Everyday is an Adventure! 7/28/2015

Dear Family,

Sometimes I can't get over where I am and what I'm doing. It's been the craziest adventure of my life! It's really tiring and most of the time I have no idea what I'm doing but I know all these experiences and things I'm learning are sinking deep in my heart. I can't say "WOW, I'm completely different now," but something I do know is that the rest of my life will be different now and my perspective of life has changed. I think that is the main reason why God wanted me to serve a mission. I needed to refocus my life a little. I'm very grateful for that reason alone. I can just see right past the worldly façade and see what truly matters. Maybe it won't last forever when I get home--better believe that I want an iphone and all my clothes again--BUT still I see differently.

Well my companion opened a hair salon and I was her first customer. I was so sick of the blonde at the end of my hair. It just was not looking good any more. I also didn't want to cut it off. So we went to the store and bought some hair dye and dyed it that night. I didn't believe it would work haha but it did and now I'm all over brunette. It looks a lot better. 

We had a great week with Kosviello! We saw him on Wednesday and had a really good lesson. He told us that he made a goal to read one chapter from the BOM everyday. He also said he's ready to be baptized. We set a date with him for August 8. He said he's not sure if he'll pass school this year (By the way the school system is so weird. No one passes. There's 18 year olds in middle school). Anyway, he decided to fast the next day to do well on his tests. We checked in on him the next day and he was doing soo good. He was so happy. He went to church all by himself on Sunday.

We kept missing Dobyen this week and so we didn't see her at all this week! Sad, but she's still doing great. Her mom is so nice. I really think when her mom's done with school that she will sit down with us too.

Miracle this week. We introduced this 21 day challenge to Sunshine, Lucratia, and that whole crew. It has you pray for people to share the gospel with everyday and has some scriptures to read. They all haven't been to church in a while. They say they don't have money but I think it comes to priorities...I don't know. Anyway, on Thursday we went over. Sunshine was so excited because one of the girls she had been praying to share the gospel with was there. Her name is Lucinda. We invited her in the lesson and she came. By the end of the lesson she said she wanted to be baptized. And on Sunday she came to church with Sunshine and all them. So cool! 

Friday we went to Uitkike for a shadow. It's always an adventure there because we are in the jungle. It's fun. We went to see this one family that lives kind of in this village thing. By the time we were leaving we had this herd of little girls following us and holding our bikes so we couldn't go. They were so cute. We also saw this one member who is less active. He was baptized when he was 8. He is 31 now. I guess when he was 17 he got into drugs. He is so messed up now it's sad. He is basically delusional. Don't do drugs kids! We went to another investigator family whom we LOVE. We went there last time. They are the coolest! They make plantain chips and we got to see them make them. I'll show you a video when I'm home. 

Saturday we went to a Ritvield family member birthday party. Sister C got really sick all of a sudden and was throwing up. We finally got her home but she was sick all day and then sick on Sunday too. We didn't go to church or out that day. She is feeling better now and no I'm not sick. Knock on wood. Already did. 

I've been reading all about early church history. I'm really getting into it. SO MANY COOL THINGS. So many miracles and visions and wow. I'm blown away. I'm so inspired by the faith and diligence of the early saints. I'll try and be like them. 

Love always,

Elizabeth