Mission to Paradise: January 20, 2015

Hello!!!

Surprise! We had emergency transfers and now I am with Hermana Flores from Guatemala! We have only been together for a few days, so I don't know much about her, but so far, she is great! I do really miss Hermana Villanueva. We were really good friends. I am still chilling in Escazú, no worries! I LOVE Escazú and I hope I don't have to leave any time soon! There are some pretty special people here and I am loving watching their progression and I might actually cry when I get the call for transfers.

Hermana Flores does not speak English. Or understand English. Or understand her Gringa companion. I am the first Gringa companion she has had, she only has 4 months in the mission, so she has zero experience with Gringos. She still uses big words or slang that I have never heard of in my life (6 months of the mission), and she hasn't learned to talk slower or more simpler yet like my other companions... I am the Senior Companion and I have been teaching her the area, but I am not sure how much she actually understands. She likes to smile and nod a lot, and that is what I used to do when I was pretending that I understood... :) Hahaha well, I guess we will have lots of fun learning together! I am slowly helping her learn English, but it is a slow process! Much easier for me to learn Spanish being in this country than it is for her to learn English. Here we go!

Yesterday was a great day! (One of our investigators) said she wants to get married!!!!!!! This means I get to help plan her wedding! And that she will be able to take the sacrament and have a calling! She is the mom of (one of our recent baptisms)! She was introducing herself to my new companion yesterday, and said, 'I was inactive for 12 years. I was not happy. Hermana Markle came and found us, invited us to church, and started to teach my daughter the lessons. I am active again for the first time in 12 years. My husband said I am way happier now. And I feel way happier now. I feel at home at church and I want to do what it takes to be able to take the sacrament again and have a calling.' AHHHH!!! I almost cried with happiness!!! :) I love this family! By helping (her daughter) work towards baptism, we have been strengthening the whole family. I am so grateful for missionary work!!! And I am soo happy here!

Have an amazing week!!! I love you all! Stay happy, healthy, and safe! And feel free to participate in the happiness of missionary work as well!! :) Chao!

Love,

Hermana Markle. :)

Items of Business...

1. Hermana Villanueva's dad is a Vet, and he said ... The first year of a dog's life equals 21 human years. And then every year after equals 7. So that means Suki is 42! Holy cow, my puppy is an old lady now!!!!

2. I miss you!

3. I love you!

4. I bought little key chains for all of you this week! Be excited!