Hahahaha OH MY GOSH I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH!!
Also this might be a short one because well I really actually don't know where the time goes so dang fast but it does.
ANYWAY.
Quick updates (because I get to talk to you on Thursday) (Oh my gosh can't even deal)
On Monday we just went shopping and then like relaxed and slept and
such.... Which we almost never do. But we are all so tired so it was
actually really nice. (Have I mentioned the four of us all are living in
our house for like a month now? It is insanity. but I do love it )
Then, after the district meeting on Tuesday, we hopped on a bus to ride
the like 3 horrifically hot hours down to NAZCA to have exchanges with
the Sister Leaders :) In short, it was a very very hot bus ride followed
by proselyting all afternoon and the next morning with Hermana Galo and Hermana Freyre in their area (the area where my trainer Hermana Trejo
served) (have I mentioned that she returned to the mission and was
companions with Hermana Rush until this week and now Hermana Rush is in San Juan San Juan (my first area!!!) because she got transferred for
her neck? Fun facts.) And it was GORGEOUS. And so hot. Well,
it is like a mix of Ayacucho and Ica, but really hot and dry. but the
houses and the streets and the people are great. And I learned a lot :) I
mostly was just hit with a huge feeling again of how much I love Peru
and the Mish. I just love the people and the gospel and teaching and
just all of it. It's a joy.
Also, they had a member with references come out with us and IT WAS A
WHIRLWIND. Seriously, members are so powerful and they make all the
difference. Share the gospel :)
On Thursday we did service with the other two companionships of San Isidro and we were like breaking up dirt and moving some garbage and it
was SO HOT. I might have almost died. (maybe that isn't why I am dying
missing a white Christmas. My melting mind can't even fathom snow at the
moment) But it was for this sweet old lady in our ward who I adore. I
think she is like 65 and she is always taking care of and helping her
mom who is like 95 (not even kidding) and it always makes me all teary
to see the way she takes care of her. It is like a really powerful
demonstration of an unsung hero to me. The world is full of unsung
heroes, just being humble disciples of Christ. I am so blessed to know
and observe sooooo many in those who serve around me and the people I
see and my FAMILY and friends.
Then, during lunch that day, the zone leaders called and were like hey
we have 40 soles (like 14 dollars ish?) and we need you guys to make
the chapel gorgeous for the Christmas Multi Zone tomorrow. Me and Hermana Muñoz almost died. We hurried and changed our clothes and dashed
to the sketchy markets and bought plasticy green garland and plastic
gold bells on like that Las Vegas beady rope and wrapping paper to wrap
fake presents. In the end, an awesome member from another ward had a
huge nativity scene and it all somehow turned out awesome. I didn't take a
pic (because don't know if you can in the chapel?) But hey maybe I do
have some of mom's Martha on Meth genetics. Hermana Douglas and President
were super surprised and happy, so we felt good about it :)
Well Friday was the Christmas multi zone with President! We had some
really great talks, 2 like short Christmas programs (Us and Nazca. We
sang "Oh Come All Ye Faithful", gringos in Spanish and Latinos in English
and I had the privilege of directing the music, and they sounded really
good.) And then we watched a movie about a surgeon guy called "Gifted Hands". It was really good but weird to watch a movie. Hahahaha. But i
loved it. We ate Lomo Saltado for lunch too so I was pretty happy :) Then we all got to take a pic with Hermana and President Douglas, and I
just love them so much. We didn't end everything until like almost 5, but
it was really spiritual and fun.
Saturday we had a Stake Christmas program and we sang the same thing,
and I felt the spirit so strongly. I am really so grateful I get to
spend this Christmas on my mission. It makes me so much more aware of my
blessings and the reason for it all. It has been a cool experience :)
Also this week, I have been thinking a ton about Mary the mother of Christ. I think (ya know how they always ask the weird question "If you could have
dinner with anyone in church history who would it be?" ice breaker
question? No? Maybe it is just missions then. #awkward) that I would
love to be able to just talk to her and interview her. Her story is
amazing. I think she must be an incredibly faithful women, and I hope to
be able to pattern my life after her faith. Like when her only answer
to all of the new information about her coming child was "Behold the
handmaiden of the Lord".
Also, I found a new favorite mission scripture (well, another one). Mosiah 18:30 if you replace MORMON and AGUAS OF MORMON with like your
personal season in life. Like I did it with PERU and THE MISH and I love
it because at any time of our life, the things we go through and see
and such are what make us realize that our Redeemer truly exists. and
that makes our lives and our existence beautiful :)
OH my beautiful family. I love you so dang much. I AM BEYOND EXCITED TO
SEE YOU ALL ON THURSDAY. 40 MINUTES OF HEAVEN. I LOVE YOU SOOOOOO MUCH
HAVE YOURSELVES A MERRY LITTLE CHRISTMAS!!!
Sending all my love and Christmas wishes from Peru,
Lauren
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