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
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
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
Monday, December 26, 2011
¡Bon Nadal!
Catalan for Merry Christmas.haha Connor likes to say this. It was AMAZING to see and talk to everyone for Christmas-quite possibly the best Christmas so far. It felt so good to see and just know that life goes on without me there. That sounds weird, but it is very comforting.haha There is always so much that I want to say or tell all of you, but I never have time.haha I try to email family and write letters to everyone else when I feel like I really need to tell you something, so hopefully it is often enough and what you need to hear.
It was sunny today so we did some sightseeing and I will attach a bunch of pictures so hold onto your hats ladies and gents because it is B-E-A-UTIFUL here!!!!!!
But first things first--I must tell you about last night. We had to take the "topo" train to a pueblo...missed our stop and had to run from the next one back to find the family´s teenage son and daughter who were waiting for us. Hna Fuentes was very stressed out, but I thought it was funny and laughed the whole time.ahahaha It was freezing, too! Colder than Zaragoza. I just kept thinking..."at least the next stop was only like a mile instead of the next pueblo...at least we are together and I´m not trying to figure this out alone...at least it´s not raining." I finally got her to laugh, too. The family is from Chile and they asked us last week if there is anything we don´t like...Hna Fuentes isn´t super crazy about fish and seafood...so naturally the ENTIRE first course was boiled shrimp (the kind you have to rip the head off, de-shell and then de-leg), not one but two different kinds of anchovies, mackerel and my personal favorite...a kind of jellied deer spread stuff for crackers.ahahaha But course two was not to be outdone by course one. It included...garganta--throat. Throat of something. I thought he said calves, but Hna Fuentes heard some kind of sea creature. But throats. It was very...different. Texture, taste, everything. I hope we never cross paths again, but I downed 2 of them and complimented the chef heavily. I have learned to just get to the postre--which is usually fruit, nuts and turron-chocolate. They also had this drink, I didn´t catch the name, but is was sweetened condensed milk, I think, with nata (cream) and coffee flavoring and spices...basically coffee for members.haha It was interesting. Turron will be the death of me, though. It is SOOOOO delicious. Bricks of different kinds of chocolates and chocolates with other things that put you into a sugar coma.
I do want to share with you something I learned from Pres Brown at Temple Square. The 5 Motivations for why we do what we do as missionaries and members of the Church:
1-The Virgin Birth
2-The Agony of Gethsemani
3-The Cruel Cross
4-The Empty Tomb
5-The Spring of 1820
IT´S ALL TRUE!!!!!!!
I have never had those 5 events put together in that way before and it is a lesson I will always remember. May we all always remember our true divine natures, our true purpose here on earth and the true reason for Christmas. I love you all!
-Hermana Dalton
OH! Mom-my package arrived today! The office Elders sent in on up to me with some other mail and it came this morning! THANK YOU FOR THE GRANOLA!!!!!!!!!!! I don´t know how you knew, but I have been craving it for WEEKS and never thought to ask for it!haha Everything else looked amazing! I am so excited!haha You are the best family EVER! MUAH!
These pictures are of the La Playa de La Concha-San Sebastian´s beach, and La Castilla de La Mota-the castle/fortress with the Statue of Christ overlooking the city and ocean on the other side...and no, I haven´t lost any of my personality-no worries!
SHOUT OUTS:
Rahmderson´s- Thank you for the updates! A letter is on it´s way!
Jury´s-you two crack me up. Thanks for making me smile halfway around the world. A letter´s coming!
Knudsen´s - Thank you so much for the Christmas card. It touched my heart and I wish you both the best holidays!
Aunt Marla-thank you for the family picture! It is so good to see everyone and everyone looks so good! Merry Christmas and I love you!
Catalan for Merry Christmas.haha Connor likes to say this. It was AMAZING to see and talk to everyone for Christmas-quite possibly the best Christmas so far. It felt so good to see and just know that life goes on without me there. That sounds weird, but it is very comforting.haha There is always so much that I want to say or tell all of you, but I never have time.haha I try to email family and write letters to everyone else when I feel like I really need to tell you something, so hopefully it is often enough and what you need to hear.
It was sunny today so we did some sightseeing and I will attach a bunch of pictures so hold onto your hats ladies and gents because it is B-E-A-UTIFUL here!!!!!!
But first things first--I must tell you about last night. We had to take the "topo" train to a pueblo...missed our stop and had to run from the next one back to find the family´s teenage son and daughter who were waiting for us. Hna Fuentes was very stressed out, but I thought it was funny and laughed the whole time.ahahaha It was freezing, too! Colder than Zaragoza. I just kept thinking..."at least the next stop was only like a mile instead of the next pueblo...at least we are together and I´m not trying to figure this out alone...at least it´s not raining." I finally got her to laugh, too. The family is from Chile and they asked us last week if there is anything we don´t like...Hna Fuentes isn´t super crazy about fish and seafood...so naturally the ENTIRE first course was boiled shrimp (the kind you have to rip the head off, de-shell and then de-leg), not one but two different kinds of anchovies, mackerel and my personal favorite...a kind of jellied deer spread stuff for crackers.ahahaha But course two was not to be outdone by course one. It included...garganta--throat. Throat of something. I thought he said calves, but Hna Fuentes heard some kind of sea creature. But throats. It was very...different. Texture, taste, everything. I hope we never cross paths again, but I downed 2 of them and complimented the chef heavily. I have learned to just get to the postre--which is usually fruit, nuts and turron-chocolate. They also had this drink, I didn´t catch the name, but is was sweetened condensed milk, I think, with nata (cream) and coffee flavoring and spices...basically coffee for members.haha It was interesting. Turron will be the death of me, though. It is SOOOOO delicious. Bricks of different kinds of chocolates and chocolates with other things that put you into a sugar coma.
I do want to share with you something I learned from Pres Brown at Temple Square. The 5 Motivations for why we do what we do as missionaries and members of the Church:
1-The Virgin Birth
2-The Agony of Gethsemani
3-The Cruel Cross
4-The Empty Tomb
5-The Spring of 1820
IT´S ALL TRUE!!!!!!!
I have never had those 5 events put together in that way before and it is a lesson I will always remember. May we all always remember our true divine natures, our true purpose here on earth and the true reason for Christmas. I love you all!
-Hermana Dalton
OH! Mom-my package arrived today! The office Elders sent in on up to me with some other mail and it came this morning! THANK YOU FOR THE GRANOLA!!!!!!!!!!! I don´t know how you knew, but I have been craving it for WEEKS and never thought to ask for it!haha Everything else looked amazing! I am so excited!haha You are the best family EVER! MUAH!
These pictures are of the La Playa de La Concha-San Sebastian´s beach, and La Castilla de La Mota-the castle/fortress with the Statue of Christ overlooking the city and ocean on the other side...and no, I haven´t lost any of my personality-no worries!
SHOUT OUTS:
Rahmderson´s- Thank you for the updates! A letter is on it´s way!
Jury´s-you two crack me up. Thanks for making me smile halfway around the world. A letter´s coming!
Knudsen´s - Thank you so much for the Christmas card. It touched my heart and I wish you both the best holidays!
Aunt Marla-thank you for the family picture! It is so good to see everyone and everyone looks so good! Merry Christmas and I love you!
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Here's Your Christmas Card!
I wish I could send you things for the Holidays like presents and a taste of the sweets and pastries here...but I just bgot my mission debit card this week and it only just started working, so I'm playing catch up replenishing my depleted cash fund and such. haha--the joys of a mission! So you'll just have to get by with my love, my prayers and my promise that I am not wasting my time or money while I'm here! Oh, and this picture, which is just so perfectly indescribable! ahaha The background is the Catholic Cathedral here in Zaragoza called Pilar. I just have to point out that the work "jumping" is strategically covering about 2 inches of my 'religion', if you know what I mean! ahaha Hna Fuentes didn't get so lucky with her grandma stockings. ahaha I'm (well, I was) singing in the choir here to help them out for the Christmas party, but I won't be around for that anymore, but I got to learn some Spanish carols and Christmas songs. I love "Los peces en el rio" and "Chiquirritiu" (no guarantees on the spelling!) You should look them up on youtube or something! The first is about fish in the river by where Christ was born or something. I love the line "beben y beben y vuelvena beber'--hahah--and the other is a tongue twister and I have no idea what it means yet! Just imagine me trying to keep up!
The Senior couple here, the Churches, made a big Thanksgiving dinner for our district. Turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie! The only thing missing was candied yams and pecan pie and ...tyme or however you spell the spice, Mom! And most importantly--my family, but it will make the time I have with you that much more special when I come back, right?!
Tengo mi familia canmigo cada dia en mi corazon. I say this to myself everyday and when I bore my testimony yesterday. I'm sorry I didn't have time or money to send a Christmas Card to everyone my self. A copy on email is the only thing I can give you for Christmas. I love you all! Merry Christmas! Hermana Dalton
The Senior couple here, the Churches, made a big Thanksgiving dinner for our district. Turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie! The only thing missing was candied yams and pecan pie and ...tyme or however you spell the spice, Mom! And most importantly--my family, but it will make the time I have with you that much more special when I come back, right?!
Tengo mi familia canmigo cada dia en mi corazon. I say this to myself everyday and when I bore my testimony yesterday. I'm sorry I didn't have time or money to send a Christmas Card to everyone my self. A copy on email is the only thing I can give you for Christmas. I love you all! Merry Christmas! Hermana Dalton
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
San Sebastian, here I come!
Ok, I´m apologizing now because I haven´t read your emails for this week yet. I´m just printing them out to read at home. It´s been a crazy traveling day and Hna Fuentes is really sick, so that makes everything...more fun. We arrived safely and without a hitch here in this b-e-a-utiful northern part of Spain. A member family was waiting for us and our massive amounts of luggage at the train station. They took us to our piso and then fed us until I was just about comatose, which has happened A LOT this week. Oh dear.
I can see the HUGE waves from our piso! I cannot describe to you all the incredible feelings of joy and excitement I have about being here. I don´t know why, but I have been giddy since learning we were coming here. I can´t wait to figure out why. There is simply no counterfeit or excuse for being where you are supposed to be and doing what you are supposed to be doing when you are supposed to me doing it. If you don´t feel that way,then find out how because you are missing out!!!!
Here´s a copy of my miracle story for the week that I sent in to Pres Hinckley: I was able to see a miracle this week while on intercambios with Hermana Preston so that she and her companion could get to know our investigators before we left. The appointment we were heading to fell through, so we were standing on the corner deciding what to do next. I never know what to do next in the mission, so I always choose to do the same thing--pray. We sat on a bench and said a quick prayer. While we were both collecting our thoughts, a man and woman walked by. The man made eye contact and smiled and we smiled in return. As soon as they walked by, we turned to stare at each other and immediately nodded. We jumped up and ran after them. It turns out that he was an inactive member from Ecuador and had not attended church for at least four years! He said he was done with the Church and nothing could change that. We smiled and testified the opposite. We were able to get both of their numbers and Hermanas Preston and Walker are going to visit them soon. They are neighbors. It wasn´t anything big or grand, but we both knew that we were guided and blessed for stopping, praying and asking for guidance. This is the second time this has happened to me. So I will keep choosing to pray!
I will read, write and respond next week. I promise! But time is up and we are paying a lot to be here because we are out of time and couldn´t use the library yet! Isn´t the mission fun?!?! Oh, yes it is! ¨Come what may, and love it!" I love you all. Thanks for strengthening my testimony every day. I am here because of YOU and this is the best Christmas present I could ever receive or give!
Muah!
-Hermana Clarissa Dalton
PS Here are some pics of us having way too much fun before I left Zaragoza with Hnas Preston and Walker, saying goodbye to a part member convert family and ward mission leader, seeing Connor, and the real life 'Walk through Bethlehem' in Zaragoza in front of the Pilar Cathedral.
I can see the HUGE waves from our piso! I cannot describe to you all the incredible feelings of joy and excitement I have about being here. I don´t know why, but I have been giddy since learning we were coming here. I can´t wait to figure out why. There is simply no counterfeit or excuse for being where you are supposed to be and doing what you are supposed to be doing when you are supposed to me doing it. If you don´t feel that way,then find out how because you are missing out!!!!
Here´s a copy of my miracle story for the week that I sent in to Pres Hinckley: I was able to see a miracle this week while on intercambios with Hermana Preston so that she and her companion could get to know our investigators before we left. The appointment we were heading to fell through, so we were standing on the corner deciding what to do next. I never know what to do next in the mission, so I always choose to do the same thing--pray. We sat on a bench and said a quick prayer. While we were both collecting our thoughts, a man and woman walked by. The man made eye contact and smiled and we smiled in return. As soon as they walked by, we turned to stare at each other and immediately nodded. We jumped up and ran after them. It turns out that he was an inactive member from Ecuador and had not attended church for at least four years! He said he was done with the Church and nothing could change that. We smiled and testified the opposite. We were able to get both of their numbers and Hermanas Preston and Walker are going to visit them soon. They are neighbors. It wasn´t anything big or grand, but we both knew that we were guided and blessed for stopping, praying and asking for guidance. This is the second time this has happened to me. So I will keep choosing to pray!
I will read, write and respond next week. I promise! But time is up and we are paying a lot to be here because we are out of time and couldn´t use the library yet! Isn´t the mission fun?!?! Oh, yes it is! ¨Come what may, and love it!" I love you all. Thanks for strengthening my testimony every day. I am here because of YOU and this is the best Christmas present I could ever receive or give!
Muah!
-Hermana Clarissa Dalton
PS Here are some pics of us having way too much fun before I left Zaragoza with Hnas Preston and Walker, saying goodbye to a part member convert family and ward mission leader, seeing Connor, and the real life 'Walk through Bethlehem' in Zaragoza in front of the Pilar Cathedral.
Monday, December 5, 2011
Transfers a week early!
Howdy! Monday, December 5, 2011
Ok, so first things first, which is actually two things that go together. Sorry, I haven´t given you an address, but we have transfers at the end of this week and we didn´t think we´d be staying, so I didn´t want to confuse you. Because of our mission goal of 450 baptisms this year, Pres. told us our transfers a week early to prep and make the minimal changes as smooth as possible. Yes, we were right and we are being transferred. I will be serving in San Sebastian in the Vitoria Zone! This is the part where I should be telling you where that is and other little missionary/geographical tidbits...but I have no idea. And my companion is very distracted with pictures of her new niece at the moment...so you´ll just have to hop on google and do the grunt work for me. Sorry. All I got out of her before the niece-picture-gushing began was "north" and "going to be very cold." Loverly.haha I´ll be buying more tights and leggings and such very soon. So...about the address-- I´m so sorry, but I don´t know what it will be until next week...hold on. I´m working some magic...maybe...nope. Sorry, just send it to the mission home and I´ll get it as soon as I can. Next week I´ll get you the piso address. And anyone--feel free to write to the mission address until I get the other one. I´m not picky! haha
One miracle story from this week was when we were trying to find a member´s piso to teach his roommate. The piso number he gave us was wrong, so we couldn´t get inside the building. We decided to pray and as soon as we were done, a lady came out and we were able to go inside. The piso number didn´t exist, so we tried the closest sounding one (the member´s from Ghana and has a very thick accent! haha) and no one answered. I heard people in the apartment next door and felt like we should knock on their door. My comp wasn´t so thrilled, but we rang the bell. A pregnant mother from Peru said that we should try the next planta (floor). We talked to her and she invited us back this week! We went upstairs and found the original piso that we were looking for and also have a lesson set up with him this week. We will find out why we needed to find both of them.
We have two investigators with baptismal dates this week--Alfonso and Enoch. Pray for them! Satan´s working on both of them really hard and they are getting confused about what they really want. I don´t know if Elder Dalton told you, but as of last week, we had 52 baptisms left to reach our goal...and there are 52 companionships in the mission :-) No way that´s a coincidence and that a mission goal is for every companionship to baptize every month. WE can do this. I´ve never felt so much weighing on my every decision, everyday, before. The mantle of a missionary is quite a responsibility and I got my first taste of just how important it is to act the part an all times and in all things and in all places. I am learning, slowly but surely, that everything really does come down to faith--the power to act. So I´m telling you now--we as a mission WILL meet this goal of 450 baptisms. And we as a companionship WILL do our part and help at least one person into the waters of baptism this month. This is something that I cannot do on my own. No way. Sometimes I don´t even know how we can do it, but that´s where the faith comes in. Like the father in the "Finding Faith in Christ" video, I feel like crying out "Help Thou my unbelief!" every day, multiple times a day, but the Lord will provide a way and I will just have to provide the work. Please pray for me. I need it--so much.
Speaking of things I need so much, I can hardly wait to see Elder Dalton this week! My feelings for my younger brother that I haven´t seen in 15 months, but somehow have been blessed with the privilege and tender mercy of serving with, are so tender that I am glad this is an email because I wouldn´t be able to say any of this without crying. I am so full of joy when I think about Friday and all it holds. haha My Heavenly Father knows me so perfectly. I will never doubt that in this life or the next.
Well, I didn´t get to say half of what I wanted, but that is the mission. I´ll say it all in my heart and the Spirit will have to do the talking to yours. I´m alive and well, cold and missing peanut butter and dryers. ahahaha! I will talk to you next week from San Sebastian!
I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH!
-Hermana Dalton
Oh, put Clarissa or Clare Dalton on letters/packages please so the other Sister Dalton doesn´t get my mail. haha
Ok, so first things first, which is actually two things that go together. Sorry, I haven´t given you an address, but we have transfers at the end of this week and we didn´t think we´d be staying, so I didn´t want to confuse you. Because of our mission goal of 450 baptisms this year, Pres. told us our transfers a week early to prep and make the minimal changes as smooth as possible. Yes, we were right and we are being transferred. I will be serving in San Sebastian in the Vitoria Zone! This is the part where I should be telling you where that is and other little missionary/geographical tidbits...but I have no idea. And my companion is very distracted with pictures of her new niece at the moment...so you´ll just have to hop on google and do the grunt work for me. Sorry. All I got out of her before the niece-picture-gushing began was "north" and "going to be very cold." Loverly.haha I´ll be buying more tights and leggings and such very soon. So...about the address-- I´m so sorry, but I don´t know what it will be until next week...hold on. I´m working some magic...maybe...nope. Sorry, just send it to the mission home and I´ll get it as soon as I can. Next week I´ll get you the piso address. And anyone--feel free to write to the mission address until I get the other one. I´m not picky! haha
One miracle story from this week was when we were trying to find a member´s piso to teach his roommate. The piso number he gave us was wrong, so we couldn´t get inside the building. We decided to pray and as soon as we were done, a lady came out and we were able to go inside. The piso number didn´t exist, so we tried the closest sounding one (the member´s from Ghana and has a very thick accent! haha) and no one answered. I heard people in the apartment next door and felt like we should knock on their door. My comp wasn´t so thrilled, but we rang the bell. A pregnant mother from Peru said that we should try the next planta (floor). We talked to her and she invited us back this week! We went upstairs and found the original piso that we were looking for and also have a lesson set up with him this week. We will find out why we needed to find both of them.
We have two investigators with baptismal dates this week--Alfonso and Enoch. Pray for them! Satan´s working on both of them really hard and they are getting confused about what they really want. I don´t know if Elder Dalton told you, but as of last week, we had 52 baptisms left to reach our goal...and there are 52 companionships in the mission :-) No way that´s a coincidence and that a mission goal is for every companionship to baptize every month. WE can do this. I´ve never felt so much weighing on my every decision, everyday, before. The mantle of a missionary is quite a responsibility and I got my first taste of just how important it is to act the part an all times and in all things and in all places. I am learning, slowly but surely, that everything really does come down to faith--the power to act. So I´m telling you now--we as a mission WILL meet this goal of 450 baptisms. And we as a companionship WILL do our part and help at least one person into the waters of baptism this month. This is something that I cannot do on my own. No way. Sometimes I don´t even know how we can do it, but that´s where the faith comes in. Like the father in the "Finding Faith in Christ" video, I feel like crying out "Help Thou my unbelief!" every day, multiple times a day, but the Lord will provide a way and I will just have to provide the work. Please pray for me. I need it--so much.
Speaking of things I need so much, I can hardly wait to see Elder Dalton this week! My feelings for my younger brother that I haven´t seen in 15 months, but somehow have been blessed with the privilege and tender mercy of serving with, are so tender that I am glad this is an email because I wouldn´t be able to say any of this without crying. I am so full of joy when I think about Friday and all it holds. haha My Heavenly Father knows me so perfectly. I will never doubt that in this life or the next.
Well, I didn´t get to say half of what I wanted, but that is the mission. I´ll say it all in my heart and the Spirit will have to do the talking to yours. I´m alive and well, cold and missing peanut butter and dryers. ahahaha! I will talk to you next week from San Sebastian!
I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH!
-Hermana Dalton
Oh, put Clarissa or Clare Dalton on letters/packages please so the other Sister Dalton doesn´t get my mail. haha
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Happy Thanksgiving from Zaragoza, Spain!
Hola!
It´s been a chilly week here in Zaragoza. I need to buy some more tights and leggings!haha Thank you all so much for the emails. I have to admit I got a little misty-eyed more than once. I love how I can almost hear everyone´s voices and personalities through your words. Thanks for touching my heart and reminding me why I am here and why this work is so important--because NOTHING else in this world would be worth having to be this far away from you, my family.
It has been fun trying to get the routine down here. We actually went to Barcelona Tues/Wed for some training. I will never forget walking up out of the metro and seeing my first view of Barcelona...and then turning around and being quite literally directly underneath the Sagrada Familia. I can´t wait to work in Barcelona during my mission. The training was so wonderful. I love the Hinckley´s so much. I also got to see Hna Farrell again and those were some great hugs and laughs. Everyone had something to say about me FINALLY getting here and Elder Dalton. haha It is going to be fun getting used to this.
The work here is incredible. There are always people to teach and pass by. We have 3 investigators with baptismal dates for December that we are working towards. Work schedules and going to church seem to be the hardest and biggest hurdle--well, and coffee. ahaha I love teaching! I love being able to teach. I can´t say everything I want yet, but I can participate and follow along. I can´t imagine being completely lost. I get frustrated enough understand 80-90%. I just have to be diligent and keep using the language.
We are teaching a mother and daughter who called us! haha They were contacted over the summer, but didn´t have time. But the daughter is going through some hard times and depression. She is just starting to go back to school and begged her mom to call us. She has come to church and every activity we can invite her to during the week. She is very quiet, but I can´t wait to get her to open up. She is so sweet. I have a good feeling about them.
Well, lots of things are different, as you can imagine. You might enjoy these: the milk comes in cardboard cartons and not refrigerated. It also has a very unique, sweet after taste. You can´t touch fruit at the grocery store--they have disposable gloves for you. haha (learned this the awkward, hard way) Everything is up--pisos and pisos--no houses and the elevators are ridiculously teeny. haha
love you!
Hermana Dalton
Shout outs:
Clecca: You can do it Clark! One day at a time (or step, Jordin Sparks) just keep going and it will soon be Christmas. Thank you for the pictures! The girls are darling! So precious.
Caleb! LubLub! It is so good to hear from you! I know just what you are going through with the short story. ahaha Ask Mom about the Thanksgiving weekend I spent in the room writing that...oh, wait, that was every weekend in high school. ahaha Enjoy the work--it´s worth it. Breaking Dawn posters are everywhere here and my companion loves pointing out, "Hey! There you are!" haha I thought about you and everyone on Thanksgiving. I´m glad you went and played football. I can´t wait to play again!
Mom-thanks for the updates. I love your emails and positive spirit so much. It helps more than I can tell you. So for Christmas, I promised I´d tell you things I want/need: crest white strips, deodorant, dry ranch mix packets, drink mixes and any other dry cooking mixes you can fit in, haha, almond roca Dad!, Chloe--more flowers por favor--red, black white and colors!
It´s been a chilly week here in Zaragoza. I need to buy some more tights and leggings!haha Thank you all so much for the emails. I have to admit I got a little misty-eyed more than once. I love how I can almost hear everyone´s voices and personalities through your words. Thanks for touching my heart and reminding me why I am here and why this work is so important--because NOTHING else in this world would be worth having to be this far away from you, my family.
It has been fun trying to get the routine down here. We actually went to Barcelona Tues/Wed for some training. I will never forget walking up out of the metro and seeing my first view of Barcelona...and then turning around and being quite literally directly underneath the Sagrada Familia. I can´t wait to work in Barcelona during my mission. The training was so wonderful. I love the Hinckley´s so much. I also got to see Hna Farrell again and those were some great hugs and laughs. Everyone had something to say about me FINALLY getting here and Elder Dalton. haha It is going to be fun getting used to this.
The work here is incredible. There are always people to teach and pass by. We have 3 investigators with baptismal dates for December that we are working towards. Work schedules and going to church seem to be the hardest and biggest hurdle--well, and coffee. ahaha I love teaching! I love being able to teach. I can´t say everything I want yet, but I can participate and follow along. I can´t imagine being completely lost. I get frustrated enough understand 80-90%. I just have to be diligent and keep using the language.
We are teaching a mother and daughter who called us! haha They were contacted over the summer, but didn´t have time. But the daughter is going through some hard times and depression. She is just starting to go back to school and begged her mom to call us. She has come to church and every activity we can invite her to during the week. She is very quiet, but I can´t wait to get her to open up. She is so sweet. I have a good feeling about them.
Well, lots of things are different, as you can imagine. You might enjoy these: the milk comes in cardboard cartons and not refrigerated. It also has a very unique, sweet after taste. You can´t touch fruit at the grocery store--they have disposable gloves for you. haha (learned this the awkward, hard way) Everything is up--pisos and pisos--no houses and the elevators are ridiculously teeny. haha
love you!
Hermana Dalton
Shout outs:
Clecca: You can do it Clark! One day at a time (or step, Jordin Sparks) just keep going and it will soon be Christmas. Thank you for the pictures! The girls are darling! So precious.
Caleb! LubLub! It is so good to hear from you! I know just what you are going through with the short story. ahaha Ask Mom about the Thanksgiving weekend I spent in the room writing that...oh, wait, that was every weekend in high school. ahaha Enjoy the work--it´s worth it. Breaking Dawn posters are everywhere here and my companion loves pointing out, "Hey! There you are!" haha I thought about you and everyone on Thanksgiving. I´m glad you went and played football. I can´t wait to play again!
Mom-thanks for the updates. I love your emails and positive spirit so much. It helps more than I can tell you. So for Christmas, I promised I´d tell you things I want/need: crest white strips, deodorant, dry ranch mix packets, drink mixes and any other dry cooking mixes you can fit in, haha, almond roca Dad!, Chloe--more flowers por favor--red, black white and colors!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)