Week 36 - El Bolsón

It snowed in the mountain this week! White Christmas!!! Even though its like technically July here. 

So the traditions here for chirstmas are a lot different. It's like New Years. Everyone stays up until midnight at least and eat a huge Hacado or really like a BBQ but its HUGE. They're like cooking whole pigs and sheep with a fire outside. It's super cool. We could stay in a members house until 10:30 (if they drove us home) and we did that and the whole Yañez family was like, "it's so EARLY to leave!!!" haha Norma was there too :) It was fun! Then on Sunday, we could sleep in until 7:30 and we went to church. Then, we were talking to Norma and the family of Evelyn in the sacrament room after church and I felt SUPER dizzy. I was like, oh no... its OUR vertigo. So I sat down and I was still super tipsy and the bishop was all like "hey... its an earthquake!" He's in his 20's. Super chill. I was like, YAY! Im not Lucille 2! And I just watched the fans on the ceiling move around haha Its was a good minute r two and their saying it was a 6.7 on the scale thing.

Then we had leftover hacado in Viviana´s house. We ate a lot of meat.... a lot. Blood sausages that were BLACK and everything. Super yummy. Then we went to Hermana Portels´s house with the elders and sang for her. Her husband (I think he has MS, but im not sure. He cant talk or walk because hes losing ability to move his muscles...) So we brought Banan bread and sang for her and she had sweet bread for us. It was nice to spend chirstmas with her. In the night, we went to Hermana Gloria´s house. She has a ton of family in town and NO ONE visited her or her mom (who's like 97 and super sweet and energetic) for christmas. That's so sad because i LOVE gloria and her mom. They're the best! 

Well, we find out about transfers tomorrow! Or today... I hope today so that we have time to pack our bags... If I leave. I think I'm gonna stay here another transfer haha!  Well, that's it! Merry Christmas!!! 

Love,

Hermana Sant

We did a nativity. We found a picture of jesus in one of the church magazines and taped it onto an umbrella and he was the baby. I do have a beard made out of a sock.  I made the Cristo part of that christmas sign:) Gloria has little chickens! 

Week 35 - El Bolsón

I made a christmas tree of things we found in the pension.

I love my comp. 

This week, we found a lot of kids to teach! Kids are so receptive! We have Tatiana and Zaira who are our main investigators right now. They are awesome! They are 11 and 12 and their dad wants us to teach them and is fine with them getting baptized again if they want to and they believe in it and he's fine with taking them to church and all! Its awesome! 

Also we went to Bariloche for a bit this week and had the training from President! It was great!

I love you all! Have a wonderful christmas!!! 

Pictures I stole from Facebook from the Zone Conference in Bariloche:

Week 34 - El Bolsón

Norma got baptized!!!!!!!! 

We went to her house on Tuesday and she had her super-sassy-making-rash-decisions face on haha I know her all too well. She sat down and said, "Im moving in with my dad tonight. When can I be baptized?" Turns out, her boyfriend came home the night before and hit her and told her he would kill her. So she left and told us that she realized she wasted so much time with him. That he was manipulative and used the death of her son to get back into her life after the first time he hit her. It was super sad, but the week ended really well!!! Her bestie Evelyn is in Cordoba right now on a personal temple trip! She's the friend whose son died two weeks's before Zahion (the son of Norma) and who has been her for her through it all. Turns out she lost her wallet and can't come home until she has her new ID. So, Norma had to decide if she was fine with being baptized now or waiting until Evelyn can get back. She said that she's already lost so much time, she doesn't want to wait more. And she got baptized on Saturday! She's amazing and has such a strong testimony! On Sunday, when she came and sat down from her confirmation, she said, "Now I know why they say by fire" hahaha She said she could feel a warm feeling in her heart and all of her body. 

*What's new?

NORMA! is a new member! YAY!

*What's old? 

Unfortunately, Maria, the old lady that knits socks, has left us for another church. She prefered that they come and get her on sunday. Not us.  We had plans with a car and everything! 

*How's training?

It's good! I'm learning a lot! 

*What's your plans for Christmas Day?

I have no idea. Its stresses me out so I'll tell you next week. haha Why do today what I can do tomorrow? (I don't really live by that... or I say I don't) 

*How's the weather?

This week it was nice and fresh. It's been in and out of raining for 2 days but more like sprinkling not raining and there's lots of sun! 

*How are things with your companion?

Good! Today we took time to make a budget. I taught her what oatmeal is. What granola is. How to buy food to last for a long time, how to plan your money. Alll of that fun stuff.

*How are things with your investgators?

Good! We have two that are regularly attending church, but don't want to hear from us. They dont want lessons or anything haha but they LOVE church

*Anything funny?

Hermana Farr and Jarvis came for exchanges and Hermana Farr has been looking for black crocs with a white racing stripe for her whole mission (Crocs are a thing here, its super Argentinian and they have knock offs everywhere). We found them one day and she freaked and told us to buy them haha 

Challenging?

Im hungry right now? 

Easy?

Norma getting baptized :) 

Yummy? 

Theres something called budín here and its basically cake. Its super yummy!  Moist and good! 

Love, Hermana Sant

Week 33 - El Bolsón

We went to Gridos with the sisters in Bariloche! This week, a Gridos (super cheap, yummy icecream joint) opened here in Bolson! *hashtag because I can't use the sign here* blessed

What's your favorite part of being a full time missionary?

That I dont have to worry about anything about the world. God and people nothing more.

What's your least favorite part or the thing you have found most challenging?

I have to worry about God and people haha I'm always SOOOO worried sick that I'm not being a good enough missionary, that I'm not helping the people enough, am I humble? Am I really following the Spirit? Oh no, I forgot this person, or I didn't invite this person to read this chapter or to be baptized or I am pridefull or I'm not saying what I need to to help my investigators or Oh no, we dont have investigators!" Its a bit stressful haha  

What are some challenges you and your Comp are facing? 

My comp is pretty great! I need to be better. Pray for me. Pray that my comp can be patient with me and learn what she needs to from me. 

What's new?

NOTHING.  *hashtag*talktoeveryone

What's old?  

One of our new investigators! Shes 88! And wants to be baptized! She makes socks out of real wool. Like she takes sheep fur from a sheep in her neighbor´s yard, spins it by hand (not in a machine, thats fancy stuff that only Aurora has) and knits socks!!!!!  I want socks! Shes incredible! She birthed and raised THIRTEEN kids And raised 6 more of her grandkids!!!!  She can't see out of one eye and her husband left her so she raised all those kids and worked to support them.

What's funny?  

Life! We were attacked by some birds and a dog yesterday, first the dog. Then the bird sbecause it wasa a small dog and the birds where trying to pick it up haha 

Are Christmas decorations going up?

No. People dont have money for it here. 

Do you have technology that you take to teach, like dvds and stuff?

If they have a dvd player, yeah kind of and we can use our USBs a lot of the time! 

How do you get your missionary supplies like copies of the Book of Mormon?  

In the green bag with cards and such

Do you have a fan in your apartment to move the air?  

Yes, but this week it was a little cold. 

Can you sleep with your windows open?

Yes and we do. 

How's training? 

Good! I have no idea what I'm doing.

What's your favorite Spanish word?

Ummmmmmmm.... right now? Bizcochuelo- it basically means a cake without frosting. 

The Lord is blessing Bolson a ton!!!

Love, Hermana Sant

Week 32 - El Bolsón

How's the Spanish? 

Bien! 

Are there any parts you still struggle with?

A lot! but I'm learning more each day! 

Do you think in Spanish?

Yes and no. Sometimes I talk spanglish without realizing that people cant understand my words that I dont know in spanish. But thats like very rarely and only with my companion.
 

I know you talked a bit about your Comp last week but now you know her better.  Does your current Comp speak English? No, but I'm teaching her because she wants to learn:) She's awesome!  What's her personality like? Shes a little quiet but is happy and fun! She likes the horoscope stuff like cancer and pices and stuff haha
 

Any awful bugs or rodents now that it's warming up?

Not too badly yet! There are little bugs here and there, but Bolson is like utah. 

Do you sweat like a pig tracting?

Depends on the day. Sometimes, YES. 

Are you sun burned?

YES. The back of my neck got super burned this week because I put my hair in a bun.
 

How are you?! 

Good! 

How was your Argentinian Thanksgiving? 

On Thanksgiving we didn't really eat anything special, but a member had us over for a bbq yesterday and it was a TON of meat. You'll see the pictures on facebook because my computer doesn't work with my pendrive today. 

How is your companion doing?

I think shes doing good! Shes happy and this week was hard because our investigators are deciding not to progress so its hard. 

How goes the training? 

It's good. 

How's the weather? 

Hot.

Your investigators? 

Our investigators are all going down the toilet. We can't find them, they don't show for our appointments, didn't go to church this week, aren't repenting, a lot. But I'm happy and we're still teaching like 8 people every day. 

Your ward?

They're good! This week was the primary program and it was awesome! I love watching them sing! 

I don't know why but my mind is blank every time I sit down to write! I love you guys! 

Today we are in Bariloche for a big zone activity because today is a holiday.  We are using the computers at the family history center and they don't read my thumb drive so no pictures.  Also, here in Bariloche, there's a little lady member that can knit incredibly cool sweaters! She's like a chinese child with her skills! It's so cool! 

This week was super spiritual. We learned a lot and were very bold with our investigators about the commandments of God. They didn't like the commandments of God, so they aren't following them. It's sad to see, but we're gonna work harder! 

Also, there are lots of gypsies here and there's a ton of stereotypes about them! They're known to be car robbers, woman buyers, and dangerous. The elders were walking by a gypsy house (you know which ones they are because the women are always outside in their big skirts and they always have TONS of cars) and a car came spinning out of nowhere and they left the car with a gun and they walked super fast and didn't look but they heard screaming and gun shots. So... we don't cross the line between our area and the elders now! 

That's it! 

Love, Hermana Sant

Week 31- El Bolsón

 

Okay, so I followed hermana Jarvis to Bariloche ... weirdest thing ever. Nothing like taking your companion to meet her new companion and staying for two days haha then I left at almost midnight for Neuquen on Tuesday night and got to Neuquen at like 5 in the morning. I slept for a half hour in the pension of the Hermanas on the floor and then met all of the new hermanas. Then we went to the mission home, proselyted for a bit in the street, and then had lunch and found out who our companions are and had some meetings with information.

As I watched the gringo elder fall asleep on the couch, I realized, I don't remember any of my orientation because I didn't understand it!!! haha Then we stayed with the hermanas for the night and left for Bolson the next morning!

Who is your companion?  Her name?
Hermana Banuera
Her major?
I didnt really understand it. Its something with legal stuff.
Where's she from? 
Cordoba Argentina!
What MTC did she go to?
Buenos Aires

Is Bolson getting ready for Christmas?
Nope! not that I can see! But us missionaries are!
Is anyone going to attempt a Thanksgiving dinner for the Gringa (you)?  Yep! An awesome recent convert- Viviana!

Is it hot enough to need A/C?  Yes..... I am starting to have a hard time to sleep at night.

Does anyone there have A/C?  Not in Bolson. There is one pension in the north of the mission that has AC.

What's new with your investigators?  Norma has now decided to get married to her boyfriend in AUGUST. and live with him until then...

What's new with you?   I'm really really happy!

Anything funny?   Hermana Banuera has a hard time with the keys in our doors... I don't remember much of this week either!  I'm gonna start reading my journal before I write y'all!

Sad?   Norma.

Challenging?  Norma.


Happy?   LIFE!

Sorry those were boring answers! Haha today is the birthday of my comp so one of the pictures is of me last night making a cake for her... its not really a cake its just cookies and whipped cream and dulce de leche...

Love, Hermana Sant

Week 30 - El Bolsón

Mayra got baptized!!!! She has been an investigator for like a year and she decided that she wanted to be baptized:) Shes passed the baptismal interview with flying colors several times and she is fabulous with a new little baby and everything! I am so happy for her!

Do you know what is happening with transfers? 
Yep! Hermana Jarvis is going to Bariloche (hence why I'm here in Bariloche today) and she will be the hermana leader with Hermana Farr (also hermana leader) and I'm going to Neuquen in a few days to pick up my new greenie! I'm staying in Bolson!

How's the weather?
It's raining and cold today:) I love it! I'm drinking in these cold days before it gets hot!

How are the dogs?
Good! They occasionally bite me but thats fine! They've yet to break skin

What's your favorite food?
CHIIIIIPA! I love chipa! Its cheese bread balls

What's your favorite thing to wear?
My pink skirt with my blue flowery shirt as shown in the pictures. Its so comfy

What do you love the most right now?
What? ummmm investigators! I love the work!

Tell me what you see if you look out the window right now?
Im in Bariloche so I see a city bus and tons of little colorful buildings with cobblestone sidewalks and its all soaking wet.

Do people in town recognize you because you've been there so long?
Yes. Luckily, I recognize them too so I can now stop people on the steet by their names and talk to them!

How big is Bolsón?
I dont know haha Pretty big but also really small. Can you look up the miles in a map?

(Yes, I can):

How are you investigators?
Good! Norma wants to be baptized the fastest possible! Mili is doing great! Claudia is still going to church but we have yet to teach her more than about Joseph Smith so she's really confused. The other people aren't progressing much, but we are finding new ones every day!

Sleep?
Good! I didn't sleep the night I found out I was training, but I'm fine now!

Eat?
I like to do it.

Hair?
I've now transitioned to a middle part to follow the foot steps of my roll model: Rachel Cromwell.

Happy thing?
LIFE!

Sad thing?
Gloria, one of our favorite members is less active now! Where did we go wrong?

Funny thing?
I don't remember this week very well.

Challenging thing?
This week was easy. Which makes me fear the following week haha

Ooooo! In church yesterday,  the stake presidency was there and them and the bishop talked and their talks were awesome  Sacrament was 2 hours long! We just skipped the second hour of classes. They talked about marriage and that the statistics here are 75% of marriages end in divorce. They told us to be careful what we say and how we treat our families. It was awesome! because there are a few members we are trying to help that are going through divorces or splits right now and they need help.

Week 29 - El Bolsón

 

Well, this week we had exchanges with the sisters in Tevelin (a little town south of Esquel). The hermanas are Hermana Brown and Hermana Ventura! Turns out, Hermana Brown was the FHE brother of my friend at BYU-I! Crazy how there are so many connections! They came here to Bolsòn and we had 29 lessons in one day:) Its always so nice to have someone in your area to help us do more work in less time!

 We are having tons of success here! The lord is working really hard and preparing a lot of people to hear about the gospel! Mayra finally decided she'll get baptized (again...) and Norma, Claudia and Mili were in church this Sunday and norma is asking her boyfriend today if we can teach him! And hes already read all of the pamphlets we gave her:) Its so great to see the little things that we can do in our lives to get HUGE blessings.

Also, Mayra's baby, Maximo, was blessed yesterday! I like the culture here because after the baby blessings, the preisthood holders kiss the head of the baby one by one. Its very Pope-like haha

Thats pretty much it this week! I love you guys! 

Week 28 - El Bolsón

 

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

*How are you?
Im great! Happy and all!
*Is there something or someone specific that we can pray for?
Pray for norma and her boyfriend. He says he wants to get married but not right now. And she wants to get married in the temple someday so that she can see her kid again! but he doesnt want to listen to us.
*How's the language?
Bien.
*How's the weather?
Today its raining, but usually its hot because of the sun, but cool because of the wind!
*How's the work?
Really good! We're working hard and finding tons of people!
*Any new dog attacks?
Almost yesterday! but nope! I escaped!
*How's the ward?
Its great! Its changing a lot and the members are starting to help us in lessons and bringing their friends when we have appointments to visit them! Its awesome! Yesterday, Presidente was in Bolson for church and he was SHOCKED - he was so impressed with the change!
*Are you tired of your area?
Sometimes I think so but no.
*What are the names of your favorite ward members?
EVELYN YAÑEZ! nancy gatica, Hna Lina, Gloria Uyua, familia bachman, EVERYONE!
*Investigator updates?
Norma, claudia and mayra ares still going to church!
The computer place closed for siesta at 1 so I came back to finish now that siesta time is over haha
This week was great! We had exchanges in esquel and in one day we had 26 lessons! Its was a productive day!
Well, thats basically all that I remember for now! I love you guys!