Week 72. The end is nigh but has still not come.

Well my friends and family, it’s officially my last p day of my last week in Paraguay and my last few days as Hermana. It’s crazy. But it’s been a super good week. After working for 4.5 months in Ysapy at conference yesterday I got to see less actives in church, converts from Capiata, and members who have helped me to learn and grow and have become my familia Paraguaya. 

This week we’ve had a fun time making chipa for Easter week, and making people laugh. We also had a fun experience in conference. The English wasn’t working so we missed the first two sessions, but Sunday we all watched in Spanish. It was fun to practice my interpretation skills. My notes are very spanglishey. 

I’m not really sure what to say today, seeing as I can’t send pictures because I forgot my card reader.

I guess, I mostly want to thank all of those who have supported me while I’ve been here. Thank you for all the letters, packages, and emails. Thank you for your prayers for me and the people in Paraguay and for my family. Thank you for sharing your love with me. Each of you have made mission that much more special. 

Nos vemos en facebook! 

Week 71............. General Conference!

Before I say anything, I just want you all to know, that today every person who has walked past me in the cyber has stopped and stared. I think I have something on my face or in my hair or something. I feel like the animals in the zoo. pobrecitos. 

This week has been good. Heavenly Father has heard my prayers and those of many other missionaries in Paraguay and sent us almost a whole week of chilly weather. It was the best. I say was because after 4ish days of wearing my jacket the sun came out today and I’m sweaty again. It’s the worst haha. But it’s true what they said. It’s not as hot as it was before. Sweating is the worst. I hope it gets cold again very soon. Although I think Paraguay wants to say good bye to me with the sun so well see how life goes. 

We had our zone conference this week, and as tradition of President McMullin, I gave my testimony because I’m going home this transfer. I didn’t know what to say, but after the conference everybody told me it was good testimony. So I guess it went well. And well since its week 71 of 72 and I don’t know if we’ll have time next week to write, I want to share my testimony with you all as well, one last time as Hermana Minks. 

I hope you all know that I know that the church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints is the only true church upon the face of the earth. I know that God lives, I know we are his children, and I know he loves us. He answers our prayers and He is always watching over us. I know that Jesus is the Christ, the savior of the world. He is the messiah. I know he paid for our sins, our sicknesses, and our afflictions, and I know He loves us. I know that God has placed his power and authority on the earth today. That worthy male members of the church of Jesus Christ can hold the priesthood and can perform sacred ordinances that are necessary for our salvation. I am thankful for the knowledge I have been given and the blessing I have to have been born in the faith of my parents. I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God and that it was written by ancient prophets for our time and day and that it will guide us to a knowledge of truth and light and a testimony of our savior Jesus Christ.  Whether you be missionaries like myself, members of this church or of another, or a nonbeliever all together, I hope you all can give our savior a chance to make a difference in your lives. He is making a difference in mine, and I know that he can change our lives. 

I love you all, I love our Heavenly Father, and I love the Savior Jesus Christ. 

See you next week! 

<3 Hermana Minks

Week 70 de Setenta y Dos

Well, it’s been a really good week! It’s like after a million years of drought the rain finally came. We’ve been visiting a young man who’s been inactive for about 7 years, the last few months, and yesterday por fin! He came to church. It was the best. We met up on the corner and walked half a mile to church together and when we got there everybody greeted him, and those who know him told him they missed and hugged him. It was awesome. We’d been working so much with him it was wonderful to see that he was received so cheerfully in the chapel again. And he sat with friends the whole three hours. 

We’ve been finding lots of inactive members this week, which means lots of work reactivating families. We’ve been finding new investigators as well. 

It was funny, because last week Sunday was Hermana Terraza’s birthday, and we celebrated it kind of ish. but Andrea (a member in the branch) had planned a surprise with my comps family. It was supposed to be for Monday, but she called and canceled on Monday so we moved it to Tuesday. And Andrea canceled otra ves. And then on Wednesday we went to her house and she didn’t have anything and we were supposed to be teaching her brothers girlfriend but nobody was home, and my comp was probably about to throw me out the window for making her walk like 4 miles to get there from where we were only to cancel again. And then we went to the chapel for ward council, and Andrea had the young women’s room all decorated with balloons and pictures from my comps family, and presents. It was a good surprise, and I’m glad it ended because I’m pretty sure if we had to reschedule one more time my comp may have eaten me de verdad. haha. But all is well that ends well and we had a good time. 

Also, a spur of the moment opportunity for Hermana Terrazas to go to the temple with some people from her last area came up, so I did a division with one of the hermanas in Juande Salazar in Luque and my comp went to the temple with Hermana Welch. I got to meet a bunch of cool people and take a break from the routine in our area. It was fun getting to know Hermana Agilar as well. We had planned to get back to our area about 8 pm. but they didn’t leave the temple until after 8 and got back to Luque at 9:30, so we had to stay the night in their house. 

Also! Exciting news!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It’s not hot anymore!!!!!!!!!! Yesterday and today it was cool and nice out all day! I haven’t even had to take me sweat rag out. Its soooo awesome. I think Paraguay wants to be nice to me one last time before I die haha .

All in all its been a good week and I’m happy. I hope you all have a wonderful week as well! 

con amor, Hermana Minks

p.s.

Sadly, something weird happened with my sd card, and it only lets me attach the entire folder of pictures which is wayyyyyyy too big to download in an email. So I’ll be sending pictures in 2 weeks ish.