La hermanita speaks!

La hermanita calls home just two days out of the year: Christmas and Mother's Day. So you can probably imagine our excitement as we anticipated Christmas morning. We each took turns talking to her, and it was so wonderful to hear her voice!

I apologize for the above photo; la hermanita has been having trouble sending me photos. This one was mailed to my mother, scanned, and then emailed to me.

So why just twice a year? Well, as you can imagine, it's pretty easy to get home sick when you're on a mission, thousands of miles away, etc. So it's pretty standard that missionaries only call home twice a year, to keep them focused. When I was in Argentina I was most homesick during Christmas time anyway, so I thought it was the perfect time to call home (plus it's obviously Christmas day).

So my sis is doing well, and struggling at the same time. She's been working hard, which she says really helps her to be focused. She gets discouraged at times because she feels the responsibility she has to share the gospel of Jesus Christ very strongly, and is afraid she may not be able to measure up. She often feels as though she's not doing enough. She's very hard on herself at times. Each of the letters I write to her include a you can do it part, because she needs it. However, she's always very positive, as well, because she has faith and knows the Lord is with her.

Here's an excerpt from her last letter:

"We found people to teach on Christmas. It was a good, nice day. Christmas was nothing what I thought it would be. I was ready to be sad and stuff, but it didn't really happen.

Changes happened today. I have a new companion. Her name is Hermana Knight. She is from Utah. She seems great. We are in my sector, so I get to show her around, which I am a little nervous about. My (last) companion, Hermana Alegre, and Hermana Talbot, my companion from the MTC, are companions now. Small world! I am excited for a change, but I am scared to have a new companion, a new way of doing things. I know that I just need to trust in the Lord and what he wants."

On a side note, I've been reading a book about Christ and His atonement. I read it years ago before my mission, and it is amazing! It's been a very special thing for me to read during Christmastime especially, and it's addressed so many of la hermanita's concerns in her letters. I know the Lord is helping me to help her at this time in her life, and I'm so grateful for that.

She's engaged...in a good cause, that is!

I haven't gotten a photo from La Hermanita for a couple weeks now. I can't write a post without a photo, however; it just feels wrong! So here's one of La Hermanita before she left for Chile. Hopefully I'll get some new pictures soon! Here's some news from the sis:

"Well, I have to tell you about my exciting week. First, I got proposed to. He didn't get down on one knee, but it was still pretty good for a drunk, or druggy, I am not sure which. He said to me, 'Marry me and I will convert to your religion.' My companion reminded me that we need to bring at least one soul unto Christ. She tried to convince me that I should go ahead with the marriage, then I would have my one soul. I told her I would think about it :)

"A cool thing. I was talking to an Elder the other day who is from California. I was speaking to him in Spanish and didn't realize it, because we almost always talk in English. I thought I was talking in English. I didn't realize it was Spanish! Cool!

"So my companion and I split up for a while on Saturday. I went with a young woman and my companion went with another missionary (to teach). I had to lead, and direct the lessons we taught...I DID IT! It was such a confidence booster for me. I didn't understand everthing that people said to me, but wow. I sure was able to grow in those 2 hours. Usually my companion leads and directs the lessons. But the young woman didn't say anything, so clearly I had to do it. They were just scriptures, not a real lesson, but I did it. I know I can do this. I was so happy afterwards, knowing that I can do it. I still need someone to speak spanish though, companion wise because there still is a lot that I don't understand."

Just a couple notes, here. First of all, Elders are what male missionaries are called.

Secondly, sometimes missionaries separate for the day and spend the day with two other individuals so they can get more work done. It's nice to spend some time with someone other than your companion as well. La Hermanita has had the same companion now for almost 4 months. Imagine! Having to spend 24/7 with someone you previously never knew, for an extended period of time. La Hermanita and her companion have had some trying times, especially since they come from such different backgrounds, speaking different first languages! But they have been open with each other and have worked things out. Go sis!