My Dearest Darlingest Familia,
This week
has been great and somewhat weird because I’ve been having quite a few
intellectual thoughts for the first time in my life and I’m not quite sure how
to handle it all. Bahaha.
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| A handful of snacks. |
This week
started with learning how to crochet and learning that it is NOT my forte. At
all. But for my comp, it was a breeze. So we contacted this group of old ladies
that sit outside a house together and crochet all day long. Nothing more. And
they sell the stuff they make – it’s a riot quite frankly. We just walked up to
them and said we wanted to share a message with them and they were super
reluctant. So we began with saying that we wanted to learn. We have gone back
multiple times to have lessons and it is hilarious, but a really good way to
develop a friendship with these ladies. They are all of different faiths and
told us they respect the faiths of other’s and don’t talk about religion, but
about the 3rd time we went back, they asked if we could give a blessing for a
friend of theirs. Wow. It’s been great and slowly but surely we are working our
way in to their hearts, as they are in to ours. My comp is seriously amazing at
crocheting. I am absolutely horrible! She is at like, level 861 and I am still
in the beginning crocheting-for-dummies class. Haha, but they told us that we
are supposed to feel relaxed and it’s a calming thing to crochet, but for me my
neck and shoulders ache so bad after a few minutes. It makes me anxious and oh!
It’s awful... but my comp likes it, so I will keep working. Who knows, by the
end of my mission maybe I will make a sweater... or maybe a hat. Orrrr, maybe
not. Haha.
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| Our District |
You will see
pictures of a piñata that we destroyed today for our district Christmas party!
It was super funny trying to bring it home and then to the party because...
well you will see it in the pictures. But oh geez... it was hilarious! And
people whacking it, even more!
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| An accident waiting to happen. |
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| Crazy fun. |
We were
talking with Hermana Janet again and it was really eye opening for me and a
tear-jerker. She told us about her daughter and how she is going through a
super rebellious stage and that it’s really hard for her. And a whole lot of
other stuff, but it made me think about you mom, and all the times that I did
things badly or responded in a mean way and made me think about how grateful I
am to have parents like you two. She told us how they yell at each other and
that they fight and yada, yada, but it made me think about how we never yelled
at each other in our home. And how I am eternally grateful for that. Thank you
both for always telling me the WHY of things and not just “because I said so.”
Thank you for talking to me in an adult way and always with love. I am so, so,
so thankful. The mom asked for advice of what to do and my comp said we couldn’t
give advice, but shared her history, which was really insightful in to why she is
the way she is. I told her that she will never regret speaking with love, that
as I am now reflecting on my past, I am so grateful that my parents always
spoke with love and kindness, because in rough teenage years that’s what we
need. I thought about the advice from dad, “you will never regret being kind” -
motto of life right there. It made me reflect a lot on you two and how grateful
I am to have the two of you as parents and all the great times we’ve had. I
love you so stinking much. :)
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| Our District Christmas Party |
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| Gift exchanges |
So then I
got to thinking about rebellious stages and how I never really got the chance
to go through one and I’m a little bummed about that. Bahahaha, but really! My
comp went through a really, really rebellious stage and I was talking to the
other elders in our district and they did too. WHAT!? I want a rebellious stage
to talk about! Sure I had my moments of rebellion and defying my parent’s
rules, but not like that. I feel a little left out. Haha, no I know it’s a good
thing, but it makes me laugh...
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| My hat and Elder Munoz |
I heard from
the elders that they are doing P90X in the mornings, and I got a little
jealous. It turns out I just need to ask the President if I can and he will
probably say, “yes” and then I can actually work out in the mornings! So uhh...
maybe send me the P90X CDs? Por favor? Loveee youuuu :)
This past Friday
was a huge celebration here in Mexico - day of the Virgin Guadalupe (who’s huge
here). The parties in the streets were so big we couldn’t even pass with our
bikes. So we were walking and my comp had to go to the bathroom really bad and was
doing the dance... you know, where you’re bouncing up and down to try to hold
it all in? And imagine the music is super loud and we can hardly hear each
other when we are yelling and all of a sudden a super duper drunk guy walks up
to us and says ¨hola amigas! I can dance too!¨and starts doing the wave with
his arms, beer in his hand. Then he just walks away and passes out in a car. OH
MY GOSH WE LAUGHED SO HARD. Bahaha, totally slurring and stumbling and it was a
unique experience in this life of mine. Hahaha.
It’s a
little chilly here at night, and in the mornings especially, and I am missing
my red coat... maybe since this package made it could you send that to me too?
Oh thanks, I love you so much! :) Only if it works out though... no stress. :)
WE ARE GOING
TO SKYPE!!!! We have it planned for around 6:00 pm on the 25th my time! I AM SO
EXCITED AND I WANT TO CRY JUST THINKING ABOUT IT!!! Ahhhh, we are going to see
each other face to face and I can’t stinking wait!!!!!!!
Guess what I
ate this week? – crickets! Yep. Crickets with chile sprinkled on top. Our good
friends, the familia Corona, invited us to try them and I was freaking out! I
couldn’t even handle touching one (they’re totally dead and I sent pictures),
but I just couldn’t do it. Couldn’t. Do. It. But then they got out the camera
and started videoing and so I had to... and want to know what? It wasn’t too
bad. Then I ate another one, then another. Actually, pretty good! Full of
protein too, they said. Also we ate tamales with them (tamales oaxaceños) and
they are delicious. I think I’m accumulatizing (??) to the food here, and well,
acclimatizing to all of it! :)
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| Yum... crickets! |
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| Tamales oaxacenos |
It turns out
I’m super duper allergic to bunnies. Yeah, sad, I know. There are a few
families in our area that we visit who have bunnies, and oh man, after about 5
minutes in their house, I am sneezing, then I’m itching all over, then it’s a
little harder to breathe and then I finish the lesson and run out of the house.
Oh my goodness, it was a little scary. Luckily we went to another member’s
house to talk with their son who’s menos activo (less active) and they gave me
this kick booty medicine that made me feel loads better, so probably no bunnies
for me in the future. ;(
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| Our friend and her parrot. |
Tecamac is such
a golden area and I love it here. I feel so grateful to be here for the
holidays where there is at least some sparse internet to be able to skype home
and not in one of the rural areas that don’t get that option. It’s amazing how
much I’ve grown to love the people. Miracles happen every day and I feel
unbelievably blessed to be here and helping in this work. Sure, some days are
hard, but thanks to the Savior I can get up day after day and keep on going.
That’s
pretty much my week! Well, the notable experiences at least. I am realizing
that I am truly living. Each day is an adventure and a challenge, but every day
I am learning that I can actually do this. Yeah, it’s hard, but I laugh every
day and my comp is one of my best friends. I love my life and I love being here
on a mission. But I love you, my family, even more. I love you to the dark side
of the sun and back and I can’t wait to talk to you!!!! Thanks for absolutely
everything you do for me - you are my world. Thanks for the updates, the pictures,
everything.
LOVE YOU SO
MUCH!!!!
Siempre su
hija (always your daughter),
Hermana Anstee
:)
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