Gossip girl, crisis de chisme

Gossip girl: a tv show. (Ask Ari) Casual or unconstrained conversation or reports about other people, typically involving details that are not confirmed as being true.
crisis: a time of intense difficulty, trouble, or danger
Chisme: gossip. No me vengas con chismes. [Do not give me gossip.] (Thanks, Spanish Dictionary)

This week has been amazing and much of that has been due to my companion. She's full of energy, funny, fun to be around, focused, obedient and trying and just... great. She's great. And I just feel SO so blessed. I approached this transfer apprehensively, knowing that wherever I went or if I stayed, someone would have the burden of "killing" me. There's nothing I can do about it really, but I just felt bad for the poor Hermana who would have to do it. (Princess Bride, "You seem a decent fellow; I hate to kill you." "You seem a decent fellow, I hate to die.")  But Hermana Arauco said that she has always wanted to be my companion.  She's talked with people who have worked with me, heard my mission reputation, hoped and prayed and well... here I am. I told her I was sorry it came with the price of "killing" me and she responded (and I quote) "Hermana Een has got to be the best missionary to kill. Man, give me ten Hermana Eens, I'll kill 'um all!"

All talk of homicide aside, it's been pretty great. Vic is beautiful. It's the perfect little city of cobblestone, tiny streets, greenery, fields, tower bells that ring in every hour, and everything that Spain is supposed to be. The Hermanas here have been working hard and had an unheard of number of baptisms last transfer, which is great! So we have a lot of recent converts.... and no investigators. Pero no me importa, [But I don’t care] we'll get this area growing again if it kills me (and it probably will. Ok, no more jokes). We've talked to a ton of Africans with the charming ice-breaker "Ecom di-me pa!" (I am very hungry,) have done some good service, and eaten a lot.

But, as you know, there is opposition in all things. For the first time, I've been exposed to the mission gossip. I didn't even know that it EXISTED and never had the opportunity to take part in it -not that I'd want to. I feel as if I've been shown the shadow of El Faro. My heart ached and I wanted to disbelieve it all, but the stories fit too well together as circumstances were explained and it grew on the hint of a doubt I might have had. I've been blissfully and naively ignorant of it all up until this point and as my eyes were opened my outlook became grim. I know that no missionary, leader, mission, or person is ever perfect, nor do we pretend to be. But I still had the hope that all of them were at least good or trying to be.

In my gospel study I continue seeing the oft repeated plea, "keep the commandments," and now I'm starting to notice the importance of staying faithful as well. Keeping the commandments requires constant, continuous effort. It requires dedication, integrity, and well... faith. Faith in the principles of the gospel and that the inconvenience and potential social awkwardness is NOTHING to be compared with the blessings that await. This life is a character test, and there are no cheats involved because you're only cheating yourself in the end.

It doesn't matter how many miles you traveled on the right path if in the end, you miss the mark.

Qué fuerte [How strong], Hermana Een!

Endure to the end.

Remember the saving strength of the valiant few, those 2,000 sons of Helaman.

Oh, prove faithful.

Hermana Een

96

Dearest Children, God Is Near You

1.

Dearest children, God is near you,

Watching o’er you day and night,

And delights to own and bless you,

If you strive to do what’s right.

He will bless you, He will bless you,

If you put your trust in him.

2.

Dearest children, holy angels

Watch your actions night and day,

And they keep a faithful record

Of the good and bad you say.

Cherish virtue! Cherish virtue!

God will bless the pure in heart.

3.

Children, God delights to teach you

By his Holy Spirit’s voice.

Quickly heed its holy promptings.

Day by day you’ll then rejoice.

Oh, prove faithful, Oh, prove faithful

To your God and Zion’s cause.

Companionship fact: she has never been to a wedding and has only been

to one funeral.

Voy a Vic. Me muero aquí.

Morir: to die, stop living. (Thanks Spanish dictionary)
Six week shaft: A term I learned from my dear friend Sister Farmer for changing areas in your last transfer. In this case, it's seven weeks.
Voy: first person, to go
Vic: a charming little Spanish town in dead center Cataluña between Barcelona and France. It has a lot of pueblos (little cities) and a rama (branch... Not quite a ward, but almost).
Me muero aquí: a phrase my stressed trainee would often say. Basically "I'm going to die here."

We had a pretty great week. On Wednesday we had a great zone Enfoque [focus], focusing on unity, which was something that had been stressed in Concilio [leadership council] and honestly couldn't have come at a better time. We needed it. But we were also supposed to talk about teaching the word of wisdom so... we played a unity-building game of "eat the fruits and vegetables as fast as you can and go cheer on the next group." Kind of hard to explain, but it was great fun. We had kiwis. The group that had oranges all got sick after, but it was well worth it.

After that I started what was my 4th intercambio [exchange] with dear sweet Hermana Schmidt. We've sort of followed each other around the mission, and I have had the great opportunity to work, teach, see, and make miracles with her. It's always a pleasure to be with her and see the beautiful city of Zaragoza in the MANY buses that we took and ran to catch. Lots of running and great street contacts, but I wouldn't have it any other way.

With Hermana Schmidt in Zaragoza

Lleida hasn't been the easiest of areas for me and I know that as I've probably expressed in past emails, we haven't been able to see many of the fruits of our labor. BUT one day last week we met Alexandria. She was the only one on the street and we started talking to her,
"Would you like to know more?"
"Yes."
Really? "Can we write down your number?"
"Yes."
"Can we visit you on Thursday at 5?"
"Yes."
"Will you follow the example of Jesus Christ and be baptized by someone holding the priesthood authority of God?" Ok, we didn't say that part, but it was ALMOST that perfect.
We texted to remind her and she texted back within minutes. So we went to the cita [appointment], excited to teach. That excitement turned to nerves as she let us in, introduced us to her two other super interested and similarly perfect friends, and they all sat down to listen. It's been so long since I've met someone who understands and really wants to listen and to suddenly have three of them was overwhelming in the best possible way. Lleida's looking up!

With Alexandria and friends

We had some fun citas with a member that were more like "missionary present lessons" because sweet Daniela spent most of the time talking in Romanian, to which my gift of tongues does NOT extend. Pero bueno [but hey, it’s good].
Saturday of transfer calls is always interesting. It's filled with throwbacks (just in case) and anxiously trying not to think about it.
Planning is more of a hypothetical thing because if one of you leaves... there are people that NEED to be visited.

And so I got the call to go to Vic and be with Hermana Arauco.

So the week was full of goodbyes and packing (kind of a trial run, if you think about it, which I tend not to). We had 4 eating citas (good thing we'd fasted on Sunday) and at one point literally hopped from one members' car to another's. It's good to be loved, and I love SO many of the members here. I was blessed to get to see almost everyone I needed and wanted to, including Norma (one step closer to getting her papers done) Alexandria and her friends (for the BEST plan of salvation lesson ever), and the Arrandas (My family, but the Spanish version).

It's been good. That isn't to say it hasn't also been hard. On Sunday I had a big pain in my chest that might have been troublesome as it surged and ebbed but I didn't worry too much because I'm pretty sure it was just heartache. Es una cosa de la mission [It is a thing of the mission].  But that's when you know you've come to know a little bit more what true love is like. And it's worth it.

I shared this scripture with everyone because it's one of my favorites, so I guess I'll share it with you all again as well
Mosiah 2:41 And moreover, I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out faithful to the end they are received into heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness. O remember, remember that these things are true; for the Lord God hath spoken it.

Accidental matching outfits

So send your last letters to this address (seven weeks is plenty of time, hint hint.)
Love you all and have a great week!
Hermana Alayna Een

Hermana Arauco: has seven half-blooded siblings, and no full-blooded siblings. Is from Virginia.

Cumpleaños cumpliendo

Cumplir: to complete or carry out. Cumpleaños literally means "finish year" and we call it a birthday. It was Hermana Gutoff's birthday. Cuplir also means to finish. I had the opportunity to be with Hermana McWhorter- an Hermana I stayed with in my first night in the mission and who took me out contacting my first morning in the mission- who went to her last Concilio and will be going home this Tuesday. Cumplir can also mean to keep (guardar is the better word) as in "keep the commandments."

Cumpleaños. We started out the week with my companion's 20th birthday.  A birthday in the mission is usually a once-in-a-lifetime thing (unless you're an Élder or... special) so there's a little bit of pressure to make it something AMAZING (I guess...). And thanks to some 'piso find decorations,' a breakfast, a mission coordination meeting turned party, and some over-the-top contributions from the Elders, it really REALLY was. Basically, I'm STILL pulling confetti out of my bag, books, and agenda. Photos to follow, if I remember to include them.

Star Wars came out, and is still a really big deal

I did an intercambio [exchange] with Hermana Stapley! She was trained by Hermana Fenn (from my group and basically one of my favorite people in the world). Her hair is white blonde and I'm 90% sure that it's because of the sunshine in her soul. She's incredibly upbeat, loves Harry Potter, and could quote "Meet the Robinsons" along with me like a pro. Our intercambio started out a bit rough- I only caught the train by a hope and a prayer with two minutes 'til departure and the recent convert we were working with was stopped by (tip for the future, always carry your bus card) and then RAN FROM the police. Intercambios, always an adventure. But everything ended well, and then back to our areas and our companions, both a bit better off from the exchange.

We had a great lesson with an African man who sounds like Mufasa (the temptation to record him reading James 1:5 was GREAT) and rediscovered the missionary magic of brownies. (Member gives reference. The girl is "busy." We say "we're making brownies at Saundra's house." She says "que guay!" and comes.) I have a renewed testimony that God really does help us achieve our righteous desires when we go the extra mile and do OUR part.

Concilio was great as always. I felt like almost everything addressed (Christlike listening, district/companionship unity) was meant to help me, my companionship, and our area. I'm excited to teach and apply it.  I don't know what it is, some sort of magic of the mission home, but for the whole time I'm there, I feel such a profound love for EVERYONE there. It's incredible.  Another bonus is that many of these Hermanas are coming from areas where I've served and have incredible, heartwarming things to tell me:  Manuela gave her first talk in sacrament meeting and went to the ward temple trip. She's giving out references like candy and her family is finally opening up. Carol (someone I taught in my first area) is still obsessed with me and sent me Honduran scripture cases!

Our last concilio together

Our first concilio together, 

Elders Kimball,Day, Hermanas O'Neill and Fenn,
All from the same MTC group. All leaders. 

Hermanas pic!

With Hermana Wiseman, they served together in Barcelona

On my 16th month mark I completed a mission goal: I finished the Book of Mormon in Spanish. It quickly turned into another goal: to read it all again before I end.

It's going to be a little bit harder (to finish in 2 months what it took 16 to complete) and require focus and sacrifice but I'm energized to do it. And I noticed something as the train rides gave me ample time to read: the phrase "keep the commandments" appears on almost every page, sometimes multiple times.  Its been cropping up everywhere in my gospel studies and I'm starting to realize again just how important it is. Many times we think of "commandments" and immediately our minds go to "the 10." I haven't murdered and I'm not a liar, so I'm good, right? Not quite. God continues to speak to us, and he usually "speaks by way of commandment." God gives us commandments because he loves us and is a fair bit smarter than we are, so he gives us things to make our lives easier and better. The word of wisdom. Law of Chastity, etc. We keep the commandments because we love him. And then we are doubly blessed by it. How cool is that? And now, out mission rules are given us not to restrict our freedom or frustrate us, but to bless us and help us live the higher law. It isn't always easy, but it is always, ALWAYS worth it.  Mosiah 2:41. Actually all of that chapter. Read it, it's a good one.

Mosiah 2:41 And moreover, I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out faithful to the end they are received into heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness. O remember, remember that these things are true; for the Lord God hath spoken it.

Next week is transfers. Mixed feelings. Not at all sure what to expect or feel, but on we go.

Keep the commandments. Have a great week.
Love you all!
Hermana Alayna Een

The Work is Worth It

Worth: of high value or merit

Work: activity involving mental or physical effort in order to achieve a purpose or result

We sure walked a lot in the beginning of the week. Whether it was by poor planning on our part or communication issues with our investigators, I can't quite recall, but I remember walking, talking with people, the chill air as the hours passed, and being tired at the end of the day.

At some point my companion, thinking aloud, asked, "I wonder how Christ faced rejection." I imagine it was something like this: his face takes on a hint of sadness as he lets them get the last word or walk away and then quietly, lovingly, and humbly, he says "that's ok, I'll pay for your sins anyway."

Random deep mental wanderings aside, it's been a pretty good week. We sort of consistently struggled to get citas [appointments] but had the typical meetings and weekly things kept us going: District Meeting where we were attacked with confetti cannons in the most loving way imaginable, English class where getting them not to roll their 'r' is the HARDEST thing ever, coordination with some newly called and very excited Ward missionaries (and food, of course, because Javier wouldn't have it any other way), Noche de Barrio [ward night], and half-hearted practices for some more last-minute musical numbers.

We had a pretty incredible lesson with Ana and Norma and a new roommate named Celeste. We talked about the "what, why, and how" of baptism. I had had a hard time focusing in  personal study that morning, though I had done all of the things I was "supposed" to do (read in PMG, the Book of Mormon, another book of scripture (D&C this time)), I just wasn't feeling it until, with about 29 minutes left, I thought about Ana and Norma. I thought about what they needed, how we should teach them, and what scriptures/experiences would help get the message across. And like flipping switch I felt a new energy and excitement in what I found for them. It was the perfect jumpstart to the day. And I learned again the paradox: focusing on others is the best way to help yourself. As we moved smoothly from idea to scripture to discussion, Norma said "We aren't baptized, but we go to church. If we aren't members, then... What are we?" A great question. You can go to church as often as you want and feel the spirit, but if you don't make the covenant of baptism you'll never have the promise of his constant presence. And I think they finally got it. Norma is just waiting on papers to get married. Ana has a harder choice to make, but she committed to sincerely pray about it. And I finally feel like we're helping them again.  Hermana Gutoff gets bad migraines sometimes, and it's gotten worse lately. I should have seen it coming: 50% of the missionaries I work with end up with serious health problems and I've at least crossed paths with every missionary who's had to go home early. I'm like a bad luck charm. ;) but we'll get it figured out.

How you survive piso purgatory. The District, arts and crafts, journaling, food, and phone calls.

Sometimes I wonder about worth.

I've sent out hundreds of reminder texts for church and activities, made thousands of unanswered phone calls, and seen no results. 

Worthless is what it seems.

As every transfer comes to the last few weeks, I evaluate myself as a leader and missionary and am overwhelmed by just how much I've missed the mark. I haven't hit pautas [mission goals] for over six months or had a baptism since Eduardo, I don't even work with members as well as I should and really, why haven't I been released yet? Why haven't they just given up on me "it's been a nice run, Hermana Een" and passed the torch on to a more worthy candidate? Am I really worthy to be considered a leader?

We stop and talk to so many people: most are Muslim, all are busy and we find very few who stop and listen, much less who want to learn more. And yet we keep walking. We keep talking, and we keep inviting.

And then there are times that restore your faith.

Because a man named Julio you contacted and called actually followed up on his promise to come to church, and you realize that SOMEONE at least, got the message.

Because yesterday was Specialized training, and in the leadership meeting they of course talked about how we can help missionaries work better, but we also talked about how our first goal is the exaltation of the missionaries we work with, strengthening their faith, diligence, and testimonies. And I know that I have at least done that.

Because the Lord’s elect are out there. Manuela is one of them. Eduardo was too. And we're not here just to fill the font and see our names in the mission news. We are here to build Zion.

Surprise run-in with the Dayton crew at the train station

And I know that missionary work is worth it. I know that it's worth every rainy, windy, gloomy day. It's worth every pain, headache, and broken toe. It's worth every slammed door and rude contact. It's worth it because it's true. It's worth it because I know. I know that I am a child of God. I know that everyone I've ever contacted in every area I've ever been in is a loved spirit Child of our Heavenly Father. It's worth it because of the disciples of Christ that we are becoming. It's worth it because the book of Mormon is true. And I love it. I love the example of great missionaries like Alma, Amulek, and Ammon. I love the examples of the great missionaries I work with. It's worth it because of the seeds you plant and the testimony you write on your heart every time you bear it. And someday those who've heard it will remember and it'll ring familiar and true. It's worth it because of Christ, and the honor I have to put his name over my heart.

The worth of souls is great in the sight of God.

It's worth a year and a half.

It's worth a lifetime.

You were worth every drop of blood he shed for you. And helping people come to know that is a high and holy calling. One I'm grateful to hold.

Please remember your worth this week. And give a special prayer of gratitude.

I love you all!

Hermana Een

Companion fact: obsessed with seafood, prefers salty to sweet, and has 4 sisters

Answer

Because some of you have asked...

Companion: just hit half way. Has 5 siblings but only one brother. Is the second youngest but only missionary... Most are menos active. I love her a lot. She gets migraines and likes to talk things out which is great most of the time. I know I'm here to help her heal and grow.  She's from Utah but both of her parents are from Argentina so people expect her to be native. 

Area: a solid 80% of everyone we contact is Muslim, and it gets harder for me to find the energy to continue in what seems like it will probably be another dead-end contact. Our most promising people don't have solid schedules or don't answer their phones, but we keep working and are blessed with miracle moments that makes everything else worth it. We're a little lonely, being the only hermanas here, but the district is like a family. A really weird, high energy, slightly awkward family. ;)

Een: finally starting to realize that I have less than 60 days left in the mission field, determining to finish strong and see those last few miracles. Ready to go to my tenth Concilio and sometimes just feeling all around OLD. But there's still much to learn, grow, and DO. And on

we go.

Love you all!

Asombroso amor

Asombroso: Amazing, astonishing. Not quite what we thought it meant in the MTC as our poorly equipped tongues tried to find the Spanish equivalent of "awesome."
Amor: love. What does love mean? An intense feeling of deep affection.  I guess any reader with a bit of insight and slight awareness of the date (day after Valentine's Day) could guess what this week's sermon will be. But first, a little about our week.

We had a zone Enfoque in Zaragoza. I had the great pleasure of reviewing a section of the white handbook (Blanca biblia). I love the white handbook... A sacred trust to cover the section about "the opposite sex" the week of Valentine's Day. ;) But really, it's important to remember that we've been set apart. That we can't act the way we did before, we need to aspire higher. Do more than avoid the appearance of evil, give the appearance of GOOD. We came back, did a couple of pass bys, went to missionary coordination (where I've come to be called 'sergeant' because of my attention to the time and attempts to keep us on topic).

We got home justo en tiempo (just in time) and were greeted by our door, dark and hanging open. Moments of possible danger bring out your true nature. I'm a fighter (umbrella= weapon. Let's go!). My companion isn't. So we called the Elders and they searched our piso, finding nothing out of place. We thanked them and spent the next 45 minutes running through every detail of the day, seeing if it was possible that Hermana Gutoff forgot to shut the door.

Spring's showers are coming. We got caught in them sometimes this week. Fun stuff. We continue to find new people and have had some great moments following the spirit and keeping the faith this week.  God answers prayers.

On Sunday we were running just a little bit late to church, walking fast trying to get there on time. Part way through I realized that if we kept walking we would be late. So I prayed we could be there in time, apologizing for leaving late, and we started running. Not two minutes later a woman pulled over to the side of the road, honked the horn, and said "Hermanas!" We were at church in plenty of time. God is in the details and answers prayers when he knows we'll do our part too. (Best part- I'd never met that member before...)

Oh Valentine's Day. As we said goodbye to Élder Barney in the train station he pointed out one perk of his departure "At least I'll get to celebrate Valentine's Day for real this year, which you can't really do." My straight-faced response was, "Actually, I'm going to celebrate it pretty much the same way I always have." And you know what? We did.  We went to church, made brownies, cut out a million paper hearts and stamped them with those good old Hermana Manwill leftovers. In our little way, we filled the world with love. We met with Ana and Norma, something we haven't been able to really do for a good while. The good thing is that they said they felt the difference, and they most definitely will be going to church next week: rain, wind, walk...
They'll be there.

A while ago I was reading through the New Testament. I got to a chapter in 1 John and about half way through said to myself "this sure has said 'love' a lot.... Maybe I should start marking it." Several minutes later I was staring, dumbfounded, at my scriptures crowded with little hearts and boxes. In only 21 verses, 1 John 4 contains 29 references to the word 'love.' So I started a tab in gospel library, and since then, it's been showing up everywhere.
LOVE.

 I always thought that love was a sort-of cop-out answer. Harry Potter was protected by his mother's love, true love's kiss is always magical, love heals a "Frozen" heart, etc, etc, etc. It was the easy, cliche, eye-roll answer to all the problems people face. But the more I learn of the gospel, the more I realize that society and imagination - for once- actually got it right. Because love- Heavenly Father's love for us and the Savior's love for us and Him- is what brought us here, what will save us, and what will bring us back again. It breaks the bonds of death, lifts us, and continually blesses and heals us.
For God so loved the world...
It really is everything.

Our mission president is a fan of musicals (a big part of what made the switch easier). And there's a song. He wants it to become a sort of secondary mission anthem. It's already played through my mind and heart a million times, and I love it. It's a constant question, a self-assessment, and a motivation.
For those of you with YouTube capabilities, I encourage you to look it up.
But here's the last verse.

Did I Fill the World With Love?
In the evening of my life I shall look to the sunset, at a moment in
my life when the night is due.
And the question I shall ask only I can answer.
Was I brave and strong and true?
Did I fill the world with love my whole life through?
Did I fill the world with love, did I fill the world with love, did I
fill the world with love my whole life through?

I love you all.
Have a great week, and fill the world with love!
Hermana Een

ABC

Alegría: happiness or joy
Back to the Basics: to return to an essential foundation or starting point
Carnival: typically during the week before Lent in Roman Catholic countries involving parades, music, dancing, and the use of masquerade.

Lleida District.
Elders Alder, H. Johnson, Christensen, Jacobson, Woodmansee, and Byington. Hermanas Gutoff and Een

As it turns out, I'm still rather bad with directions. I'm never quite certain where something is, even though I've been in this area for a couple of months now. The good news is that everything is familiar and I haven't gotten too lost. New eyes have helped us see miracles in the area and meet some good new people. We're planning to follow up with all of them in the coming days.  We've done some good things: taught English class; did a favor and taught a mutual class about the lost sheep to the ONE girl who showed up (a little ironic); lots of contacting and pass-bys; had some great visits with menos active members (one who promised to make us the traditional African dish, Foofoo); had a couple of great lessons scattered in and finally.... Got caught in another Spanish festival. I have all the luck.
We walked out of a visit and were met by a mob of costumed kids and families. If I had a dollar for every Ana and Elsa I saw that night, I could easily take care of that pesky college tuition. There was a parade route with little floats and confetti throwers and we almost got stuck in the middle of it. Thank heavens for Spanish side-streets.

We're working out the kinks of a new companionship and seem to be doing pretty well. Open communication is key, and we've got that part down. A fun little miracle happened on Wednesday morning- the first full day of our companionship. I had read all around in personal study: the next chapter in Alma, continuing working through PMG (Preach My Gospel: A Missionary Resource), a conference talk someone suggested that I hadn't gotten around to yet, etc. it all seemed pretty scattered and I felt a little bad that although everything I had read was good and edifying, hadn't really prepared for the lessons or plans we had for the day. Then came the part in companionship study where we share what we learned. She went first and mentioned some of her insecurities and problems, some of the things she was struggling with. I listened, a little shocked, as every word and every point she brought up related directly to something I had studied that morning, and I was able to really, truly help her. God is in the details.

Hermanas Wiseman and Een at Concilio

Sunday night I left for Concilio (missionary leadership meeting) with a special joy in my heart. Why? Because (thanks to the recipients list on a leadership email) I knew that Hermana Wiseman would be there. That welcome hug was long awaited and gave me a small taste of what a reunion in heaven would be like.  Concilio was incredible. We clarified, brainstormed, talked about negative thinking, taught, learned, and testified. Confession: I wanted to train in these, my last two transfers. I wanted that newbie fire to keep me going. I wanted that focus and those fundamentals. And in a way, I'll get it. We've decided to go through the training program as a mission- focusing on the fundamentals and getting back to the basics. After presenting it, President Dayton said, "Did you see that? You all just became trainers!"
God is in the details.

Hermana Fenn and I tried to match and were going to be "Hermana Feen" with the chapa and everything... But it was on loan to Hermana Arauco.

The ABC's are the building blocks of our language, the three simple letters we start with. As Spanish-speaking missionaries, we had three other vitally important building blocks as letters. We call it "OLA."
Orar: pray
Leer: read
Asistir: attend church.
These are the little things we do to build our testimony. It's as easy as 1,2,3, simple as do, re, mi.
I testify to the importance of these three simple things, as we learn to waltz to the beautiful music of the gospel.

Love you all and hope you have a great week!
Hermana Een

Called to Serve

Call: inspire or urge (someone) to do something: I am called to preach the gospel. <--Thank you, new Oxford American dictionary.
Serve: perform services or duties for another person. Something NO ONE EVER ASKS THE HERMANAS TO DO.

Let's start with a little rant (sorry). No one ever asks hermanas to help them. When there is painting to be done, a house to be moved into, cleaning, or heard work to do, people call the Elders. We usually find out about it after the fact. Elders are expected to serve. Hermanas are not. I speak for all hermanas out there when I say that we are just as qualified and willing as any other male counterpart. Ok? Ok.
But on the positive side, we were able to do service this week! Ana and Norma changed pisos and didn't really want to ask for help but we've gotten so close that they let us come over. Downside: they moved out of our area... And are still living with their boyfriends. We'll see how this works out.

Lleida ward

Lots of other things happened this week. Wednesday was the worst day ever. (Hate to be dramatic, but its true). Splurge buying dark chocolate and gummy octopus helped. Basically, we found the true meaning of diligence by still pushing on as everything steadily got worse.
Saturday was transfer calls. For the first time in a long time... I'm not the one that's leaving.
It'll be the first time since Hermana Manotas that I'm NOT the one saying goodbye.  Strange. Hermana Ingram will be going to Valencia (promised land!) and be a trainer-breaker. It's just the change she needed. God knows his children and President reads emails.
We said a very VERY dramatic goodbye to Élder Barney as we sent him home. For the first time it really felt real: that someday (not that distant), that will be me.

Something else about service. On several occasions on my mission, people have thanked me for serving, being an Hermana. Technically, we're not obligated to go so it's somehow more special when we do. But service is what runs the church: it's the machinery that keeps the stone rolling, it's the expectation of every member, missionary, and family. We serve one another, we serve the Lord. Mosiah 2:17 And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.

And I'm everlastingly more great full for my call to serve a mission.  Love you all, we'll chat again next week.
Hermana Een

Companion fact: Hermana Gutoff. Doesn't like rice.

Favorite Romanian family