Sunshine in Santa Cruz
from Kate about her knee: "It really all was such a miracle. I can't even describe it. But the prayers have been felt. I am grateful for everyone who has sent an extra prayer my way :)"
MONDAY: So we finally got the MRI results back, and everything is completely normal. Now I have an MRI scheduled on my head to see if I am crazy. I know that should be a relief, but I was really hoping to know what is up. But there you have it, if only the pain would match the results. Also I left my knee brace in the taxi. Oops
TUESDAY: We don’t have too much to do, well we do. We just don’t have the investigators to do it with. So that’s been rough. We went to visit J. who always has his door open, so we were about to walk in when we saw two women with him. The JWs. Kinda like when you walk in on your boyfriend with another girl. It was very uncomfortable. So we just backed out and waited by the door before leaving. Darn JWs (pronounced jay-dubs).
We had a little Noche de Hogar with the Bishop and his family about Christmas. Folks, missions are hard; beautiful, but hard. But you all already knew that. :)
WEDNESDAY: Remember like a month ago when I said summer was starting? Yeah that was a lie. Now summer is starting. It was the first time I saw a blue sky in Lima. It’s a Christmas miracle. But we really do live in the most beautiful sector, which comes at a cost of course. But we saw the sunset over the ocean.
Not too shabby :) Everyone else seemed to be enjoying the sun as well because no one was home and we find ourselves with quite the selection of strange men to talk to. Lima certainly has no shortage in that regard.
We did find this very nice British member. And it’s official, I’ll never be able to talk about the gospel in English again. It feels so strange.
THURSDAY: We helped another sister in the ward clean her house. I’m really fine tuning all my domestic skills out here ;) Grateful to have a mother who taught me how to work hard. She was a very sweet woman. Not mom, the sister (but mom too). I even found a match in my lunch, I think that’s good luck :). (I tell you these things, not to complain, only because it makes me laugh).
We had a couple lessons with N. & A. and E. and her family. Love them all :)
FRIDAY: We took, a recent convert D. to the temple.
It was lovely. We had to wait outside, but I’m sure it was lovely. We also saw about 5 weddings. (Gross.) On the way back we got kidnapped by a prophet/taxi driver. He had some very interesting ideas about himself and life in general. But I won’t spread his apostasy for you all, don’t worry. But he basically drove us all around Lima (passing through 3 missions) making the trip 3x longer than needed. But such is Peru. For example, the ward was supposed to leave for the temple at 3 and we didn’t leave ‘til 5.
SATURDAY: Had our zone Christmas service project. We went to a community stadium or something like that and helped out for a few hours. First I tied about 500 balloons until my fingers were literally bleeding. I had no idea being a clown was so difficult. Then we picked up trash for an hour or so. Being a delinquent is much more up my alley.
And then we scrubbed a pool for about forever. It was a fun little morning/afternoon. It is fun to see how surprised people are to see about 30 twenty year-old kids (half gringo) voluntarily offer service like that.
Then we went to the ward missionary activity (aka futbol y volibol). But children stress me out. I’ve got the adult Spanish down pretty well, but when children start trying to speak Spanish to me? Yeah, different story. And then somehow I always end up with children crawling all over me as I try not to move so I don’t have them on my lap or in my arms. Que dificil.
We were pretty exhausted by that point, but somehow found the energy to keep going, like we always do. We had a lesson with this less active woman who is so sweet and has had an incredibly difficult past, but really is trying.
SUNDAY: We’ve lost F. Makes me sad. I hate it when this happens. But he’ll find his way back. Church was good. Ate lunch with an Hermana. She served us Polenta. First meal I’ve had without rice. Then we headed to the office. I had a very nice interview with President. He’s a good man. I am very grateful for all he does.
We had a lesson with C. who’s had a hard time. This world is a hard, sad, sad place. I don’t know how this city has so many problems. I am so glad to have the gospel in my life, to give me at least some peace in it all.
Well it’s been a strange week. Full of ups and downs. I’ve had some good mission changing experiences. I am so grateful for this time I have warts and all.
I want you all to know how much I love this gospel and my Savior. I am very grateful for this time of year to remember His birth. Hard as it is to be away, there’s no where I’d rather be right now for this Christmas, a gift to my Savior.
I hope you all have a wonderful, fabulous week.
I miss you all and love you lots.
Love,
Hermana Anderson
Mosiah 18:8-10 I’ve been really thinking about this covenant. This promise I have made to mourn with those that mourn and comfort those that stand in need of comfort. As I have witnessed all sorts of burdens of those around me in these few weeks and had the opportunity to bear some of these burdens. I have been able to come closer to my Savior and come to a greater understanding and appreciation for his Atonement for me. It really is incredible.
