3-13-2011

3-13-2011

Hola!!!

   Wow this week has been nuts.  I have never ran so much in my life!  Our District had really high goals this week, and Hermana Wilde and myself were determined to reach every single one.  We were the only companionship in our District to do so... WOOT, but my feet can definitely tell.  They can rest in 15 more months I have work to do and so little time to do it.  Sometimes when I get really tired, and just want to rest I remember a talk by Elder Holland where he said not to waist a day, an hour, or a minute of your mission.  This time is sacred, and it will be over before you know it.  I totally feel that way.  I am determined to put 110% into my mission so that I can truly feel like I did everything I could for the Lord in my short time here.

   The part of my mission that I am currently serving in is like SLC just picture it 50-75 years ago. Most of the buildings are run down, none of the sidewalks are in good condition, and there is litter everywhere. Something that I find really humorous though is how divers Mendoza is as well.  In the span of 10 seconds you can see a sports car pass, and car you can’t even believe is still running pass, and a horse and old beat up wagon all one right after another. Also, in Argentina people have all sorts of weird jobs just so they can keep their people employed. One of the jobs I find interesting is that men sleep over at construction sights just so no vandalism happens.  We have another building being worked on next to our pench, and we woke up earlier this week to hear a man sleeping on our roof.... WEIRD! haha I was a little freaked out for a second, but once Hermana Ochoa (another Hermana living in our apartment) explained the situation to me I busted up laughing. I love this country, but there are definitely times that the Neil Dimond song I´m proud to be an American come to mind. Also, those who know me well know that I love the 1980´s film Laybrinth featuring David Bowie.... in this film there is a place called the Bog of Eternal Stench, and if any of your body touches the waters of the Bog of Eternal Stench you will smell for Eternity. They have the Bog of Eternal Stench in Argentina except it is called a Sequia. They are about three feet deep, and run along all the streets. Sometimes they are fine, but more than twenty times a day you will smell they most faul stench of your life. Ha Ha It creates lots of interesting conversations between me and my companion. :) I am starting to understand more of what is being said, but I know that I still have a really long way to go. The Lord is helping me all along the way, and I know that he will give me the tools I need to teach his children.

   Awesome story for the week.... So on Sunday Hermana´s Roas and Ochoa called us after church and asked when we would be back. We let them know that we had a dinner appointment and that it would still be a few hours. They informed us that they had a surprise for us. Hermana Wilde and I just look at each other wondering what it could be because there really isn´t much you could do in the mission as a surprise. Well we quickly forgot about it and enjoyed our time with the Mendoza family. They are the greatest family ever! They are willing to do anything to help the missionaries. When we got home the other Hermana´s had us close our eyes and on the count of three we opened them... there on the table were Hermana Wilde´s Book of Mormon, Debit Cards, and Documents that were stolen the week before. Once we realized what we were looking at we both just started jumping up and down screaming... We immediately asked them how they go them. They told us that earlier that morning a man went to the church doors and started knocking a Sister that was there opened the door and he started asking her for money. She thought he was a little odd and went to talk to the Bishop. When she returned a bag filled with Hermana Wilde´s stuff was all that was there. They gave it to the other Hermana´s thinking it belonged to them.... Crazy huh!? I truly think that this whole experience has been a blessing from Our Father in Heaven. He brought this man into our lives so that we could help his feel the Holy Ghost. I hope he continues thinking about the feelings that have been stirring in his heart. I feel like the perfect ending to this story would be if we could get him baptized.... Time will tell. We may never see him again, but it is comforting to know that he knows where to find the truth. Speaking of Baptism I have my first one this Saturday with a sweet 68 year old man named Ocar. He is the sweetest thing ever. He lost his wife a few years back, and new that our message was true when we first started sharing it with him. The church truly is amazing!

   Well this week really has been amazing. I can´t believe that I am already half way through my first transfer... time is passing way too quickly. I love you all and will definitely talk to you next week. 

                            Con Mucho Amor,

                                         Hermana Ricks