The Move...and what happened next.

Whew... another week gone.

This week we had interviews with President and that was great. So laid back. President Franco is the coolest. And he's done SO MUCH for this mission. We're really so lucky to have him.

This week, we also FINALLY moved out of our old pensión. It would have been great, if we hadn't both been sick and the new pensión didn't have it's own arrangement of problems. The first day there, Hna. Fullmer was sleeping (because she's so sick) And I was just studying on my bed when OUT OF NOWHERE, there's WATER EVERYWHERE!! It had been raining diseased cats and three-legged dogs and our windows and door weren't water tight and alas. Flooded on the first day. Luckily, I was able to save everything before it all got ruined and the members who live below us were more than happy to help us. Also, our shower doesn't work. I was SO looking forward to having a shower for the first time in OVER A MONTH but alas... it was not to be. Back to the bucket and cup method.

This week, we had to work as a trio for a couple of days while Hna. Flores' comp. was in Cordoba. It was fun but also exhausting. Working in a trio is hard work. But Hna. Flores is de diez so it  was a lot of fun. And she helped us move on Friday.

Other than that, there's not much to report. The picture this week is of us with the Familia Neumann. They're the greatest but they're moving to Salta in a couple of weeks. We're really sad about it. Also, Hermana Fullmer and I at entrevistas! Yay!

Here's hoping this week brings better health and lots of work. I'm pretty sure we're going to Pirané again for divisiones so that will be fun. But sooner than we know it, another transfer will be gone. How crazy.

Until next week, well wishes.
Hermana Hein

A little family reunion

Holar from Argentina.

We had another hot week here in Formosa but what else is new? I learned a good new trick from the zone leaders: put a giant leaf inside your hat and it soaks up the heat... kind of... Now I'm a legit Formoseñan. (I honestly have no idea how that's spelled. Whatever.)

This week, we did divisiones with some of the sisters in our zone including... HERMANA FLORES!! YAY! We had good little MTC reunion. She came here to our area and Hna. Fullmer went to her area with her companion. It was an adventure to say the least. Both of us have exactly ZERO Spanish conversation skills so it made contacting rather interesting. Haha. But it was fun. We had a blast together.

Leaf under hat

We've been working with a less active family named the Duarte's and they are the greatest. They haven't been to church in probably... six years? And guess who came to church yesterday?? HERMANO DUARTE. Yeah. We were so excited. Every time we meet with them we have a crazy spiritual experience so we knew that spirit would wear on them eventually and it paid off! Also, I had to give a talk in Sacrament meeting about keeping the Sabbath Day holy. The Argentines aren't really into my jokes (it doesn't help that my Spanish isn't great) so it felt really boring but alas. Lots of people (including Hno. Duarte) stayed for the whole three hours so I did something right.

No leaf under hat

But that's pretty much it for this week. It was a long one but a good one. Hope everything is well. Until next week,
Hermana Hein

Ch-ch-ch-ch Changes...

Yeah. I would be lying if I said I didn't want to listen to David Bowie right now. But that's not even the point. The point is that there are some GRAND changes taking place here in the mission. Really, in all the missions in South America South. As missionaries, we have these 'key indicators' or numbers that we shoot for everyday. Things like, "lessons taught with a member present" "Lessons with less active members" and so forth. We set goals for how many of each we want for the next day. Yeah. All of those numbers. GONE. We don't set goals for those things anymore. I don't know if the gravity of this situation will translate here in this meager email, but let me just tell you... it changed our WHOLE way of working. And I LOVE it.

Before, all we wanted was numbers. And it wasn't working. We were more focused on have "7 other lessons taught" in one day than focusing on the people that really needed our help. And just in the past week, we have seen a HUGE difference. No. We didn't teach as many people this week, but the lessons we DID have meant so much more. We had a lesson with a less active member and his girlfriend and we taught them about the Atonement. It was so cool. There's a promise in Doctrine and Covenants somewhere that says if you put your faith in the Lord, he will give you the words to say. And that promise is REAL. I don't even know what I said. I can't remember. But Hna. Fullmer told me after that it was just what they needed to hear. I don't know how to explain it. But it was so cool. I'm so grateful that the Lord trusts me enough to do his work. And I'm so grateful for his help.

Remember how difficult it was for me to speak with people in ENGLISH? Yeah. Welcome to Argentina where I HAVE  to speak with people... in SPANISH. It's hard. But I put my trust in the Lord and He delivered.

In other news, we're hoping to move to a new pension some time this week. Hna. Fullmer is sick of ours. And I'm not gonna lie... it's kind of a dump. Okay yeah. It's really a dump. We have ants and our shower hasn't worked for almost 3 weeks. So... we use a bucket everyday. Once again I say, "'¡BIENVENIDO A ARGENTINA!" Just part of life here in the good ole south. But yeah. We're gonna move.

Also, we had to do divisions TWICE this week, and both times, I stayed here in the area. It was kind of scary. Not going to lie. The first division, I did with a member. Not even another missionary. AH! Crazy. It really gave me a chance to test the waters. THE TRAINING WHEELS ARE COMING OFF FOLKS!! Okay. Technically not for another 3 weeks but still. It was fun to get to work with Sol too. Because she's awesome. (see picture attached)

That's about it for this week. It was a big week but at the same time, I feel like nothing happened. I guess that's just the mission. It was really hot this week. But that's just summer in Formosa. Okay.

Tortuga (In Jack Sparrow's Voice)

I'm peacing out.
Best wishes, Hermana Hein

No Change is GOOD!

"We can stay up late, swapping missionary stories,
and in the morning, I'm making waffles!" 

It seems... I am meant to stay in Terminal for another transfer... So be it... Just kidding. I'm way excited. Hna. Fullmer and I have been doing really well and growing a lot as a companionship. We hope and pray that this transfer brings even more success and good work.

Just yesterday, we FINALLY had an investigator in church. Araceli, who we've been teaching for a number of weeks was finally able to rearrange her work schedule so she could come to Sacrament Meeting. It was really good for her. She really enjoyed the spirit that she felt there and the kindness of all the members. We pray that she's able to fix her schedule so she can come every week. Because church is just what she needs to strengthen her testimony.

This week we've been working really hard to find more people to teach. More people who are prepared to hear and live the gospel. We prayed to know where to contact and were led to the door of a man named Oscar. We couldn't teach him right then in that moment but we set a time that we could come back and left him a Restoration pamphlet to read. He was very nice and seemed open to hearing what we had to say. So we went back yesterday, not really knowing what to expect (Because pretty much everyone here lets you in.) But it was a REALLY good lesson. The spirit was really strong and he listened and participated attentively. It was awesome. We're praying good things come from him.

New Years was fine. Hna. Fullmer kept saying that last year, she didn't sleep at all because people were in the streets partying all night. Lighting fireworks, blasting music, You know... those kinds of fun things. But we didn't have that problem at all. There were some fireworks but not enough to keep me from sleeping and the next day, the streets were straight up, EMPTY. Work on New Years Day wasn't work at all. It was walking a lot and talking to nobody. Haha.

But it was okay. We're glad we have another transfer together here in our area and hope that we have some good things come out of it. We're here for a reason and we're going to work hard to fulfill that purpose.

But that's pretty much it for this week. Sorry that once again, it wasn't super exciting. But we basically do the same thing all day every day. so... yeaahh... Okay. Until next week then.

Best wishes!
Hermana Hein

To new beginnings...

Another Christmas... gone... And soon... another year. Crazy. But enough of that. This week was... a little trunky... Not gonna lie. We had to be back in our pensión by 7:00 on Christmas Eve and on Christmas because there's loads of drunk people in the streets. So we didn't have a ton of time to work. Not to mention, everyone was travelling this week. So... yeah. What we ended up doing, was taking cards around to our investigators and less active members in our area. We made some delicious (if I do say so myself) Christmas cookies and took those around too. It was pretty successful considering how dead the streets were on Christmas morning.

But by and far the best part of Christmas was getting to talk to my family. So good. But again... made me a little trunky. Haha. Hermana Franco, (the mission president's wife) told us the first day in the mission that the cure to pretty much everything is to work. And she's right. December 26 went right back to normal. And we worked. And all the trunkiness was gone. Also. It was fetching hot on the 26. I thought for sure I was going to melt right into the streets of Formosa and be lost forever to the world. I hear that January is the worst though. So... I have many hot days ahead. Guuuhhhh....

There really isn't much to report this week. We've been teaching Alex and Teresa and they seem really interested in learning about the Gospel. Alex loves praying and says that he wants to live all the commandments and everything. But when we try to get them to church, there's always something that interferes. Satan is working really hard against us and against Alex and Teresa. It's so obvious that he DOES NOT want them to be baptized. Bueno. All the more reason to help them.

Transfers are this week. Wednesday. We still have no idea what is going to happen. But here's the thing. We have to be inside by 7 again on New Year's Eve because of all the drunkards in the streets. But if I get transferred, I move on New Year's Eve. And who even knows how far I'll have to travel. I don't know what's going to happen. But basically, I'm a ranger (from the North) here in the mission. Always moving around, living out of a bag, helping people... You know... We just take things as they come here in the mission. It's all part of the adventure.

That's pretty much it for this week. Hopefully this next week is a bit more exciting. But until then, so long.

Love,
Hermana Hein

Pics: Christmas cookies and milk for Santa. (who doesn't exist here BTW) and Skype!! Wooo!

Feliz Navidad

Wow. Christmas is upon us. How crazy is that?? I can't believe it. Also. It's week 6! Transfers are next week! Who even knows what will happen. Hna. Fullmer has had 6 MONTHS in this area so we really have no clue what's going to happen. Because she also only has 2 more transfers in her mission. And she doesn't think that she will finish her mission here. So maybe we'll whitewash together... who knows.

This week was crazy. We had to do divisions otra vez with the Hermanas in Pirané. It's like... the Rexburg to the Idaho Falls that is Formosa. It's tiny. And hot. And there's GIANT COCKROACHES THAT FLY!! Ugh. I could have died. I already have a fear of giant flying beetles thanks to The Mummy. And now that fear has been realized. Oof... That's one reason I'm glad to be in my area.

Also, I love the people in my area. Most people are so nice and open to hearing what we have to say. And the members are great. Pretty much all the members here in Formosa are converts, so they understand the importance of this work.

This past week or two, we've had the opportunity to teach a little family that live really close to the church. It all started because this woman asked us to help her son with his English homework. So, we took the opportunity to share a little bit with them about what we do and teach them a bit too. We finally got to teach them the first lesson and they were so excited about it.

The boy, named Alex, is 12. And he is so great. And so smart. We gave him a Book of Mormon one of the first times we taught him and gave him the chapter about Nephi going back for the plates to read and he loved it. He was so excited to ask for more chapters to read. When we taught him about the Restoration, he asked us,

"Wait... if the true Gospel of Jesus Christ has been restored on the Earth today, where is it??"

"Bueno. You know that church across the street with the white steeple? Yeah... That's where."

His eyes got huge and he was SOOO excited that the truth was so close to his house. Unfortunately... Alex and his Mom didn't make it to church yesterday. We're a little disappointed but still excited to teach them more. They both have such a desire to learn. and they're so sweet. Teresa, Alex's Mom, gave us empanadas the other day!! Amazing.

I'm really grateful to be here. I know I say that every week but in reality, I'm supposed to be here. There's people like Alex here that I have been prepared to teach. No, my Spanish isn't the greatest. But that's okay. Because if I can teach with the Spirit, my ability to speak the language won't really matter. (DON'T WORRY. I'm still studying the language at every chance I get.)

I hope everyone has an amazing Christmas and always remember to keep the Lord at the center. Because with Him, we can do ALL things.

Con Amor,
Hermana Hein

The pic from this week: Pirané. That pic with the horses, is the very ESSENCE of Pirané: (minus the giant roaches.) horses, dirt and mud, ugly dress. Get it.

Pure Gold...

This week was pure gold. Some days here are really hard. It's hard to stay focused, it's hard to stay positive, and it's hard to speak without feeling like a complete idiot. But there are going to be those days. And while that sucks, it's not going to change. The only thing that can change is me. And yeah. I had those days this week. But the good that comes from this work, will ALWAYS outweigh the bad.

We had a baptism this week! My first in the mission. And I'm really happy. Good ole Norberto. Haha. His girlfriend is a recent convert who referred us to him. So, he took the discussions and now, here he is. The newest member of the Church. Norberto's great. So willing to learn and change. He understands why we have certain commandments that other people don't understand. It was hard to find time to teach him though because he works... always. We could only teach him like... twice a week during the siesta. And let me tell you what, it gets HOT during the siesta. But we did it. And Norberto seems really happy.

In all, I didn't really do much. I can teach okay. But it's very simple. And then Hna. Fullmer asks me to explain tithing in Spanish and things go right downhill. Haha. I'm grateful that I've had the opportunity to teach Norberto. It has been a great learning experience for me and I'm grateful that I was able to have some small hand in helping him be baptized. We couldn't have done this without the Lord. We couldn't do anything that we do without Him.

Also this week, we found a new investigator who I already love to death. Her name is Areceli and she's amazing. She's so open to learning and truly wants to understand. She's smart and thinks for herself and doesn't let the opinions of others get in the way of her desire to learn. We took her on a tour of the church this week and the spirit was so strong. We testified and we testified and testified, over and over again of the truthfulness of this Gospel and of the reality of the Atonement and how it can bless us everyday. (Pretty much all I can do is testify so this was bueno.) And she felt it. The Spirit was there. And he was speaking to her. And she heard him. It was amazing.

This Gospel is real. The Lord lives. And everything he does is to help us. I am so full of humility and gratitude to the Lord EVERYDAY. I couldn't do this without him. I have done things here in the mission that I NEVER would have had the guts to do before. Because I have asked for His help. And He has responded in FULL. I want everyone to know that I know. I want everyone to know that I have felt his love in every aspect of my life. Everyday there is another struggle. But this also means that everyday there's another opportunity to learn and grow through the love of the Lord. I am so excited to see what else I will learn here in the mission. It's been 4 weeks. And already I am so different from who I was when I left in October.

I hope this week is a good one for all of you. Keep the Lord in the loop and it will be. I promise.

Lots of Love,
Hermana Hein