More Parties!

On Tuesday, we had our district meeting in English, and Hermana Perez and I taught the lesson (about the importance of reading and using the scriptures).  It went well.  Hermana Perez knows a lot of English and has the desire to continue learning.  :)  Afterwards, our district celebrated Elder Montes de Oca's birthday with cake and a mini-Sponge Bob piñata!  We even used grapes to have a Chubby Bunny competition.  :)  1st place was Elder Montes de Oca with 14 grapes!  I was in second place with 13 grapes, and Hermana Huff in 3rd place with 12!  It was super funny and we all got a good laugh out of the competition.  Pictured below are Hermana Huff and Elder Montes de Oca in the Chubby Bunny contest!! haha

Although Hermana Perez and I don't have the permission and aren't allowed to knock on doors - we have been doing a lot of contacting in other ways.  For example, after walking around our area for almost 3 months, we've become acquainted with many of the street vendors and shop workers who we always wave to.  We've even learned their names, to say hello to them as we pass by, and have become their friends.  And now, we have talked with several of them about our mission and the desire we have to share the gospel with them in their homes  :)  Some have accepted our invitation and seem interested.

This week we had a lot of rain!  Luckily it usually starts to downpour in the evenings when we're finishing up our last lessons.  But regardless of our umbrellas and boots, sometimes the rain seems to be hitting us from all angles and we return to the house soaked.  Hermana Perez and I call it our "evening shower"  :)  So, I guess you could say we're staying extra clean!

So, right now everyone is eating and selling a lot of "tunas" - which are prickly pears (not the fish :) )  I have tried 3 different types of prickly pears and my favorite is the "blanco".  The "blanco" is a light green color, but there's also an orange color, and a bright magenta colored prickly pear!  It has an interesting texture, but I think they're pretty yummy  :)

Our lessons went well this week.  And although sometimes things can be discouraging - like when the investigators aren't home at the time of our visit or aren't reading or "don't have time" to go to church - it's absolutely incredible how much love I sill feel for them.  I know that if Herman Perez and I keep working hard and if we are completely obedient, we'll continue seeing miracles in our lives and in the lives of others.

This is Candy with her owl cake!

On Sunday, it was the birthday of one of the young adults in our ward named Candy :)  She and I have clicked so easily and are good friends.  Sometimes she accompanies Hermana Perez and I in the lessons and currently is considering serving a mission.  She invited us over for lunch and cake.  She loves owls just like me!  So I was impressed by the owl cake her mom made for her.

Here we are with Candy for her 20th birthday

Sponge Bob and Me!

Here is Hermana Perez and I
with the other Hermanas in our district :)

Here I am with my district (minus two elders)

Some things I realized aren't too common back home that I've gotten used to seeing here are:

*     OXXO's  (they are like the shops at the gas stations for grab-and-go snacks / necessities.  The difference here is it's just the shop without any gas pumps!  A gas station without the gas :) haha

An OXXO store

*     Video game rooms - Since none of the teenagers have laptops, x-boxes, play stations, flat screen TVs, etc. in their homes, they pay by the hour to sit in video game rooms and play video games.  Whenever Hermana Perez and I pass by a "game room", we always see dozens of boys and young men crowded around TV screens playing to their heart's content.


*     Big community trampolines:  Since many people don't have backyards or front yards - the neighbors will all pitch in to buy a giant trampoline to entertain all the kids usually the trampolines are just set up in the middle of the street.

This is an example of a giant community trampoline ;)

Here I am with Hermana Huff

Goofing around with Hermana Morinigo

This is our church building

I hope all goes well for everyone this week!  Thank you for all the love, support, and prayers  :)

Love you all!
Hermana Eliason

FRIENDS

This week went so well...like always. 

First off we have been having lots of down pours in the evenings, starting around 7pm.  It is actually kinda fun because it cools us off from the scorching heat and crossing the streets (more like rivers) are definitely an adventure ;)  But I still am in love with my area here in Aguascalientes. 

It was raining a ton this week and I snapped a photo of a pretty rainbow that appeared.

Here I am with Hermana Crosby!!! I finally saw her again!
(We arrived the same day in the MTC and traveled with
one other american sister the first day in Mexico)

This week we had a multi-zone meeting with the mission president and the reunion went great, but I couldn't stop smiling from all the familiar faces I saw!! These missionaries have literally become some of my closest friends and I love seeing them.  We get to catch up on the mission life and how everything is going.  I saw Hermana Crosby who arrived the same day in the mission as me (and the same day in the CCM).  She is now training, and it was crazy to realize that we have 8 months in the mission already and will be returning home in 10 short months! WOW.  

YES! I encountered Hermana Miner!!
Here we are together.

I also met Hermana Miner who is the niece of a family friend I had heard about. 

This week Hermana Perez and I also had "intercambios" or companionship exchanges for the day.  I worked in another area with one of our Leaders named Hermana Duverje.  She was awesome and I learned a lot from her.  She is from the Dominican Republic and had such a fun personality and a huge love for the gospel (she converted to the church 3 years ago and is the only member of her family).  We did a lot of contacting and she was impressed by my love to talk so easily with complete strangers.  But it is seriously one of the things I love most - simply talking and listening to others.  I have learned so much by listening to people and then listening to the Spirit to know how to reply.  The mission is so amazing :)

Oh, on Sunday, Hermana Perez and I gave the Sacrament Meeting talks in church.  My talk was based off of a talk in the Liahonna from April 2013 called 10 Ways To Know If You Are Truly Converted.  It actually strengthened my testimony a lot to prepare this talk, and I think I delivered pretty well (because afterwards several members commented that they learned a lot from the topic of personal conversion and that my spanish was almost perfect!)  It was such a huge compliment for me, and I am glad that the Lord is using me as an instrument in His hands to help those around me.  This area has so much potential and incredible people.

A cute little puppy sleeping on my lap ! !

This is the same Saint Bernard puppy!!   But she has grown so much ! !
Here I am with the "puppy" and with Caro (one of our investigators)

Our investigators are improving...the only hard part is church attendance.  But we are working diligently together.  I love being with Hermana Perez and I learn so much from her each day.  She is super wise and always gives such great advice.  We talk openly with each other like best friends.

Today we went to the centro!  We had a little adventure with Hermana Huff and her companion.  We ate lunch together and did window shopping.  It was fun to explore all the stores and be immersed in the hussle and bussle of the big city!  It was a fun P-day!

We visited the Centro today and did some shopping for the week ! 

Here we are with Hermana Huff and her companion.  Yes, I bought a giant hula hoop for "exercise" in the mornings ;)

We had a lot of fun today

I am so happy and hope all is going well with everyone back home! Mexico is my second home and I love the people and the missionary work here!  You are all in my thoughts and prayers.  Have a fantastic week!!

Con mucho amor,

Hermana Eliason

Working Hard & Seeing Results

This week Hermana Perez and I decided to organize the area book.  The area book has the names, addresses, and information of some past investigators who stopped receiving the missionary lessons.  But only about half of these "antiguo investigadores"  have a statement describing why the past missionaries before us stopped visiting them.  So, Hermana Perez and I took upon ourselves the responsibility to investigate and try to encounter these past investigators.  This meant that we did a ton of walking this week and used our map a lot to find the 30+ addresses.

It was a rewarding experience because some of the people we met invited us into their homes and told us their feelings towards the lessons they received from other Elders that were in this area.  I could see that even if some of these people weren't ready to be baptized or accept the gospel - they all had fond memories and sincere interest in the missionaries.  And I know it's because during this time in our lives we have the Spirit with us stronger than ever, and truly are representatives of Jesus Christ.  When missionaries (Elders or Sisters) testify of gospel truths, I can see a special light in their eyes and it's like they're radiating.  It is a privilege to be a missionary and I am loving every moment.  :)

Me and Hermana Perez

Here I am with  Hermana Huff and her comp Hermana Morinigo,
and Hermana Perez at the zone meeting

This week Hermana Perez and I also saw the miracles that can come from fasting.  Hermana Perez and I fasted for a few less active members who are key to helping their entire family & others return to church.  One of these less active members was Hermana Romero.  She has 4 grown children & a niece that is currently living with her, named Caro, who is one of our investigators.  Hermana Romero, her husband, and all her children are members who inactivated over 7 years ago and haven't assisted [attended] church since.

Now she has grandchildren, son-in-laws, and daughter-in-laws who aren't members, but who have been receiving the missionary lessons from Hermana Perez and I.  We knew that if Hermana Romero starting coming back to church again - her whole family would reactivate or be baptized.

We had a very powerful and spiritual lesson with Hermana Romero and her two daughters & niece about the importance of the Sabbath Day and church attendance.  A bit to our surprise, after we finished the lesson, Hermana Romero said, "I'm going to church this Sunday."  She said it so clearly and with such determination that I'm pretty sure my jaw dropped to the floor for a moment!

When she and almost half of her family showed up to church on Sunday, I knew it was an answer to our prayers and fast.  And I cannot describe the joy I feel when someone joins the church or reactivates.  "Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God. And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father."  D&C 18: 10, 15-16

I know that God listens.  That He answers our prayers.  And I am sure that if we commit to be obedient and follow the example of His son, Jesus Christ, we will encounter true and lasting happiness.

I am so grateful for this gospel and all that I am learning.

Thank you to everyone who has been so supportive & has kept me in their prayers.  I feel strengthened when I think of each of you and the impact you've had on my life.  I love you all and hope you have a fantastic week.

xoxoxo
Hermana Eliason

Random Notes:
*     We had a month / giant butterfly that was trapped in our house.  It was literally bigger than my hand (and I have big hands!)
*     When Hermana Perez and I are hungry, we've developed the habit of buying baked pumpkin seeds from an old lady, who sells them on the corner.

Here are some parts of my area.  This one is of a super spacious field 

and the next one is a super green park filled with tons of plants and trees that we pass through

Blog Party!

This week it was Elder Arnold’s 20th birthday on Tuesday and Hermana Perez’ 29th birthday on Thursday!   So on Wednesday, when we ate lunch with the Elders at the house of the Hernandez family, we celebrated!  The living room was decorated with balloons and streamers and the Hernandez family had prepared a really yummy meal.  Then for dessert, Elder Arnold & Hermana Perez each received a mini cake (complete with trick candles  :)  )

Happy Birthday, Hermana Perez!

The Birthday Celebration for Elder Arnold & Hermana Perez

We sang Happy Birthday to them in spanish and english and had such a fun time.  I love birthdays!  Every time there was a moment of silence during the day while walking to & from our lessons, I would say “Hermana sabe que? …. “Feliz Cumpleanos!’  (Guess what? … Happy Birthday!)  Haha  We both enjoyed a great day together.

Then later in the week we had a zone conference with the mission president and his wife.  It was a really inspiring meeting and I learned a lot from their talks.  I also received a package :) But the mission president has asked that we don’t send packages with images of the virgin - so if you’re going to send me something, just be sure it doesn’t have any mages or pictures covering the outside.  Thank you.  I love hearing from everyone and staying up to date on what’s going on in your lives.  So please email me if you want to keep in contact.  kiley.eliason@myldsmail.net  

Then on Saturday, 5 people got baptized!  We all went to the stake center and the missionaries (22 of us in total) sang a musical number.  I was so happy for these investigators that made the decision to be baptized and it was a great experience because one of our own investigators, named Caro, accompanied us to see what a baptismal service is like.  She said she felt at peace and really enjoyed the program.  Baptism is such an important step in our lives because it is a covenant (or a promise) that we make with God to be obedient and follow his commandments.

Hermana Perez and I have been working really well together.  Our visits and lessons went well this week and I am really happy.  I love each day here and continue learning more and more.  One quote I read this week that I really liked was, “There are only 2 days in the year in which you can do nothing.  The first is called yesterday, and the second is called tomorrow.”  Today is our day to change for the better.  Sometimes I find myself dwelling too much on things of the past or contemplating too much on things to come in the future, that I forget to enjoy today.  I like to ask myself what I am doing now to reach my true potential and achieve my goals.

Here I am with the mission
president's wife (Hermana Villareal)

Some random things that happened this week:

* Hermana Perez & I bought a star fruit out of curiosity, because neither of us knew what it tasted like.  It was actually really yummy (kind of had the texture of a peach).

* I bought chili shampoo - in hopes that I won’t be losing as much hair.  The water here has lots of chemicals and from walking under the sun all day, my hair isn’t too happy.

* I think my new craving is Jello!  hahah  Every night during planning before bed, I eat a cup of strawberry and peach Jello  :)

All in all, everything is superb.  I am healthy, and happy and hope you all are as well!

Con mucho amor,

Hermana Eliason

Teaching and Learning

On Monday morning Hermana Perez and I hurried with cleaning the house and washing our clothes, because in the afternoon we went to the Centro for the first time.  (I can now wash all my laundry by hand within 45 minutes!!)  It wasn’t a long bus ride to the Centro, and I realized how much I miss riding the bus every day in Fresnillo.  Here in Boulevares, Hermana Perez and I have never used the buses and don’t know the routes.  But, I also like all the exercise we get from walking everywhere.

Once we arrived in the Centro, we looked for the Calle Hospitalidad to encounter [find] Correos de Mexico so I could send my package.  It almost weighed 4 kilos!! I did not realize that it was so heavy, but I was so excited to send it off to my family.  I hope it arrives safely and quickly.  We stopped by the store to buy a couple of things and then headed back home around 3pm.  I ate my new favorite meal = tortillas with avocado and cheese with yogurt on the side and some popcorn for dessert.  :)  haha

In the evening we had a family home evening with Hermana Hernandez, her daughter, Teresita.  Hermana Chavez, and the elders, we taught about forgiveness and repentance.  Afterwards we played several really fun games.  :)  we all got a good laugh from the various games and it felt so great to spend time with them.

Here I am with a 4 (almost 5) year old little girl named Itzel. She is the daughter of the girl I took a photo with last week.  Her mom is 18 years old. There are SO many young pregnancies here!  She's adorable.

On Tuesday, we had a district meeting.  Our district gets along really well.  :)  We learned about the importance of talking with EVERYONE!  Contacting is actually pretty fun for me.  

Two people we visited on Tuesday were Hermana Luz and Jaime.  Hermana Luz has recently been reactivating and coming back to church.  She accompanied us for our lesson with Andrea Campos.  Andrea said that she feels good when we visit, but doesn’t think another baptism is necessary (she was baptized as a infant.)  We explained to her that babies and infants are innocent and pure and therefore they don’t need to be baptized because baptism is for the remission of one’s sins.  She said she’d pray to receive an answer.     Jaime has been advancing rely well with the lessons, but it is hard for him to come to church on Sundays.  When we taught him, we focussed on the commandment to keep the Sabbath Day holy and why attending church is so important.  He promised to attend this Sunday.

This week we ran into Finita.  She is known throughout the colonia, because she sews everyone’s clothes and sells her famous mangonadas.  Although she says she’ll never change from her family’s Catholic traditions, Finita loves to help all the Mormon missionaries.  She hems & sews for us for free, and always sends us on our way with a mangonada (it’s like a popsicle, but in a cup.  If it’s a fruity flavor and water based you add lemon juice and chili powder - and if it is milk or cream based, you add lechera and cinnamon)  I think they’re scrumptious.  And Finita knows a little english because she lived in Ohio for 6 months when she was 19 years old.  So sometimes she’ll remember a phrase and it makes me smile.  Today as we were walking into her kitchen to pick out our mangonadas, she said, “Come on, baby!”  I was dying with laughter.  She is about 58 years old and so friendly and funny. 

Food:  On Wednesday at lunch we were able to serve ourselves caldo (it’s a soup with vegetables & chicken)  I only served myself vegetables - cauliflower, carrots, zucchini, potato, onion, and corn.  But Hermana Perez picked through the stew to find the chicken liver, which she likes.  And Miguel was content with his pato (chicken leg - but the claw part).  Some food I miss from home:  my mom’s homemade wheat bread, my dad’s famous salmon and brussel sprouts, brownies & rice crispy treats, pesto (especially with my mom’s ravioli / green beans & bell pepper dish), peanut butter, Nutella, graham crackers, veggie straws, licorice, otter pops, V8 juice & smoothies (even my mom’s super healthy smoothies with kale and spinach), tomato basil soup, paninis, waffles, etc.  I could go on & on!!  haha  I miss my parents' cooking & our kitchen.

And this is a really cool slide we visited on our p-day.
It is a super fun park and I will send more pictures of it next week.

On Saturday we encountered a young mother of 5 who is in the process of moving to Fresnillo!  Her mom died in February and asked us questions in regards to what is going to happen to us after this life.  We shared a little about the plan of salvation that our Heavenly Father has for each of us.  She was so humble and hopeful, although she shared with us that she’s lived a very hard life.  My experiences with the people here have made me so much more grateful for all the many blessings I’ve received in my wonderful life.  I’ve realized that I haven’t really had any major challenges in my life and that I’ve always been surrounded by an incredible family and fantastic friends. 

In the afternoon, we taught Jose Manuel about the importance of baptism and why we need to be baptized.  He and one of our other investigators named Fahi both accepted the invitation to be baptized on August 23rd if they receive an answer that the things we are teaching them are true.  :)

This week we met a 15 year old girl named America.  She assisted [attends] church with her aunt, because she stays here in Boulevares every weekend & lives with her mom during the week in a town an hour away.  She was so sweet and is in a critical point in her life.  She was wearing a heavy metal band T-shirt with ripped up jeans, studded bracelets and had scars all up her arms.  But I could see a light in her young eyes and a soft spot in her heart that was very different from her outward image.  We talked with her and gave her a Book of Mormon (because she said she loves to read :)  )  and sent her on her way with some skirts and blouses that were too small for us.  She was so grateful and said she’d be coming to church next Sunday with her aunt again.

I love being a missionary because I have learned not to judge anyone based on their outward appearance.  Each person has so much potential.

After our visits we returned to the house and discovered that there was no “luz” or electricity.  So it was pitch black and 9:15 at night.  Hermana Perez and I actually had fun using two candles to finish our studies / planning and get ready for bed.  And luckily by morning we had light / electricity again.

I love my mission.  I love my companion.  I love learning and am so grateful for friends and family.  Thank you for your support.

Until next week!

Hermana Eliason

Thoughts from my journal

Today I mailed a package home for my sister, Miranda's, birthday in a few weeks - so I didn't have a chance to really put a good Blog entry together.  Here are some random facts from my journal.

*     This week, we got our hair cut on Monday by our investigator, Andrea Campos, because we knew she could use the money (60 pesos = less than 6 dollars)  I am going to have such a shock with U.S. prices when I return.   
*     In the evening on Monday, we had a Family Home Evening with Nayeli and the Arrondondo family.  We talked about love, charity and forgiveness.  Afterwards we had a simple and quick dinner together (tortas).  It was good bonding time and I can tell that Nayeli is feeling more comfortable with us, the lessons, and the church in general. 

Here is a cool mural on the wall!

*     On Tuesday we taught Mariel Cadena.  She’s a single Mom, 22 years old and a less active member.  We read Helaman 5 with her and talked about repentance, and how we could apply the story in our lives.  She was really interested, and it was awesome to see her face light up.  She understood more and felt the Spirit.  I love reading the Book of Mormon and learning/connecting everything together.  :)

*     We taught the first lesson to a lady named Ime.  She lives solo (never got married or had any children) and hasn’t been working for 14 years!  She’s about 75 years old and loves to talk.  She’s receptive, but hasn’t been taking us too seriously - for example, she’s been calling us "Hermanitas" and has intended on teaching us a thing or two about the Catholics.

*     We had lunch this week with the Gaggini family (the mom & dad of Hermana Jaqualine from France)  This is their last week here & I’m really going to miss them.  They’re such great people, and I love that in their older age they are still traveling together & learning things  :)

These are the parents of Hermana Jaqualine who had been living here in Mexico
for 6 months and are returning to France this week! They were so awesome!

*     We had our district meeting on Wednesday and have two new members to our district.  I love that we are from all over the world!  I want to travel the world some day, and especially more of Mexico, Central America, and South America, because I can use my Spanish.

I love the young women here and they love me!

Here I am with two of them :)

*     A great thing about a mission is our weekly planning time.  I love it!    I learn so much from Hermana Perez and I love the advice she gives me.  I am incredibly happy in this companionship with her and I know I was called to be her trainer for a specific reason.  I love knowing that we have each other’s trust and only want to help one another progress and become better.  I can tell that she is a true and sincere friend.

*     Another family we taught this week was the Cadena family.  They are each individually great people and are striving for more unity in their home.  We talked about 8 ways in which we can strengthen our families:  

1.  have family prayers in the mornings and nights.  

2.  Have family home evenings each week.  

3.  Study the scriptures together.  

4.  Do things together like walks, card games, dinner, etc.  

5.  Learn to be kind, patient, and charitable.  

6.  Go to church each week together.  

7.  Follow the counsel given in D&C 88:119  

8.  Do temple work for your ancestors and be sealed together.   :)

*     This week we also taught a new investigator named Blanca.  She is a mother of 5 young boys and cleans houses during the day (she must be exhausted all the time!)  But she was really receptive and open.  We are also visiting her sister who lives below her, and one of her brothers who is also living in an apartment on the floor below.  (She has 14 siblings in total!)

*     Church this Sunday was SO awesome!  In the morning, we passed by for Hermana Velasco and she opened up her door all dressed up and ready!!  I am so so happy for the progress she has made!  She has stopped drinking her coffee and took the first step today in coming back to church.  We then passed by for our investigator Imelda.  She too was all dressed up and ready to go!  Wahoo!!  Best feeling ever.  Then, in the first hour for sacrament meeting, Leonardo showed up!  He has been less active for years, and he lives alone so we haven’t  officially taught him a lesson yet.  But we encountered him the other day when we were looking for Blanca’s apartment.  He is her neighbor and told us he had been baptized.  We invited him to attend church this Sunday, but that was all.  Our encounter with him lasted only 4 minutes or so, and I honestly didn’t think he’d actually attend.  So, I was pleasantly surprised!

Here is a photo of Miguel in his cute little remote car ;)

*     Funny story:  While practicing Hermana Perez’s English, we passed by 5 little girls, all playing together.  And when they heard me speak, they looked at me like a celebrity and asked me, 

       “Do you know a lot of English?”  to which I replied, 

       “Yes.  Do you girls know any English?”  

They all looked at one another, and then one of them said, 

       “Hello!”  to which the remaining little girls repeated, 

       “Hello!  Hello!  Hello!  Hello!”  haha.  It was really cute :)  

As I walked away I said 

       “Bye!”  and they all started repeating and shouting  

       “Bye!  Bye!  Bye!  Bye!”

Oh, I'm out of time.  Until next week!  Thank you for your love and support!

Hermana Eliason

Love

Hello family and friends!  I hope everyone had a fantastic week and all is going well.  I wanted to start off by saying how grateful I am for all the love, support, and letters/emails I’ve been receiving.  Each Monday (our Preparation Day) we are given 1 hour to email - and I have been receiving so many emails that sometimes I don’t respond until the following week or two and my responses are pretty short.  But regardless, I hope you all understand how much it means to me that you are thinking of me and keeping in touch.  I love you all and truly appreciate and miss each of you … so a huge thank you!

This week flew by, like always, and was great.  Hermana Perez and I are working really hard and loving every second of our time here.  Our area has a lot of potential, and we’ve been keeping super busy with all our visits and lessons.  Today we completed 6 weeks together!  :)

Our investigators have been progressing, but the hard part is getting them to attend church.  Almost all of them say it’s too early (starts at 9:00 am) and we’ve been doing all we can think of to help them.  For example, we call them the night before, and pass by their apartments in the morning, but they don’t open the doors because they’re all sleeping.  So that’s kinda rough - but we’ll keep working on solutions - maybe we can give them each a pet rooster :) hahaha

The weather this week wasn’t bad at all.  It never got to the point of a down pour like last week, but occasionally it would drizzle on and off.  And I liked when it was cloudy, because Hermana Perez and I weren’t dying of heat.

Funny story:  So, it takes a while for Hermana Perez to fall asleep, while on the other hand, as soon as my head hits the pillow, I am fast asleep.  Apparently, she was a little startled one night when I said, “Hermana?” to which she replied, “Si” and I asked her, “Porque siempre estamos pidiendo perdon?” (Why are we always asking for forgiveness?)   In the morning, she asked me what I meant by my question during the night, and I (of course) had no idea what she was talking about.  So, we found out this week that I talk in my sleep … in Spanish  :)  hahaha

This week was America’s Birthday (4th of July)!  I hope everyone got to see some fireworks and celebrate.  :)  Here it was just a normal day  (The Mexico Independence Day is in September)  so we did our visits and taught our lessons like any other day.

Posing for the 4th of July in the house

We had a zone meeting this week, which only happens once a month with all the other missionaries in our zone (about 24 of us in total).  I love seeing all the familiar faces and catching up with how everyone else is doing in their areas.  One thing I’ve learned about the mission is how happy someone can be for another person.  Although I hardly/barely know the majority of the people here, I love them all so much and get so excited to hear how they’re doing.

Here I am with Hermana Martinez (she arrived in the mission
the same day as me, and was companions with Hermana Flores in the CCM)
She is super nice.

Here are all the Hermanas at the zone meeting.
Each transfer, more and more American Hermanas are arriving.

On Saturday, we visited Sinai Romero - who’s been in the hospital for about a week.  She lit up when we entered the room and said it meant a lot to her that we stopped by.  For about an hour, we just sat by her bedside and listened to her talk about her life and tell stories.  Sometimes people just need to be heard and know that someone who cares, is listening to them.  It made me wish I had time to visit all the people in the hospital who are lonely and need cheering up.

“Christlike love is the greatest need we have on this planet.  Pure Christlike love flowing from righteousness can change the world.” - Jeffrey R. Holland

I love this gospel.  I know that it is true with all my heart and that it can bless the life of every person.  I love being a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  And I also love you all dearly and hope and pray for your success and happiness.

xoxoxo,

Hermana Eliason

This is the son of a recent convert named Miguel
jumping on his cute little trampoline :)