It´s cold here this week! It snowed all around San Sebastián, crazy weather. Ok, miracle story time!
We have two miracles stories this week that are tied together! A sister in the ward told us a few weeks ago that she had a friend in the hospital. He is 21 years old and found out he has leukemia last August. He was in so much pain and then in a coma a few months ago and his family had to decide whether to keep him on life support or let him go. His sister´s boyfriend was in a similar situation a few years ago and wouldn´t let her do it. He said that Eduardo was strong and he could pull through. When we visited him the first week of January, he was doing better, but still did not look very good. They had to surgically remove most of his upper lip from an infection and his vision is slowly deteriorating. When we went back to visit him again this week, he was STANDING outside of his room, watching everyone walking by! The doctors told him that according to his tests, he is cancer free! And TODAY he gets to go home!!! He looked so much better and we were able to teach him and he prayed at the end of the lesson. He has lots of questions and wants to listen and meet with us this week. What a miracle. The other miracle happened on the bus ride home from the hospital and Hna Fuente will tell you about that...
Don´t worry, I won´t leave you hanging. It was rainy on the way back from the hospital and we asked an african man next to us to close the window some crazy person had opened. We started talking and he was REALLY excited to come to church when we invited him! He came to our english class, too, and we taught him afterward. He said that he has been living here for 15 years and hasn´t found a church or seen any kind of missionaries and it wasn´t just chance that he met us on the bus. When we were explaining about the Book of Mormon using the laminas...pictures...in the beginning, when we told him about the picture where they are baptizing in the Americas, he said, "Well, I need to be baptized like Jesus Christ, too!" So we are working toward a baptismal date in February! He was going to come to church, but his friend in the hospital got worse and he was there all Saturday night and Sunday with her. We are really excited to teach him! And if we hadn´t been on the bus and gone to visit Eduardo, we wouldn´t have met him! Or if some silly person hadn´t opened the window on a rainy day!haha... Heavenly Father works in mysterious ways, doesn´t He?
We had the WONDERFUL opportunity to teach for the third hour in Church yesterday with our ward mission leader about la obra misional and it went really well. We shared with them a short lesson about fe (faith) and our mission goal of 450 last year--they were shocked!--and we invited them all to think of just ONE name and then act on their faith and share something with them...then involve the missionaries!haha Then our mission leader taught about "what" to teach and "how" to teach. We put them in groups, gave them a principle from PME and then they had to teach each other in 5 min. It went so well! I wish we had done something like that in mutual or our ward! The members need to know PMG and how to teach! Mutual activity!haha It went very well.
We also fasted for this lesson...and I have discovered that my body just can´t handle a 24 hour fast very well. Here we start after mediodia--the 2-4pm meal--until mediodia the next day. It makes me very sick and very iron-deficient. I´m basically useless Sunday night and Monday morning after. So I dunno, I guess I´ll have to adjust. I know I have or had a big bottle of iron pills, but I can´t find it suddenly. I have some left and have been taking them regularly, but I lost my refill bottle apparently. Very annoying, I´ll keep looking.
We had a dinner and visit yesterday with a young part member couple in a pueblo. She made us...are you ready?...homemade cordon bleu, steamed broccoli, corn/peas, mashed potatoes and baked cheesecake. I was in heaven! And she made us take the WHOLE cheesecake home!!!! haha I´ve actually been doing a lot of cooking myself, including 2 cheesecakes for investigators this week(not baked) and brownies. Oh, and I made homemade chicken noodle soup the other day! It was almost like yours, Mom! haha, but not.
I forgot to say last week--HOLY COW! Amber and Garrett engaged! Wow, so exciting! Good for them! And way to go Mom on the Spirit of Elijah! That is so neat! Keep going with the indexing. They made a new verb to talk about that here...indexiar... ahahaha... makes me laugh when someone says it.
Chloe! Basketball! Sounds great! Who´s coaching? Do you like it? And volleyball! wowzers. full-time, no?haha I want to see some pictures of you in action!
Tell everyone hi and I´ll have to write the Bishop and Stake Pres soon. Well, gotta run! Keep praying and smiling!
Les quiero,
Hna Dalton
Pictures...hehehe I stole Hna Preston´s treasured lego Harry Potter when I was in Zaragoza and we have been giving him a taste of missionary work and being a missionary...the best 2 spells for missionary work...alohamora (might be spelled wrong, the unlocking doors spell) and imperio.hehehehehehehehehehe!
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Querida familia, ¿Qué tal todo?
My miracle story for the week happened in Zaragoza...while we were there doing Hna Fuentes´ huellas. There was a lady in line who kept looking like she wanted to talk to me, so I said hello and started a conversation, but then we had to go. Later, the government official wouldn´t let me go into the waiting room with Hna Fuentes, so I had to wait outside. After everything worked out, Hna Fuentes told me that she talked to a lady from Nicaragua and had a really good conversation with her about the gospel, the Word of Wisdom and family history work. It was the same lady and we were able to pass her information along to the hermanas there! Also, as we were all walking back to piso, a man called out to us in English and asked us where we were from. He had lived in Boston and knew about the Church and missionaries. He said that he had a Book of Mormon, but lost it and has been wanting another one. So Hna Preston and I talked to him and they were going to stop by last night to take him a new Book of Mormon. It doesn´t happen very often that people stop us, or that they do it in English!
Yes, that´s right--I got to visit Zaragoza this week because Hna Fuentes needed to do her huellas...fingerprints for her second card which we will have to go BACK to Zaragoza to pick up like a week or two before she goes home. ahaha Silly Spain. It was SO GOOD to see Hnas Preston and Walker again, and Hna Stephenson that Hna Preston is training. It was exciting and insightful to be back there are see/feel how much I have changed in just one transfer. I may not notice or feel like it, but my spanish is a LOT better, thank heaven. haha It was a good battery recharge for this transfer.
Speaking of this transfer...no, nothing changed with us...but....ELDER DALTON´S COMING TO MY ZONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Muahahahahahaha I am SO incredibly excited! We will see each other at Stake Conference in a couple of weeks and at Zone enfoques. muahaha I knew it! He´s so great, he sent a Christmas package to me that I finally got this week and I will cherish it forever.
We are working with Keisy for her baptism, hopefully this week, but she is really nervous about everything so nothing is for sure. She has to get permission from her Mom in Honduras and her sister doesn´t want to be baptized right now, so that is hard, too. We are going to pray with her tonight about her baptism SPECIFICALLY.
Fabi is from Brasil and is great. We are working with her for February. She is really open and brings herself to Church every week. She is looking for a job, like everyone else!, but is so prepared for the gospel. She came here 8 years ago to play professional futbol. I want to play her :-))) heehee!
Rosemary is another investigator with a fecha in February, but we haven´t been able to meet with her this week because as she was getting ready to come to Church last week, she sliced open her hand and cut a tendon or something....oh-- the adversary! But we are trying to meet her this week.
Speaking of cutting hands and such open...haha...I took a chunk out of my finger peeling a carrot. (Yes Clecca, you may laugh or shake your head or grimace--whichever you prefer. I did the SAME thing at least 3x in Missouri) Hna Fuentes thinks I need stitches, haha, but it finally stopped bleeding every time I moved/bumped it, so I think it´s fine. In my defense, the peeler is new and VERY sharp...but I tend to cut myself EVERY time I peel carrots/potatoes, so I think it´s just me. ahahah no worries :-) Someday I will learn how to do it safely...maybe.
PICTURE time! Wahoo! Enjoy! Much love and keep smiling--no matter what life brings! (And beware of sharp kitchen utensils and carrots.)
Love, Hna Dalton
Pics:
01-after the rainstorm that broke my umbrella and I had to walk in the rain for a while.haha
23-the broken umbrella
02-typical holiday/worker attire. everyone dresses like this for holidays
03-CCM Madrid with Pte y Hna Earl before they left for home
04-windmills in the Spanish countryside...the man from la mancha, DOn Quixote anyone? ahaha
04-with Keisy and Kenia (Dalleli) from Honduras
09-being silly
10-after a lesson with the sisters
My miracle story for the week happened in Zaragoza...while we were there doing Hna Fuentes´ huellas. There was a lady in line who kept looking like she wanted to talk to me, so I said hello and started a conversation, but then we had to go. Later, the government official wouldn´t let me go into the waiting room with Hna Fuentes, so I had to wait outside. After everything worked out, Hna Fuentes told me that she talked to a lady from Nicaragua and had a really good conversation with her about the gospel, the Word of Wisdom and family history work. It was the same lady and we were able to pass her information along to the hermanas there! Also, as we were all walking back to piso, a man called out to us in English and asked us where we were from. He had lived in Boston and knew about the Church and missionaries. He said that he had a Book of Mormon, but lost it and has been wanting another one. So Hna Preston and I talked to him and they were going to stop by last night to take him a new Book of Mormon. It doesn´t happen very often that people stop us, or that they do it in English!
Yes, that´s right--I got to visit Zaragoza this week because Hna Fuentes needed to do her huellas...fingerprints for her second card which we will have to go BACK to Zaragoza to pick up like a week or two before she goes home. ahaha Silly Spain. It was SO GOOD to see Hnas Preston and Walker again, and Hna Stephenson that Hna Preston is training. It was exciting and insightful to be back there are see/feel how much I have changed in just one transfer. I may not notice or feel like it, but my spanish is a LOT better, thank heaven. haha It was a good battery recharge for this transfer.
Speaking of this transfer...no, nothing changed with us...but....ELDER DALTON´S COMING TO MY ZONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Muahahahahahaha I am SO incredibly excited! We will see each other at Stake Conference in a couple of weeks and at Zone enfoques. muahaha I knew it! He´s so great, he sent a Christmas package to me that I finally got this week and I will cherish it forever.
We are working with Keisy for her baptism, hopefully this week, but she is really nervous about everything so nothing is for sure. She has to get permission from her Mom in Honduras and her sister doesn´t want to be baptized right now, so that is hard, too. We are going to pray with her tonight about her baptism SPECIFICALLY.
Fabi is from Brasil and is great. We are working with her for February. She is really open and brings herself to Church every week. She is looking for a job, like everyone else!, but is so prepared for the gospel. She came here 8 years ago to play professional futbol. I want to play her :-))) heehee!
Rosemary is another investigator with a fecha in February, but we haven´t been able to meet with her this week because as she was getting ready to come to Church last week, she sliced open her hand and cut a tendon or something....oh-- the adversary! But we are trying to meet her this week.
Speaking of cutting hands and such open...haha...I took a chunk out of my finger peeling a carrot. (Yes Clecca, you may laugh or shake your head or grimace--whichever you prefer. I did the SAME thing at least 3x in Missouri) Hna Fuentes thinks I need stitches, haha, but it finally stopped bleeding every time I moved/bumped it, so I think it´s fine. In my defense, the peeler is new and VERY sharp...but I tend to cut myself EVERY time I peel carrots/potatoes, so I think it´s just me. ahahah no worries :-) Someday I will learn how to do it safely...maybe.
PICTURE time! Wahoo! Enjoy! Much love and keep smiling--no matter what life brings! (And beware of sharp kitchen utensils and carrots.)
Love, Hna Dalton
Pics:
01-after the rainstorm that broke my umbrella and I had to walk in the rain for a while.haha
23-the broken umbrella
02-typical holiday/worker attire. everyone dresses like this for holidays
03-CCM Madrid with Pte y Hna Earl before they left for home
04-windmills in the Spanish countryside...the man from la mancha, DOn Quixote anyone? ahaha
04-with Keisy and Kenia (Dalleli) from Honduras
09-being silly
10-after a lesson with the sisters
Monday, January 16, 2012
Hmm. I suppose I could say time flies when you are having fun...but on the mission, whether you are having fun or not--time flies! haha And every week-day-hour!-has its' ups and downs. Miracle story for this week:
"My miracle story this week involves you, Presidente Hinckley! In our interview, you reminded me to never be scared or hesitant to state our purpose and invite investigators to be baptized on the first visit. This has been a weakness for me, but I decided that day that I would work to change that. In the two visits that we had the next day, I invited each investigator to be baptized and prepare for a baptismal date. They both accepted! We are working with Fabi and Rosemary to reach the goal of baptism on the 4th and 11th of February respectively. I felt so good inviting them and received a witness that this is something I need to make a habit for the rest of my mission. We NEVER have to be bashful about why we are talking to people and inviting them to come unto Christ. Thank you Presidente, for reminding me of this."
So-yeah-pray for Fabi and Rosemary and Keisy! We will see what this week brings. In my first mission interview with President Hinckley, he showed me something that will forever change my mindset and well, just me as a missionary. I´ve been praying and preparing all week for this interview--that we can talk about what my Heavenly Father needs from me and that his advice/counsel will be from and through the Spirit. (I have become a HUGE advocate for the saying: "You get out whatever you bring to the table, meeting, life, etc.") As we were talking about some things I´ve struggling with and can improve on, he grabbed my Libro de Mormón (which I just happened to have brought with me into the interview!) and opened up to D & C 4:4. I´ve memorized that section in english and spanish now and recite it frequently during the week, but I´ve NEVER read it the right way! It says we will lay up sheaves FOR OURSELVES and bring salvation to OUR OWN SOULS!!! It doesn´t say bringing salvation to others or laying up sheaves for them. In a non-prideful, non-egotistical way...missionary work is about me! Yes, what I am doing is blessing others lives, but I am laying in store for my own salvation. What I do, or don´t do, is to my own salvation or condemnation. This explains the question I´ve always had about how can disobedient missionaries at times be just as much if not more so "successful" according to the numbers as obedient missionaries...because Heavenly Father loves all of His children and isn´t going to punish them according to the albedrío (agency) of the missionary they meet. It has NEVER been that or about that, or ever will be. The numbers and key indicators are gauges of the prepared people, the investigators in every area--not the missionary....WOW, lemme tell you--WOW! That 10 minute interview answered SO many questions I have had and changed me as a missionary and a person for the rest of my life. Wow! President Hinckley is incredibe. I will cherish that first interview forever.
So, Hna Fuentes and I have talked and realized that even though we love each other...we need more people around. ahaha It is hard having just the two of us in the city...province...I need to make more of an effort to talk to her. I get lost in my own thoughts too much :-) heehee You know how I do that. Such a good learning experience and preparation--I need to talk to everyone more.
Mar and Aaron! I just got your package today, but haven´t really gotten to check it out yet, but I am OH-SO excited for it!!!!!!!!!!!!1 You two are amazing! I´ll take some pictures for next week.muahahaha
I got a bunch of mail that has been at the office for like a month.haha So thank you!!!!! I will be writing back soon!
Caleb, Chloe and Dad: go online and check out "Balonmano." Find some youtube videos or something. I had to go to the bathroom REALLY bad a couple days ago and ran into a gym and there was a game. It is like basketball mixed with soccer. I fell in love-I want to play it so bad. It is super physical. I got some good pictures. Tell me what you think and we shall play it when I get back, yes?haha
Ok, I think that´s everything. I loved all the emails last week. Thank you for the ánimo. I´m so blessed. Talk to you soon!
Muah! (besitos)
-Hermana Dalton
PS: I forgot the cable to hook up my camera :-( so sad I´ll send pics next week
"My miracle story this week involves you, Presidente Hinckley! In our interview, you reminded me to never be scared or hesitant to state our purpose and invite investigators to be baptized on the first visit. This has been a weakness for me, but I decided that day that I would work to change that. In the two visits that we had the next day, I invited each investigator to be baptized and prepare for a baptismal date. They both accepted! We are working with Fabi and Rosemary to reach the goal of baptism on the 4th and 11th of February respectively. I felt so good inviting them and received a witness that this is something I need to make a habit for the rest of my mission. We NEVER have to be bashful about why we are talking to people and inviting them to come unto Christ. Thank you Presidente, for reminding me of this."
So-yeah-pray for Fabi and Rosemary and Keisy! We will see what this week brings. In my first mission interview with President Hinckley, he showed me something that will forever change my mindset and well, just me as a missionary. I´ve been praying and preparing all week for this interview--that we can talk about what my Heavenly Father needs from me and that his advice/counsel will be from and through the Spirit. (I have become a HUGE advocate for the saying: "You get out whatever you bring to the table, meeting, life, etc.") As we were talking about some things I´ve struggling with and can improve on, he grabbed my Libro de Mormón (which I just happened to have brought with me into the interview!) and opened up to D & C 4:4. I´ve memorized that section in english and spanish now and recite it frequently during the week, but I´ve NEVER read it the right way! It says we will lay up sheaves FOR OURSELVES and bring salvation to OUR OWN SOULS!!! It doesn´t say bringing salvation to others or laying up sheaves for them. In a non-prideful, non-egotistical way...missionary work is about me! Yes, what I am doing is blessing others lives, but I am laying in store for my own salvation. What I do, or don´t do, is to my own salvation or condemnation. This explains the question I´ve always had about how can disobedient missionaries at times be just as much if not more so "successful" according to the numbers as obedient missionaries...because Heavenly Father loves all of His children and isn´t going to punish them according to the albedrío (agency) of the missionary they meet. It has NEVER been that or about that, or ever will be. The numbers and key indicators are gauges of the prepared people, the investigators in every area--not the missionary....WOW, lemme tell you--WOW! That 10 minute interview answered SO many questions I have had and changed me as a missionary and a person for the rest of my life. Wow! President Hinckley is incredibe. I will cherish that first interview forever.
So, Hna Fuentes and I have talked and realized that even though we love each other...we need more people around. ahaha It is hard having just the two of us in the city...province...I need to make more of an effort to talk to her. I get lost in my own thoughts too much :-) heehee You know how I do that. Such a good learning experience and preparation--I need to talk to everyone more.
Mar and Aaron! I just got your package today, but haven´t really gotten to check it out yet, but I am OH-SO excited for it!!!!!!!!!!!!1 You two are amazing! I´ll take some pictures for next week.muahahaha
I got a bunch of mail that has been at the office for like a month.haha So thank you!!!!! I will be writing back soon!
Caleb, Chloe and Dad: go online and check out "Balonmano." Find some youtube videos or something. I had to go to the bathroom REALLY bad a couple days ago and ran into a gym and there was a game. It is like basketball mixed with soccer. I fell in love-I want to play it so bad. It is super physical. I got some good pictures. Tell me what you think and we shall play it when I get back, yes?haha
Ok, I think that´s everything. I loved all the emails last week. Thank you for the ánimo. I´m so blessed. Talk to you soon!
Muah! (besitos)
-Hermana Dalton
PS: I forgot the cable to hook up my camera :-( so sad I´ll send pics next week
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
An extra midweek letter from Clarissa
Well isn´t this a pleasant surprise!haha I get some more time today to say hi...from Madrid! I´m at the CCM here for another hour or so until we catch the train back to San Sebastián. Pres and Hermana Earl, the mission president and wife here, left for home this morning. There are done! We got to have breakfast with them, take a picture and say hi/ goodbye. I know I only met them twice, but I love them so much and am going to keep in touch with them after. They are just amazing...and he told us to write our families again. ahaha I have my citizenship card! Wahoo! I´m good for a year...ish. I have to get empadronized in San Sebastián now. We´ll do that this week.
Unfortunately, the Temple and Distribution Center closed today for the next 2 weeks for cleaning. ahaha Rotten timing, but it´s ok. And also funny timing-- Hna Cruz, my friend from the MTC and Temple Square, finally got her visa and is coming to Barcelona! Today! Her flight lands 30 minutes before my train leaves so there´s no way I´ll get to see her. ahaha So funny that it is so close...but not. However, our Zone Leaders have been looking for a piso for Hermanas in Bilbao for months now so there´s a 50/50 chance Hna Cruz and her trainer will be going there! And we´d be in the same Zone!haha We´ll see, we´ll see.
It is so great to be back here and see/feel the difference that only 2 months has brought. It´s incredible. This CCM and Temple have a special place in my heart and just being here is a tender mercy.
Well, time to go study a little bit and then eat before we sit for 5 something hours. Oh, I love traveling! It´s such a good release...if only I could be driving my own car, no?haha I love you all and will talk to you again in less than a week!
Besitos,
Hermana Dalton
Unfortunately, the Temple and Distribution Center closed today for the next 2 weeks for cleaning. ahaha Rotten timing, but it´s ok. And also funny timing-- Hna Cruz, my friend from the MTC and Temple Square, finally got her visa and is coming to Barcelona! Today! Her flight lands 30 minutes before my train leaves so there´s no way I´ll get to see her. ahaha So funny that it is so close...but not. However, our Zone Leaders have been looking for a piso for Hermanas in Bilbao for months now so there´s a 50/50 chance Hna Cruz and her trainer will be going there! And we´d be in the same Zone!haha We´ll see, we´ll see.
It is so great to be back here and see/feel the difference that only 2 months has brought. It´s incredible. This CCM and Temple have a special place in my heart and just being here is a tender mercy.
Well, time to go study a little bit and then eat before we sit for 5 something hours. Oh, I love traveling! It´s such a good release...if only I could be driving my own car, no?haha I love you all and will talk to you again in less than a week!
Besitos,
Hermana Dalton
Another week in beautiful San Sebastian!
WHOA! Lots of emails to read this week and I LOVE it! Thanks for all the stories and love and support. It helps so much. Yes, I am feeling LOADS better. It was a 24hr bug thing I guess. Since you like the miracle stories so much, I´ll just include here the one I send to Pres. Hinckley. This week´s was one I needed so badly. It is a hard balance for me right now between achieving goals and the numbers (because what is the point of setting goals you never achieve?!) and being patient, remembering we are a companionship and relying on the Lord. This week´s miracle:
Our miracle story of the week happened yesterday when 5 investigators and 3 recent converts/menosactivos that have not been coming attended church--Keisy, Kenia, Evelyn, Freddy, Fabiane, Angel, Jeymi and Keila. We only had 3 people confirm that they would come and a few more that promised they would, but canceled last minute. It was such a miracle for me to see the Lord work in mysterious ways to help them come. Kenia said she couldn´t come because she was going to work with her less active sister...but then they got off early and both came! Fabiane is a friend of a member in an outlying pueblo. We had a noche de hogar with her and some of his other friends this week and she told him afterward she liked how she felt during the "Joy to the World" video we watched together. She even drove herself from 20 minutes away to come to church and didn´t tell anyone! It was such blessing and miracle that I needed to see this week.
Unfortunately, the locutorio we use was closed today, so we are at the library and I can´t print anything!haha And I got lots of pictures and emails I wanted to print, but I´ll have to wait until next week. We leave for Madrid in less than 2 hours. We have to go pick up my first residency card. It´s a 5 1/2 hr train ride both ways...I´m stoked, but Hna Fuentes isn´t. ahaha I love traveling time :-)))) I will be cranking out some letters!!!!!! I am praying that we will get to attend the temple tomorrow, even if it has to be fast. Please pray that we do. I think we both need it--especially Hna Fuentes.
This week we travel to Vitoria for zone enfoque and interviews with Pres Hinckley. I am really excited about this, too!!!! And on the 23rd we go to Zaragoza for Hna Fuente´s empadronizacion stuff that I don´t understand...but we´ll get to spend the night with Hna Preston!!! I´m going to give her some stuff to give to you--so Dad, make sure she does when you see her at the institute in March/April!haha
Well, San Sebastian is beautiful and I love it every day. I have pics from when we traveled to a nearby pueblo, Getaria, for medio día with a part member family--their 3 panel baywindow is all ocean :-))))) I think it was a little slice of heaven. I kind of want to live there. haha This work is amazing and I learn, grow and struggle every day--but I wouldn´t change a thing! Bring on the difficult! (OK, maybe not ALL the time...) Haha, but I´m happy and love you all! Pictures next week.
-Hna Dalton
Our miracle story of the week happened yesterday when 5 investigators and 3 recent converts/menosactivos that have not been coming attended church--Keisy, Kenia, Evelyn, Freddy, Fabiane, Angel, Jeymi and Keila. We only had 3 people confirm that they would come and a few more that promised they would, but canceled last minute. It was such a miracle for me to see the Lord work in mysterious ways to help them come. Kenia said she couldn´t come because she was going to work with her less active sister...but then they got off early and both came! Fabiane is a friend of a member in an outlying pueblo. We had a noche de hogar with her and some of his other friends this week and she told him afterward she liked how she felt during the "Joy to the World" video we watched together. She even drove herself from 20 minutes away to come to church and didn´t tell anyone! It was such blessing and miracle that I needed to see this week.
Unfortunately, the locutorio we use was closed today, so we are at the library and I can´t print anything!haha And I got lots of pictures and emails I wanted to print, but I´ll have to wait until next week. We leave for Madrid in less than 2 hours. We have to go pick up my first residency card. It´s a 5 1/2 hr train ride both ways...I´m stoked, but Hna Fuentes isn´t. ahaha I love traveling time :-)))) I will be cranking out some letters!!!!!! I am praying that we will get to attend the temple tomorrow, even if it has to be fast. Please pray that we do. I think we both need it--especially Hna Fuentes.
This week we travel to Vitoria for zone enfoque and interviews with Pres Hinckley. I am really excited about this, too!!!! And on the 23rd we go to Zaragoza for Hna Fuente´s empadronizacion stuff that I don´t understand...but we´ll get to spend the night with Hna Preston!!! I´m going to give her some stuff to give to you--so Dad, make sure she does when you see her at the institute in March/April!haha
Well, San Sebastian is beautiful and I love it every day. I have pics from when we traveled to a nearby pueblo, Getaria, for medio día with a part member family--their 3 panel baywindow is all ocean :-))))) I think it was a little slice of heaven. I kind of want to live there. haha This work is amazing and I learn, grow and struggle every day--but I wouldn´t change a thing! Bring on the difficult! (OK, maybe not ALL the time...) Haha, but I´m happy and love you all! Pictures next week.
-Hna Dalton
Monday, January 2, 2012
Happy New 2012!
Hey,
The holidays sound like they have been fun for everyone and the family letter looks great Mom! I love the plaid picture! haha Everyone´s family pics look so good--I´m going to print it out and hang it on the wall.
It´s been an up and down week :-/ I don´t know if I have the flu or food poisoning or what, but I was throwing up last night and I've been trying to sleep most of today. Poor Hna Fuentes, what a bum way to spend preparation day. It must have been something I ate--we ate a lot with members in the past 48 hours and I don´t think my body liked it...or something I ate. Blah. Hopefully it will pass. There´s too much work to do.
New´s Years here was crazy. Fireworks and bombs and bells going off until after 1am. And it didn´t help that we are right smack-dab in the middle of it with where our piso is. The walk to church yesterday morning was an experience I NEVER want to have again and one I will try to erase from my memory for the rest of my life. Blah. The world we live in can be so sad to witness sometimes.
But that´s depressing, so here is a fun story I shared with President from last week..."This past week on preparation day, we were walking back to our piso from a hike when a woman passed us and smiled really big. I missed it because I was looking elsewhere, but my companion saw her and told me after she passed. As we were deciding what to do, she ran us down! We found out that she is a member from Mexico and living there with the Basque husband and their baby girl. She served a mission in Mexico over 10 years ago and has been less active for the past five years. As we talked about the work now and as she told us stories from her mission, we saw her face light up and the happiness of the gospel in her eyes. Her family is only here for a month, but she invited us over any time and we got her phone number. Later in the week, we couldn´t find a female member to accompany us on an appointment. We called everyone we could think of and everyone on the list we have. Suddenly Monica, the lady we met, popped in my head and I suggested we ask if she wanted to accompany us. We called and she did! During the lesson, I could see the Spirit testifying to her of the things she needs to change in her life as she testified to our investigator, Aner. She promised she would come to church while she´s here in San Sebastian. She came yesterday! We are going to set up a visit with her and her family this week. What a miracle to be a part of the Lord´s work as a missionary! You are never forgotten or lost to Him."
A tradition they have here for New Year´s is called "doce uvas" or the twelve grapes. As the bells toll midnight, you eat a grape from each chime, which is one for each month and for good luck and prosperity and such. I would love to participate in it one year...but it will have to be not as a missionary because we turn into pumpkins at 11pm. haha But I hear it is very fun. Some day.
I know I am forgetting some things I wanted/was supposed to tell you, but my head is pounding and well, I´ve felt better :-/ I need some "animo" as they would say here. It doesn´t translate directly, but it´s like excitement-- getting animated. It´s a popular saying among missionaries, as this is what we try to do with investigators, recent converts and less active members and the gospel. haha
Well, I think we are going to get some necessary food shopping done and then I´m probably going to have to crash again. Next week will be better! Thank you for the pictures, email and animo! I love you!
-Hermana Dalton
The holidays sound like they have been fun for everyone and the family letter looks great Mom! I love the plaid picture! haha Everyone´s family pics look so good--I´m going to print it out and hang it on the wall.
It´s been an up and down week :-/ I don´t know if I have the flu or food poisoning or what, but I was throwing up last night and I've been trying to sleep most of today. Poor Hna Fuentes, what a bum way to spend preparation day. It must have been something I ate--we ate a lot with members in the past 48 hours and I don´t think my body liked it...or something I ate. Blah. Hopefully it will pass. There´s too much work to do.
New´s Years here was crazy. Fireworks and bombs and bells going off until after 1am. And it didn´t help that we are right smack-dab in the middle of it with where our piso is. The walk to church yesterday morning was an experience I NEVER want to have again and one I will try to erase from my memory for the rest of my life. Blah. The world we live in can be so sad to witness sometimes.
But that´s depressing, so here is a fun story I shared with President from last week..."This past week on preparation day, we were walking back to our piso from a hike when a woman passed us and smiled really big. I missed it because I was looking elsewhere, but my companion saw her and told me after she passed. As we were deciding what to do, she ran us down! We found out that she is a member from Mexico and living there with the Basque husband and their baby girl. She served a mission in Mexico over 10 years ago and has been less active for the past five years. As we talked about the work now and as she told us stories from her mission, we saw her face light up and the happiness of the gospel in her eyes. Her family is only here for a month, but she invited us over any time and we got her phone number. Later in the week, we couldn´t find a female member to accompany us on an appointment. We called everyone we could think of and everyone on the list we have. Suddenly Monica, the lady we met, popped in my head and I suggested we ask if she wanted to accompany us. We called and she did! During the lesson, I could see the Spirit testifying to her of the things she needs to change in her life as she testified to our investigator, Aner. She promised she would come to church while she´s here in San Sebastian. She came yesterday! We are going to set up a visit with her and her family this week. What a miracle to be a part of the Lord´s work as a missionary! You are never forgotten or lost to Him."
A tradition they have here for New Year´s is called "doce uvas" or the twelve grapes. As the bells toll midnight, you eat a grape from each chime, which is one for each month and for good luck and prosperity and such. I would love to participate in it one year...but it will have to be not as a missionary because we turn into pumpkins at 11pm. haha But I hear it is very fun. Some day.
I know I am forgetting some things I wanted/was supposed to tell you, but my head is pounding and well, I´ve felt better :-/ I need some "animo" as they would say here. It doesn´t translate directly, but it´s like excitement-- getting animated. It´s a popular saying among missionaries, as this is what we try to do with investigators, recent converts and less active members and the gospel. haha
Well, I think we are going to get some necessary food shopping done and then I´m probably going to have to crash again. Next week will be better! Thank you for the pictures, email and animo! I love you!
-Hermana Dalton
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)