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| Hermana Jessica Larimer |
*If you would like to send an email back you can use: jessica.larimer@myldsmail.net or just reply to me and I will forward. She would love to hear even a short hello! Thanks, Jessica's Mom*
June 21, 2017
Hola!
I have been excited all week to write home and I finally get to. Out of all the weeks I have ever lived I think I am most grateful for this week. I apologize if this email is long, I am going to give some background.
Just to go over the facts:
-I waited 4 weeks for my call.
-I started papers\the process of submitting papers in January.
-I got my call to serve after lots of prayer and pondering about what would be best for me. General conference also played a role. Email me for more detail.
-I had my call about two months before I actually left.
First, I would like to offer a list of the most common Spanish words I have used and the translation.
-lo siento\perdon-- i`m sorry (generally when I bump into someone)
-Que?--what?
-Si--yes
-Gracias--thank you
-CCM-- Missionary Training center or Centro de capitacion mision
-Como--How?
-Hablar despacio-- Speak slower
-Por favor--please
-afuera--outside
Que hora es?-- what time is it?
The CCM is small. Nothing like Provo. There was about 100 people in Sacrament meeting on Sunday. Sacrament meeting is the first hour meeting we go to when we attend church. However, the number of people I study with and am getting to know on a daily basis is 11. In my district there are 6 elders and 5 sisters. A district is a group of people we do things with for example they are all in the computer lab with me now. My first companion is Hermana Longson. She is also blonde so we laugh a ton. We work like two peas in a pod. And have already been a blessing to each other. We both have things we struggle with and we can talk about them easily with one another. Three other sisters are with me. Hermana Peterson is in charge of music and is very good at Spanish. Hermana Vega is quiet but pretty witty and asks good questions. She is also pretty good at Spanish. Hermana Russon laughs often and loves food. I don´t think she has any shame. The Elders are Elders. There is Elder Mower. He is pretty good at Spanish and is the leader of a few different groups of missionaries. He humbles me often. Elder Southwick is going to be a basketball player at Dixie State after his mission. He is tall. Elder Jensen is smart and quiet but strong. Elder Robinson is humble and went to BYU-I the same semester as me so thats pretty fun. We only knew of each other. Elder Heywood is super quiet and I've only heard him speak a few times but I have heard him pray a handful of times. Elder Ray is super funny to me but sometimes gets off task.
We go to three meals a day and sit with the Latinas. They really like me and my companion. 1 or 2 meals a day we are surrounded by them like as in we are the only white people at the table. They like to help us learn Spanish. Lots of body parts (and common words that I mentioned earlier) get used during meal time.
One funny thing that happened was I asked Como se dice how en Espanol? Translated I asked, how do you say how in Spanish? #facepalm
My MTC is in my boundaries of my mission along with the temple and the distribution center. Don't worry mom, I will be fine because of this blessing. :)
On Sunday I shook hands with the Presiding Bishop of the Church. Super cool. However I also said in Spanish, where is your name tag? #facepalm In my defense I couldn't hear him introduce himself because it was loud in the cafeteria. I went to the temple this morning. That was beautiful. In the third week I get to go to the zoo here in Guatemala! Last night We had a devotional from the area seventy, Elder Duncan. It was good. Lots about missionary work. I also got a priesthood blessing a few days ago. The traffic is loud next to my head and out the window at night so I've been having some trouble adjusting but I have been sleeping better after my blessing.
Thought of the week:
The week in the MTC starts and ends on p-day. Consequently this means that Church is in the middle of the week. That means my life for the next 6 weeks will quite literally be centered around Christ and church. We have already taught a few lessons in Spanish as well. I eat breathe and talk Spanish and church 24\7 and I so grateful that I have this opportunity. For me the last 5 months have been pretty difficult because of the influence of the adversary but I am here now and I am humbled. I am grateful to God for making his intentions for me known. The church is true in all languages and in all places. Trials and hard times are real but the church is more real. The spirit es fuerte (is strong) here and life is wonderful. I have a testimony that it brings peace and happiness.
Yo se que la iglesia y el evangelio es verdad. Tambien que oracion es real y dios escuchar a oracion. En el nombre de jesucristo amen.
I know that the church and gospel is true. Also know that prayer is real and God listens to prayer. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Love,
Hermana Larimer
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| Jessica Mission Talk in Sacrament Meeting |
Hermana Larimer
