Monday, April 27, 2009
Eric's in Chile
My first P-day in Chile, life is really really great. My companion is Elder Hernandez from Honduras. We´re in a local computer rental store something, where you pay to use the computers for a while. for some reason it wont let me view most of the pictures which is sad. We had our first baptism yesterday, another member of a recent convert family. Spanish is coming along great. Soon to be Elder Vasquez is working with us full time for one week, to prepare for his mission in Paraguay. There are dogs everywhere. Tons of them, just wandering the streets, but the only ones that get grumpy with us are those behind gates at peoples homes. I think I´m going to write more in a letter later today, and I´ll probably repeat stuff, but i dont have time to write everything now. I realized I can probably sent you pictures through email, so next week I´ll try to remember to bring my camara. We walk everywhere, and it takes a long time so I usually memorize scriptures or read the Missionary Handbook while walking. I lost my English Preach My Gospel the day before flying out here so i dont have any of the notes that were in there which is really sad, but I´m studying in spanish now and I have a dictionary when I need it so it´s not really worth it to get another one. I was wondering if there is money on my debit card in case I need to buy something, for example: we´re not allowed to use backpacks (I think its because we´ll look more worth robbing) so most elders have some kind of shoulder bag, just big enough for scriptures and a few other small things, I kindof want to buy one but i want to be sure I will be able to eat for the rest of the month to. Speaking of food, we eat lunch with a member every day, and have cereal, yogurt, and fruit for breakfast and dinner. The food has all been great, nothing to strange. We had fish yesterday and it was actually really good. The people speak very fast and drop the S´s off the ends of words, but I´m doing prety good. We´ve taught alot of lessons, contacted tons of people, but we dont really have any progressing investigators. quite a few with potential though. It´s amazing how fast we get to talking about baptism, for my companion, the message isnt the restauration or the plan of salvation, its baptism. It´s usually the first thing we talk about with people. They use pesos here and 1,000 pesos is about 2 dollars. I bore my testimony in sacrament meeting yesterday. I´m really begining to love bearing my testimony. When I do a contact thats all I really want to do is testify, I dont really care about informing them or using lots of scriptures, I just want to testify. I can see from my companion that its really easy to get into routines, his door approach is virtually the same every time, but its not because he doesnt care, its just something he´s done so many times that it kindof gets old. One quote I really liked from the MTC was something like "you can never be burned out in the Spirit, only fired up." I´m starting a list of all the things I´m noticing I want to do the same or differently throughout my mission. One is that I always want to be completely sincere, and another is I want to be constantly improving. Even if I am training a greenie I want to be asking his what I can do better, because there will always be something. I´m so so greatful for the Spirit. I would not have a chance without it. I could not live here with someone i´ve just met, away from home, family and friends, working 24/7 without the support of the Spirit. It´s a good thing this church is true or missionary work would be really really hard. I´m so greatful for this gospel. I´m so greatful for my Savior. I Love You All!!!
-Elder Davis
-Elder Davis
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Celeste's first haircut
Here are after photos of Celeste's first hair cut. She is do darn cut! I know I'm biased.. but for the love.
Spring Break- San Jorge trip-
With Katie having off a full week we decided to take a few days off and do a St. George trip. Cindy's grandfather has a a quaint 2 bedroom home down there at the retirement community of SunRiver .
While there we did some fun swimming at the Sand Hollow Indoor pool. Celeste and Dad played around in the kitty pool. She LOVED IT! She loves water. The only way we can get her out of the bath tub is to drain the water. this place was just heaven for her. And Dad didn't have to share Celeste with Mommy as Mommy is now 6 months pregnant and didn't want to swim. It was great! ;-)
Cindy wanted to get outdoors and enjoy Zion's National Park so we decided to do a quick day trip there. Mom was ambitious. She wanted to go on multiple hikes and stretch her legs. Reality is different though. We settle on doing only 1/2 of one hike. We decide to hike the "Temple of Sinawava" - better known as "The Narrows". We walked about half way up before we agreed to return and be done. At the turn around point we jumped down to the river and let Celeste hang her toes in the water. Again, she loved it! She is just an adventurous little girl.
One fun thing during the hike is that there are tons of squirrels. And they are not bashful. Celeste saw one and pointed to it.. and then started walking over to it to pet it. Screaming in utter joy all the way. We had to pull her away as the squirrels will go right up to anyone.
Monday, April 13, 2009
I LOVE THIS
I love this.
I don't even know where to begin with the updating besides the fact that I only have four days left. I am going to work HARD.
Well, for starters, Tuesday was our Multizone conference with Acapulco. What did that mean? Elder Ross Mickelsen was there! I'll admit I was very surprised, because my companion had convinced me that it was only our zone, but then as I walked in to the chapel shaking hands with a row of missionaries, I looked up and saw the face of my cousin. Boy, was that a wonderful surprise. We caught up very quickly on our adventures, experiences, etc. and then like always, got back to work. The meeting included a wonderful discussion led by Elder Gardner, a spontaneous musical number by the Mickelsen cousins, a competition with the first two discussions, a message from Sister Gardner and then a very short testimony meeting. The spirit was so strong the entire time. These saints just live every day filled with the spirit, such an amazing feeling.
After the conference, I awaited the dreaded interview with President Gardner. Well, at least my companion was dreading it. I was a bit surprised when we spoke in Spanish, but then he handed me the phone and called my mother so that was nice. I do feel a little bit spoiled down here :P.
The rest of the week included, real, hard, missionary, WORK. I only was sunburned twice and only had one day when I absolutely could NOT eat the food. It wasn't awful, they just gave me a serving that could have filled Noah's ark.
We find new investigators every day and catch up with the "old" ones. I've found that where I'm useful is in testifying why I'm here and using the scriptures. Although I don't always know exactly what they say in Spanish, I know what they say in Enlgish. Thank goodness for Scripture Mastery and being raised studying the scriptures daily. (There are alot of things I have been grateful to have been raised with recently. For one, the majority of members here are converts. And then when I told someone that I have ancestors that were pioneers, I thought they were going to start bowing to me.)
We had our first baptism in a companionship on Thursday, a woman we really had to work and fight with. The day of the baptism it felt like all the powers of the devil were combined against us. But she made it and then Sunday she was confirmed. Darling sixty year old Celza. Whenever I see her I call her "Guapa," she likes that. Haha, though now she calls me Guapa too, we have fun :)
We brought two investigators to the baptism and they absolutely loved it. Their baptisms are planned for this thursday, but that might not happen because they still havent attended church yet. The baptismal service was very simple, though it also consisted of a spontaneous musical number by Hermana Davis. I know that I don't sing very well, but I know that God blesses me to feel His spirit when I am testifying, even through song. It did make me laugh though, when one of the Brothers who was sitting in the back was holding up his cell phone and...recording it. Yeah, I guess they really don't have anyone who can sing here. (I apologize, I love singing with these saints. They have absolutely no verguenza. None.)
The other day when we were walking home we passed someone who we had never met. I waved like usual, but then all of a sudden was filled with this enormous burning feeling. I turned to my companion and asked if we couldn't talk with him. She said maybe tomorrow. The burning continued until it was almost painful and I again I insisted "Why not today?" She again refuted, but told me we could go by later.
The next day when we passed his house, I was the one to go up and greet him, without even saying a word to my companion. He was sitting with his wife and three year old son in the front yard selling sabritas, fruta, agua, refrescos, etc. We began as usual and then started into the first discussion. He and his wife were very active participants in the discussion, asking questions, answering thoroughly, though his wife had her doubts. We felt compelled to leave a Book of Mormon with them that visit, rather than returning the next day to bring it to them. The next day when we payed them a visit we planned on doing a review of the first charla, but Santiago began going off on a tangent about his work. The discussion ended with all of us in tears and with me comparting the scriptures found in D&C 121 and 122 about trials. Santiago has such a big heart he cried all the way through.
He and his family attended Church on Sunday thought it was beautiful and can't wait to learn more.
I've had several more feelings like that and am truly saddened that I'll only be here for four more days to follow through with these investigators, friends and family, really. However, I do know that God sent me here for a reason, and that this mini mission will only last for two weeks for a reason.
My companion and I have really clicked and every time I mention leaving she is really saddened. I don't feel like I'm been that much of a support for her, but maybe what she really needed was a friend. And an oddly and overly optomistic one. I think I've got that part. Sometimes I think I scare people with my constant smile. And then again, sometimes it's too welcoming. Though I've only gotten a few scary looks, and one person who asked if he could take a picture of my eyes.
I'm sure I've left something out. But I have to run. We've WAY outdone our time limit. Ijole. No manches...
Jajaja...Nos Vemos!!!!
All my love, Hna Davis
I don't even know where to begin with the updating besides the fact that I only have four days left. I am going to work HARD.
Well, for starters, Tuesday was our Multizone conference with Acapulco. What did that mean? Elder Ross Mickelsen was there! I'll admit I was very surprised, because my companion had convinced me that it was only our zone, but then as I walked in to the chapel shaking hands with a row of missionaries, I looked up and saw the face of my cousin. Boy, was that a wonderful surprise. We caught up very quickly on our adventures, experiences, etc. and then like always, got back to work. The meeting included a wonderful discussion led by Elder Gardner, a spontaneous musical number by the Mickelsen cousins, a competition with the first two discussions, a message from Sister Gardner and then a very short testimony meeting. The spirit was so strong the entire time. These saints just live every day filled with the spirit, such an amazing feeling.
After the conference, I awaited the dreaded interview with President Gardner. Well, at least my companion was dreading it. I was a bit surprised when we spoke in Spanish, but then he handed me the phone and called my mother so that was nice. I do feel a little bit spoiled down here :P.
The rest of the week included, real, hard, missionary, WORK. I only was sunburned twice and only had one day when I absolutely could NOT eat the food. It wasn't awful, they just gave me a serving that could have filled Noah's ark.
We find new investigators every day and catch up with the "old" ones. I've found that where I'm useful is in testifying why I'm here and using the scriptures. Although I don't always know exactly what they say in Spanish, I know what they say in Enlgish. Thank goodness for Scripture Mastery and being raised studying the scriptures daily. (There are alot of things I have been grateful to have been raised with recently. For one, the majority of members here are converts. And then when I told someone that I have ancestors that were pioneers, I thought they were going to start bowing to me.)
We had our first baptism in a companionship on Thursday, a woman we really had to work and fight with. The day of the baptism it felt like all the powers of the devil were combined against us. But she made it and then Sunday she was confirmed. Darling sixty year old Celza. Whenever I see her I call her "Guapa," she likes that. Haha, though now she calls me Guapa too, we have fun :)
We brought two investigators to the baptism and they absolutely loved it. Their baptisms are planned for this thursday, but that might not happen because they still havent attended church yet. The baptismal service was very simple, though it also consisted of a spontaneous musical number by Hermana Davis. I know that I don't sing very well, but I know that God blesses me to feel His spirit when I am testifying, even through song. It did make me laugh though, when one of the Brothers who was sitting in the back was holding up his cell phone and...recording it. Yeah, I guess they really don't have anyone who can sing here. (I apologize, I love singing with these saints. They have absolutely no verguenza. None.)
The other day when we were walking home we passed someone who we had never met. I waved like usual, but then all of a sudden was filled with this enormous burning feeling. I turned to my companion and asked if we couldn't talk with him. She said maybe tomorrow. The burning continued until it was almost painful and I again I insisted "Why not today?" She again refuted, but told me we could go by later.
The next day when we passed his house, I was the one to go up and greet him, without even saying a word to my companion. He was sitting with his wife and three year old son in the front yard selling sabritas, fruta, agua, refrescos, etc. We began as usual and then started into the first discussion. He and his wife were very active participants in the discussion, asking questions, answering thoroughly, though his wife had her doubts. We felt compelled to leave a Book of Mormon with them that visit, rather than returning the next day to bring it to them. The next day when we payed them a visit we planned on doing a review of the first charla, but Santiago began going off on a tangent about his work. The discussion ended with all of us in tears and with me comparting the scriptures found in D&C 121 and 122 about trials. Santiago has such a big heart he cried all the way through.
He and his family attended Church on Sunday thought it was beautiful and can't wait to learn more.
I've had several more feelings like that and am truly saddened that I'll only be here for four more days to follow through with these investigators, friends and family, really. However, I do know that God sent me here for a reason, and that this mini mission will only last for two weeks for a reason.
My companion and I have really clicked and every time I mention leaving she is really saddened. I don't feel like I'm been that much of a support for her, but maybe what she really needed was a friend. And an oddly and overly optomistic one. I think I've got that part. Sometimes I think I scare people with my constant smile. And then again, sometimes it's too welcoming. Though I've only gotten a few scary looks, and one person who asked if he could take a picture of my eyes.
I'm sure I've left something out. But I have to run. We've WAY outdone our time limit. Ijole. No manches...
Jajaja...Nos Vemos!!!!
All my love, Hna Davis
Monday, April 6, 2009
Hello Everyone from Rachel
Hello Everyone!
This is Hermana Davis reporting from almost three days of active duty in the Misión México Cuernavaca. I am serving in the Chilpancingo, Guerrero District, Area Aeropuerto.
Oh, I love this.
My companion is Hermana Gutierrez who has been out for fourteen months now and is the sweetest thing alive. She's a little bit more soft spoken than I am, but we compliment each other well. She does the majority of the talking and I smile and wave at everyone.
Our area is beautiful. The people live in very humble circumstances, but because of this, they are very friendly and very receptive of our message. The difficult part for them is keeping commitments, making them is absolutely no problem. But then following through is another thing. Alot of them are embarrased because they don't have the normal clothing that members wear to church. Alot of them don't have money to get there. But we work with them and they are very patient with us (Me especially with my poor Spanish).
Yesterday I had my first experience of tracting and Hna. Gutierrez and I just decided to follow the spirit and the first house we went to we spoke to a family of about 8 and everyone was interested. I was a little nervous when right as we were about to leave the drunk dad walked out and tried to hug me, but maybe he's the one who will be the most receptive of the message. (I have only had a few creepers so far). I LOVE this work.
One of the families we went to wasn't really interested in hearing our message, but we helped them make tortillas (I think I only made one of them right...I definitely have a LOT more respect for the people who make them, it's hard!) and their youngest daughter, Saraí taught me a "Sol" song. Hna. Gutierrez told me yesterday that her father was poisoned to death by her mother, and now her mother is in jail, but Saraí is probably the happiest thing alive. There are some very sad histories here.
I've started carrying around lollipops and pass-along cards (the lollipops are for the kids--I seem to have a wonderful connection with them, they are all So beautiful. And I think it always surprises them to see a gringa. And the passalong cards, I "accidently" leave in the Combis--(the bus-like taxis that we take Everywhere :)
My black shoes are now beige/brown from the dirt and I wear grammas clothes wherever I go. It's very hot here and although I haven't been sunburned yet, I counted 21 bug bites on my body today. Bugs have always seemed to like the way that I taste, but I don't think I've ever counted 21.
My Spanish is getting better, though there are a few gringo missionaries here, who ONLY want to speak in English, it's kind of frustrating sometimes, because I know the Mexicanos feel out of place, but I think they just miss speaking in English.
I only have two weeks here, so I'm taking advantage of it as much as I can, but it's still so little. I wish I could finish off my adventures in Mexico here, but I think I have other lives to touch and other service to do. Though I did mention the idea to President Gardner.
I haven't lost any weight and I don't think I will, because Mexicans know how to EAT. I usually only eat a small breakfast and then one meal a day, but that meal is Huge. I haven't gotten food poisoning yet though. And the majority of the food I enjoy eating, rather than just forcing it down.
I am so happy here and send all my love home. I will send pictures as soon as I get back, but I might just be staying here for the rest of my life :D. I hope all is well! (And, give out a book of mormon this week. Or invite someone to church--it's really not that hard, I promise. I've already invited PLENTY of people)
Love, Hna. Davis
This is Hermana Davis reporting from almost three days of active duty in the Misión México Cuernavaca. I am serving in the Chilpancingo, Guerrero District, Area Aeropuerto.
Oh, I love this.
My companion is Hermana Gutierrez who has been out for fourteen months now and is the sweetest thing alive. She's a little bit more soft spoken than I am, but we compliment each other well. She does the majority of the talking and I smile and wave at everyone.
Our area is beautiful. The people live in very humble circumstances, but because of this, they are very friendly and very receptive of our message. The difficult part for them is keeping commitments, making them is absolutely no problem. But then following through is another thing. Alot of them are embarrased because they don't have the normal clothing that members wear to church. Alot of them don't have money to get there. But we work with them and they are very patient with us (Me especially with my poor Spanish).
Yesterday I had my first experience of tracting and Hna. Gutierrez and I just decided to follow the spirit and the first house we went to we spoke to a family of about 8 and everyone was interested. I was a little nervous when right as we were about to leave the drunk dad walked out and tried to hug me, but maybe he's the one who will be the most receptive of the message. (I have only had a few creepers so far). I LOVE this work.
One of the families we went to wasn't really interested in hearing our message, but we helped them make tortillas (I think I only made one of them right...I definitely have a LOT more respect for the people who make them, it's hard!) and their youngest daughter, Saraí taught me a "Sol" song. Hna. Gutierrez told me yesterday that her father was poisoned to death by her mother, and now her mother is in jail, but Saraí is probably the happiest thing alive. There are some very sad histories here.
I've started carrying around lollipops and pass-along cards (the lollipops are for the kids--I seem to have a wonderful connection with them, they are all So beautiful. And I think it always surprises them to see a gringa. And the passalong cards, I "accidently" leave in the Combis--(the bus-like taxis that we take Everywhere :)
My black shoes are now beige/brown from the dirt and I wear grammas clothes wherever I go. It's very hot here and although I haven't been sunburned yet, I counted 21 bug bites on my body today. Bugs have always seemed to like the way that I taste, but I don't think I've ever counted 21.
My Spanish is getting better, though there are a few gringo missionaries here, who ONLY want to speak in English, it's kind of frustrating sometimes, because I know the Mexicanos feel out of place, but I think they just miss speaking in English.
I only have two weeks here, so I'm taking advantage of it as much as I can, but it's still so little. I wish I could finish off my adventures in Mexico here, but I think I have other lives to touch and other service to do. Though I did mention the idea to President Gardner.
I haven't lost any weight and I don't think I will, because Mexicans know how to EAT. I usually only eat a small breakfast and then one meal a day, but that meal is Huge. I haven't gotten food poisoning yet though. And the majority of the food I enjoy eating, rather than just forcing it down.
I am so happy here and send all my love home. I will send pictures as soon as I get back, but I might just be staying here for the rest of my life :D. I hope all is well! (And, give out a book of mormon this week. Or invite someone to church--it's really not that hard, I promise. I've already invited PLENTY of people)
Love, Hna. Davis
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