7-14-14

Hello Hello!

Wow!  Ok....today I´ve been writing everybody individually so I´m short on time for the big email!  But, this week has been great and challenging.  But, I have seen the Lord´s hand in my life so much this week.  It is incredible and I am learning so much everyday.

I am SOOOOOOO happy for Mal and Dev!  I wish I could have been there when you all went through the temple!  That is wonderful :)

First of all, I have to tell you about the crazy war that happened.  So, there are 2 members here, Carmelo and Vicki, who always invite the missionaries over for their first comida here.  And one thing that they do here, not sure if i told you this or not, but after every comida we have these herbal tea things called "infusions."  They LOVE them here and always have them after every meal.  Anyway, along with them, there are these little sugar mints that you can add to your cup to sweeten your infusion.  So....me being new....I wasn´t aware of the GINORMOUS sweetener fight that they have with all the new missionary.  So, here´s what happened.  The moment they put my infusion in front of me, everyone started throwing sweetner mints in my infusion!!!!!!!!!  And for it to actually taste good...you only put like 2 or 3 in there.  ONLY 2 or 3 at the most!  My companion dumped like 10 in my cup and then I´m pretty sure everyone else together put in about 30 more!  My "berry infusion" that was supposed to be pink and yummy, was literally a nasty green/black color!  I was dying!  It was hilarious!  I only took a sip of it, it was SUPER ASCO!!!!!!!

Anyway....that was definitely an experience :)  They are fun members who literally stuff us full of food every time we go over there!  They are great :)

We have started to teach a lady named Beatrice, a reference from Nelly.  Here´s the deal though, she is SOOOOOOOO challenging to teach!  She talks and talks and talks AND TALKS!  And never lets you talk....like EVER!  It´s a challenge.  I feel alot of compassion for her.  A long time ago we think that she had some really damaging tumors in her brain, that made her go a little crazy.  It is really sad, she is very smart and knowledge, but it has been difficult to know how to teach her effectively.  She doesn´t live in a very clean place, and has alot of health problems.  She came to church on Sunday though!  I know she needs the Gospel and will be so blessed to have it in her life if she will just listen.  Vamos a ver :) 

Ricardo and Gema didn´t end up coming to church after all on Sunday, so that was a bummer, but we´re hoping to meet with them tonight.  Ricardo and Gema are good people, they want to feel happy and do good things.  We are going to keep trying!

 I know that the Gospel blesses our lives.  The only way to find TRUE and lasting happiness in this life is to live the principles of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  That´s the only way!  Heavenly Father just wants to bless us and give us all that He has.   We have the agency to choose for ourselves though.  I know that when we choose to really LIVE the Gospel, study the scriptures daily, pray daily, and follow the counsel of the prophet and leaders of the church, we are going to be blessed.

I´m sorry this is so short!  But I hope you got all the pics :)  I love you guys!  Have a wonderful day!  I´m so glad you have a great week at the Ranch and that you got to go to the temple! 

I love you all!!!!!!!

Hermana Carroll