My heart is full!

Sunday we arrived for our meeting as service missionaries at 9:30. Church was from 11:00-2:00... and we stayed for missionary correlation. By the time we got home, it was nearly 3:00! Who ever said Sunday was a day of rest? I almost felt like I needed a Saturday to help make up for my Sunday!

That being said, I am so grateful to be serving a mission. The members in my branch are absolutely wonderful! I am so in love with each and every member of our small branch. There is just something so sincere and wonderful in the sisters as each of them greets you with a kiss and a hug. The brethren are so genuine. The young women... well... I think they are the best! I love the spirit they bring with them each week.

I am learning and growing so much. It is a never-ending wonder to me how the Lord has continued to bless me in this calling. My Spanish has improved - mostly. I still struggle with some things. Like today, Hermana Troconiz (from Venezuela!) and I went visiting teaching together. I was trying to explain the reprocussion of a gun firing... and realized I didn't have the vocabulary to do so! (Generally, I don't talk about that subject... in English OR Spanish, but she eventually got it!) A simple 2 minute explanation turned in to a 10 minute game of charades. =)

I now have my 2 counselors for Young Women: Hna. Silva and Hna. Espitia. They are absolutely wonderful, and I really look forward to getting to know them better. I know they will work well with the girls! I look forward to all the fun things we get to do together... as we grow and work on our Personal Progress.

There is a couple who is investigating the church right now, the Hernandez family. They have the most incredible spirit! On fast Sunday, he got up and shared his testimony, and it is so strong. They are waiting for just a couple more things to happen, and then the will be baptized. I am so excited for them! I know the gospel has changed their lives. I love to see the glow they have each time I see them!

Branch Christmas party!

Friday night was our branch Christmas party. It was absolutely amazing! We invited a ward from Herriman- which recently had been split from the branch- and had a wonderful dinner, program, and dancing. The young men/women were in charge of the decorations, and we had a lot of fun setting up! Zane spent a lot of time in the kitchen helping out. He is really good at keeping things organized... and I know it was greatly appreciated. Santa Clause even came. He must be the REAL santa, because you could see in his eyes that he loved every child that sat on his lap. He even spoke English and Spanish! I had the opportunity to take all the kids' pictures with santa. The magic in the air was absolutely electrifying!

The dinner started at 7:00. I would say we had over 300 people come. It was amazing! What was really incredible to me is the bond that all the members have with each other. The Hispanic culture is different from the culture I grew up in. When a sister greets a sister, she gives her a gentle kiss on the cheek. Each person entering the event Friday seemed to make it a point to greet all those who were already there. It really was like a huge family reunion - where everyone really wanted to see each member of the family. Zane and I felt so loved and welcomed it was just amazing!

There was music and dancing all night. Zane even joined in the fun and asked one of the young women to get me to dance with him. He actually smiled and laughed! It was a lot of fun. By about 11:30 we were actually coming home. I am convinced it would have been later, had members from another ward not shown up to set up for a wedding reception. One thing I will say about the Hispanic community is they know how to have a party!!

I took more than 200 pictures with Santa. Here are 4 of my favorites!

Young Women!

Last night, I went to my first Young Women's mutual. It was such a blast! The young women are preparing a dance for the Christmas program next weekend. They were learning swing dance, and were having a blast doing it! I laughed so hard with them as we had fun together. I look forward to all the fun times we get to have together.

I could tell all the young women were timid at first, and a little unsure of how to react to me. I think putting away all the chairs and having the girls all sit on the floor with me was a good way to break the ice. =)

I love serving this mission. I know my Heavenly Father loves me, and He is giving me this incredible opportunity to love, laugh and learn. I am so grateful!

A new calling

As service missionaries in our Spanish branch, Zane and I can accept calling in our branch. Acouple of weeks ago, he was called as the youth Sunday School teacher - and the youth really love him! There are 5 young women... and 2 young men. I taught his class for him this week while he was at National Guard, and they are great kids! I also got a calling. I am the Young Women's president. I am excited and overwhelmed all at the same time! I know this will be a grat experience- I love the young women. I know we will have a lot of fun together, and have a lot of great learning and growing opportunities!!!

Pan de la vida!

Translated, the title means "Bread of life!" My sister works at Pierre Bakery in Sugarhouse. Recently, the owner has had some major struggles in her life. However, every day when there is bread left over that doesn't sell... she donates it to people less fortunate. I know they take some baked goods to the homeless shelter on at least on a weekly basis. Yesterday, my sister asked me if I could use some of the day-old bread for the members in my branch. I took some to my branch today... and you would not believe the amazing reaction they had. Each family was able to take plenty home... and some families took a little extra home for friends and neighbors. It was absolutely amazing. The members were so grateful for all we were able to share with them. I am so grateful to Pierre Bakery for their willingness to give. I know they will be immensly blessed for their generosity.

Christmas Gifts

I know it's impossible to believe, but I went to an activity without my camera. =( Our Spanish branch had an activity where the Relief Society got together, and we painted some small gifts for neighbors and friends. It was a neat experience. I have to say- I learend a lot of new vocabulary today! I have never talked about paint brushes or painiting in Spanish... and my mind surely was overwhelmed at times - but I did it! It was a lot of fun.

2 sisters also showed us how to make traditional dishes from their countries. I love cooking, so it was fun to see and learn something new. One of the recipes was pan dulce (sweet bread) from Argentina. We all got the recipe, and I just might make it as a neighbor gift. I love to do unique things, and what is more unique than making a traditional food from another country?!

Some of the children in the branch were there today also. There is a 3 year old, Amy, who just sat on my lap and let me hold her. She is so beautiful! She has the deepest brown eyes- almost black- and it was neat for me to be able to just be with her. (She has 3 sisters, and her mom was there with all 4 of them!)

One of the sisters had her camera at the activity, and hopefully I will be able to get a few of her pictures to put on my blog. I would love for everone to be able to see my branch. What a wonderful group of people, I love them so much!!

A Thanksgiving Treat

Our branch had a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner the Friday before Thanksgiving. Brittany was out of town, so Zane went by himself. There are 3 or 4 sets of American missionaries serving in our branch. The tradition of cooing a turkey for Thanksgiving is something that is new to the Hispanic culture, and last year there was some difficulty with the thanksgiving dinner. This year all the American missionaries cooked the turkeys.

I was asked to do so - but being out of town, had to deligate the responsibility to Zane. The sister that had asked me to cook a turkey asked "Can he really do that? Or should I just cook an extra?" I assured her all would be well... and it was! Zane's turkey (according to his very unbiased opinion) was one of the juiciest there!

The dinner was a great success. Nearly 300 people attended! (The membership of our branch is only abou 175.)