Ay Ay Ay!

Us Today - Litterally as I was sending this email.

Esta semana has been kinda weird. The first half from Monday to Thursday was super super fast. But Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday were the longest four days of my life (except for the first 4 days in the CCM).

As you know, Monday after we finished shopping and all the jazz, I went to stay in Benito Juarez again because Hermana Bautista had a conference in Tijuana..again. Not that I don't love the Hermanas, but I am tired of exchanges. haha 

Tuesday, I worked with them in their sector. They are still pretty lost (they dont know their area very well), so we walked A LOT. Didn't get a ton done. I hate days like that. Where I feel like I'm working all day and I am super exhausted when we get home, but we didn't accomplish anything. It's super frustrating.

We Love our Valentine's Day Package!

Wednesday through Friday were normal work days. We only have 3 new investigators this week. So we are working really hard with them. We had 5 people committed to come to Church this week and we had 0. So that was frustrating. 3 didn't know about them time change, and when they woke up and saw our messages, they knew they were late and didnt come. One had some family issue come up. And one we still haven't been able to contact. Which is sad because she is our baptism date for this week. So that's not gonna happen. :( 

Saturday we had a good day planned out and every single appointment cancelled on us. Even our Plan Bs fell through. Saturday was super frustrating. And then no one came to Church Sunday. So..It's been a hard week. I wish I could say that I am optimistic and that I haven't been discouraged but that's not true. The good thing is, I am doing the Lord's work and I know that if we keep working hard, eventually we will see results. 

The Balloon we had from New Years finally died

Anyways.. Yesterday at the end of the day we were soooo exhausted but we weren't super sleepy. We just wanted to relax. I told Hermana B that before the mission to relax, or be lazy, I would lay on the couch and watch Netflix for a while. But that's not an option. So after planning and getting ready for bed, we watched The District. Not as exciting as Netflix, but still helped us relax. haha.

 

I don't think we have been to a house yet where they don't ask "ya comieron?" (have you eaten). That is everyone's main concern here. If we have eaten. EVERYONE offers us food and some send us with fruit or tortillas or something to fill our backpacks--even when they arent our Comida appointment.

We have Cambios next week. I don't know if I'm gonna stay or go. But we are almost 100% sure that one of us is leaving. :( So we will probably be traveling to Tijuana the next week. I may not get a chance to get on.

Spanish has killed my ability to spell in English. You have no idea how many spelling errors I have corrected in this email and I'm sure I haven't got them all. Its just that spelling here is phonetic. So when I write in english, i tend to spell things phonetically. (for example, no joke--as I wrote the word "phonetic" i typed fonetic the first time.)

New arrival (or just moved) at the zoo

We are not sure what it is - some kind of white donkey?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mom says to list my biggest culture shocks and likes. So here we go:

Culture shocks: 

 

• There aren't many. Its pretty much the same as the US. But poorer. And much more religious. The people here LOVE God. Even the people who don't have any specific religion. There are very few atheists. God is a huge part of everyones lives. So thats cool. 
• I've gotten used to the kisses on the cheeks. Its gonna be weird when I dont do that when I go home. 
• I still always forget to say "con permiso" when we enter or leave a house. My comp always says it. Ive never asked about the rule on that...I should learn.
• Everyone always wants to finish everyone elses sentences. That bugs me. But is something Im getting used to.
• Oh and the cockroaches are MUCH bigger. Thats about all that I can think of. 

 

Likes: 

• The food. Love the food! Especially tortillas de maiz. And anything made by the companies Bimbo or Mariela. I'm gonna be so fat...
• The people are super nice and super patient. 
• I love personal study. I can't believe how much my view on the scriptures has changed. I love to read the Book of Mormon every day. Its amazing how much you can learn when you are forced to read slow and in a different language.
• Baptisms are great.
• I'm sure there is more, but Im running out of time.

 

Thanks everyone for all your prayers. We can feel them. Keep them coming cuz we need them! 

Love you all! 

Hermana Nielsen