HOLLA familia!! Hey, yes, I'm still very alive and still very very good!! Sorry this email is coming in several hours later than the awaited time on Monday....but there is a good reason! How is everyone by the way!!?! So fun to hear from you!!
This weekend, after church on Sunday we got on a bus to head for Concepcion, where the mission office and mission president's house is. After 6 hours on a bus (don't worry, the elders packed us ingredients for pb & j's and there's even a bathroom on these public transportation things --- not to brag E. Child ;) But, I think maybe twice a year they have a conference that's just for the Hermanas. WOOT WOOT...talk about some definite perks! We got to stay at the president's home, which is an apartment in the very nice part of Conce. It had rugs and beautiful decorations and DELICIOUS FOOD (cream soup and cinnamon rolls?) and Hna. Humphrey couldn't be more of a loving, motherly figure to make someone feel right at home. It was really fun to get to know all of the Hermanas here, there are 22, and spend some time with them. We had some spiritual workshops, went on a hike, had a lesson of how to put on our make-up and just got to catch up and get to know everyone better. There are 4 amazing Hermanas that are going home in 2 weeks with Hna. Hardy, so it's a really cool time to just feed off of everything that they have to offer before they go home.
We spent last night with the hnas in Hgualqui, which is about 35 minutes out of Conce, because all of the new missionaries have a training at the mission presidents home for the next two days talking about all the new changes that have been implemented in the missionary program. How blessed am I?? Hna Young's sector is in Hgualqui, and we got to go out together last night and I got to experience and work with other missionaries. It was really neat to see the same gospel be preached in different ways, with different teachers, but with the same spirit. I think I will learn a lot about how I can become a really good teacher, and really focused on my purpose at this conference and I am really excited!
That being said, I am very sad to not be in my own sector - wierd how connected you become to the people that you are teaching. Especially since Cristobal's baptism had to be moved to this next Sunday, I really want to be there to help him prepare...but I'm pretty sure he'll be alright; Hna Hardy has got it all under control. I guess like any other 15 year old, he hadn't really been expressing what he's been learning and why he wanted to be baptized to his parents. We had talked with his parents several times, and have had a few family home evenings together, but we never taught them about what baptism into our church means, and what their son would be doing if he was to be baptized. The mother, is catholic "in her own way" - like so many people here - and thought that after 4 years and he'd graduated from seminary and become a completely changed person, then he would be ready for baptism. So, that was kind of stressful this week, to try and explain to the family about what baptism is so that they would give him the go-ahead to do it. There were a lot of tender moments where Cristobal just explained so humbly and tenderly to his parents why he wanted to be baptized and that he knew this church was true and that he wanted to be a member of it. Both of the parents turned out to be really really supportive of their son, and want to help him in every good aspect of his life. They want to make his baptism special, but they just don't know what day will work best for everyone...esp. since they might be traveling for the mother's day weekend. Soooooo stay tuned for when this boy actually gets dunked! I'm SO excited for him! He's going to be a mission president someday probably. It's incredible to be a part of his conversion process.
Sorry this letter is kinda scattered, I'm trying to hurry, but I'm really excited to do a little skyping for this wonderful day that's coming up!! wahoooo If Mitch's going to do it at 530 US time, then I think I'll be able to get on then too....and while I'm pretty sure you can't do a three-way video chat I'm pretty sure you can do a three-way voice chat. I'm not at a computer right now that has all of the program, but I'll try and get on at that same time and figure something out. We have a member that is our neighbor that has a few laptops, and they lend us them for these special days...so hopefully they'll be able to help us out.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MITCHELL!!!!!!! even though you'll get this late, I am so so so proud of you and love you so very much and I think the world of you. You have always been such a special, dear friend and brother and I know the people in Ecuador are so SO very lucky to be touched by your spirit, your attitude and your testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ. I know that you are changing lives left and right, and your hard work and cute lil' sense of humor is pulling you through any hard time, bad meal, horrible day, or strange contact. You are such an example to me. I love you!!!!!
Curt- better behave. that's all I can say. I will respond to your letter next week- but know that I love you!! BE NICE :) Jed - look at you lil dating master you. You're gettin all creative and stuff, congrats. (RING shopping??) yeeaaahhh baby. Rach! Congrats congrats!! I'm so excited for you!!! AH! That is so amazing, you'll have to bring up your cute outfit you wore for graduation and show me on skype. Clint, you are a very cute husband. keep being patient with us gals. We get spoiled probably too much. Dad! I love you, keep up the good work. I'm sure you can see there's hope for the browns after David has returned, keep up the work with Andy. Mom, you sound like you've once again gone overboard on your service and love for me and others. Thank you so much for worrying about me. I'm sure I'll love the skirt...and all the other goodies. Anything will be appreciated. Chooooo all are dee best!!
The gospel is true! The Spirit speaks to us in real ways and the way to true happiness is by being firm in your beliefs and truely changing those things about you that the Lord can't have in His kingdom. I love you all more than words can say....xoxoxoox
LOVE LOVE LOVE, Hna. Child
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