This week was so fun! On Monday we traveled to Parana and spent the night with the Hermanas there, and then Tuesday morning finished our journey to Rosario for the conference and training. The conference was so fun! There were all sorts of great talks and messages, musical numbers, and activities. They gave us a feast for a lunch, and one of the activities was to make paper dresses out of periodicals and model them. It really was so fun and I am so glad we could make it. Its a 6 hour ride by collectivo to Rosario for us....so meetings like that are a big deal and take about 2 days in total with the traveling. We didnt end up going to the mission home so I wasnt able to see if my packages or envelopes came....but the zone leaders are going to Rosario end of this week or next week, so I should get them soon if they are here. I hope they are.....I have been praying every night that they can make it since I know you guys put so much time into it, and I am really excited to get mail of some sort from the States.
I am doing very well and staying healthy. We have lunch appointments every single day and we are fed an absolute mountain of food every time. Everyone always gives us more food than they give themselves. And by the end of each meal you start to feel so full that you are uncomfortable. Its all really good food.....but after a while it starts to become gross just because its so much in one sitting. Portion control doesnt exist here. But you can all be proud that I have eaten everything I have been served (people dish up our plates for us, they dont let us do it ourselves) and I have eaten all of it. Sometimes we walk away feeling eligible to partcipate in the next episode of Biggest Loser....but with all the walking and sweating in the heat it works out.
Summer is just about here and you can feel it. Most kids here get out of school this upcoming Friday, and the humiditiy from the Parana river is thick. We are drinking so much water during the day, and chocolate milk for a treat at night. We live good lives (: And on P days we like to stop by the best ice cream joint around (Gridos) for a cone (served with a spoon!)
I am also sharpening my ping pong skills. Every P day after all of our weekly errands we usually go to the chapel for an hour or two and play ping pong with the Elders. Its pretty fun!
We are still on operation strengthen the branch and sometimes we can see the fruits of our labors, and sometimes not. Overall we think its growing but it is just really slow. With time the church will be strong here, I have to remember that the church isnt going to magically be strong here in just one transfer. I just need to do my best and trust that the Lord is in charge of everything....we are just His instruments.
We had a member go out with us last night to introduce us to one of her friends. Afterwards we did some contacting with her, and she took us to this random house where one of her other friends lived. Turns out the lady had moved a while back and this huge shirtless man opened the door. Youd have to know this lady to really appreciate this experience but shes a super charismatic mother of 11 kids with absolutely no shame. She started talking to him about random things about the gospel (we need to talk with her about how to contact when she comes with us..sometimes shes too helpful) and she ended up saying.........It doesnt matter that you are all dirty, we just have a quick message we need to share with you. Haaaaaaaaa.....thanks lady. She really is a great and faithful member, one of the few we have....but really. Some of the things she says arent so wonderful. I dont think the man was offended, but my comp and I just looked at each other with wide eyes as she was talking, trying to make sure we were hearing her right. All in all it was a funny experience. Definietly going to work with her on that.
I really do love this work. Its the most satisfying endeavor I have ever engaged in. It is really hot (warmer than Rosario I think....we have the river right by us to make everything SUPER humid), and the culture is really different.....and despite all this, its still great. The Book of Mormon is true, Jesus Christ is our Savior and Redeemer, the Church has been restored, and we have a latter day prophet.....and so with this terrific knowledge we work hard.....hoping that our efforts will help someone. Im really grateful I know its true.....I dont think it would be worth it to me to do all of this if it werent. But I know its true, so here I am in a little house in Argentina writing to you all about my week on a tiny little computer all in Spanish! Its all an adventure!
As for things that I need....nothing is urgent. But some of my socks have been lost to a vortex of sorts and I cant find them. At home that wouldnt be a problem, but for here where I dont have a ton to spare, its a little inconvenient. I dont need like running socks, but my every day no show dress socks. Im running low on Proactiv. And I have also found out that there are some areas in our mission where you have to have a really small bag because robbery is a much bigger problem. It doesnt matter what it looks like or what it is made out of, but if you find a durable shoulder bag that is small (like shoe box small) could you send that at some point too? Also, I would really love to have a thumb drive with conference talks to listen to in the mornings. Kind of crazy request is also Jenga. You can teach the coolest lesson with jenga....I can explain it later. Butmaybe you can just line the pieces along the side of a box or envelope and send that game at some point too, just so I can have my own. And also more pictures of you guys. You never sent me pictures in -DC like you sent to Chad and I would love to have a few more. Nothing is urgent though.....just as you are prepping so send a package at some point, maybe throw some of those things in there too. Most pkgs. take about 2-5 months to get here, and I know you just sent a big Christmas one....so whenever you can is good for me! Remember dont put the word Hermana on anything, and send it all to the mission home.
Thanks for everything. I am excited to see if the packages and dear elders are making it. I am so grateful that -chad{s stuff made it, and Im praying that mine make it too. Have a fun week this week! Thanksgiving is so fun. It is so weird to think that the holiday season is coming up in the states,,,,the seasons really are opposite! I love you all lots and lots and lots. More than all people who have big beautiful TVs in their little shacks!
Hermana Withers
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