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