Sept. 9th, 2013
Oh my gosh it seems like it has been forever since I have heard from or talked to you!!! So right now I am sitting in a little internet cafe in VALENCIA! I am right in the city. It's the most southern zone in our mission. This last week was all a blur. We had three days of training in Barcelona where we learned and proselyted and I got my first real reference on the metro. We definitely hit this mission and they were not ready for all of us! (The Barcelona mission went from 24 missionaries in August, which had been their highest number of missionaries in a few years, to 48 missionaries coming in with Rachel in September). All the missionaries (in the mission home) were so suprised by our numbers. Also, we have 6 trios in our mission because of all the sisters so...I am in a trio. My trainer, hermana Tuttle has been out for 6 months and the other sister, hermana Walker, has been out for one transfer. They are teaching me a lot though and my Spanish really isn't that far behind. I was asked to bear my testimony yesterday and elder Glenn, our zone leader, told me my Spanish was a lot better than most new missionaries, which was super nice to hear.
I am sorry if I left out any unanswered questions. Email me questions about anything. I am doing great so don't worry about me. How is your health mom? and your new principal? I'm glad school is going well for Tay and Court! I wish I could have been there on their first day, but send me pictures whenvever you can!!
Our area is the ghetto of Valencia, which means that most people are Nigerian and speak like broken Spanish and English. We're not allowed to contact them on the streets because they have had problems with the Nigerians joining the church to get money and support. It's a hard area to serve in. Also, we dont have many investigators but I will change that! haha
So some stories from this week.
We were in a mans home teaching and I turned to look out the window whiched looked into the room of another man. I was just zoning out a little and all of the sudden the man dropped the towel that was around his waste. It was quite a suprise! I was shocked! ahha but it was really funny. Apparently most of the sisters have seen things they don't really wanna see around here, and now I understand what they meant by that!!
There was a baptism on Saturday so I already got to see my first baptism! It was very cool to see and hear the stories of the missionary and of the woman. I cant wait to have that same experience!
Last night we had some time before we had to be back in Piso, so we were walking around Orriols, which is also the ghetto. I haven't really seen much in terms of miracles or even people interested in the church, so I had prayed yesterday morning to let me see a tender mercy today. As we were walking around trying to find someone we could visit, a young boy yelled to us and told us to come talke to him. I had no idea who he was but the sisters started freaking out. This boy is named Beto. He is 18 and they had first contacted him on the street but haven't been able to get ahold of hiim for 3 three weeks. He said he lost his phone and has been hoping that we would come find him on the street! We met with him and he had tons of questions and he seemed so excited. He also said he didn't want to pray so I told him I would pray but next time he would have to pray. When I finished my prayer he looked at me and said, can I have a turn now? So he prayed! It was so awesome and exactly what I had prayed for in the morning! pray is amazing. I pray more now than ever and I love it and I know the Lord listens to everything we say!
So a little bit about my companions. They are both 20.
hma Tuttle is from Utah and she is a sister trainer for Valencia as well as my trainer. She is super bubbly and her Spanish is awesome. She is really nice and answers all of my questions.
hma Tuttle is from Utah and she is a sister trainer for Valencia as well as my trainer. She is super bubbly and her Spanish is awesome. She is really nice and answers all of my questions.
hma Walker is super sweet and has the kindest heart. hma Walker is from Texas, she's so cute. We
I am so glad to hear that Jacob and Josh are doing so well!! Thats awesome that the Barkers are taking over! Keep me updated on Joshs' experiences. Jacob and I email every once in a while and he makes me laugh.
As for my spanish, I just have no confidence in my abilities. I can understand a lot and I can speak its just slow. my district is impressed though so thats a good thing! I know it'll come and it already has. For only having one year of Spanish I think I am doing pretty well. I can definitely hold my own for the most part!
I love you all and I love this gospel so much! This mission is really pushing me to get out of my comfort zone and talk to everyone about the gospel. It's amazing how much I have already learned. I cant wait to have experiences and stories for you!!
Oh and how did I forget!!! Last night we had our first eating cita (eating appointment). This may be too much information so you may not want to include it on the blog! haha but basically I almost exploded. So apparently it's really rude to not finish food if they put it in front of you. So yesterday we went to the Mambas house. First she brought out tomatoes and I love tomatos...NOT!!! and I had to force those down. Then she brought out this onion soup that could have fed 3 and it was just for me, so I forced that down. By this time I had already undone my belt once and we still had two more courses!!! So next was this egg pea sausage dish which was pretty good but I was so full!! So I forced that down and undid my belt again. Then we had this desert that was like a rice pudding. It was so good but I was so full that I didn't even really taste it. The family clapped for me when I finished it! Then I got back to the apartment and almost threw up! It was so gross. I didn't really sleep and my stomach was dying all night! I wanted to cry. And that's not all... We have this cita every sunday!! How am I going to do this every week? Also we get fed every day but Monday and Tuesday! I guess that's why it's called ¨fat and happy in Valencia¨. Kel looks like your wish of me being fat might come true! We run three times a week and do p90x the other days so hopefully that will work.
So anyway, I love it and I miss you more than Iwould have ever thought possible, but I am so glad I chose to serve a mission. The look on peoples faces at church and when we talk to them is amazing. I love the Lords work and I am so blessed to be here in Spain where the church is starting to take off. I wouldnt change any of this ever! I am so grateful for this opportunity!! love you all!!
todo me amor!
Hermana Barker
PS if you sent anything to the mission home it might take a while for me to get it but here is my new address!
c/Fontanares 1,2
Valencia, Espana 46007
Rachel says there are cats all over and wants to bring one home to Kelli.
No comments:
Post a Comment