6/29/15 email

Okay so tomorrow is changes or well we find out what happens! Eep! I have no idea whats going to happen, holy cow! But what ever happens happens, que sera sera :)  

So nothing super exciting happened this week. Well so Saturday night I woke up and it was raining, not super hard but I started praying anyway that people would still go to church. In the morning it was just sprinkling it might have rained hard for a few minutes but not much. Well we went  to find everyone to bring to church but we had no luck. We got into the church and it was dead. It wasnt even raining and it was dead. there were maybe 5 men 1 primary leader and 1 little girl and 4 relief society sisters and no young men or women. It was the saddest thing I have ever seen in my life. Really it was horrible. Well time went on and a few more people came. Out of 8 recent converts we only had 2 rosemeri and pedro. Out asistencia (I dont know that word in english) was 52!! That stinks on ice!! Well we made a plan of action to save Molino, we'll see what happens. But yeah

Oh and then Isidro didnt come either!! And  Rosio said she doesn't want to talk to us or get married any more. sheesh!  that was rough, we have some work to do. But the Lord has his timing and we have work to do so its all good! 

And um.... I cant really think of anything else. Oh! Saturday for lunch we made a really good chicken salad. haha its not too cold not too hot pretty nice. The Pope (el Papa) is coming July 10 so that should be interesting. 

We had a cool noche de hogar Saturday night with the familia Cabello it was crazy because there are 10 kids and one on the way and the mom and the dad. and their kids are crazy crazy but it was fun. I made banana bread and brownies :) And si That was my week! 

 Love you all, 

Hermana Collins

19th email

This week like so many others was nuts (like all the Paraguayans this week) Tuesday was normal, we were still showering with cold water, well I was heating hot water and showering with buckets still and starting to get a cold. And it has been pretty chilly outside and especially at night. I sleep in my pájamas and a sweatshirt and socks and 3 blankets. We had nothing but the oven to heat our house! 

Then Wednesday we had a conference with a 70, Elder Gonzolez. That was really cool, it was with casi (almost) all the missionaries in the mission except the ones out in the middle of no where. We all went to Moroni, where the temple is. We had to be there at 12:30 so we left at 10 ish to take collectivos and to be able to eat something first. So then we were all in the chapel sitting waiting for the meeting to start and studying and talking to other missionaries. It didn't start until like 1:30 but before that we all got to go up and greet Elder Gonzolez and his wife. That was cool. And I found out there are mostly Americans as missionaries and then Peruanos. First President and sister McMullin spoke and then elder and sister Gonzolez spoke. it was really good! Hermana Gonzolez spoke about the book of Mormon and how cool it is that we can be here teaching the descendants of the book of Mormon the people of Nephi! Which really is cool. And they talked about contacting and teaching and listening to the spirit and baptizing. It was really good. Then we got to take a picture with him (as a mission ) I hope I'm in it because I was in the back haha and then it was about 6 and we had to wait for a collectivo. Then we took one that was PACKED I stood in the most uncomfortable position for about an hour and a half Then some hermanas wanted to sing so all of us missionaries sang hymns all the way home. that was interesting but passed time... Then we got back to our house around 8 and we went out and tried to find one of our investigators but she wasn't home so we went home and studied for half an hour. Very eventful :) and my back hurt worse from sitting than walking all day with my backpack. But it was really good. 

Then Thursday was normal, 

Friday yeah that was normal too But we got out water fixed yay now I can shower normal incase you were all wondering. But I got a stupid cold from it.

Saturday we visited Isidro our investigator and his girlfriend Rosio who is a member. Well they have a son and are not married and he wants to be baptized and she doesn't want to get married. But we fasted and prayed a lot for them. Aaaaannnd Saturday she said she would get married and go to church and before he told us that she wanted a book of Mormon and to go to church!!! Ohh we were so happy!!!! Woo! We're gonna have a wedding and a baptism!! Oh I'm so excited! I just hope I don't get transferred. We have changes next week and his date of for the 4th of July. But what ever happens it will happen so its all good! Its just so exciting! :) I cant believe it these 6 weeks just flew by!  

And then Sunday was el Dia del Padre and wow these people are nuts! There was a ton of drinking a partying and craziness and loud music and asado(bbq) I don't really like asados you get a chunk of meat ( I don't know what part it is) but you can't chew it its so tough you chew a little for the flavor and then have to spit it out haha but we ate other things. 

And si. Yesterday and today were warmer it will probably be warm until we get another storm. I like the cold. There's lost of chipa and everyone is bundled up and drinking mate. And its not hot. Now it is in the 20's in Celsius 25 ish I don't know what that is in Fahrenheit.

And that's pretty much it! Live is good with hot water of course, even with out it it was fine. And the work goes on. :) You're all amazing I love you so much! Have the best week ever! 

Love Hermana Sarah

 

18th Email

So. This week like every other was kind of crazy. Tuesday we had interviews with the Presidente and  a training. We had to be at our stake center at 1 so we got there and were studying and filling out a paper for our interview until like 3ish and then we started the capacitacion ( training) with the APs and Hermana Lideres and that was good then we got to do interviews. First we went in as a companionship and he just asked aobut our goals and numbers then he interviewed Hermana Aguilar and then me. The first thing he said was that my spanish was really good! I said the opening prayer for our interview as a companionship. He was really imipressed. And really I have been so blessed, I can communicate really well not perfect and sometimes I still struggle but to look at where I was and where I am it is really good. The gift of tounges is so real and Heavnly Father has blessed me so much I can understand and speak and express myself even! Its so cool! Then we just talked about the kind of missionary I want to be and how I am doing. It was all really positive and happy! That's good. And then he gave me carrot cake! thats good too :) So then we finished the training and by then it was like 7:30! Some other leaders were there for 12 hours! holy cow! so we got to visit one person before we had to walk home. 

Then Wedneday was wednesday and Thursday we had divisiones (exchanges) With the Hermana Lideres I went with Herman Morales (from Uruguay) to her area and the other came here to Molino. It was really good, It was really rainy but really fun. She is so sweet and loves to talk and laugh. Their area is really small and they have a kind of out in the middle of no where part that is dangerous at night so we contacted on the main road and ate Lomitos (there's a picture of me and her and our lomitos) Then the next morning we changed back and it was a chilly morning and we were waiting for them to meet us, and we had chipa for breakfast. But it was cool, I gained a greater appreiciation for my companion and our area and really you can never compare everything is so different. 

Thursday ya paso...Friday tambien

Saturday okay so we were contacting a street and clapped at a house and an older lady came to the gate and said she was with her mom and she was catholic and her mom she said was some other weird religion (she said it like that) and in my head I was wondering what religion it could be. But she said we could come in and share a lesson. So we went in and there was her mom in a chair drinking mate and she looked 80 something and we were talking and then we sang a hymn  and then she asked what chrurch we were with again and she said oh los mormones! yes. She said the elders had come a few times but freaked out when she prayed ( and again I am wondering what religion she is because she said they said no no you cant pray like that, or something like that ) well we ask if we can pray and we do then we talk some more about religion and she says she is pentocostal. And in my head I was trying to think of the things I knew about that religion but I couldn't remember. Well I found out. I guess when the feel the spirit they like to scream and shout. It scared me so bad the first time. and they she was talking about some really wierd stuff. And she would scream every now then then and I was looking to my comp like, we need to go this is going no where but she kept giving the lesson... yeah. This lady was talking and talking and would not stop. but finally we ended and asked if we could pray. She said she could pray and then her daughter was like well I only have a few minutes I'll just go. Apparently they pray for a looooooooong time and its really weird and thats why the elders were freaking out. But luckily I just prayed and she shouted during the prayer ooo it was odd.  So yeah that was that experience haha. And all the catholics here are a little really catholic right now because in a few days the Pope is coming and they all have to prepare and be really catholic so thats fun. 

Then it rained and not very many people came to church and its been pretty chilly lately and so we wake up and our house if freezing AND we have no hot water to shower with! Our heater thing broke or something so the first day I showered in cold water ooooo wow yeah it was cold then today I boiled a ton of water on the stove and put it in buckets haha much better. And today we went on an adventure to Capiata because yesterday was the birthday of Hna Lundberg! So we went to her area for a party with a few other sisters. It took a while but we did it and made it back in time! Woo, all those visitng areas of my other compaions payed off! We went to the same house we went to with hna Betancourth! So lucky. And yeah I think thats all for now. I love you all so much! 

Until next week! 

Love hermana Sarah

17th Email

So this week was crazy! We had changes tuesday and Monday and tuesday and wednesday were nuts! So We all know where Hna Betancourth went. My new companion is Hermana Aguilar she is from Ecuador! And the first comp that is taller than me haha . She's been out pretty much the same time as me. But she works really hard. Its a big difference from Hna B because she was so crazy and loud Hna Aguilar is really quiet and thinks a lot and looks serious all the time. But I'll adjust, we'll adjust. so yeah. We found a lot of new people this week and are putting baptizmal dates with others. fingers crossed that they progress. And this week I had my frist lessons with Micheley who is 14 and hno Echeveria. They are people who both these changes we have tried to visit but NEVER  ever ever were home or something but por fin we found them! So that was exciting. They need work (both members ) but we had lessons!! woo!  

There was one day this week that it was  a little cloudy in the morning and really humid. But not raining well I was going to bring my umbrella but forgot. Well we were outside and it started pouring but we were close to a memebers house so we ran there and waited ( had a lesson of course) then it stopped and we left. Then it started again and we waited in a store. Then it stopped and we continued on with our day. Well it was like 8 something and we were finishing a lesson and it was not raining so we left but were walking fast because there was a lot of lightning. and we were about half way home when it started pouring. yeah it was like taking a shower ahah it was funny and really wet. So I learned even if it doesnt look like rain ( tut tut looks like rain,) take an umbrella or a poncho or something! 

So with changes hna Lundberg isn't in my district anymore she went to the area of Hna Harper they are companions now ( she was in the Mtc with us) and pretty much half or more of our zone went to Capiata this other area. Only a few of us stayed. But I think this change was a little easier. Hna B was really relaxed and she got a thing to weigh her suit cases with from the office. But an elder from the office called that night she was packing and they said she could only take 32 kilos in total before it was 40 something kilos. so she was shouting all night that she didnt know what to do haha it was really funny but she left a ton of stuff, not so funny to be left with the mess. Well we got her all packed and left in a taxi early in the morning. She was doing good and so was I . We got to the stake center and had to wait for the elders to unlock it. So we were waiting in the taxit when she started to cry, which made me cry. And then we forgot to pray before we left the house so she told me to pray because she couldnt well I was crying too, but I prayed and we got out wiping our eyes then we did all we had to do and hugged and cried some more but after that I was good. I hope she was too. I havent felt sad, well sad but not like before. Its hard adjusting and I miss her but this time it was easier. So thats good! And yeah we've been working and talking and walking and yeah :) I think thats it. I hope you all have a good week! I love you! 

Love 

hermana Sarah.

 

 

 the Hermana's at changes


 at the Paraguay temple






 Bowling with the zone

16th email

Well this week. Tuesday we went to the temple for our once a year trip. It was so good! This temple is pretty small for the session they had to bring in a lot of chairs! But it was good to be there! We had a zone testimony meeting before and after we had pizza. I don't like eating the American food here its weird not that it tastes bad just that I'm used to the Paraguayan stuff now :) then after we went to the distribution center after and I know I cant spell. then by the time we got a collectivo to go back it was like 3 or 4 in the afternoon then we got on a really crowded collectivo with our zone. Hna Lundberg wanted to sing I am a child of God. On the bus! so we did it was funny but cool we did it again today :) So yeah we didn't work much but it was a good day at the temple!
I don't really remember what happened the other days of the week... we are working hard to find new people and teach. Oh I remember Thursday I think it was no Wednesday I had my first division with the Hermanas lideres. Hna Tabouada (something like that) from Peru came with me for the day or well from 8 to 6 she was in my area before so she knew pretty much everyone But we contacted a lot and found some cool new people we'll see where it goes but it was fun! She was so nice! Something I learned with her well not that I didn't know before but she just reminded me that changes are hard but really Christ is our companion, he will be with us for everything we are never going to have changes or divisions or nada if we are worthy he will always be our companion. And that helped me a lot, leaving a companion is hard but I am neve3r alone! y si

Then this week we have been working really hard because Saturday we got to watch Meet the Mormons or Conozca los Mormones in our stake center! But to get in you had to bring an investigator. So we spent a lot of time contacting and inviting everyone. EVERYONE We went to soccor games and got on collectivos  yeah. the day of we called or passed by every investigator we had and a few said they were coming. But none of them came! Well we were waiting and before the movie started we said a prayer that someone could come. And then after the movie started and we had no one. But we still waited. Well we were pretty disappointed and frustrated. After the movie ended we were so sad, it was so good and none of our people were there to watch it. we were looking around and some muchacho was standing there with a big smile on his face wanting to shake our hands. Neither of us could recognize him at first then realized he was the only investigator we didn't see or talk to that day. And he came either while we were praying or just after!! It was amazing he was there for the whole thing and loved it!So that was good!
And then we get to today we went bowling. It was fun... I'm not very good and its weird to do something like that for  a p day I just feel out of place, I'm so used to walking shopping going places. To play was odd but fun! haha . And yeah, this week will be interesting getting Hna Betancourth ready to go and changes! But I'm excited!
Well I cant remember anything else right now I'm sure I will as soon as I log off but ya know :) I love you all and hope you have a good week! Sorry I forgot my camera so pictures next week!
Love Hermana Sarah

15th email

So this week we have been contacting a lot and tocando puertas (knocking, well really clapping at gates) to find new people to teach. Because I think it was last month we really fell short on baptizems so we are trying to up our game. And we found this guy named Diego, he is so cool! He has all these questions and said yes I want to read the book of mormon and yeah I'll pray about it. And yeah it was really cool we've had 2 lessons. We went today but he wasnt home. 

Then Saturday we had a rescate sion with the stake where we go with the youth and teach less actives and contact. It was rainy in the morning and there was lots of mud and a sister went with us fromt the ward we were in to show us the way, well she was wearing heels (oh brother) it only took a year and a half to go and come back but we had some really good lessons. And a crazy collectivo ride back to our area. 

And then there was Sunday and we got to skype!! Oh that was so good! And Oh! Saturday night we were in an investigators house in our area that is farther away from our house and this dumb dog that follows us everywhere but usually just for a few blocks followed us all the way to this house! And then it started to pour rain! Thunder and lightening and it was pouring! And we decided to leave before it got worse, guess who was sitting outside in the storm waiting for us, this dog. And then he walked with us all the way back to our house and slept outside our gate all night and followed us to church sunday and to lunch at a memebers house to another members house getting beat up by all the other dogs along the way because he was in their territory... Sunday night we managed to loose him. Crazy dog! Oh and in the storm we were walking through rivers. the streets were rivers my rain boots didnt help much. And there was one part were the water was flowing so fast we couldnt cross so some random guy came and helped us(thank goodness our crazy dog who barks at every stranger was with us because it was like 8 at night) but it was all good and there were other people outside watching the crazy missionarys try to walk in the rain haha 

And si. tomorrow we get to go to the temple!!! Oh I'm so excited! I cant wait! And this is Hna B's last week.! Crazy how fast this change went! 

Well I think thats all. Hasta el próximo lunes! I love you! 

Love Sarah



Hermana Collins dumping water out of her rain boot




It's hard to tell but that's the dog that was following the
Hermana's around


Hermana Collins and Hermana Betacourth matching (:

14th email

Hi guys! 

This week was good, it was slow ....really slow but at the same time fast. It went by fast but we had days that I have never had before. One day I dont remember which but we had all these plans and no one   NO ONE was home or wanted to talk or nada. We had gone through everyone pretty much and then we were trying to contact and that wasnt really even going anywhere either. So we prayed. Then we were walking and we walked past a street that had a taxi parked next to a house. I recongnized the taxi, it was the one that Hna Johnson and I went in to get to changes and that took us to the offices one day. Well the day we went to the offices Hna Johnson was talking with him and he was interested and said he lived close to us and that we could visit him, his name is Manuel. Well we ran to this house and clapped and there were only women. Well we shared with the mom she was old and catholic but nice then her daughter left, she told us that her daughter drove the taxi and I was sure it was this guys. Well talking more she said that her daughters husband actually has the taxi and one of his legs got cut off ( this was something I knew about him before) It was Manuel!! So we bugged her about where they lived and ran there (okay more like walked because we had walked all over the place!!) And we started talking with his wife because he wasnt there and it turns out they live just down the street from us. It was cool. We talked for a long time and I just had this feeling that she was going to change. Then she said you have your religion I have mine I'm good, I was a little fased by that but still I think they can change! We havent gone back yet but we are planning on it. Then ya so that was exciting. And the rest of our days were pretty much like that we got in with a few people that we havent for a long time! Like this one girl her name is Michelly shes 14 and a less active recient convert, we only talked to her mom but we got through the gate for the first time in like 8 something weeks! Woo! :) 

So yeah I dont really have any other cool stories, but we are just working and walking on our feet in Molino!

Oh so our dinners Sundays that we have with the Family Lopez yesterday he came up to me and was excited but looked tired and wanted to show me a picture, I thought his wife who is pregnant had her baby! But no, he showed me a picture of bagles! One day I mentioned (several weeks ago) that I wanted a bagle, I think really I was just talking to Hna Johnson. Well long story short he MADE  bagles!! And we had them for dinner and they were really good! That was exciting. 

Okay so today we ran all over the place looking for a thermos (termo) and a dress and all sorts of things and then we went and had lunch with a member in Capiata an old area of Hna Betancourths she was suuuuper nice and really cool. Well she has a hair salon thing and hna B bought this stuff to well I think it is to permantly straighten your hair so she did that which smelled really bad and took what felt like a long time. Well the hermana said you look tired here take a nap, on these bench chair things... so I sat there for a bit but then I did feel tired and they were talking and spanish is so soft and flowy ( I dont know how to explain it) I fell asleep. haha it was funny but soooo nice! And yes several colectivos later that brings us to now. :)

 

The outside of Hermana Collins' house