Officially one mission!

June 30, 2010

We are now officially one mission!  Although we haven't seen any changes yet.  The only indication of change was a goodbye email from President Dewsnup.  Hopefully we will be able to meet President Alvarado soon.

Some of the highlights of this week include a visit from Hermana Barnhurst.  Hermana Barnhurst finished her mission last week and her family has come to Puerto Rico to tour the areas where Hermana Barnhurst served.  She called us from a less-actives home and we quickly arranged to meet up with her.  It was neat to meet her family, because I have heard so much about them.  Her parents and younger sister were there.  It was fun to chat and reminisce with Hna Barnhusrt.  She is giddy to go home and meet up with her boyfriend who finished his mission about 2 months ago.  It sounds like she had a fantastic time in her last transfer, a trio on the island of Barbados. It was SOOO good to see her.

Presidente Zayas

We also had a visit from Presidente Zayas, the first counselor of the former mission presidency.  He is good friends with Hermana Castillo. It would be the equivalent if President Ostler came and visited me.   He had to come and help us with a small emergency we had in our area. He has a very lively and YELLOW personality.  It was fun to visit with him and his wife for a bit.  He brought pralines and caramel ice-cream--the expensive kind.  It tasted so American I almost wanted to cry when I tried it.  It reminded me so much of eating butter pecan ice-cream with Grandpa. 

One funny incident of the week is that one of the ward members invited us over for a party. Ilian, who I absolutely adore, is a young single adult who is preparing to serve a mission, the only active member of her family.  She is awesome.  I love being with her because she is our age, has the same interests, etc.  I would consider her a good friend.  Anyway, Hermana Ilia invited us over for her nephew's birthday 1st party Sunday afternoon.  She told us we could come over and eat with her family and we happily accepted.  I was picturing a peaceful family gathering with a song and small birthday cake.  Boy was I wrong.  When we arrived we saw that the street was completely PACKED with cars.  There was a bounce house in the street, people everywhere, roaring music, beer, clowns, popcorn machines, tables and benches in the street, a dance floor, balloons, magicians, face painting, and tons and tons of people.  Oh my goodness, what kind of first birthday party is that?  It was enormous!  Ilia spotted us and motioned us in.  We came over to talk to her quickly, but didn't feel it was an appropriate environment for sister missionaries.  It was a hysterical situation.  I have been teasing Ilia about that so much, she deceiving the sister missionaries into such a big and crazy party.  Once again, I find that I have underestimated the Puerto Rican's unparalleled ability to party.

Missionary work front has been difficult and demanding to say the least.  A recent convert family that we are very close to love very much and have worked very closely with now lay in shambles.  Every particle of hope and joy has been utterly destroyed by slavery to drugs.  To say that it has been a painful experience to watch would be a complete understatement.  We have seen the highs, the lows and the irreversible consequences of slavery to Satan.   Unless you were to see it, you could not believe it.  The choices of one person have so gravely affected the lives of her husband and children.  My perspective of life has expanded and my perception of the atonement evolved.  Although I have not been permitted to see the purification and healing power of the atonement in this situation I know that if applied it would miraculously be enough to heal every wound and erase every damage.  I long so much to witness that miracle, but I do not think I will be allowed the chance.

I know that Christ is our Lord and our Redeemer.  I do not doubt the power of His atonement.  I know this gospel is the truth and the way to eternal life and happiness.

Hermana Palmer