This week was an adventure! I think I say that every week, but this time it really was. On Monday, the police all went on strike. In some towns the police kept on with business as ususal...but here in La Paz they went on strike. So the day was a little interesting. More than anything the day just felt eerie....EVERYTHING was closed and shut down(more locked up than in the middle of the siesta!) And in the evening we were going to go out and work like normal, but we made it about a block from our apartment and both felt very strongly to go back and stay for the night. It felt weird and in a way disobedient to be in the pension so early in the evening, but it was the right thing to do. We stayed there reading our scriptures, listening to hymns, and just trying to pass the time quickly. In the end, nothing dangerous or super dramatic happened....it was just one of those things where the Spirit told us to go back so we did. I didnt know why then and I dont think I will ever know, but it was right and I am so grateful for the Spirit. Later that evening we got a call from the zone leaders with a message from President that all missionaries are to be in their apartments before dark. Which for us means around 8pm. It cuts about an hour and a half from our work time each night, and its weird having so much time in the evenings.....but until President says otherwise, we will keep doing it. I have learned that obedience will always bring more blessings than impressive numbers.
On Wednesday we had our Christmas party in Santa Fe with all of the other missionaries from the northern half of the mission. And it was soooo fun! We watched the First Presidency Christmas devotional, had an absolute feast of some kind of food but I have no idea what it was, and got a gift from President and his wife (a mission flag thing and a candy cane). It was fun to see Hispanic missionaries who didnt know what a candy cane was. There were slideshows with pictures, skits, christmas music, visiting, and just lots of fun. When the day was over, I think we were all in denial that we had to go back to reality.
And summer has officially started! We are finally to the point where the heat and humidity are about as hot as it will get. There will be some days that are worse, but we have finally hit the "normal". No more of the locals saying horrible things like, "oh its going to get sooo much worse, get ready"....we are finally to the "worst" and its pretty hot, but so bad as I let my imagination think it could get. Its hot and sticky, but its bearable. I think when the people were telling us to be ready, I let my imagination fantacize it being so hot that you couldnt even walk. Maybe I am finally adjusting? Who knows, but I think I might make it out of this summer just fine!
I am not going to have P Day on Monday because President changed it to be on Wednesday for Christmas day. So I think all arrangements to talk have been fixed, and I am so excited to talk to you! It wont be rushed and its going to be great to see you all. Praying for the technology to all work. The same goes for New Years, President changed it and P day will be Wednesday that week, not Monday.
I gave my first talk as a missionary in Sacrament meeting....and it was great! I talked about Christ and serving him during this Christmas season by serving others. (And serving Christ by sharing our testimonies with others!) The whole having to talk in Spanish thing really helps me slow down when talking in front of people, so that is good too.
I took out some personal money from my card last week. The ATM didnt destroy my card (you have no idea how hard I was praying....my first experience with ATMs here Hna. Sainsburys card broke). I have learned that they are actually really easy to use, you just have to be careful and pay attention.
And I still havent sent the letter like I said I was going to. At this point I am just going to wait and send it in a week or two to Boise along with a new letter. Sorry. The police were on strike last Monday, and so the La Paz post office was down.
Thanks for being so awesome and for keeping up with all of the Christmas traditions! It was fun to see all those pictures!
I love you more than all the bites of food I eat at lunch appointments even after I am demasiado full.
Hermana Withers
No comments:
Post a Comment