Wow, what a week. Just like everyone in the family, I had my ups
and downs throughout the week but I can say one thing. The atonement of Jesus
Christ is real. I felt this peace inside of me during the whole week that I
knew that I was going to be okay and that everyone in my family was going to be
okay as well. I could literally feel Uncle Al with me. I knows hes watching and
hes still with all of us.
The way I decided to deal with this trial of Uncle Al was work
as hard as I can. The truth is, the girls I am living with have a different way
of working. They are much more relaxed and are obedient, but not exactly. I
felt prompted that I was sent to Dolores to change things. I gained the courage
to talk to my companion. I told her we were going to change some things and
that it was time to be exactly obedient and more organized because its not our
time that we are wasting. She was so wonderful and this week we worked so hard.
I was able to literally forget myself, my problems, everything and just emerse myself
in the work. There is still SO many things that I need to change about myself
and this area but its a start. The truth is, Dolores is a very very hard area.
The members believe that the missionaries run the church. The gossip about us
and are the farthest thing from supportive. Its so hard. I have been praying
and praying as to what to do and nothing has come yet, so I am just going to
keep working hard. I know I am here in Dolores for a reason but this sure is
the hardest time in my mission so far.
I had a beautiful opportunity to share my testimony with a woman
while we were traveling home from Zone meeting this week. She is an english
teacher and she started to speak english with me. It was SO hard to speak
english. It doesnt flow. I changed to speaking spanish because it was easier!
But, she told me how her sister died of cancer this week. With tears in my
eyes, I told her how my uncle died this week of cancer too but I know where he
is and that I would love to teach her about where her sister is. She accepted
and lives here in Dolores. She isnt in my area so I dont get to teach her but
it is amazing how Heavenly Father puts people in our paths.
This week I had my 6 month mark in the mission. Its so weird to
think about how far I have come. My old district leader is now my zone leader
and when he heard me talk he told me that he didnt believe it was me because of
my progress. I got asked 2 times this week if I am from Spain because my
accent! I dont have a lisp like spain so idk whats going on haha. I am
realizing just how much heavenly father is blessing me.
I got the opportunity to teach a family this week about the
Restoracion. It was one of the most powerful lessons I have ever had. The whole
family said at the end that they could feel that it was true and that the peace
they feel is something they have never known. The gospel truly changes
everything and I am so thankful for that!
My companion is teaching me how to cook and I can offically cook
brazilian food! Its SO good! There are also blackberry trees all over and it
happened to be our lunch one day this week.
RUSSEL M NELSON is coming to speak to our mission on thursday!!
I AM so excited!!!
Seeing the picture of all the cousins together was a hard one to
see. I miss all of you and am so sad I couldnt be there for the funeral. But, I
was there in spirit. Now its time that we all can move forward and remember to
always be as happy as Uncle Al. Because, that is exactly what he would
want.
I love each and every one of you. Be strong. And always rely on
the atonement!
Con muchismo amor,
Hermanita Root
1. There are dead frogs everywhere!
2. 6 months sign from my companions
3. My district
4. My companion Hermana Vasconcellos
5.
Blackberries
