Elder De'Leon, Hermana Dillon and Hermana Rodriguez and us). So we are all struggling and growing together. I got a letter from Grandma. Tell her thank you and that I love her :). We went to eat lunch with the other hermanas after because we do not have a pencionista and we didn't want to leave them yet, so that was fun. Then that night we heard about the Chile earthquake from our Mission Leader. When we got to his house, they were moving all of their emergency stuff down. I was really worried about Trevor and a lot of missionaries in our Zone are from Chile, but I felt strangely assured that we would be safe. And our Mission President didn't even tell us anything, so I am sure we were totally safe the whole time ;). We didn't feel a thing. Although I fell that day, so we are going to blame it on the earthquake. It was all very embarrassing. The sidewalks are worn and slippery, and fell flat on my butt. Quite painful. That night we ate salchipapa and it was amazing. It is just french fries with hot dogs and a bunch of different sauces. But it is heavenly, if not asking for a heart attack. You must try it. :)
Wednesday. I had a change of heart about study time today. :) I still would rather be out, but I see the importance of study and planning to be able to be effective and have fun during the time we are out. That being said, we struggled that day. Literally all of our appointments fell through and I felt kind of like we were just working in circles around ourselves. It was rough. But those days come ;), more often than not I am sure. Also, I sent letters this day. :) Let me know if you get them!
Thursday. We had Zone/Training for the first of the month and as always I love meetings. I love learning and I love being with everyone. It seems like someone always gets offended in them though, so maybe I should be less happy. Or maybe I don't speak Spanish as well as I thought. But really I kind of think it is because I grew up with all brothers and never was in to the dramatic girl thing as much as everyone else. I know I am dramatic, the first phrase I learned in Spanish was "Vamos a morir", which means "we are all going to die". :) It is just different drama. We ate lunch with Hermana Dillon and Rodriguez again. And then we still had a sort of rough night. But we taught one of our investigators and his little brother who is sweeter and sweet (12 years old) and is going to be a new investigator. He is really smart. Their names are Luis and Fabrizio. :)
Friday. We had to go to the nice part of the city for a doctor appointment for Hermana Saenz. It was a nice change up. The hospital was niceish, but it was still terrifying. It made me firmly decide to never, ever get sick here. Firmly decide. Hahaha. Well it looked really nice and the guy was intelligent, but it kind of reminded me of like an insane asylum. I don't know. REGARDLESS. Not going to get sick. :) After we went to the nicest McDonalds I have ever seen, for real, then we went back to the slums. Just kidding, ahahaha. But it is remarkable how big of a difference is like 20 minutes away. Then we had weekly planning and we made really high goals. But why not? I truly believe that if we are exactly obedient and pray and work our hardest, we can do anything. So we will :). I have faith. That day I saw a lady walking with two big bags and asked if we could help her. After that SHE asked US when we could visit! There are miracles to be seen here in San Juan. We also had a lesson with one of our investigators, Lenia, and I talked the most! :) Yay progress! Also, that afternoon, sweet Hermana Lourdes Tapia (Miguel's mom, mission leaders's wife) asked us to come make a cake. But really she didn't know how and that is why we were invited and I made a cake from scratch. You would be proud, it was delicious! :)
Saturday: General Conference! That morning we had breakfast with the Tapias and during the sessions, we watched in English with our Zone. I was amazing. I have 17 pages of notes in all. :)
Sunday: I was blown away. Apparently everyone as a tradition comes to the morning session at the Stake Center, not just the leaders and random ones like yesterday. It was PACKED. It was a beautiful thing actually. :) It touched my heart. My favorite parts of conference were sitting with the other missionaries and these quotes:
"We are made of the stuff of eternity" Elder Uchtdorf
"I pray because I can't help myself" C.S. Lewis
"The Gospel isn't weight, it is wings." Sister Stevens
"Standing on the shoulders of giants." Elder Walker
I like that one because that is the reference to pioneers and I also feel to all of my family. I am standing on your shoulders and you are giants to me. :)
My all time favorite part was Boyd K. Packer's testimony. I bawled like a baby. Through the T.V., through his feeble physical body, came a testimony of a man called of God has seen the living Christ and walked with Him. I know that Christ lives and that he has appeared to man. I love the Gospel. I love my Christ. I have goosebumps and tears in my eyes as I write this. :)
I love you all! I love hearing what you are all doing. I hope all is going well. You sound busy, but we always are! It is the best way to live life. :) I also noticed everything said about families and am truly thankful for mine every second of every day. Thank you, thank you, thank you. I love you so!
Love,
Hermana Lauren Bailey
Sunday, April 6, 2014
Crazy People, No Hay Limites, Temple, and The Adventures of Klepto Cat
My Dear Beloved Family,
This week was really full it feels like. I think I can summarize it well:) It only felt full because it was a little different than a typical week, anyway, here we go:)
Monday: Monday wasn't really a full PDay. We only had internet because we went to the temple Friday. Once again, I love PDays. I love the connection to my family and reading about everyone's lives. It is comforting. My family is amazing. That afternoon we were meeting with this lady we knew was a little crazy in the chapel for a lesson. Thankfully one of the ladies in our ward who goes out with us a lot (Gabby, 25, gorgeous and sweet) was there and she went into the lesson with us. First, this investigator told us she needed to go to the bathroom to freshen up. So we were just waiting and Gabby had to use the bathroom. She came back really quick and told us in English, which was even funnier, that she (the crazy lady) was in the bathroom washing her feet. I died laughing. It was priceless. The lesson was actually kind of sad. She obviously isn't all the way there and has had some really sad things happen to her. I don't think we will keep teaching her, because I don't think she can be baptized. She had a lot of really out there questions and it was sad.
Tuesday: We had a multi-zone training! President and the assistants came from 10 to 3 and we had training. I actually loved it. I love the criticism and the advice to be better. I think it means I am more humble now because usually hate criticism. A lot of missionaries hate the "Call to Repentance", but I love it. I just want to be so much better and do everything I can. That night we had FHE with the family of the little girl we baptized, and the older inactive sister was there. :) It was the best thing ever. Then that night I talked a lot with Miguel (he was accompanying us) and we talked about the atonement. It was really good. And in Spanish:) always Spanish, it is getting better:)
Wednesday: I got the package!!! With the peanut butter and Nutella and Starbursts and the CD. It saved my life. Also this day we had interviews and so everyone was in our chapel. I gave the Starbursts to everybody because everyone was a little stressed and hungry. The package literally saved lives. Thank you. Endlessly. I also got a letter from Shay and Grandma:) Anyway, like I said, we had interviews with President that afternoon (you have them like every three months) and it was really good. He just makes me feel empowered. He reminds me a lot of dad. They both have that special spirit that is like an apostle. He told me to never stop wanting to work harder and to not be afraid to say I want to.
Thursday: Every thursday we have service. But our District was kind of lost. We ended up walking like two miles (really) to try and find it. And then when we did, it was hard work service. But I loved it. We dug out cement and trees and so forth. It was hard work. Then throughout the day it was a little rough because we were really tired and the Spirit wasn't really there. Then that night we had to go see the Bishop to get Florella's baptismal record signed because the Elders lost it. I was our ward conference priesthood meeting and every one of our less active men were there:) It made it all worth it. Everything happens for a reason.
Friday: This was our full PDay, but it was crazy. We woke up at 4:30 to go to the temple. We met the Hermanas of Facebook/Institute in front of the chapel at 5:30. We caught a moto and all four of us not-so-little women got in it. It was one of the more terrifying things of my life. We finally got to the massive like bus stop thing where we were supposed to meet and all of our zone (like 30 missionaries) piled on an already packed bus. We stood and swayed for like 45 minutes and then finally got off. But we still weren't in the right place, we we had to catch another combi to the temple. It was hilarious, but the temple was amazing and I love the hermanas in our zone. After the session, we all ate in the cafeteria. And then me and Hermana Saenz went to the office because she had asked for another interview the President. It was a good (rare) reason to go to the office and seen President. I talked to the other Elders there for the interviews and such and they made me feel better about my Spanish abilities, hahaha. They were all very sweet:)
Saturday: We had breakfast with a family and then lunch with another, so I was feeling a little full. But thankfully it was Fast Sunday the next day. Then we didn't have much success that night, but ended up teaching one of the younger investigators with two of our ward missionaries (Diana and Cristian). It was really good. Then right after we ran to the General Women's Broadcast. We got to watch it in a little room (Me, Saenz, Dillon, and Jameson) and I loved it. I thought that all combined was really cool. I did not anticipate how hard it would be though. Oh mom, I missed you! When President Erying said "Send your moms a thank you and a smile" we all lost it. I was sending one to you:) Throughout the whole meeting I was just thinking how grateful I am for you and how much I love you. Thank you:) Actually it hit everyone of us just as hard. We were all bawling at the end and really struggling. We all said a prayer together and it was amazing. I am grateful for these sisters around me. Especially Hermana Dillon. She is really helping me a lot. We are very similar so we have gotten pretty close. I talked to her and the members for like a half hour and it made me strong again.
Sunday was ward conference. It was a good conference. This ward is really strong. We had lunch in the Carnavaro Ward with Hermana Dillon and Hermana Rodriguez with a really nice family with two returned missionary twins. They were fun and it was a good lunch. Then that night, we didn't have a lot of success again. But Miguel looked up FWAH on Facebook and he is a fan now. Miguel Tapia. He cracks me up :) It is amazing to see what the gospel can do for a person.
The Story of Klepto Cat:
First, one morning I was using the bathroom and saw Hermana Saenz' pen in the shower....we were a little confused. Then one morning we woke up and someone had eaten all our cake from a member. Then I was using the bathroom and all of a sudden a cat appeared in the window and just came in and watched me. It has no fear of people. It gets weirder. It started stealing trinkets from Hermana Saenz' desk and taking them to the roof. It is very weird. Now we have to close the door to the bathroom whenever we leave so that we aren't robbed. So that is the story of Klepto Cat:)
I love you all so much! Seriously, thank you from the bottom of my heart for everything. You are my best friends, my rock, and my purpose!! I love you! Be happy! Be safe! :)
Love,
Hermana Bailey
This week was really full it feels like. I think I can summarize it well:) It only felt full because it was a little different than a typical week, anyway, here we go:)
Monday: Monday wasn't really a full PDay. We only had internet because we went to the temple Friday. Once again, I love PDays. I love the connection to my family and reading about everyone's lives. It is comforting. My family is amazing. That afternoon we were meeting with this lady we knew was a little crazy in the chapel for a lesson. Thankfully one of the ladies in our ward who goes out with us a lot (Gabby, 25, gorgeous and sweet) was there and she went into the lesson with us. First, this investigator told us she needed to go to the bathroom to freshen up. So we were just waiting and Gabby had to use the bathroom. She came back really quick and told us in English, which was even funnier, that she (the crazy lady) was in the bathroom washing her feet. I died laughing. It was priceless. The lesson was actually kind of sad. She obviously isn't all the way there and has had some really sad things happen to her. I don't think we will keep teaching her, because I don't think she can be baptized. She had a lot of really out there questions and it was sad.
Tuesday: We had a multi-zone training! President and the assistants came from 10 to 3 and we had training. I actually loved it. I love the criticism and the advice to be better. I think it means I am more humble now because usually hate criticism. A lot of missionaries hate the "Call to Repentance", but I love it. I just want to be so much better and do everything I can. That night we had FHE with the family of the little girl we baptized, and the older inactive sister was there. :) It was the best thing ever. Then that night I talked a lot with Miguel (he was accompanying us) and we talked about the atonement. It was really good. And in Spanish:) always Spanish, it is getting better:)
Wednesday: I got the package!!! With the peanut butter and Nutella and Starbursts and the CD. It saved my life. Also this day we had interviews and so everyone was in our chapel. I gave the Starbursts to everybody because everyone was a little stressed and hungry. The package literally saved lives. Thank you. Endlessly. I also got a letter from Shay and Grandma:) Anyway, like I said, we had interviews with President that afternoon (you have them like every three months) and it was really good. He just makes me feel empowered. He reminds me a lot of dad. They both have that special spirit that is like an apostle. He told me to never stop wanting to work harder and to not be afraid to say I want to.
Thursday: Every thursday we have service. But our District was kind of lost. We ended up walking like two miles (really) to try and find it. And then when we did, it was hard work service. But I loved it. We dug out cement and trees and so forth. It was hard work. Then throughout the day it was a little rough because we were really tired and the Spirit wasn't really there. Then that night we had to go see the Bishop to get Florella's baptismal record signed because the Elders lost it. I was our ward conference priesthood meeting and every one of our less active men were there:) It made it all worth it. Everything happens for a reason.
Friday: This was our full PDay, but it was crazy. We woke up at 4:30 to go to the temple. We met the Hermanas of Facebook/Institute in front of the chapel at 5:30. We caught a moto and all four of us not-so-little women got in it. It was one of the more terrifying things of my life. We finally got to the massive like bus stop thing where we were supposed to meet and all of our zone (like 30 missionaries) piled on an already packed bus. We stood and swayed for like 45 minutes and then finally got off. But we still weren't in the right place, we we had to catch another combi to the temple. It was hilarious, but the temple was amazing and I love the hermanas in our zone. After the session, we all ate in the cafeteria. And then me and Hermana Saenz went to the office because she had asked for another interview the President. It was a good (rare) reason to go to the office and seen President. I talked to the other Elders there for the interviews and such and they made me feel better about my Spanish abilities, hahaha. They were all very sweet:)
Saturday: We had breakfast with a family and then lunch with another, so I was feeling a little full. But thankfully it was Fast Sunday the next day. Then we didn't have much success that night, but ended up teaching one of the younger investigators with two of our ward missionaries (Diana and Cristian). It was really good. Then right after we ran to the General Women's Broadcast. We got to watch it in a little room (Me, Saenz, Dillon, and Jameson) and I loved it. I thought that all combined was really cool. I did not anticipate how hard it would be though. Oh mom, I missed you! When President Erying said "Send your moms a thank you and a smile" we all lost it. I was sending one to you:) Throughout the whole meeting I was just thinking how grateful I am for you and how much I love you. Thank you:) Actually it hit everyone of us just as hard. We were all bawling at the end and really struggling. We all said a prayer together and it was amazing. I am grateful for these sisters around me. Especially Hermana Dillon. She is really helping me a lot. We are very similar so we have gotten pretty close. I talked to her and the members for like a half hour and it made me strong again.
Sunday was ward conference. It was a good conference. This ward is really strong. We had lunch in the Carnavaro Ward with Hermana Dillon and Hermana Rodriguez with a really nice family with two returned missionary twins. They were fun and it was a good lunch. Then that night, we didn't have a lot of success again. But Miguel looked up FWAH on Facebook and he is a fan now. Miguel Tapia. He cracks me up :) It is amazing to see what the gospel can do for a person.
The Story of Klepto Cat:
First, one morning I was using the bathroom and saw Hermana Saenz' pen in the shower....we were a little confused. Then one morning we woke up and someone had eaten all our cake from a member. Then I was using the bathroom and all of a sudden a cat appeared in the window and just came in and watched me. It has no fear of people. It gets weirder. It started stealing trinkets from Hermana Saenz' desk and taking them to the roof. It is very weird. Now we have to close the door to the bathroom whenever we leave so that we aren't robbed. So that is the story of Klepto Cat:)
I love you all so much! Seriously, thank you from the bottom of my heart for everything. You are my best friends, my rock, and my purpose!! I love you! Be happy! Be safe! :)
Love,
Hermana Bailey
Thursday, March 27, 2014
I Couldn't Think of a Witty Title for This!
Oh My Dear Familia,
I love you so much. I love to read your weekly emails and see how everyone is doing. It makes me feel so close to you:) and makes me laugh and cry all at once. Ahaha. I will try to do this day by day thing:)
Monday: I got 9 letters that have been waiting for me. I think 5 were from Grandma. It literally made my life and saved my life. Thank you so so so much. I love you with all my heart. Also Wyatt, Mom and Dad thank you for the letters. I treasure them. I usually get mail on Mondays or Tuesdays, just FYI. Thank you again, really. Pass the word along to Grandma Judy and tell her I am glad she is healthy and well.
Tuesday: We arrived at our apartment in the afternoon to find we had no bathroom water. Luckily we still had water in the kitchen so we could haul water to flush the toilet. It was hilarious. Also we are super blessed because there are sisters pretty close to us, which is really rare. We just walked to their house to shower in the mornings. It was really a blessing. Also, it made me appreciate our bathroom. It is pretty big and really nice compared to theirs. Random toilet facts about Peru: they flush the opposite way-like the water swirls the other way. And also they have perfumed toilet paper here-which I don't know how to feel about.......
Wednesday: Tender mercy of the day was that in one of our lessons the neighbors were blasting Celine Dion and I loved it. Also I wanted to mention how cool I think the new Work of Salvation Program is. It really focuses on rescuing less actives. I that it is so cool, and so cool to call it a rescue.. It really is so important. Also, the quote "Catch the Wave of Missionary Work" is really cool here because wave in Spanish is ola. And orar, leer and asistir are pray, read and attend so it is really cool. Just sayin'.
Thursday: Homesickness hit me like a brick wall. It is always sort of there, but it just crippled me. Then when we went to shower at the other sisters house, they really helped me. It was a blessing. Then we had service in the Elder's area and it was really fun to just be with everybody and help people. We sanded a bunch of walls in their pencionista's house. It also made me grateful I am an hermana...our apartments are like night and day. I feel bad for them. That afternoon I helped in three lessons. The first was rough, the second was way rough, and the third was great. Hahaha. Don't ask me why. Spanish is temperamental. Also that night we were talking to Hermano Miguel (the amazing convert) and I told him to look up "What Does the Fox Say". He laughed so hard he cried. So, yay for the internet :). Also I sent letters on Thursday....so watch for those. I want to see if they get there before I send more important ones....
Friday: Well apparently if a dog is sick here, the people hang a lime around its neck and it supposedly heals it. Random Peru Fact. Dad should offer that as a service. Also, OUR WATER TURNED BACK ON this day so that is good. Hermana Saenz was a little sick so we stayed in a few hours in the afternoon. Then we went back out. We were in a lesson and she gave us a warm jello drink. Apparently that is common. I don't know how to feel about it. Bleh. Then the Jehovahs Witnesses knocked on the door so we answered and it was hilarious. The lady whose house we were in almost died laughing. You should have seen their faces. We had a meeting with the Mission Leader who is Miguel's dad. So I was talking to him and he was trying to pronounce Harry Potter names and it was not going well. At all. Hahaha.
Saturday: Surprise......WE HAD A BAPTISM! Little Fiorella, an 11 year-old girl with a less active mom who is slowly being rescued. It was great:) Except the musical number fell through because it was ward temple night for the first time in a long time. So guess who sang? Us! Mom, you would be so proud. We sang "Come Thou Fount" in Spanish and English and I sang by myself for parts of it. Are you shocked? I am. Hahaha. It was a really beautiful service. It was super spiritual despite the low attendance.
Sunday: We were late to church because we were waiting for an investigator and then we sat in the back. Church is a lot more....noisy in South America. But it was hilarious. We had lunch with a member and then we taught a recent rescue. I took the lead and talked about the importance of receiving endowments. It was really good! Spanish wise and spiritual wise. It put me on a high :) I just want to speak Spanish so I can be effective. That is all. hahaha. But I seriously love being with the members or in lessons, just working hard. It makes everything else worth it.
I realize this is scattered. I have faith I will get better at this, hahaha. I just want you to know how much I love you. How can I help you? What are you struggling with? I am struggling with feeling homesick, but just in the sense I want to be there protecting you, which is quite ridiculous. Hahaha. I love you all so much!
Hermana Lauren Bailey
Lauren with President and Sister Douglas
Thursday, March 20, 2014
I Literally Have No Idea What I'm Doing! Yay Mission!
Oh My Dear Beloved Family,
You are correct. My homesickness has hit me like a wrecking ball this week. Excuse my reference to Miley Cyrus:) It has been a little rough at times, but opening your email made it all okay. Also, I should get mail today or tomorrow;) And I am sending letters today! I am so excited. Haha. Anyway, let me try to update you a little. It may be rough, I am more and more scattered each time.
Wednesday was P-day and besides e-mailing you, we went to lunch with our zone at a mall thing (I say thing because literally nothing means the same thing in Peru as in America) and shopped. I bought Special K cereal and milk from a bag to eat for breakfasts and it wasn't too terribly bad:)
On Thursday, we do service in the mornings. This Thursday we went to our District to help a family in our ward move from upstairs to downstairs. The living arrangements are really weird here, but I don't really know how to explain. I bet it was the same in Jess' and Derek's, so ask them about it. It is all just really, really poor, but service was fun:) Then we had a our lunch (which we pick up from a pencionista) with the other sisters in our area who are actually assigned to be the first internet sisters outside of the US just for this transfer, kinda weird. Then we met up with a member to go teaching. His name is Miguel Tapia and he has been a member for 1 and a half months. He is literally amazing and really nice and the missionaries best friend. He talked to me and I vented about my difficulties expressing my personality in Spanish. It was really nice and he actually understands me really well and I have no issues understanding him.
Moto taxis. Sketchier that sketch and we ride them all the time. It is so so so fun:) Really. Google them:)
Friday. I feel that mornings are tedious at times because some days we don't even leave to proselyte until like 4 and it is awful; with study and planning and training. Bleh. But I love getting out and teaching and talking because it is why I am here and it takes my mind off things:) Cool fact: If we kill a cockroach on the floor, the next morning it is gone because the ants take it away. It is awesome. Also, I was supposed to have my first street contact this day so I went to talk to this guy and as soon as a started talking he was like "No hablo castillano". And like what the freak is that. So I just stared at him cause I though I was speaking Spanish. Then Hermana Saenz came to help and turns out he is from London and only speaks English. So my first contact was from England and now I know castillano is another word for Spanish.
Saturday. It smells like the ocean here in the mornings and it makes me think of Carlsbad and my amazingtastic family. Which is a little rough, but I love you so it is all good:) The cool experience of that day was that night we had an appointment to talk to a less active named Nefi ( I know, ironic) and with Miguel. We were going to watch Ephraim's Rescue but we needed another woman to be with them. So we waited outside his house eating popcorn and talking (good practice for me) until someone could come. She ended up being one of his lady friends and she was way interested, so we are going to try and contact her this week! Miguel and Nefi are also way funny and entertaining, so that is nice.
Sunday. I didn't really know what to expect. Church is at 8, and at 7:45 we ran to wake up a less active and then ran back to pick up another family. The ward is pretty big and really nice. I understand most of sacrament meeting. I am never going to remember all of these people though.
Funny story of yesterday was that our lunch appointment was with a recent convert /inactive lady who is really, really poor and has a really, really sad life story. She is old and her husband abuses her and is never around. But she loves missionaries. When we got there she told us she had made us (no idea how to spell this) pacha monka. It was a big pot sitting on a fire. So it turns out it is potatoes and huge peas and yucca root and chicken. She gave me a plate with half a chicken, 6 little potatoes, 15 massive pea pods and a whole yucca root. And I ate it all because she is poor and we have to and I almost died. But it was really good:)
Tender mercy of yesterday it that one of the teachers of the other district in the MTC is in the other ward in my chapel and I saw him last night. Comforting in a weird way.
My companion is really nice and is teaching me a lot.
2 Nephi 2:6-8 is why I am here.
Mormon 1:7 made me laugh. Peru in a nutshell.
D & C 31:1-6 is what I needed this week:)
Oh my gosh I love you. So so so so so so much. Thank you. For everything.
I miss you! I love you! You are in my prayers always:) Be happy!
Hermana Lauren Bailey
You are correct. My homesickness has hit me like a wrecking ball this week. Excuse my reference to Miley Cyrus:) It has been a little rough at times, but opening your email made it all okay. Also, I should get mail today or tomorrow;) And I am sending letters today! I am so excited. Haha. Anyway, let me try to update you a little. It may be rough, I am more and more scattered each time.
Wednesday was P-day and besides e-mailing you, we went to lunch with our zone at a mall thing (I say thing because literally nothing means the same thing in Peru as in America) and shopped. I bought Special K cereal and milk from a bag to eat for breakfasts and it wasn't too terribly bad:)
On Thursday, we do service in the mornings. This Thursday we went to our District to help a family in our ward move from upstairs to downstairs. The living arrangements are really weird here, but I don't really know how to explain. I bet it was the same in Jess' and Derek's, so ask them about it. It is all just really, really poor, but service was fun:) Then we had a our lunch (which we pick up from a pencionista) with the other sisters in our area who are actually assigned to be the first internet sisters outside of the US just for this transfer, kinda weird. Then we met up with a member to go teaching. His name is Miguel Tapia and he has been a member for 1 and a half months. He is literally amazing and really nice and the missionaries best friend. He talked to me and I vented about my difficulties expressing my personality in Spanish. It was really nice and he actually understands me really well and I have no issues understanding him.
Moto taxis. Sketchier that sketch and we ride them all the time. It is so so so fun:) Really. Google them:)
Friday. I feel that mornings are tedious at times because some days we don't even leave to proselyte until like 4 and it is awful; with study and planning and training. Bleh. But I love getting out and teaching and talking because it is why I am here and it takes my mind off things:) Cool fact: If we kill a cockroach on the floor, the next morning it is gone because the ants take it away. It is awesome. Also, I was supposed to have my first street contact this day so I went to talk to this guy and as soon as a started talking he was like "No hablo castillano". And like what the freak is that. So I just stared at him cause I though I was speaking Spanish. Then Hermana Saenz came to help and turns out he is from London and only speaks English. So my first contact was from England and now I know castillano is another word for Spanish.
Saturday. It smells like the ocean here in the mornings and it makes me think of Carlsbad and my amazingtastic family. Which is a little rough, but I love you so it is all good:) The cool experience of that day was that night we had an appointment to talk to a less active named Nefi ( I know, ironic) and with Miguel. We were going to watch Ephraim's Rescue but we needed another woman to be with them. So we waited outside his house eating popcorn and talking (good practice for me) until someone could come. She ended up being one of his lady friends and she was way interested, so we are going to try and contact her this week! Miguel and Nefi are also way funny and entertaining, so that is nice.
Sunday. I didn't really know what to expect. Church is at 8, and at 7:45 we ran to wake up a less active and then ran back to pick up another family. The ward is pretty big and really nice. I understand most of sacrament meeting. I am never going to remember all of these people though.
Funny story of yesterday was that our lunch appointment was with a recent convert /inactive lady who is really, really poor and has a really, really sad life story. She is old and her husband abuses her and is never around. But she loves missionaries. When we got there she told us she had made us (no idea how to spell this) pacha monka. It was a big pot sitting on a fire. So it turns out it is potatoes and huge peas and yucca root and chicken. She gave me a plate with half a chicken, 6 little potatoes, 15 massive pea pods and a whole yucca root. And I ate it all because she is poor and we have to and I almost died. But it was really good:)
Tender mercy of yesterday it that one of the teachers of the other district in the MTC is in the other ward in my chapel and I saw him last night. Comforting in a weird way.
My companion is really nice and is teaching me a lot.
2 Nephi 2:6-8 is why I am here.
Mormon 1:7 made me laugh. Peru in a nutshell.
D & C 31:1-6 is what I needed this week:)
Oh my gosh I love you. So so so so so so much. Thank you. For everything.
I miss you! I love you! You are in my prayers always:) Be happy!
Hermana Lauren Bailey
Thursday, March 13, 2014
Um, Is This Real, Because I Don't Actually Know
Basically I have never felt this weird in my entire life. But I think it is a good weird, so never fear!!
I freakin' love you people!!
This will probably be the most scattered email yet, because I feel like I am in a dream or on drugs. I also don't even know where to start.
I miss the MTC like crazy. Those people were my family! Also, I forgot my camera, so no pictures today:( But supposedly you got one of me yesterday? Also my outfit was changed like 6 times that morning and then I just gave up. I also sweated a lot so that is why I looked like a crazy woman. So ya.
Anyway, it was super comforting but also super hard to come to the mission with Bott, Bond and Rush. They are seriously some of my best friends. We got to the Mission Home which is an office on the 6th floor of a big building and started training. We got to sit together through all of that. There were like12 missionaries in orientation that day, but we were the only Americans. When we got there, they got all our stuff in the office and fed us breakfast. We met our Mission President and his wife and they are really so so so so nice. I really love them already. Then we just sat through training for like 5 hours, but it flew by and it was really fun. We all were in a really weird mood because, well, how could you not be. Then he started pulling us out one by one for to do an interview. The cool thing is when we got there he had all the trainers picked out, but wasn't going to assign us until after the interview so it would be inspired.
Anyway, in my interview he was super nice and also just made me feel really good about this decision. Which I obviously I usually do, but there are some crazy weird emotions on that day. And then he told me that he could tell that I was full of happiness and laughter, so I hope he is okay with all that. Haha. The he told me that he thought there was a good possibility I would be with a North American trainer, and that was super rare and he trusted that we would talk in Spanish all day and learn the language. So then he promised me that I would probably hyperventilate when I got to my area, but that it was going to be okay. So then he said, "Well, I know who your companion is" and sent me back.
When all our training was done, about 3:00, I met my trainer. I am assigned to the San Juan Ward in the San Juan Stake. My trainer is from West Virginia and her name is Hermana Saenz. She is really, really nice. We left the mission office and said goodbye to the girls from the CCM and it was really, really hard. But I still didn't cry much. I am shocked. I haven't really had a breakdown in like a month. I can honestly say that the Spirit and the enabling power of Christ's Atonement is carrying me so much here.
Keep sending mail to the Mission Home. That is the only way it makes it I guess? Trial by error. I am learning.
Hermana Rush is in Ayacucho. She had to take a 12 hour bus ride today. Pray for her. Bond is in Pisco, and Bott is in Caneta or something like that is not far from me I guess. We only had like a 40 minute ride in a taxi and then we were here. Our apartment is nice by Peru standards, but I admit it is a massive adjustment, but I am adjusting! It is actually really, really nice to have a companion who can speak English as well as fluent Spanish.
When we got to the area, we left to meet with the Mission Leader in the Ward and we had a lesson with an 11 year-old girl who is prepping for baptism and her menos activo mother. We taught the Plan of Salvation and I was able to say things as well, which was super surprising but cool.
The biggest feelings I have right now are in list form:
I can't wait until I can speak Spanish and therefore be myself. It is my number one issue with not speaking it.
I seriously had an amazing District in the MTC and I miss them dearly. I am so thankful for that experience.
I am so grateful I am here. It is going to be a painful adjustment at times, I know, but I wouldn't have it any other way.
President Douglas is awesome. Funny and kind and strict in a good way. We are memorizing 2 Nephi 31. The biggest theme of everything he told us was the Atonement, which of course I loved. So that was a great testimony to me of how this mission will go.
There is seriously a rare amount of sisters in this area and an even more rare, a lot of them are North Americans. So today was Pday and we got to go shopping with them. So nice. And they made me feel a lot better about life in general, so I am really grateful.
Oh my dear family. I love you so incredibly much. I miss you as well, but I am so glad I am here. I feel your prayers and your faith sustaining me and I am so thankful for that, every single day of my life. I love my Christ and I know I am really going to be leaning on Him for the next few months, 16.5 to be exact! Read 3 Nephi 11. That is why I am here :)
Love,
Hermana Bailey
I freakin' love you people!!
This will probably be the most scattered email yet, because I feel like I am in a dream or on drugs. I also don't even know where to start.
I miss the MTC like crazy. Those people were my family! Also, I forgot my camera, so no pictures today:( But supposedly you got one of me yesterday? Also my outfit was changed like 6 times that morning and then I just gave up. I also sweated a lot so that is why I looked like a crazy woman. So ya.
Anyway, it was super comforting but also super hard to come to the mission with Bott, Bond and Rush. They are seriously some of my best friends. We got to the Mission Home which is an office on the 6th floor of a big building and started training. We got to sit together through all of that. There were like12 missionaries in orientation that day, but we were the only Americans. When we got there, they got all our stuff in the office and fed us breakfast. We met our Mission President and his wife and they are really so so so so nice. I really love them already. Then we just sat through training for like 5 hours, but it flew by and it was really fun. We all were in a really weird mood because, well, how could you not be. Then he started pulling us out one by one for to do an interview. The cool thing is when we got there he had all the trainers picked out, but wasn't going to assign us until after the interview so it would be inspired.
Anyway, in my interview he was super nice and also just made me feel really good about this decision. Which I obviously I usually do, but there are some crazy weird emotions on that day. And then he told me that he could tell that I was full of happiness and laughter, so I hope he is okay with all that. Haha. The he told me that he thought there was a good possibility I would be with a North American trainer, and that was super rare and he trusted that we would talk in Spanish all day and learn the language. So then he promised me that I would probably hyperventilate when I got to my area, but that it was going to be okay. So then he said, "Well, I know who your companion is" and sent me back.
When all our training was done, about 3:00, I met my trainer. I am assigned to the San Juan Ward in the San Juan Stake. My trainer is from West Virginia and her name is Hermana Saenz. She is really, really nice. We left the mission office and said goodbye to the girls from the CCM and it was really, really hard. But I still didn't cry much. I am shocked. I haven't really had a breakdown in like a month. I can honestly say that the Spirit and the enabling power of Christ's Atonement is carrying me so much here.
Keep sending mail to the Mission Home. That is the only way it makes it I guess? Trial by error. I am learning.
Hermana Rush is in Ayacucho. She had to take a 12 hour bus ride today. Pray for her. Bond is in Pisco, and Bott is in Caneta or something like that is not far from me I guess. We only had like a 40 minute ride in a taxi and then we were here. Our apartment is nice by Peru standards, but I admit it is a massive adjustment, but I am adjusting! It is actually really, really nice to have a companion who can speak English as well as fluent Spanish.
When we got to the area, we left to meet with the Mission Leader in the Ward and we had a lesson with an 11 year-old girl who is prepping for baptism and her menos activo mother. We taught the Plan of Salvation and I was able to say things as well, which was super surprising but cool.
The biggest feelings I have right now are in list form:
I can't wait until I can speak Spanish and therefore be myself. It is my number one issue with not speaking it.
I seriously had an amazing District in the MTC and I miss them dearly. I am so thankful for that experience.
I am so grateful I am here. It is going to be a painful adjustment at times, I know, but I wouldn't have it any other way.
President Douglas is awesome. Funny and kind and strict in a good way. We are memorizing 2 Nephi 31. The biggest theme of everything he told us was the Atonement, which of course I loved. So that was a great testimony to me of how this mission will go.
There is seriously a rare amount of sisters in this area and an even more rare, a lot of them are North Americans. So today was Pday and we got to go shopping with them. So nice. And they made me feel a lot better about life in general, so I am really grateful.
Oh my dear family. I love you so incredibly much. I miss you as well, but I am so glad I am here. I feel your prayers and your faith sustaining me and I am so thankful for that, every single day of my life. I love my Christ and I know I am really going to be leaning on Him for the next few months, 16.5 to be exact! Read 3 Nephi 11. That is why I am here :)
Love,
Hermana Bailey
Wednesday, March 5, 2014
Apparently We Are Living in an Epidemic Environment (which I find hysterically over dramatic)
Hola My Lovely Family!
This is going to be an even more scattered email that usual. I apologize in advance. I really don't know of anything particularly exciting that happened this week, especially by day like I usually do it. So I am just going to hit the basics of like random thoughts and things I my have neglected to mention before.
Ok, first thing, since you are probably freaking over the title of this email, is that everyone has been really sick the last couple of weeks. I really did luck out. I was pretty sick one day this week, but only during the night, so it didn't affect my classes or anything, just sleep. It is actually a constant source of entertainment and hilarity to me in a really sad way. Apparently it is a bacteria (don't know how we got it, don't know why, everything and everyone is fine) and it makes you have weakness, nausea, and explosive, untrustworthy diarrhea. Hilarious. Everyone just runs to the bathroom all day long. So sad. So funny. And the one day she realized it was a serious issue, Hermana Gonzalez started collecting stool samples for testing. I avoided her like the plaque. She is a no nonsense, down to business woman when it is a serious situation. She literally waited outside the bathroom and if it looked like you were having an emergency, you got a sample kit. I almost died laughing at the peoples faces. I think I am a terrible person. In all seriousness, it is a little scary, just because we didn't know what it was. But now we do and everyone is on the mend:)
Related to the epidemic, apparently it was bad enough to get listed in a letter to the Missionary Board, "The Peru MTC Epidemic". The is pretty cool BECAUSE Elder Christofferson and Elder Holland and them read that and we know they prayed for us because on Monday, the day after they would have gotten the letter and had the meeting, everyone was soooo happy and healthy. It was seriously so cool. A huge testament to the blessings for missionaries.
Also random, our roommates that we got two weeks ago are sooooo funny. We have gotten really close to them. Hermana Terry is a music major so she sings all the time and it is wonderful. And Hermana Chaparro reminds me so much of Shay P. that it is scary, in a good way. Also, we call her the Witch Doctor because she has all kinds of oils and it really helps. She pretty much has saved everyone this week with all the sickness. We just laugh constantly. They are both going to Lima Central, so there is a chance we will see them. I hope we do just once :)
MY DISTRICT. I seriously love them and am going to miss them all dearly. I have never gotten so close to 7 people this quickly in my life. And I am so grateful that Bott, Bond and Rush are going to the South Mission with me. I would die. They are my favorite people. I would have died without Hermana Bott, literally. We are one of the strongest companionships. I love her so much. I don't know what I am going to do without her and my district in the field. To be honest, I am basically terrified to go into the field. Just because it is the unknown all over again. Same emotions as the week before my mission, but slightly easier to handle. I can't believe this is really happening. It has flown by. Ah. Ah. Ah. I just want to take my companion and my district with me. Forever. Which probably isn't healthy, but whatever.
Ah. Change. Why.
Today was amazing in the temple. We went through without headphones again, by choice because we understand the vast majority of the session. And it was just a really, really spiritual session. It was just our district and Hermana Rush's district, and we are all really close as a zone. While we were in the middle, we all looked at each other and started to cry. Happy, happy, spiritual sad tears. It was actually really awesome. I am so grateful for the experience I have had here at the MTC. It is unlike any other MTC I think. I spend all my days studying outside and talking to member tours and going to my classes with my best friends and laughing all night with all of these missionaries who are angels here on Earth. Having fun and being themselves while slowly becoming the most powerful missionaries I have ever seen in my life. It is amazing.
Well on a spiritual note, since I am kind of out of things to say (just a typical busy week of classes and Spanish) I love how close I feel to the Spirit here. I am constantly open to promptings of the Spirit and I feel the comfort and enabling power of the Atonement constantly. There is no way I could be functioning without it. It is a beautiful blessing.
I will leave this beautiful place in one week from today. We will probably leave around 5:30 in the morning. I don't think (pretty sure not) I am going to email next week. I don't know when the next time will be, but I am guessing 13 or 14 days. That is hard, but it will be an amazing email!
2 Fast Sundays down!!! 17 months to go. I can't even believe that. I love you. So much.
This week I have been obsessed with Doctrine and Covenants Chapter 88: 49-50. Just FYI
Look up the song, I think it is by Faith Hill, called, "That's the Kind of Day I Wish for You." It's stuck in my head all the time and makes me think of you people :)
I love you so much.
This week, we have classes until Friday, Saturday is proselyting (I think I will be the Senior Companion with a North American so that is horrifying). Sunday is our Farewell Sunday and we have meetings all day Monday...well Friday too I think. Then everyone starts leaving throughout the night until Tuesday. That is all I know. It is insane. So incredibly bittersweet.
Love,
Hermana Bailey
This is going to be an even more scattered email that usual. I apologize in advance. I really don't know of anything particularly exciting that happened this week, especially by day like I usually do it. So I am just going to hit the basics of like random thoughts and things I my have neglected to mention before.
Ok, first thing, since you are probably freaking over the title of this email, is that everyone has been really sick the last couple of weeks. I really did luck out. I was pretty sick one day this week, but only during the night, so it didn't affect my classes or anything, just sleep. It is actually a constant source of entertainment and hilarity to me in a really sad way. Apparently it is a bacteria (don't know how we got it, don't know why, everything and everyone is fine) and it makes you have weakness, nausea, and explosive, untrustworthy diarrhea. Hilarious. Everyone just runs to the bathroom all day long. So sad. So funny. And the one day she realized it was a serious issue, Hermana Gonzalez started collecting stool samples for testing. I avoided her like the plaque. She is a no nonsense, down to business woman when it is a serious situation. She literally waited outside the bathroom and if it looked like you were having an emergency, you got a sample kit. I almost died laughing at the peoples faces. I think I am a terrible person. In all seriousness, it is a little scary, just because we didn't know what it was. But now we do and everyone is on the mend:)
Related to the epidemic, apparently it was bad enough to get listed in a letter to the Missionary Board, "The Peru MTC Epidemic". The is pretty cool BECAUSE Elder Christofferson and Elder Holland and them read that and we know they prayed for us because on Monday, the day after they would have gotten the letter and had the meeting, everyone was soooo happy and healthy. It was seriously so cool. A huge testament to the blessings for missionaries.
Also random, our roommates that we got two weeks ago are sooooo funny. We have gotten really close to them. Hermana Terry is a music major so she sings all the time and it is wonderful. And Hermana Chaparro reminds me so much of Shay P. that it is scary, in a good way. Also, we call her the Witch Doctor because she has all kinds of oils and it really helps. She pretty much has saved everyone this week with all the sickness. We just laugh constantly. They are both going to Lima Central, so there is a chance we will see them. I hope we do just once :)
MY DISTRICT. I seriously love them and am going to miss them all dearly. I have never gotten so close to 7 people this quickly in my life. And I am so grateful that Bott, Bond and Rush are going to the South Mission with me. I would die. They are my favorite people. I would have died without Hermana Bott, literally. We are one of the strongest companionships. I love her so much. I don't know what I am going to do without her and my district in the field. To be honest, I am basically terrified to go into the field. Just because it is the unknown all over again. Same emotions as the week before my mission, but slightly easier to handle. I can't believe this is really happening. It has flown by. Ah. Ah. Ah. I just want to take my companion and my district with me. Forever. Which probably isn't healthy, but whatever.
Ah. Change. Why.
Today was amazing in the temple. We went through without headphones again, by choice because we understand the vast majority of the session. And it was just a really, really spiritual session. It was just our district and Hermana Rush's district, and we are all really close as a zone. While we were in the middle, we all looked at each other and started to cry. Happy, happy, spiritual sad tears. It was actually really awesome. I am so grateful for the experience I have had here at the MTC. It is unlike any other MTC I think. I spend all my days studying outside and talking to member tours and going to my classes with my best friends and laughing all night with all of these missionaries who are angels here on Earth. Having fun and being themselves while slowly becoming the most powerful missionaries I have ever seen in my life. It is amazing.
Well on a spiritual note, since I am kind of out of things to say (just a typical busy week of classes and Spanish) I love how close I feel to the Spirit here. I am constantly open to promptings of the Spirit and I feel the comfort and enabling power of the Atonement constantly. There is no way I could be functioning without it. It is a beautiful blessing.
I will leave this beautiful place in one week from today. We will probably leave around 5:30 in the morning. I don't think (pretty sure not) I am going to email next week. I don't know when the next time will be, but I am guessing 13 or 14 days. That is hard, but it will be an amazing email!
2 Fast Sundays down!!! 17 months to go. I can't even believe that. I love you. So much.
This week I have been obsessed with Doctrine and Covenants Chapter 88: 49-50. Just FYI
Look up the song, I think it is by Faith Hill, called, "That's the Kind of Day I Wish for You." It's stuck in my head all the time and makes me think of you people :)
I love you so much.
This week, we have classes until Friday, Saturday is proselyting (I think I will be the Senior Companion with a North American so that is horrifying). Sunday is our Farewell Sunday and we have meetings all day Monday...well Friday too I think. Then everyone starts leaving throughout the night until Tuesday. That is all I know. It is insane. So incredibly bittersweet.
Love,
Hermana Bailey
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