I just sent a landmine of pictures, hopefully there arent repeats and that they are all clear and good! I was picking them fast so I could still have time to write to you! This week was a terrific one! It had lots of big changes, but it was so fun.
Biggest news is that I have a new companion, and she is so cool. Her name is Hermana Galan, from Mexico. She comes from a humble home with a single mom and older brother. She misses tacos a lot, and she cant speak any English except for a few words or phrases. Someone taught her the word "fetch" at one point, and she uses it all the time.....ha it makes me smile every time. She is going to help me so much with Spanish, and she has goals for English that I am excited to help her with. She is a hard worker, and obedient, and so fun to have around. Every one of my companions has been such a big blessing....they are all stable, normal, hard working, high functioning human beings....with great senses of humor. Its awesome!
It was sad to say good bye to Hermana Sainsbury, because I had been with her for so long and we were such good friends, but Hermana Galan has been a breath of fresh air as well. She is young (just barely turned 20!) and has only been on her mission for 4 months, but she has a solid grasp on the doctrine and fun methods of teaching. Basically I am just soaking up my time with her and trying to make the most of it. She was baptized when she was 12 years old, but then went in active for about 5 years, and then reactivated. She is the only member in her family except for a few random cousins. And we are going to see miracles this transfer!
The day of transfers was so long for me though. Hermana Sainsbury left at noon, and Hermana Galans colectivo didnt pull in until 7:30 that night. I had to spend about 4 hours with the Elders until one of the members could be with me. While with the Elders we ate lunch and watched movies, and it was super boring. And then I went with a member to her house and it was a little more interesting, but really I just wanted to have my new companion and get to know her. Thats the thing about being here in La Paz....is if transfers affect you, it involves lots of traveling. We are clear up here in the boondocks, and it took Hermana Galan 9 hours in a bus to get here. Random note......Elder Hill is now serving as an office Elder, serving as the mission secretary. Ha....pray for him. He is now in charge of all visa and passport paperwork.
Random cultural note is that dogs are used as security systems here. Often times if you walk past a business, regardless of what they are selling....if its locked and shut down for the night their is often a dog inside. There is a car dealership that has a few, and Ive seen a few other random places with dogs inside. They have been trained too, because when you walk past them they follow you from the other side of the window and kind of growl at you. Its kind of funny to think of dogs as a security system, but people do it!
I tried calling the debit card number, and it didnt work. I forgot that I have my international calling card though, so I am going to try calling again today. If I cant get through though, I hope there is a way that you guys can get it reactivated for me. I thought we had it all set up so that you guys were on the account? Maybe not....
Before I forget to tell you, the mission has told us to tell home that apparently the Argentine Customs isnt letting any foreign food go through any more. If there is a package and some candy thrown in, the whole package will be thrown away. Just so you know. Maybe it will change, but for now if you send packages, dont put food in it. One thing that you could put in a package at some point though that would be awesome is a sudoku book or some other puzzle book. We have half an hour of free time each day and some times I just crave the stress relief of doing a puzzle, something completely unrelated to anything where I can just decompress for a minute.
I am glad all is well with you guys, and that you are on your way to finding an answer for Sam. Mayo Clinic is about as fancy pants as you can get, good for you for making the most of the trip too! Hotel, swimming pool, Costco, Old Navy, musical doctors....ha good work. Sounds like it was fun! Keep me posted on what you find out.
Anyway......things really are going well. I am happy and healthy, and loving life. I hope you know that I love you all! I love you all more than all the people here in La Paz who have never seen snow before (I think I have met 2 people in all of my time here who have seen snow in person).
Keep being awesome and know that you are all my favorites! Until next week!
Hermana Withers
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