Week 4 in Azteca

      This week has been a hard Spanish week for me.  I just was not understanding much, but I do feel like I'm getting more comfortable with the people here and they are seeing more of the "normal" me instead of silent, dead Hermana Sever -haha.   Weaning my way off the Spanish dictionary...kinda not really...jaja (haha) I still have a long way to go.  

     The investigators are doing good! Citlani is awesome and her parents want to talk to us, so hopefully thats a good sign.  She doesn't live with them-they live in San Miguel. It's not too far from Leon.  One of our investigators, Luis, confirmed for baptism for the 31st of October.  We have a baptism for the 24th and the 31st!! lol.... preston and sidneys birthdays- jaja.   But the hard part here is not getting people to want to be baptized or listen to the lessons-- i'ts going to church.  So it;s so important that they realize the importance of going to church.  I think in a lot of ways that applies to so many members of the church now.  It's ok to miss church whenever...or come late, or even leave early on a regular basis, or just spend too many times scheduling vacations to be on sundays.  But, keeping the Sabbath day holy is a COMMANDMENT of god.  Not a suggestion.  When you go to church, God promises that you will get on the straight and narrow, and you will receive answers and a stronger testimony of Christ.  It's imperative that you go to church, and only as a very last resort not go.  For menos actvios (less actives) the first thing leading to inactivity is of course church attendance, replacing church with good activites like hangout out with family or even a family vacation, all good things! But not the best...good, better, best, in every decision -we need to think about that.  What brings me closer to my Heavenly Father is what He would have me do.  

     I have thought a lot about Landon this past week and I can't believe he will be 7!!!  So close to getting baptized! That's awesome!  DAD IS PLAYIING THE GUITAR!!!! por favor! send me a video!!! That's fantastic.  

     Lets see though, as far as my week goes, its been pretty good,  a little bit slow.  My compañera and I are realizing that we really need nuevo investigadores....and we are slacking so that's on the top off our list right now.  Got to go to a baptism with our zone leaders.   But this week are...divisions, I think that's what it's called in Englsih.. Um where we change companions for a couple days- should be interesting.  To be honest I'm totally nervous.  I don't speak or understand well, but Hermana Sanchez understands me so it's easy for her to clarify things for me with vocabulary I know.  Should be interesting without her there.  I'm sure I'll get a lot of learning, which is what I need.  I got to watch el sesion general de mujeres(Um....the general womens conference?) yeah.jaja.  It was really good!  From what I understood...it was in Spanish, so I comprehended about half of it...but can't wait for Genreral conference next Sunday!..I think I get to watch it in English!  You also asked about the food we eat...let's see, we eat posole a lot!  It's a very traditional meal here, a soup with lettuce and meat and a whole bunch of stuff.  We eat it at least 2 times a week.  Look it up!  

Con Amor

Hermana Sever

Week 3 in Azteca Leon

    (**in response to my question to her about what food they fix for themselves...) We don't fix a lot of food for ourselves.  We don't keep a lot of food in our house since we are hardly every there.  But um....if I end up making anything besides eggs, which are in every other meal here, then I'll let you know.  The eggs in every meal surprised me.  But eggs are huge.  And tortillas, of course.  Everything is 12 times spicier than we are used to.  My taste buds are going to be shot.  haha-I'm pretty sure that's why I got sick.  Something was too spicy- at least that's what the doctor said(..or what I think they said--hahaha).  I wasn't a breakfast eater before my mission and now I haven't miss breakfast since day 1.  You kinda have to- since we don't have dinner here, I'm pretty hungry for breakfast in the morning.  Usually we eat tortilla and eggs or hot cakes(pancakes).

      Lets see what happened this week... we got another baptismal date with a young boy name Jorge- he is 11.  He was an investigator when he was younger, but his grandmother objected.  He wants to get baptized so we are hoping this time around, things will change.  Our other investigator with a baptismal date is Citlali.  She is just soaring through the lessons and is so ready to get baptized. She starts beaming every time we mention it and asks for us to repeat the date over and over...but she just told her parents, and they are totally against it.  She's in college right now, and basically they said if you get baptized then they won't fund for her education, so she feels blackmailed.  It's really sad and she's super upset.  But we gave her some scriptures and advice and we are going to prayer for her a lot.  I know she will still make the right decision, but it will be hard.    One of our recent converts, named Jose, asked me if I had any pictures of my family.   I told him I didn't, and he said the nicest thing, to me.  He was like,  "You know, Hermana Sever, you are never alone.  Because this family is going to be your family here- us and Ricardo - we are your family.  So you should never feel alone.  It doesn't matter that you can't understand or speak the language.  We are here."  It was so nice!!!  And I understood every word.  

    Oh for our English classes on Saturdays they had me say the prayer-- in English --and I kept messing up!  Elder Brown was laughing at me so hard.  We had a multizona conference on Saturday and I met a whole bunch of new missionaries. It was awesome.  And we got to her the President and his wife speak.  We all bought and wore bigotes (mustaches!!!).  It was so funny!!!! 

     Anyway...I was reading the Septiembre version of the Ensign.  There is a lot of good articles in there- but there was one about Boyd K. Packer and that, one night when he gained a true witness of this gospel, he pledged his life to the Lord.  That's what I decided I was going to do, and I have seen the Lord in my life since.  I figure, as long as I always have a good attitude, follow the promptings of the Spirit, and have the courage to talk (...and I actually need the courage) or that then he will make up the rest.  If I had been sent to a mission speaking English, I feel as though I may not have learned as much personally, because I am a talker.  But with this..I really have to rely on the Lord.  I have gained such a strong testimony of prayer.  Never underestimate the power of prayer..HE IS ALWAYS LISTENING. And don't be afraid of pure prayer, it's a real thing... If you have sufficient faith then esta todo bien (it's all good).  Love you all miss you bunches!!  Until next time!

Con Amor, 

Hermana Sever

**this is our zone conference with bigotes, me and my companion, elder brown, my laundry room!!!

Week 2 of Azteca Leon

     This week was interesting.  First off, I got sick.  P-day night and throughout out the night.  We think it was probably something I ate--not fun!  I hate not being able to do anything.  But everyone was super nice about it.   Unfortunately I had to get a shot in the booty, and I wasn't allowed to eat for 2 days!!!!  I was so hungry!  
        Lets see what else, Oh!  Something I forgot to mention in my letter last week was that I totally have to do all my laundry...by hand!  Also,my companion and I got caught in the middle of a minor flood- no big deal.   My feet were underwater and I was literally soaked!  It was actually really fun!  I got a video and pictures that I will send next week!   I am getting so many mosquito bites.  Like for reals- my arms and legs have never looked so ugly.  I counted, and over my entire body, I have around 50 bites....haha!  I look deformed.  Also, the cockroaches are so bad here.  (eww!)  But I have gotten really good at killing them with ease.    

     So lets see, Spanish is still extremely difficult.  But day by day, things get easier and I learn more.  I was able to lead a lesson, so that was good experience.  It was a short lesson, but still its something!  We have some new investigators, although only one progressing investigator.  But things are coming along.  We definitely had a slower week.  
     OH!!  So we were finding some less actives or past investigators, and these two guys came up to us and acted super interested in the gospel.  But then they wouldn't let up on knowing our first names or other things about us.  One of them was like, "you are so beautiful" and asked me some very odd questions, which I played dumb half the time and was like, "so sorry- I don't understand".  But then finally when we got away they kept  following us.  Until finally we were told them to get away, and then they left.  But it was weird.  And they totally had beer and weed on them - it was just odd.  But after that, we got a new investigator --someone else!  They seem to really like our message -so that's good!  
     SO... this week I had the awesome opportunity to  watch the rededication of the Mexico City temple.  Elder Eyring and Elder Holland were there, and it was funny listening to them say the few words they new in Spanish.  The spirit was so strong!  We were able to watch two sessions!  It was awesome.   We also got to see the Cultural event on Saturday!  It was awesome.  Also, tomorrow is September 15th, Mexican independence day.  So I'm excited to see what that is like.  I heard it gets pretty crazy!  Totally pumped!   
     So, I would just like to say that this is the by far, hardest thing I have ever done, but also the most rewarding!!  I love this work so much and  I can't wait to see more of Gods miracles worked.   I challenge everyone to look for the little things in your day that He helps you with.  I know that you will find a lot more than one!  Love you all, can't wait till next week!

Con Amor,

Hermana Sever

First Week of Azteca Leon

*****(sidenote:   The first paragraph is her response to just finding out that her younger brother, Preston, had just started school at Southern Virginia University, where Miranda was attending before her mission.  It was a big surprise--she had no idea, and we got her good!!  Haha!  Couldn't resist sharing with everyone her reaction with all of you.)

Oh my flipping goodness where do I begin?   Um ok... PRESTON!!!!!!  I literally started crying!  That's so flipping awesome!!!!!!  I'M DYING!!!!  I CANT EVEN!!  I told everyone in English and they didn't understand.  So I tried in Spanish and failed epically!  So nobody knows, but I DO-- so that doesn't even matter!!!!  I am just in shock to say the least.  He left just like that??....He is in flipping Virginia right now!  So jealous...kinda....but for reals- I cant even!  This will be the start of something great, I just know it.  You know, I was praying for him the other night because I realized that I can't be worrying about him anymore. So I wanted some kind of comfort, and I got this really positive feeling that he would be alright.  And then I get this email and I am like what?!! THIS IS CRAZY!!!  It's awesome though and he is going to love it so much!  I don't personally know his roommate, Jackson Franco, but I believe he is the younger brother of a friend of mine.  Should be fine if Lucy and Nicole recommended him!  I'm so excited for him! 
      My p-days are on Mondays now.  Not sure when the regular time of day I will be emailing though.  Today was kind of crazy.  So I guess it's time for a report of my crazy first week in mexico!    
       So it's my first week.  Leaving the CCM was super sad, and I'm pretty sure was the only female who didn't cry. I was pretty sad about leaving the people I met, but super excited to get to work nonetheless.  Um, Where to begin?  To be honest, the first couple days were crazy and super super overwhelming.  I was just like, "I cant do this!"  But everyone is super nice.   I met President Mejorada and his wife.  They are super awesome and so funny! I got to talk with alot of Latinos and Latinas on the trip to Queretaro.  We sang hymns in Spanish, and had a very broken conversation on my end.   The first night and second day were rough because it was just non stop Spanish.  I understood maybe 15-20 percent.  It was like drowning!  But, all the Latinos are super nice and very patient with me, so that's good.  It's just hard not understanding!  Then when you do understand, you can't reply! So the first couple days all I did was answer basic questions, like "where are you from" and say "si" and "hola". Other than that I was mute.   But, it definitely got better as I gained a little more confidence in myself.  Oh totally forgot my  first area is Leon, Azteca!!!!   I think the specific area is called Malinalco...not quite sure.  It's a little ghetto, and it rains every day.  One day it started flooding!  I was soaked to the bone!  But it was fun.  OH! And Leon is 3 hours from Queretaro.  It's awesome.   And my compañera is Hermana Sanchez.  I am her 3rd American companion, so she knows what she's doing.  She is super sweet and I love her.  She hardly speaks a word of English, and I hardly can put together a sentence in Spanish, so we carry around dictionaries to communicate.  Its interesting.  But, I have learned alot.   I have met so many new people here, its insane. Mainly I just say my little blurb about myself then listen, lol.  We have lots of investigators right now, at least 20, so our days are jam packed.  
     My first day (or second, can't remember) I had to invite someone to baptism.  Her name is Citlali and she said yes!  She's getting baptized on October 17th.  Since then we haven't had another date set, but we have quite a few progressing investigators who we are asking this week.  Its crazy.  But a good start to my mission!  She is super sweet, and loves the church.  She gets so emotional- its adorable.  She will be a top notch member.  Everyone is super nice.  I get made fun of alot though for my language skills! lol! l I guess I would make fun of me too... it's pretty bad.  But I'm learning.  I can't wait for the day that I understand and can actually say what I want to say and have it make sense.  That's definitely the most difficult part as of now, is that I don't understand much and I can't speak very well.  But, I guess everything comes with time.  Other than that we have a lot of menos activos (less actives) that we are visiting, so it's been fun and very busy.  At the end of each day we are exhausted!       So, lets see what else.  Oh, so I am living in Leon in this house/ apartment type thing.  At first when I went in I thought it was a garage-lol.  Buts it's decently nice.  We don't have windows, AT ALL, and only 2 light bulbs work. So sometimes that can be a struggle. haha  But compared to some of our investigators, we have it sooooo nice! A lot of people here live in very humble circumstances, but they are still so happy and willing to give us their food. Sometimes without us even visiting they will just drop off food.  It's been very humbling for me to be here.  But, I really am enjoying myself here and I have had a lot of really good food!!!!!!  I have yet to get sick, so that's always a plus!  
     I have definitely learned a lot.  Obedience and trusting in the lord.  Also, that if I ever want to do anything, I need to constantly have a good attitude, and work as hard as I can.  It's by far the hardest thing I have ever done and I'm sure as I continue on my mission, my challenges will change.  Right now, its primarily the language, but eventually that will leave and it will be something else, more so probably.  But, I know that through the Lord I can accomplish everything.  So I'm not worried.  Nervous, excited, and anxious, but  not worried.  So overall, I love it here in Mexico.  It's super different, that's for sure.  And I can't understand a thing!  But it's awesome.  I hope everything goes well back at home!  Keep me updated!  I love you all!!!!!!                                                                                                                                Hermana Sever

 P.S.  Sorry I don't have pictures.  I forgot my chord!!! I'll send a ton next week!  Oh!  The buses here are crazy!!  We mainly walk or travel by bus, and the buses are possibly scarier than any roller coaster I have ever been on.  haha Today we got to go to the heart of Leon and tour and stuff.  It was really pretty!  Very different though from the area I am in! So yea I probably forgot I ton, but I don't have a lot of time today because we got home late.