WOW!

What a couple of weeks this has been. There’s no way I can write about it all, I’ll tell you in 18 months. But I’ll try and hit some of the most important parts. I’m gonna do it a little different this time, sorry.

Leaving the CCM

This felt like 400 million years ago. It was a strange day, sad and exciting all the same, also the 2nd longest day of my life (after the first day in the CCM). We woke up at 3, left the CCM, went to the mission home, met the Pres & wife (Pres’s family is from Troy!?), had some orientations, met our companions, then OFF! My companion is Hna Roca from Bolivia

which means she speaks Spanish which means I cannot communicate with her which means I am like a caveman, point and grunt. It’s quite interesting. She’s great though. Casi un año. She’s fun and I imagine even more fun if I could understand her. But I think I will learn a lot from her so I’m excited!

Day 2 was really hard for me. They all have been, but every new day gets a little easier. I just feel like a baby. I can’t walk or talk or do anything for myself. I have no idea where I am or what I am doing. Pretty much you’re not born with a missionary instinct. So pretty much I spend the whole day choking back tears. Wondering if any of it was worth it, why I was here, what I was doing, you know all sorts of dumb things. But really, really overwhelmed, basically. But of course God knows my struggles.

We met with this woman who has had cancer for some years now. We started the lesson with “all is well” (in Spanish of course) and then, she looking straight at me testified (in the fastest Spanish I’ve ever heard) of God’s love for us. That He knows our struggles and will carry us through them. He has a plan for us and is preparing us for His purpose. She continued about how important it is to have a good attitude because it will pass, all this coming from a woman who has been in and out of cancer for years. But this was exactly what I needed to hear. I don’t think I can really explain the experience to y’all but it was really so perfect and although the days following have been hard and overwhelming, I keep coming back to this experience. Perseverar hasta el fin!

Food

The food here is tan rico, en verdad, mm. s’good

I ate a ground beef taco Tuesday and some weird beef strips Friday. I don’t like it. Red meat is weird. I’m sure I’ll have a lot more to say on the topic of food in the future, so I’ll leave it at that for now. But I have good news. 1. Dunkin donuts. 2. I’ve heard rumors of shwarmas. 3. Papa Juans. I might survive here after all! (OH and the ICE CREAM. That is SOO good!)

People

They really are so great and wonderful and kind and everything you could ever hope for and speak Spanish really fast and I never have any idea what they are saying ever, except when I don’t want to. For example, I stick out like a sore thumb. I have never felt more out of place in my life. Ever. Especially in the streets. I swear if one more Peruvian man yells, “Rubio, guapa, Americana, chiquita, blanca, alta muñeca, winks, waves, whistles or makes a kissy face at me, I WILL throw a Libro de Mormon at him :) in a good way! I am too white and too tall and skinny (never thought I’d say that)… but its interesting the things that I find difficult that I didn’t realize just how out of place I would feel. It doesn’t help that when I can’t understand I just smile. Makes the situation worse.

We met this one guy at the Capilla who was saying something or other to me. I assumed he was a member. Apparently not. I guess he was asking for my email to send me messages. Thank you Hna Roca for saving me yet again. And yesterday we contacted this one man who kept wanting to know my first name. Yeah no. But I could actually understand everything he was saying. Especially when we were leaving and he said (in English), “You are the most beautiful woman in the world. Do you understand?” Yes, I understand English and no thank you. I think you get the point. There are some men who are “too friendly”

Subject change

So we’re living with two other Hnas. The first few days we didn’t have a dwelling. We were sleeping on their floor.

In this tiny room, so we spent the majority of the first few days looking for a place to live. IMPOSSIBLE. So that was quite stressful. We weren’t looking for much anything at this point. Friday night the ZL (zone leader) called us and told us they found a place. It was perfect. Probably one of the nicest apt in the mission. Brand new. Spacious and it’s for the four of us. Which is nice to live with others. Saturday morning we moved in and now I think things will be less stressful.

One of the sisters was asking me the other day what sports I play or if I’m a dancer. Ha. No. She was surprised. “I don’t know, you just look like an athlete.” I thought it was funny.

Sorry this letter is so lame there’s just too much at this point. It’ll be better next time, I promise!

In summary, it’s been a hard week. I’ve never prayed so much in my life (basically because everyone wants to hear the gringo pray) but really. I know I’ll figure this all out eventually. In the meantime, just pray that everyone remains patient with me! And that I can be patient with myself. I’m learning quickly and before I know, I’ll know this like the back of my hand and hopefully soon I’ll be able to communicate with other people!

Alright! I love you all! Thank you for the support, love and prayers. I miss you all. Stay golden!

Much love,

Hermana Anderson

P.S. Please don’t think that all that has happened this week is encounters with people who are amazed to see a white person.

I’m having a great time, a wonderful learning experience, spiritual growth, all sorts of great experiences. I really am learning to trust in the Lord 100%. I know that all things will turn out for my good and I only need to be patient! I’m excited to start seeing dem Milagros. This work is wonderful!

More on life next week! Stay tuned!