Old San Juan

March 10, 2010

Wow! Those pictures Hillary took are really cute! I love the one of Markie on the road! Also I am SOOOO jealous of you. What could be better than watching Project Runway with Lauren and Stacey? I can't even fathom how much I would enjoy that. You can send pictures of all the episodes you want. I love the fashion more than the characters. Speaking of, I am so excited for the Easter skirt. This morning I stared at my closet for a really long time before finally settling on yet another outfit I feel like I just wore yesterday. But I have happily followed the counsel of President Ostler and have reintroduced accessories into my life. I am happy once again. Life is so much better when you have at least one article of clothing than indicates you are a woman.

As for ideas on the Creation, I would recommend the talk given by President Uchtdorf in the General Relief Society Meeting in October. He talks about the wonderful ability we all have to create. It might at least spark some ideas.

I am getting my hair done today by a former investigator, Felicia. Hermana Barnhurst taught her before and Felicia cut her hair for a good price. She is the top hair stylist in Fajardo (she was chosen to represent the district in some competition) and so I am hoping and praying she will be good. I am nervous to use anyone other than Kathy. Felicia wants to be baptized, but her husband is in opposition. Apparently he has ripped up 3 books of Mormon and her study journal. However, Felicia assured us that she hid the last Book of Mormon in a really good spot. Anyways, this will be a good opportunity to visit her at her work.

Hermana Barnhurst and Morgan

Hermana Monica Garcia took us to Old San Juan last week. It was literally a blur. We only have from 11-6 to do shopping, email, laundry and whatever other activities we can fit in, so you can imagine, with the hour and a half traffic each way to San Juan we were running the whole day. But I loved it! We visited the Fort of course and el paseo de Princessa which is just a lovely little path with fountains and sculptures right by the water's edge. Monica also bought us liberal amounts of "typical Puerto Rican food" which consists of all things fried. Fried Potatoes and beef, fried crab, fried plantains, and fried fish. Grotesquely unhealthy. I made Sister Barnhurst eat most of it.

Monica is fun. She loves to talk and talk so she made a great tour guide.

Oh my heavens, we are teaching the sweetest family ever! There is a couple Ivelisse and Jose and their daughter-in-law, Bethzaida who all live together. Bethzaida has three adorable little girls but her husband, Ivelisse and Jose's son has left them. They are the sweetest, most humble and generous people I know. Ivelisse and Jose are so tender and sweet to one another. They love doing things together and always serve one another. Ivelisse bought Hermana Barnhurst and me each bracelets and jewelry and I think she is planning to buy us big purses to replace our back-packs. She promised us that as soon as they can buy furniture, they will have us over for dinner. They are SOOOOO sweet.

And they are so prepared for the gospel. It is so funny to see the Lord's hand in the work. Really, He is the only one who has the power to prepare people to receive the gospel. Without him, the missionaries can do nothing. Ivelisse had just packed up her Book of Mormon into storage a few hours earlier when Hermana Barnhurst and Warwood showed up on her door.

Ivelisee is such a good mother. She is really shepherding her family to the Lord. She has been practicing and teaching her husband and daughter-in-law to pray. Her love of the Lord has really spread to the other members of the family. They are all reading the Book of Mormon faithfully. And the excitement this week is that we gave them each their own progress record which has all the lessons they need before they can be baptized. They love checking off the boxes and counting how many are left after each time we visit. They are really excited for their baptism at the end of this month and they each have such beautiful and sincere testimonies. There is such a difference in their faces and countenances. Bethzaida and Ivelisse are giving up coffee and Jose smoking. They are so resolute; we haven't had any problems yet. Jose fasted on Sunday for help to quit smoking. I can't even describe to you how wonderful they are.

Well, I love you all. I am so grateful for the patience and love the Lord has shown me and I pray every day that I can become a better servant in His hands.

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Morgan, Cousin Tanya Crane ( who is also serving a mission
in  Berlin Germany) and Markie
in Old San Juan Puerto Rico, 2001 or 2002?