San Lorenzo

June 22, 2010

Dear Friends and Family,

Today is the last day of transfers.  Hermana Castillo and I received word that we will both be staying here together for this next transfer.  That means I will be spending my summer here in San Lorenzo.  That is actually great news, because this is the coolest area I have been in.  It rains almost everyday in the morning and that helps keep the temperature down (It is still ridiculously hot though, but better than Carolina and Fajardo).  The past 4 days it has been POURING non-stop.  This is not your ordinary rain shower.  The drops of water are enormous and umbrellas are basically useless.  It has been a great adventure trying to scurry from house to house in an attempt to stay somewhat dry.  It has cooled down to mid 70's.  My companion keeps insisting that it is freezing and that we are going to catch cold.  As she shivers and cuddles in her quilt at night I think it is glorious!  Finally, my body has stopped sweating.

Me eating Parcha or Passion Fruit

Last Friday I had my last interview with President Dewsnup.  It was a bitter sweet moment.  Sweet in that I have actually grow quite close to President Dewsnup, especially in this last transfer.  He has seen me grow and change so much from the beginning of my mission until now.  It was fun to reminisce what we talked about in our first interview and compare it to the last.  I am nervous to start over with a new President.  He won't know all of my quirks and he is Puerto Rican.  I truly relished those moments of speaking English.   But, I do trust in the power of the priesthood.  I know that my leaders are given guidance, wisdom, and words according to the needs of the mission.

We also had a fun little Fathers' Day Activity in the ward.  It was supposed to start at 7, but of course it didn't start until 8:20.  Since we have to be home by 9 we had just enough time to eat and run.  But I am told that the activities and program was very fun.

This weekend was kind of unique due to the fact that Hermana Castillo was sick to her stomach and we were not able to proselyte Saturday or Sunday.  It was strange to stop the rapid and demanding pace of the mission and just study, reflect, and ponder.  I loved it.  I had some beautiful personal study experiences and self-evaluation.

It was also fun to talk and study with Hermana Castillo when she was awake.  I taught her a lot of English this weekend.  Hermana Castillo has a strong desire to learn English but she has little experience or background.  It was funny to watch her realize that the transition between English and Spanish is not linear.  We don't say things in the same order, sometimes words in Spanish don't exist in English and visa versa.  Hermana Castillo has a cute little picture book with words in English I would help explain some of the vocab words.  I had to laugh when I tried to explain the difference between "to spill" and "to pour".  In Spanish there is only one word.  I tried to explain that "to spill is to pour on accident and "to pour" it to do it intentionally.  I also found it funny when I was trying to explain the pronoun "it".  The pronoun "it" is neither masculine nor feminine and we only use it with inanimate objects.  That was a difficult concept for her.

I think my favorite eye opening experience, however, was when I told her that in the United States we don't have Recoa (a very popular spice here).  She stared at me in absolute shock "Then how do you make your sofrito?!?!?" (the salsa and spices Puerto Ricans put in every food).   She could not understand that we don't use sofrito in the States and that we don't eat rice every day.

This week I have dome to realize that I am turning into a real sister missionary (oh, the horror!)  I have officially been here long enough to notice the symptoms.  You know you are a real sister missionary when:

- You wake up with absolutely NO desire to do your hair or make-up

- You have worn every possible combination of clothing in you closet.  Both outfits that match and those that don't.

- All of your dreams have to do with either tracting, contacting, teaching, or studying.

- You actually set weekly goals in your planner for personal improvement.  (Sister Erekson would laugh at that.  For my first two transfers I refused to set goals insisting that my goal that week was to survive.)

Sad, but true.  But, I am happy knowing that this is the best way for me to learn and to grow. And don't worry I force myself to do both my hair and my make-up every morning.  I

I miss you all and love you!  By the way congratulations for Emily on her call to South Carolina!   You will do great! 

Hermana Palmer