Hello family and friends!
Happy New Year! I hope you all had a wonderful week. It's crazy
that it's 2014. It doesn't feel very different for me. Time is kinda
weird on the mission! Plus it's sunny and warm and doesn't feel like
January. For New Year's Eve we didn't do anything
special. But on New Year's Day we went bowling. (Just like I did every
p-day in Ogden!) It was pretty fun. I'll probably send a picture next
week, because I forgot my camera today. There was another zone there as
well and it was good to see other missionaries
from my "generation" (who got here the same time as me) and see how
they're doing.
So a little bit about the daily life here as a missionary: every
day we wake up at 6:30, pray, get ready for the day, eat breakfast. On a
"normal" day (which happens about 3 times a week) we study for 4 hours -
one hour personal study, then companionship
study, then we have additional study because I'm new, and then language
study- Spanish for me and English for Hermana Mendoza. Then we go out
and WORK. We visit investigators, less actives, members, non-members,
lots of people! And we do lots of walking. Luckily
this area doesn't have many hills, so it's not too bad. We teach and
visit and share scriptures, and help them come closer to Christ. Around 2
we eat some delicious Mexican food at a member's home. Even if it's not
traditional Mexican food, there are ALWAYS
tortillas. And then we get back to work, until 9 pm, when we return to
our apartment and plan for the next day, and do it all over again! It's
great! It can be super exhausting, but there are many moments of tender
mercies and miracles and it's all worth it.
:)
This week we had interviews with Presidente Carreon. He said to
tell you hello for him. :) It was good to visit with him and learn from
his wisdom and advice. He said several times, "I know the Lord will
bless you" referring to the language or whatever
challenges and sacrifices. And he's right! I've seen it already in the
short 2 months I've been out, and I continue to see God's hand in my
life every single day. He is blessing me, and this is His work. There
are so many things I need to improve, so many I
fall short of being a "perfect" missionary and example of our Savior,
but I am taking President Gordon B. Hinckley's advice every day to "Try a
little harder to be a little better." We aren't expected to be perfect
today, but we just keep doing our best to
improve and learn.
Oh also when we had interviews the zone leaders gave me my package
from Grandma! It was very much appreciated. :) Thanks Grandma! Thanks
for the caramels and chex mix and See's candies and gifts and
everything! :)
Another great thing about this week was Sunday. I love Sundays,
even though as a missionary they aren't as restful as they used to be :P
(no Sunday afternoon naps...) But I received a lot of strength from
this fast Sunday, both from fasting and from hearing
testimonies. I shared my testimony as well. We have a super great ward
here and now, especially since people are all returning from their
vacations and settling back into their routines, we just have to figure
out how best to work together with them, and then
we'll see even more miracles here.
I hope you all have a wonderful week! I love you! Thanks again for
all of your support and love. I cannot thank you enough. I love you and
pray for you (even in Spanish :) ).
Mom- Thanks for the updates and funny stories! I love reading your
letters. Also I don't know if you got it or not, but a sister in our
ward sent you a facebook message with a picture of my companion and I.
It might have gone to your "other" inbox since
you aren't facebook friends, I don't know.
Thanks for everything Mom! I
love you!
Wally- Thanks for the letter! Sounds like you got some sweet
Christmas presents. I'm glad you had a great Christmas break. I love
you! Also I'm not sure why you signed your name "twit," since your name
is Punk. :)
Have a WONDERFUL week!
Love,
Serena
