Tacos and transfers!
Or better yet: HOLA!
'Twas an interesting week in the bario de Español!
Fun fact: I still don't speak Spanish and I left our last Spanish event with a HEADACHE, but it was very maita'i roa!
Knowing that my comprehension and ability to communicate wouldn't be the greatest during Spanish lessons, I instead decided to focus on what I felt while teaching. With this focus, it was much easier easier recognize the Spirit that was felt. It was amazing to feel peace and upliftment during lessons and be able to still share my testimony. During one lesson with our amigo Mario, I shared a thought about repentance and it was then translated into Spanish. Mario kept pointing to me throughout the lesson. I had no clue why and just sat there in silence, hoping that the reason why he kept pointing to me wasn't because he got horribly offended by my statement. It turns out that he loved my thought and that it really helped him understand what repentance is!
We also went to the Spanish ward Thanksgiving dinner. We sat by Lorenzo, a friend who will be baptized in December, who is so golden and so fun. We chatted in English with the other missionaries. It was all fine and good until it was announced that they were going to do....
Speed dating to share what you are grateful for.
I quickly asked Hermana Lander for some Spanish phrases to help me before I talked to every member of the Spanish ward.
It was fun! I was able to figure some things out and communicate pretty well. This week I learned that not only does the Spirit communicate across language barriers, but fun and laughter do as well! Even though the Spanish Thanksgiving dinner challenged me so much (having never taken a Spanish class), I had so much fun at the party and laughed a ton with each member.
Please pray for our friend Hector! Also pray for our Spanish friends Mario, Lorenzo, and Luis. They are all incredible!
And now, a moment to talk about the updates with transfers.
I am no longer with Sister Day but am serving with the lovely Sister Dailey in Ontario! (Yes I do notice the resemblance between their names.) I will miss the fun times I had with my fellow trés bien Tahitian sister but am excited for the future! I have faith that this transfer will be one of miracles and excitement! I will still be living with Hermana Lander! As President Monson said, "the future is as bright as your faith."
One of the greatest miracles from this week is that I had tacos multiple times. On Tuesday, we had to go to the mission office in Riverside to drop off some papers. The trip was intended to be quick, but one of the senior couple missionaries walked into the room and said "do you guys want tacos?" So then we stayed and ate lunch with all of the senior missionaries as they gossiped about the young missionaries. Very fun.
A quick spiritual thought to finish out this email that would make English teachers cringe:
Alma 26:11-12:
But Ammon said unto him: I do not boast in my own strength, nor in my own wisdom; but behold, my joy is full, yea, my heart is brim with joy, and I will rejoice in my God.
12 Yea, I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things; yea, behold, many mighty miracles we have wrought in this land, for which we will praise his name forever.
I absolutely love this scripture! Sometimes I feel like I am stuck waiting for my weaknesses to become strengths (as it says in Ether 12.) But I take heart in knowing that I can do all things in HIS strength. I don't have to wait until I am a stronger person to do good things because I can rely on His goodness, love and mercy. We are enough NOW because of Jesus Christ.
Love you all! Je vous aime. Ua here au ia outou!
Nana! Hasta Luego! Au revoir!
Hermana? Sister Hatch
Note on the pictures: I was forced atop the Mechanical bull by members. I don't really know how it happened. But it did. Enjoy the pictures.
Also, to explain the picture with the man in plaid: he is Ramiro and is a recent convert. His sister makes him take a picture with the missionaries EVERY SINGLE TIME they come. He is precious and it was so exciting to see him pass the sacrament to us!
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