I am on an island....literally an island. It is SO cool! In so many ways I feel like a brand new missionary all over again because this area is SO different than any other area I´ve been in and I feel like I´m a newbie learning all over again, but I love it.. It´s like a completely different mission down here. Our area is literally the entire bottom half of Tenerife...the majority of the island! Everything is sooo spread apart. We visit so many different pueblos that all take anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours to get too! It is so different. You really have to plan your time out well because you spend the majority of your day in only one or two pueblos. But, wow, I´m loving it! The ward is wonderful. A new bishop was recently called who is from Argentina and he and his family are the sweetest people. I am really excited to get to know the members more! They seem wonderful. The only downer is that everything is so spread apart. When your on the peninsula (Spain) you usually will have a big street to just contact on and the members within a specific area that isn´t too hard to find, but here....wow. So different! And most of the pueblos don´t have maps! I´m sure that every mission in South America is probably like this haha :) So, I have no room to complain, but it´s just so different here and i hope I can do everything I can here to be effective and use my time wisely.
So....a few CRAZY things about the islands just to start off...
1) We have to buy our own water....that´s crazy! We buy big jugs of it and use it up for about 2 weeks and then have to buy more!
2) There are a TON of tourists! Especially in Los Cristianos where we live. Hay MUCHA gente! The Canary Islands really are like the Hawaii of Europe.
3) The majority of our ward are Italians! They come from the north of Italy where it´s cold and they retire here. We eat with this cute old and retired Italian couple every Tuesday named Ana and Mario. And they speak Spanish but with Italian accents, so everything is very emphasized....as if they were saying "MA-ma MI-a" all the time, but in spanish. It´s so great. So...this last week we had real italian lasagna....it was yummy! I´m looking forward to more real italian food!
4) The Bus is called "the waa waa" haha!
5) The weather here is beautiful except for every couple of days the "calima" will hit....which means that the sands and winds from the Sahara desert are blown over here and it creates this bubble affect over the island and you can barely see the sun or the moon at night! it´s crazy! We´re breathing in the Sahara Desert!
6) There is a big thing here called "Carnaval" that is really bad....it´s a big holiday type celebration that they have all throughout spain and it tours around the country at different times...it´s in Los Cristianos right now so that´s been interesting. There´s really loud music, lots of dancing, parades, and drinking going on until 5 in the morning! Luckily we´ve been able to sleep pretty good because we´re sooo tired, but there´s lots of crazy music going on as we´re going to bed every night! It´ll be going on for another week, so only one more week :) Hallelujiah!
7) Also....not about the Islands....but REALLY cool news! And probably sounds random....but you know Madaii and Vivian, right? The Recent Converts from Cuba....and you remember Victor Brun who I was telling you about that has recently been coming back to church and re-activating himself....Him and Madaii....I think are starting to date!!! Ahhh!!! One thing has just been leading to another and we were completely staying out of it, but the hermanas just called me and told me that things have been going really well!!!! Do you KNOW how COOL it would be if they really GOT MARRIED!!! They could get sealed and everything in the temple!! Anyway....not trying to jump the gun, but I´m just really excited for them and I hope that things could work out :) They are SO perfect together!
Also....Aunt Felice and Uncle Stan served in the islands?!! What the cool?! Do you know which part they served in? Oh wow, that is hilarious! I would love to talk to Aunt Felice more when I get back!
Also...Mal....Alex Smith is moving here?!! Ahhh!!! That makes me SOO happy! Oh wow....I am so excited! That is so great!
Also, Mom...Idaho sounds like it was a blast. And you got to meet Elder Tom Perry!! Wow! That is great! I´m so happy for you!
Well....I´ve got to go! There are so many more things I wish i had time to tell you, but know that I´m doing great! I´m in the same area where hermana Nydegger started, so it´s been cool to make lots of connections with members here with her!
I know this is the Lord´s work and nothing is going to stop it. I am so grateful for the Savior for what he has made possible for us. I know that the only way to truly live happily is through living according to the principles of the Gospel. We have a living prophet on the earth today who speaks for the Lord and directs his church on the earth. That is such a blessing to know in this crazy world, we have SO much and where much is given much is required. I am grateful to serve here and be apart of this life changing work. I love you all so much! have the best week ever!
Con mucho amor,
Hermana Carroll
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