Week 53 ... and I'm in a Trio!!

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh best p-day after a crazy week ever!!!!!!

Today we got to go and help clean the temple, and it was soooo fun. I feel so thankful for the opportunities God has given me here in Paraguay that I could never get in any other place. Like my companions, the temple (and its amazing artwork) and all the people who live here in Paraguay.

So you know how my comp was sick last week... well turns out she was too sick to stay in Paraguay so, they sent her home. and now my companion..s...... are Hermana Sanders, AND Hermana Argyle. were in a trio, and we have to visit all of our Ward now. So our area just got a lot bigger. So yea, it's been a bit of a struggle getting things with both áreas taken care of, but I'm having fun and were making it work. And it seems as if our hard work has payed off, because we had 18 less active members in church this sumday, and 3 investigators, so yay! we're working. I'm so glad to be able to go out and share with the people again. It feels like it's been a long time since I've been out and visiting people. Also, it's so cool to see how my companions teach, because I've only ever seen them in practices and in non lesson type occasions, but they teach really well and it's cool to see how their Spanish has improoved since I met them. it's so exciting to see progress!

It's been a crazy week for me. Monday I was with Hermana Puac, Tuesday she found out she was going home. Wednesday I had divisions with the sister leader trainers, Thursday I went to immigrations and the office and had to say good bye to Hermana Puac, and up until I got to the office on the way back from immigrations I still didn't know who my companion would be, and as we walked into the office, I found Hermana Sanders and Hermana Argyle, and the secretary told me they were my new companions until the end of the transfer. So until December 3rd I'll be in a trio. and I'm praying I get to train next transfer, since training takes two transfers, and I only have 3 left...... I NEED to train next transfer, haha, if thats what God has planned for me. But I'd be happy to stay in a trio too, because its been pretty fun with the three of us.

But anyway, I just want you all to know that I love you, I'm doing ok, and I'm happy. :))

I hope you all have a wonderful week.

Week 52 ....and one day

Well friends, family, I know I'm super late haha. Let's just say it's been a long week. and I was going to bring my journal, so I could share with you all something I wrote, but maybe it'll be more fun if you just see it in person.

Anyway, what happened is, my comp, hna. p, has been sick and last week we ended up in our house almost all week. on Wednesday I made a list, titled, "what to do when your bored as a missionary." and then my list contained things like :
1. do personal study.

2. do language study.

3. eat lunch alone.

4. check to see if your sleeping comp is still breathing.

5. be happy your comp is breathing.

6. wonder if you should wake her up.

7. say a prayer.

8. decide to let her sleep.

9. do laundry by hand.

10. hang up wet laundry.

And it continues haha there's like 75 items on my list, but you know, it's cool. I washed all my dirty clothes so that's good. and I got lots of other stuff done too. By staying in the house all week I've learned to really appreciate the opportunities I have to leave and work. So you know, all you able bodies people out there don't complain because you're tired from your jobs or your callings. Be thankful that God gave you the energy and the ability to do what you need to do. Work is a blessing. Also, a special note for my missionary friends, be thankful for every moment that the Lord has give us to be out in the mission field. Be thankful for the blessing of two legs, two arms, two hands, two eyes, a heart, a mind, and every thing else you need to be out there sharing the gospel.

Sadly, this Friday, we'll be sending my comp home to Guatemala, so she can have better medical attention in her home country and be relieved of the stress of being on the mission. But it's ok. She's going to be much better there, and she has lots more to do to help her family to get sealed and united for eternity. My only worry here is who will be my companion haha. and hope that I'll be able to stay here in Loma Pyta so I can help the people here, and see Cinthia be baptized.

Anyway, know that I love you all, and that I'm praying for you, and I'll be back to normal with my new comp next Monday. :))

Here's a pic from last week when they went to the Chinese restaurant, thanks to Hermana Sander's Awesome Mom!

Week 51.... kinda like Area 51, its hard to believe its real

Well, it’s week 51. haha and well it’s been a good week. We helped Cinthia move in to live with Nenii, and now they can go to church together, and they can keep each other company and ahhhh I’m so happy haha. Hermana Welch and I had the idea a long time ago, but we decided to maybe give them to hint super sneaky subtle and see if they figure it out on their own. so we told Cinthia maybe she could find a place that would be better for her to live than were she was, and we told Nenii she should see if she could find somebody to stay with her in her house so she wouldn’t be so lonely. And just about a month later boom! Nenii invited Cinthia to live with her for only 100,000 Guaranies a months, which is wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy cheap. So it’s a miracle! Yay! And all the sisters at church are in love with her baby, which makes sense, cuz he’s adorable, and he’s super happy if he’s being held. Sad though cuz I can’t hold him. :/ but it’s cool, cuz Nenii can and all the other sisters at church. So fellowshipping through mothering tips! Yay!

Today we went to a soccer museum and it was super cool. It had a bunch of trophies from like way back to 1902. It was cool. And pictures and videos from old soccer games. And we watched a video inside of a giant soccer ball about the history of soccer in South America. It was cool. We almost got locked inside. Which would have been crazy, but it’s cool. We made it out before they locked up.

Also, it must have been pretty hot today, because we all 4 got super sun burnt today haha. It feels nice to be crispy again. It reminds me of like 3 years ago when I went on a whale watching / fishing boat ride, and got one very burnt arm. I’m burnt like that, but all over haha,. it’s great. Imma be so brown tomorrow. Yea! Becoming more Hawaiian and more Latin all at the same time. weeeee haha

This Sunday was nice too, because a brother spoke about the authority of God, and how God always calls prophets and apostles, and gives them the power and authority to act in His name through the priesthood, and then he started talking about how that authority is what’s used to heal the sick and afflicted, and I was sitting next to Cinthia, and she remembered, and recognized that it was that power that healed her when the elders came to give her a blessing like 3 months ago, it was so cool. She remembered and she keeps saying she wants to get baptized so I know she will and its gunna be a wonderful day. I’m just so glad I get to know her, and help introduce her to the blessings of the Gospel. I wish I could bring her home with me haha.

But anyway, that’s what’s been going on here in Paraguay, and lots of rain and then lots of sun. So you know, just the normalness of Paraguayan summer, no big deal.

I love you guys! I hope you have a good week!

Hna Minks

Week 50 ish

Can't believe it's November! Time is flying by sooooo fast! and it seems as if the mission makes it go even faster. I just keep praying that my whole life doesn't fly by. I'd like some time to stop and smell the roses haha. But really, why does life have to go by so fast? It feels like yesterday when I met Kylee in 8th grade and that was 2006! It's been a few years. but you know, I'm always comenting on the time haha. It's just so crazy to me that it can pass so quickly without even noticing.

This week has been fairly unexciting, although there have been some pretty big storms, so when we got to Nenii´s house on Saturday her whole yard was under water. So we got to work and dumped water in a tube and soda bottle contraption to pump the water to the road and down the drain. so for about and hour or so we scooped and dumped water while we sang hymns. It was fun. My feet got nice and wet. The weather has actually been really nice lately, except for the flooding of people's houses. But it feels like winter in Hawaii so I was pretty happy. haha And now my legs are super sore and my arms are tired haha. Yesterday I could hardly even stand up or bend down to pick something up - haha - because my legs hurt so much. But it's ok, cuz it was really fun scooping water.

Today is Hermana Argyle's birthday, so we went to eat Chinese food, and we decorated her desk and wall with stickers that we made that say "felicidades" and "feliz cumpleaños Hna. Argyle" and stuck them to her desk with a bunch of balloons. It was fun. 

Also, its been pretty sunny lately, so my watch tan is as you say in Guarani, "purete" or in other words, totes legit. So you know when I'm not lazy, I'll send a picture of that - haha.

Also, basically a miracle happened, and Nenii all on her own invited Cinthia to live with her, which was what Hermana Welch and I had thought of on our own when Nenii was sad and wanted company, and Cinthia needed to find a place to live. so it's basically perfect, and were gunna help Cinthia move in on Thursday.

Other than that, everything is all normal, so you know, all is well in Paraguay. and until next week, I hope you are all well and fine and know that I love each of you!