Our trio is now 2.

Going out with Daniela Anderson and Valeri Izarry

November 17, 2010

Dear Family,

Thank you, thank you, thank you for the pictures of the roomies!!!!  They are so cute.  I am going to look are my card options today in Walgreen's, but I'll hold off on printing until next week in case Ashley has a different picture she wants to send.  It's perfect!
Mom, your adventures in Peru are completely fascinating.  I am glad Juan Pablo is learning to keep his mouth shut.  I will pray that your shipment comes in soon. 
Well, our companionship is growing and changing constantly.  Hermana Turaga goes home tomorrow to Hawaii.  We are so sad to see her go.  She is a great and loving companion and a hard worker.  That leaves Hermana Aldana and I. Hermana Aldana will finish her mini mission in December, so at least we know we will be together until then. Hermana Aldana finally received her mission call this week and she will be leaving March 9 to serve in....Monterrey, Mexico!!!  She opened her call Monday night at family home evening at her mom's house.  We are all so excited for her.  I think it will be a great place for her to serve and she is already an amazing missionary!  Her family is very concerned that she will be serving in Mexico, but they are happy for her.
This morning for P-day we went and explored the Taino ruins.  It was a lot of fun exploring the little terrain which they have conserved.  There isn't a whole lot of artifacts there.  I would compare it to the size of Jhus hill, but we took a little hike through the jungle, which was a lot of fun.  We got to climb over rivers, under huge boulders and weave through vines and bamboo.   The tour was very well done and the guide really did a great job of livening things up.  It was especially funny to watch the lady who traversed the whole course in her precious heels.
We have started a project that we are working on for the ward.  We are filming all of the members sharing their testimonies to then compile it all onto one CD.  It is so amazing!  I love hearing the member's testimonies they are so distinct, and so interesting.  I have really developed a deep love for this ward and I love every minute I get to spend hearing the member's testimonies and insights.  It was especially sweet for me to hear my two recent converts, Christina and Nadia, share their testimony.  Both have progressed so much and in so little time.
We also started teaching the cutest family this week.  It is a young couple with one son.  They really seem interested.  The wife has a sister who is a member in Caguas and also a half sister who served her mission in Mesa, Arizona.  The wife, Xiomara, says that she has really been impressed by the changes she has seen in her sister's life since she joined the church.  I feel it is so rare that we ever have the opportunity to teach a complete family in Puerto Rico. And they are really reading and praying.  I am so excited for them to keep learning and I pray that they can continue to do their part to continue learning.
I really, really love the Juncos ward. There are so many members I love and identify with.  I love the Anderson family, who remind me so much of my cousins and friends.  I love the Iannones' who are my loving and typical New Yoricans. ( Hermana Iannone reminds me of Grandma when she gets the giggles.  She cannot stop laughing.  Hna Iannone laughs whenever she thinks about "skin heads".  If we ever come across a scripture about the Lamanites whose heads were shorn, forget it.  She will never quit laughing the rest of the night.) And I love the Gonzalez's the sweetest family of girls. They really remind me of my house growing up.  And Hermana Pinero, a single, older lady with the most kind and tender heart.  I felt the spirit so strongly as we visited her in her last evening.  She lives alone and I know that must be very difficult for her but I could feel the loving presence of Her Father in Heaven watching over her in home.

The pathetic state of a sisters apartment

I am trying really hard to keep this area progressing.  I love it so much and President says that if we reach our zone goals this month for the area of Juncos I can stay.  I feel a bit overwhelmed, a bit manipulated, but I really really want to stay.  I am praying very hard that I can give everything I have got to this area.
I love you all so much. Mom, you and Dad are always in my prayers and in my mind.  I know that the Lord has a purpose and things for us all to learn.  Markie, keep having fun.  I love you and can't wait to see how much you have grown up and changed recently!

Con Amor,
Hermana Palmer