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| Arihesli |
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| Keisha, Amerfis, Arihesli, me, Sister Curl, and Airet |
Happy New Years to every one. I can't believe that new years was just last week. It feels like it was soooo long ago.
For New Years we ate dinner with Amerfis and her family. Did I tell you about Amerfis? She has a great story. She was baptized a long time ago in the Dominican Republic when she was 14 years old. However, shortly after her baptism she moved to the United States, had her first daughter and became inactive in the church. A few weeks ago when Hermana Curl and I were walking in the Pueblo She came up to us and said that she wanted to talk to us and come back to church. Since then we have started teaching her and her three girls. They are so amazing to work with! They are making friends in the ward so quickly and fit right in! Her daughters are Airet (13), Areihsli (8), and Keisha (4). Amerfis' "husband" is not really interested and doesn't seem really that great, but hopefully Amerfis will be able to talk to the bishop and counsel with him about the situation. I love that family so much. I get the feeling that the Lord wanted Sister Curl and I specifically to find and teach her, because we have a great relationship and although Amerfis saw many other missionaries through the years she never felt impressed to stop them. Now she is ready to make the changes necessary in her life to come back to church.
After dinner with Amerfis, we went back to our apartment at 9 and I went to bed. (That is a miracle of the mission. Despite the loud music and partying everywhere on our street I fell fast asleep. NEVER would have been able to do that before the mission) But at 12 I was suddenly awakened to was sounded like a bombing! There were fireworks EVERYWHERE! There were probably 5 different major firework shows surrounding the near proximity's of our home---which does not include the smaller roman candles, and sparklers all over our street. It was a really good show. But then after the fireworks ended I went straight back to sleep through all the music and partying (another blessing from the mission). Sister Curl told me that things started quieting down at about 2.
Also, something I forgot to mention. On Christmas Eve we had an earthquake, maybe more of a tremor. It was 5.4. It did absolutely no damage, but in true Puerto Rican fashion it set the whole island in Panic mode. We were eating dinner with Tammy and Julio when suddenly the table started shaking and the doors started rattling. Tammy screamed "TEMBLOR" and Julio jumped up so quickly out of his seat and yelled "Everyone outside!!!!" with his mouth overflowing with rice. Three thoughts came into my head at that moment. 1) Wow. I haven't felt an earthquake for a long time. 2) I wonder where the nearest doorway is, and 3) Calm down Julio and swallow your rice! It was pretty funny to watch. Tammy and Julio were pretty shaken up. People are still panicking about it and making it seem like it was the biggest earthquake of the century. I liked my parents reaction when I told them on the phone. They asked how big it was and said No big deal. Pretty anti-climactic.
We had tons of people in church Sunday. I think the most I have ever had on my mission! Amerfis, and two of her daughters. Megali, one of our investigators, and by a miracle Lucy and all of her sons came! It was amazing! No priesthood, but lots of people! I loved it! I was pretty busying trying to accommodate all of them, playing the piano, and helping Hermana Curl understand what was going on. But the members are really stepping it up and being friendly and introducing themselves. Oh, it is such a blessing! I loved it!
Love you all
Hermana Palmer
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