Loving Puerto Rico

Dear Family,

The District: Snow, Mason, Krout, Palmer, Christiansen, and Pezo

This week has been another great amazing week.  We have so much work to do here.  We had a district meeting with President Alvarado and he once again emphasized that we should focus our efforts on less-active work.  I think that is a great and wonderful plan and I am relieved that we now are commissioned to do this, because let me tell you the field is white.  There are so many members who have slipped through the cracks into inactivity and I think it the quickest and strongest way to build up the ward. There are so many GOOD less actives who just do not understand that they are NEEDED.

Another thing I like is that I have actually been in a ward more than 3 months.  I feel like I am growing really bonded with the members.  It is such a neat experience to have roots in an area.  I feel like I am a part of the Juncos ward rather than a visitor.

Highlights of this week was probably the Stake Primary activity.  Very Puerto Rican in many ways.  I was enlisted to play the piano for one of the portions of the programs.  Originally I was asked to just play two Primary songs.  These poor people know nothing about pianos or pianists.  They asked me 5 minutes before the program started if I could play the opening and closing hymn.  I assumed it would be from the hymn book.  Wrong.  Two strange primary songs I have never seen or heard of in my life.  I was completely sight reading in front of a huge crowd and those songs were weird.  Also it is important to note that they had set up the room so that the piano was behind the curtain.  That means I was basically in a separate room and had absolutely no idea what was going on.  The leader was so frustrated that I "couldn't keep up" with what was going on.  They were adding extra verses and tags and I couldn't even see anyone.  Thank goodness I had my companion to whisper "start now", 'end now", they're still going", etc.  It was an adventure but it turned out well.

I don't think I could ever emphasize enough that Puerto Ricans know how to party.  This Primary activity was MEGA and since we were not allowed to bring our car to Caguas we caught a ride with a member and were there to witness the entire affair.  It was sponsored by Banco Popular.  To begin there was a special bell choir that had been invited to play prelude.  Then there was a play with a spiritual message, then there was the Banco Popular mascot who did a show complete with them songs, puppets, man inside a giant sized bear costume, and outrageously loud music.  Then there was a professional family band who played typical songs of Puerto Rico, then there was a safety demonstration by the firemen, (all throughout this indoor portion of the program adult were throwing free coloring books, crayons, cookies, juice, and candies provided by Banco Popular)  All of this took about 3- 31/2 hours and then we began the outdoor portion.  There was a massive blow up slide, a huge barbecue, and of course the fire truck.  Puerto Ricans know how to party.

Helping Christina paint her room

Our investigaor, Christina is doing really well and I absolutely love teaching her.  She is extremely intelligent and eager to learn.  She reminds me very much of Ashely.  I feel like I am teaching one of my best friends.  I really feel grateful to be provided to opportunity to teach her and get to know her. 

I am so grateful to the Lord for my companion and all of the things I have been learning from her in the last weeks.  The Lord had brought me very, very low but it has opened my eyes to so many things and I can feel my entire approach and composition as a missionary change.  Everything is so much more human.  I am probably the most relaxed I have ever been on my mission.  I am so grateful.

The time is short, but I love you and hope the best for you all.

Hermana Palmer

PS. The cockroaches in our house are dwindling in number.  I am very relieved. 

Going out to eat with Ilia

That is a ton of meat