More adventures in El Campo

Wow! I can't believe Markie graduated! That is so exciting. Thanks for buying the chorale tape. I do want to watch it! Sounds like the reunion will be fun, but lots of babies. Is Raveny going to bring her fiancée? I want pictures of her wedding. As little girls we all dreamed of being each other's bridesmaids. It is kind of sad that neither Tanya, nor I will be there. I predict that the bridesmaid dresses will be wearing purple.

This week has continued to be a HUGE change. I am still really getting used to my new situation. To answer your question this area is still Latino. Almost all of Puerto Rico is Latino rather than African heritage. There is only one little part of Puerto Rico where all of the African tribes gathered, Loiza. Near the northeastern coast. That area is so dangerous they don't send sisters there. I am told there is a lot of crime in that district.

Pueblo de Gurabo

The driving is rough here. I have never been a very smooth driver and these windy roads that go up the mountains at 85 degrees have been a bit difficult. Lets just say there are a few more scratches on the front bumper. But, I am learning the scope of the area bit by bit. The best way for us to find new areas is just to pull over and talk to people and ask for directions. Ignore all the complicated instructions they give that neither I nor Hermana Castillo can understand and drive in the direction they point their finger. Pull over again and repeat the process. It isn't the fastest way to get there, but we at least contact and sometimes teach a lot of people on the way.

My Spanish is slowly and painfully improving. It is a lot of effort to speak and understand Spanish ALL day long. By about 4 o'clock my Spanish meter is full and my brain can take no more. It is funny that after that point in the day my Spanish gets all slurred and sloppy. But hopefully my endurance will gradually increase. Sister Castillo, like all other Puerto Ricans likes to talk a lot. Puerto Ricans are very dominant in conversations and I find it VERY, VERY difficult to butt my way into any conversation. I feel I have very little input or influence.

Another shocker for me is that the Sisters here before me did not do any investigator finding. They basically spent the whole day visiting members and less actives. Which I can understand is good, but they had the same 3 investigators the entire last transfer, 2 of which were not progressing. So we are starting from scratch trying to find people to teach. We have used the area book a lot and I am hoping to work more through the members, since the previous missionaries have already established great relationships with them. I hope that we can animate them to participate in missionary work and invite their friends to listen to use. Member work is very difficult since we are so reliant on other people who sometimes fall through and cancel. But member work is also much more rewarding, pleasant and efficient.

The ward in this area consists of 4 pueblos: Juncos, Las Piedras, Gurabo, and San Lorenzo. The ward boundaries are very large and make up a sizeable fraction of the island. The elders in our ward cover the areas of Juncos and Las Piedras while we cover both San Lorenzo and Gurabo. Member work is also difficult because the members live so far apart and over half of them are outside of our area. I am trying to learn all the names of the members and in what areas they live. This ward is very friendly and seems to have better fellowshipping skills than my two previous areas. Thank heavens!

I was immediately recruited as the ward pianist last week. In fact, the first thing out of every member's mouth was "Do you play the piano?" This ward has very poor piano etiquette. I was a bit offended/unhappy when the bishop spontaneously announced that we would be singing an intermediate hymn without even giving me more than a few seconds to look over the song. HUMPH. Oh well, it wasn't perfect--but you get what you pay for.

Also, this ward doesn't have a piano, but it has a really nice keyboard. The only bad thing is that the pedal device slides around a lot on the floor and if the song has more than 3 verses it ends up so far from my feet that I can barely reach it. I need to figure out a way to make it stay put.

Sisters from the East Side

The biggest surprise of the week though is that the color code has failed me. Every strategy and technique I have ever used to cope with new people and personalities is failing me. With this whole foreign culture thing the color-code is not working with my new companion. I can not figure her out. I can't separate what is her culture, what is her personality? I have been found completely off-guard.

She is super sweet though. I do agree. I think this transfer is going to be one of my most difficult, but perhaps my favorite.

I am homesick for Fajardo, but I can definitely see the outlines of the plans God has for me here. Sister Castillo is my perfect compliment. She and I are going to help and teach one another so much.

Love you all and miss you!
Hermana Palmer

El Campo

May 19, 2010

Hello from the beautiful countryside of Puerto Rico. This last week and transfer has brought a lot of changes into my life. First, my companion. Hermana Castillo is a newly arrived missionary from Coamo, Puerto Rico. She is very sweet and kind. She also talks VERY quickly, complete with all the strange pronunciations of Puerto Rico. It has been an adventure trying to understanding her, but I have already learned a ton. She has one transfer (6weeks) on the mission so we are both definitely in a learning phase. It has been so strange to arrive to a new area and immediately have to take the lead in a sense. Hermana Castillo is still learning a lot about the mission rules and how to teach, do follow-up, etc. I have definitely had to "suck it up" and do a lot of the hard things I hate to do so I can be a good example to her. Some great things about Hermana Castillo are that she is very, very real. Some of the experiences she shares and testimonies she bears just blow me away. She has had real experiences and can really relate with the trials and opposition our investigators are facing. She is excellent with heart-felt testimony. She also is very sensitive to the spirit. She is always alert to promptings and feelings she might be receiving. I have a feeling that we have to potential to be a very powerful companionship because her strengths are my weaknesses and visa versa. Hna Castillo also makes me laugh because she is extremely disorganized and sentimental. I know that I am organized and focused. We are a great balance.

The transition to a new companion, however, has been a total shock. I have never had to confront so much the contrast in culture. In Chile, in my previous areas, the people closest to me have always been of my same culture. Now I feel completely surrounded by people who don't think like me or talk like me. Previously I have always been able to laugh or joke about the contrast of culture of with friends or family. But now often I feel so very alone as I listen to people talk around me about topics or ideas I don't understand. It strikes me that even our testimonies are SO different. I thought everyone felt the spirit or build their testimonies on similar feelings or experiences. Not so. Hermana Castillo and my testimonies are composed of completely different thoughts are perceptions. It has been very difficult for me to express my thoughts and feelings. I know that I am going to learn so much these next few months.

Ok. The area: I am in an incredible large area that covers two towns and miles and miles of terrain with houses nestled into mountains and niches throughout. That means using kilometer markings and natural landmarks to find houses. Also, Hermana Castillo does not have a license so that means I jumped directly into the drivers seat. We have gotten lost so many many times. Hermana Castillo has been here only a short time and only knows how to get to about 6 houses. On top of that she (like many other members of my family) does not know right from left. As you can imagine we have made a comical amount of U-turns. I know that I have learned a lot on my mission. 6 months ago I would have been so stressed and frustrated. We are learning to laugh a lot.

Hermana Castillo and I

Our house is on the side of a very steep mountain. It has a gorgeous view but it is a little hard to reach. Exercising is also nearly impossible. I am not running up those steep slopes! We instead take walks in the morning. I am trying to find a way to get a little bit better of a work out. In order to arrive I have to navigate the windy very narrow roads which in its widest parts can barely squeeze enough room for cars to pass. My favorite adventure has been that in all the curves and turns I have to honk my horn to alert any cars that might be coming towards us (that took along time for me to understand from Hermana Castillo's instructions in Spanish). The road at night is absolutely littered with frogs (I saw my first coqui frog!) and I even saw a fatty snake crawling on the road. That was a horrible experience. We both screamed as we imagined that thing crawling into our house. (I tried to make my Grandpa proud and run it over, but I think I missed.)

Our next door neighbor has about a billion roosters. He raises them for cock fighting which is very big here in Puerto Rico. Especially out here in the country. We pass a cock fighting stadium on the way to church in Juncos.

Another funny episode worth mentioning. I left most of my food in Fajardo. I did not want to bother dragging it all with me and I did not want to leave the poor elders who whitewashed the area with out any food. I knew that Sister Borders would be leaving a lot of food since she was leaving for Barbados. WRONG! The cupboards were nearly bare and come to find out Hermana Borders is lactose intolerant?? and all sorts of other weird food allergies. I arrived to a few liters of almond milk and low glycemic peanut butter (disgusting) That was basically it. Thankfully I brought tons of oatmeal and the Lord has proportioned just enough food from members to survive. Morale of the story. Always bring your own food and leave the elders to fend for themselves!

It has been and exciting week and I have to so much more to write. It will have to wait another week.
I am happy and loving the adventure of the mission!

Hermana Palmer

Leaving Fajardo

May 11, 2010
That's right, there are big changes coming from the mission merger and they have started this transfer. Sister Barnhurst and I will both be transferred out of the Fajardo branch. President is shrinking the zones. A few areas have already been eliminated and the big news here is that the sisters in Fajardo will be replaced with elders. That means both Sister Barnhurst and I have to find new homes. Sister Barnhurst is going back to Barbados to finish the last transfer of her mission. Since Barbados will soon become a part of the West Indies mission, President has put all the missionaries who will end there mission in June on that island so that it can be easily vacated for the WI mission.

I will be transferred to San Lorenzo. I don't know much about that area. I do know that it is mostly countryside and that my new companion is a Puerto Rico who is relatively new as a missionary. I am very nervous since we are both newer missionaries, but I am at least grateful that my Spanish will certainly improve with a native companion.

It has been very difficult to prepare to leave fajardo. We have been writing down maps, instructions, appointments, numbers and getting everything as organized as possible for the poor elders who will blindly walk into the area. On top of that we have to get our apartment ready for elders, which means getting rid of all the sisters clothing, lotions, and perfumes that have accumulated in our apartment over the years. It is very overwhelming.

William DeJesus and Karen Vasquez's Family

I am very saddened to say goodbye to Fajardo. I have truly loved this area. The branch and members have been extremely supportive. I am also sad that I will not be here to see Ivelisse and Jose be baptized. They will finish their marriage papers this weekend, and we will miss the big event by only a few days or weeks. We went over last night to say goodbye to them. It was a bitter-sweet experience. We have, of course, become very close to them and they are like my family here in Fajardo. Everyone of us cried, including Jose. They kept assuring us that after our missions, their doors are always open to us. They said if we wanted to live with them afterwards they would give us our own room, they promised to send pictures of their wedding and baptism, and Ivelisse even offered to buy us each our wedding dresses when we get married. They are so adorable. However, it was a very sweet and tender experience for me. Ivelisse pulled out her Book of Mormon and shared a few of her favorite scriptures with us. Jose bore his testimony of how this gospel was the only thing which could help him to quit smoking. I can walk away from them knowing that they know the truth. I pray that I will be able to return in the future and still see them firm and active in the gospel. They are just beginning their own legacy.

I will miss many of the other members who mean so much to me. Karen Vasquez, who I could just sit and talk to for hours if I had time. She was a member who was always willing to come out with us and her vivacious and outgoing personality made any situation fun. Hermana Carmen Martinez, who of all the members is most like my mom. We have developed a dependent and very relationship with her too.

And of course, hermana Barnhust. We share many fun memories. As a matter of fact, this past week we took a trip to the Yunque. We had so much fun! We tried to hike to the top of Mount Britton, but the time constraints would not allow that. Instead, we picked a beautiful view and filmed yoga videos in the Yunque. It was a lot of fun. Sister Barnhurst woke up extremely sore the next day.

We also had a ward Mother's day party. It was typical Puerto Rican. Lots of food and LOUD music. It was very nice though to visit with the members and share with them. My favorite, part however, was being a part of the clean-up crew. The elders, the Branch Presidents family and we stayed a little bit afterward and Presidente and Hermana Ocasio showed us how to dance. Remember, they are Puerto Ricans from the Bronx so we got both the Latino salsas and merengues as well as classics such as Thriller and other Michael Jackson songs. I really wanted to dance too, and with such excellent teachers. I guess I will just have to wait a year.

I completely enjoyed the Mother's Day phone call. I just wish it were 5 times longer. It was great to catch up on the news with my family and just listen to them talk. I miss you all so much.

Well, I love you all. I look forward to the new challenges and adventures, which I know await me in San Lorenzo. Talk to you soon!

Hermana Palmer

All good news this week

May 5, 2010

This week was a good and fun one. I have been working really hard and talking to a lot of people. Sometimes I come home and my tongue is so sore from speaking Spanish all day, but I know that is a good sign, because it means my pronunciation is good.

The best and most exciting news is that I talked to my trainer, Sister Erekson, this week and she gave me all the news of my old area Carolina. Everyone there is doing well! Ricardo especially! He seems to have gotten through the rough and is now a ward missionary! Sister Erekson says that he comes out with both the sisters and the elders frequently and that he is really magnifying his calling! The missionary work there is really thriving as well. There are 4 really solid investigators. Ricardo has hosted some family home evenings at his home for them and they apparently were very successful. There is nothing that can make me happier than to hear how well he is doing. I am have seen him struggle through some really hard times and I am so proud of the habits he is forming and the testimony he is building. I wish I could be there to see him in action!

I gave my first shot at being a translator. It is hard. I translated a Ward council meeting for a gringo member, Jess Untalasco from Gilbert, AZ, who lives in our ward. He is really dynamic and has really helped push our branch forward. But let me tell you, translating for a ward council meeting has got to be the most boring thing ever! There is a lot of unnecessary monologue--that section about family history work could have been cut down by at least half and hour.

Ivelisse and Jose are still doing well and SLOWLY progressing with their marriage papers. It is very complicated to get married here in Puerto Rico. There are a ton of medical records involved. You have to get blood tests and everything. I hoping that all goes forward without too many more bumps in the road.

Jose has humor just like my Dad's. He is always teasing Hermana Barnhurst about her boyfriend. I love being with that family. I really feel like a part of them. Ivelisse continues cooking up a storm and packing on the pounds for me. This week, along with the ample amounts of rice and fried plantains and chicken, she made us her special hot chocolate that she has been raving about. Keep in mind it is well over 90 degrees and super humid here. I will admit the chocolate was very good, but the special ingredient was chunks of Velveeta cheese floating around in the mug? That has got to be both the most random and fattening combination I have ever heard of. It was very strange, but she was so proud and happy to share her secret I could not help but smile!

Delicious Fried Food

We also had an incredible member present lesson. A sister in our ward, Sharon Payano, invited her cousin over for a family home evening to hear the missionary lessons. It was incredible working in the ideal situation. Using a member referral, someone who already has firm fellowship and friendship foundations, teaching in a members home, having members who share appropriate and relevant testimony, and QUIET children listening attentively in the CLEAN and reverent home. It was so bizarre to teach in such an ideal atmosphere. I have always joked about how unrealistic the missionary training movie, The District, is. But I seriously just experienced a lesson that could have been filmed on the district. The only things that was missing was the carpet on the ground.

Thanks to everyone for the letters and packages I have received lately, I don't want to sound like a desperate or sappy missionary, but there are some weeks that the encouragement and support really are what get you through. I love you all and pray for your safety and success.

Hermana Palmer

So Stinkin Hot!

April 28, 2010
Yesterday was 92 degrees, plus humidity with no solid plans. That meant contacting in the streets almost the entire day and being absolutely drenched with sweat. It is so hot that 1) my gum melted 2) my envelopes are sealing themselves and 3) the bindings on the Book of Mormons we carry are melting. And I know it is only going to get worse! Oh, Keri and I hear Guatemala is far hotter with much less AC.

Adventuring in El Yunque

Mom, it sounds like you are having a very successful trip to Europe. Traveling to Europe definitely means teamwork. I wish I could have seen the bulb festival, I am sure I would have loved it! Markie, what happened with the prom date? How did everything turn our with your hair?

There hasn't been too much out of the ordinary this week. We have begun teaching another family Sandra, Juan, and their daughter Rubi. The way that we found them really was a miracle and really indicates to me that the Lord has something in mind for them. We were actually teaching their next door neighbor who apparently wasn't too interested in our message, but loved that way we sing. At the end of the lesson, sister Barnhurst asked the neighbor if she knew anyone we could share our message with and the neighbor immediately referred us to Sandra, Juan and Rubi. We went next door and knocked but nobody came out. However, I felt that we needed to stay in the area a bit so we talked to a few people standing in their yard. When we headed back to the car, the neighbor came out of her house towards us tell us that she had just gotten a hold of Sandra and Juan and we could visit them now. The neighbor introduced us, Sandra let us in and we just began teaching and talking with them. Mostly we answered questions they had about the Mormon church. Do we believe in Christ? Why do all the boys only use bikes? Are there Puerto Rican Mormons? It was really great. We got to know a lot of their needs and concerns. We taught the first lesson and they actually understood it. Sandra really gets the concept of the apostasy and thinks that maybe there is one true church. We also found out that Juan, is an inactive member who was baptized 18 years ago in Rio Piedras. I think they have really been prepared by the Lord to hear our message, and it was such an unusual way for us to find them. I have great hope in them, but honestly I am afraid of disappointment. I can felt myself putting up a wall of protection. I know that I should confide more in the Lord's plan and accept whatever he has in mind. But they are unusual, they have been reading the Book of Mormon as a family. I have never seen that before. The only major obstacle I can see thus far is that they are not married. I am beginning to wonder if ANYONE in Puerto Rico is married.

We also did a Family Home Evening at the President's house. Sister Ocasio made "missionary chili" and invited both the elders and the sisters over for the night. President and Sister Ocasio are amazing. They are both from the Bronx originally and have the funniest stories to tell, complete with the New York accent. Sister Barnhurst and I were in charge of the activity so I made a card game based on Pit but put at a word of wisdom theme to it. Instead of the Bull and the Bear we had the dreaded coffee card. It was really a hit! Both the elders and sister Ocasio asked me to make them a set of cards.
We also lent service for Hilda. She still wants nothing to do with the church, but asked us if we could help her clean her house. Sometimes it is difficult to be around her because she is so obstinate and she is really missing out on a great blessing, but she really did need help cleaning her apartment. It has been a long time since it has been cleaned properly. I cleaned the bathroom and believe me, when I ripped up that bathmat there was a lot of red mold growing underneath. I didn't mind at all though. I just hope someone helps me clean my home when I am older. Hilda was very grateful and served us lunch to thank us. She is a crazy health nut and that food was disgusting! She made us juice from barley or something. It was sugar free and it tasted awful!

There was also another sacrament hymn disaster. In an attempt to expand the branch's repertoire President Ocasio picked a song the members had never sung before. I faithfully practiced the hymns so I would be ready to play it strong. However, come Sunday we I began to play no one sang. And when I say no one sang, I mean no one even opened their mouth in an attempt. Sister Barnhurst, who was conducting said that they all just stared at her as she sang a solo. Halfway through the song President Occasio stopped everyone and told us that we would be starting over because he couldn't hear anyone. I started over and was desperately banging out the melody. Still, no one even opened their mouth. Finally President Ocasio interrupted again and announce we would just pick a new song that everyone knew. It was pretty funny, but I did feel bad for Sister Barnhurst singing a solo.

Well, wish me luck as I try to get two couples married. The system here is incredibly complex! I love you all and love hearing from you. Markie, write me a letter!
Hermana Palmer

Endure to the End

April 21, 2010
Dear Family

This week's theme was endure to the end. It has been emotionally GRUELING on both Hermana Barnhurst and I, but it has also been very bonding. We have had an unusual amount of rejection both in investigators and contacts, I am very frustrated with myself, and Hermana Barnhurst is combating homesickness and distraction as she will be ending her mission in June. We have really had to carry one another to get through many of the days. I am grateful for Hermana Barnhurst's generally light spirits. Nothing can make you happy quite like her Napoleon Dynamite dancing in the apartment after a long, hard day.

Dad, I loved your talk! I was just commenting to Hermana Barnhurst this very morning that we had lived in the ward for about 7 years and parents have only every given one talk. let me just brag for a moment. My Dad is a wonderful, wise man with a strong testimony! I am so grateful to have a dad like you! I loved your joke and statistical reports, they were very true to character. It was an amazing talk!

I gave a talk too this week. All of the missionaries in our ward spoke this week in fact. Both elders from Samoa, Elder Ceo-'ovai and Elder Matuatia and two American girls. The Spanish was rough. They members were very patient I don't know how well any of us communicated. I don't think my talk was quite as good as my dad's, but considering it was in a foreign language I thought it went rather well. It is much harder to be composed and carry your audience in a foreign language. I talked about how missionary work is like fishing, which I mentioned in my previous letter. I got lots of good comments from the members and especially the branch president. They especially loved that I actually wore fishing waders. Many members approached me afterwards to chat with me about river fishing, sea fishing, etc. Oh, dad I found you a few fishing buddies who would love to take you sea fishing.

Us with our favorite investigator:  Hilda Pellot

Other excitements of the week. Hilda dropped us and dropped us hard. She has decided that many of the members are rude and proud, that we are preaching false doctrine and that we should re-consider our mission and go home. The only way to describe that experience is emotionally draining. I did everything I know how to do for her. Everything. I know that I may not be a good missionary maybe I was too strong or not clear enough, but I did the very best I know how. It hurts very much to be rejected after you have given all of yourself to another person. But I must leave the matter now in the hands of the Lord. Perhaps later he will soften her heart of find another missionary who is a better match for her. Hilda has taken both of us, Hermana Barnhurst and I through a thrilling emotional rollercoaster.

I also found out that another of our investigators is epileptic. I was sitting next to Ivelisse in Principles of the Gospel when suddenly she turned to me and said "Hermana, no me siento bien." I then in a frightening moment saw her eyes zone out and her whole body began to shake. I had my arm around her shoulder and was able to support her until her husband could come over and hold her. For some reason I was not afraid. I just knew that needed to stay there until the seizure passed. I held onto her back as some other members ran to get the branch president and water. I know very little about medicine. I still don't know exactly how I should have handled the situation, but I am utter stunned at the peace I felt during that experience. I knew that everything was going to be ok and that I needed to stay put until it passed. As soon as the seizure was over Ivelisse looked at me and I knew she was back. I can not describe the love I felt for her at that moment. It was a very real and eye-opening experience. I could see for a moment the Christ bond that there is between myself and my investigators. It is very real, very strong and very special. We embraced and I could just feel so much love. That's why it hurts so much to be rejected and that's why it feels so good to make a difference. Ivelisse is doing much better know and is under the protecting watch of our Branch President who's wife is also epileptic. I feel that they will be watched and cared for. I am so grateful for the care and comfort of the spirit which I know protected and guided us all.

I am learning and growing so much everyday. Even if I am not the greatest missionary in the world I know that I will be a much better member of the church for the rest of my life. I love to see the life and example of the members. Each has their own burden and trial. If there is one thing I have learned as a missionary it is that life is not meant to be easy. As a missionary we really get a deeper view of the members and what they are going through and in the end I am astonished by their faith.

Hermanas at the Zone Meeting

I love you all and miss you so much! Markie have a fun weekend, Mom enjoy your trip and just enjoy the ride, because it is not going to be what you expect. Take lots of pictures of the tulips! Dad, take care of yourself and thank for the talk!
Hermana Palmer