Hola Familia y Amigos,
I refuse to believe it is December. Firstly, because it is
so darn hot. Secondly, because that means I have 5 months in the mission. It
feels like I have a year...haha, jk, other way around. I can´t believe how fast
time is flying!
So, I had a great (terrible) experience with the Metro (the
city train) this week. We were up early and on our way to interviews with
President Wright. We were at the station, and we watched 3 trains pass, FULL of
people. It was like a cartoon, people´s faces were smushed against the windows
and personal space did not exist in the slightest. We watched and laughed...and
laughed...then we stopped laughing when we realized the trains were just
getting more and more full. We couldn´t wait much longer or we were going to be
late. I told my companion to ¨Think skinny thoughts¨ as we shoved our way onto
the train. Half of my body was still in the door, but when the door shut I was
able to be pushed into the train by the force of it (don’t worry, it’s not like
I could have been chopped in half or anything). The best part was, I looked
down at my little short companion who had my bag shoved in her face, and I
realized that she was shorter than normal. Then, I realized my feet weren´t
touching the ground. I was literally being pinned up against the glass. It was
like...vertical crown surfing? Yeah. Good thing I am not claustrophobic or anything,
or else that 30 minute train ride would have been hell...
Chileans don´t celebrate Thanksgiving (haa, dumb blond
moment I had this week when I realized that). So, obviously we had to do
something about that. We bought a Chicken and some potato chips, and cooked
some veggies. We dressed the Mexicana up as Squanto, and had a feast! We even
set our study table like a dinner table, how shmancy!
My companion thought that she looked like a Pilgrim with a
handkerchief on her head....but she really just looked like she had a
handkerchief on her head.
We had a Family Home Evening in a park in our sector for the
ward - in Latino fashion, it didn´t start for about a half hour after when it
was supposed to start. We had four investigators there, and we met a new
investigator who was a neighbor that came out to find her sons. We had a
projector and screen and showed some Mormon Messages and Joy to the World. We
had some of the girls in the ward sing and play guitar. It was a success! It
has been fun to see our activities bring in more and more people. The first FHE
we did here only had 20 people, the second, 30, and this time over 50! It was
awesome. I think I want to be an event planner when I get home. (haha, just
kidding. I think I want to retire when I get home.).
Well, our next transfers are the 16 of December. I am HOPING
and PRAYING to get at least one more transfer here. It would be so hard to
leave right before Christmas. Oh yeah, fam, I get to Skype you for 45 minutes
on Christmas! More details to come, especially after transfers.
I am sorry to bore you (Dad says I am getting too spiritual,
psh. Sorry.). But I do have a cool story! Last night I had a name pop into mind
as we were trying to decide who to visit for our last appointment of the night.
I said it to my companion, ¨Carolina! ¨ and she said ¨yeah, we haven´t ever
tried her at this hour, lets do it!¨ Then, I said, ¨uh, who is that?¨ She
thought I was crazy. I just was going with the prompting. She reminded me that
of who she was. It is a lady that we contacted when we first got here, but it
has been really hard to find her since. We had talked to her twice more, but
only long enough to see how she was doing and pray with her because she is very
busy.
So, there we were, standing at her gate at 9:15 last night.
I said, ¨We are just going to hand her a Book of Mormon and tell her to read
it.¨ Just like that. We yelled ¨Alo!¨
until she came out, carrying a little boy on her hip. We told her that we had a
special gift for her that would help her feel more peace and be happier. Then
we gave her a Book of Mormon. She smiled and said ¨Really? It can do that? ¨ And
we said, ¨Yes, try it!¨ and she agreed. We prayed and then left. Simple, but yet another testimony to me of the
power of the Scriptures and of the Book of Mormon.
I have a lot of friends and family members going through
hard times right now: whether it be with health, with lacking excitement and
happiness in life, or with testimonies.
There is one solution that I can offer and promise, with my
testimony, that will help. Read your scriptures! 5 minutes a day. It is the
best medicine for any situation.
Elder Richard G. Scott said, ¨Pondering a passage of
scripture can be a key to unlock the revelation and the guidance and
inspiration of the Holy Ghost. Scriptures can calm an agitated soul, giving
peace, hope, and a restoration of confidence in one´s ability to overcome the
challenges of life. They have the potent power to HEAL emotional challenges
when there is faith in the Savior. They can ACCELERATE physical healing.¨
Well. I hope you have a great week! I am off to Costanera
Center, which is the tallest building in all of South America! Guess what it
is? A mall. How awesome is that?! We can see it from our apartment. I am going
to buy some new shoes (I can´t believe what my poor shoes have been through
these past months!) and hopefully some light weight shirts to deal with this
heat.
I love you all. I hope you know that. As I go throughout the
day I have different memories and experiences pop into mind that I have had with
you. I am so grateful for the support that I have, it makes a WORLD of
difference when I receive emails about your lives. You are all amazing! Keep
being happy, that is the easiest way to share the gospel in this world.
Love,
Hermana VanCott
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