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