Hola a todos!
I’ve been here for three weeks now and I’ve only converted like 6 people. Just kidding, I rarely ever leave the compound. it’s beautiful here, pero I have the hardest time just hanging out in my classroom when I can hear the trees moving outside. I’m constantly leaning out this window in my classroom that oversees these cute little apartment buildings. the biggest problema is that the window only opens up like half way so I can’t really fit my whole body out to sit on the ledge. It’s probably a safety thing, but if they would just let me outside more often I might not try climbing out the window so much.
So my best friends here were called Distrito Lehí and they were the coolest group of guys you’ll ever meet. Most all of them go to BYU (which made for some lively conversations about football) and funny enough, one of them was actually on the boys lacrosse team for Bingham. I’m pretty sure we’ve met before but he didn’t remember me so I didn’t press it.
Pero, the whole district left for their areas en el campo on Tuesday morning and I’ve been a mess ever since they’ve left. We got really close and it kinda sucked to see them leave, they labeled mi distrito the ‘cringe squad’, which took a little getting used to because I’ve never considered myself a ‘cringeworthy’ person before. but the elderes en mi distrito are literally the definition of a cringey person. if you can, imagine someone speaking Spanish with a southern accent. It’s horrendous. that’s what they sound like literally every time they speak. I think it’s because they don’t understand how the vowels sound in Spanish.
Entonces, back to the elders that I can actually stand…. Districto Lehí was a huge blessing in my life and I’m pretty sure I would have been sent home by now if Lehí hadn’t have told me how to get around certain rules like the whole going to bed at 10:30 every night (yeah right like that’s possible) and going outside to run in the mornings. I’ll attach probably the ugliest picture of me ever, it looks like I’m bawling because I am. But I’m holding a picture of mi mejor amigos.
Pues… we got to do a lot of contacting this week out in the park, but it rained like every time we went out so it wasn’t that great. I contacted a total of 4 people, gave out one Libro de Mormon y a few pass along cards. It’s hard to understand the Dominicana accent, pero I’m getting better. I’ve found that I speak my Spanish really well, the biggest problem for me is freaking preterit vs. imperfect. I get so confused when we talk out it. Pues, I’ll get better at it the more often I use it.
So, specific part for uncle CR…. thank you so much for the package! It’s really funny bc here we’re actually not allowed to receive packages, pero ambros Elder Richards (a friend) and I both received ones here. The otra missionaries are super jealous. I was kind though however to share that hecka large bag of takis with mi compañeras, they say gracias and great choice in snacks.
Also, funny enough that tiny little ET figurine is probably the best part about that package. See, as I mentioned previously I made a lot of really good friends who aren’t going to be in my mission so it was hard to figure out a way to stay in contact with them despues de they left for their areas. But thank heavens we got that little ET dude because I don’t know if you’ve ever seen sisterhood of the traveling pants, but we’re basically doing the same thing with ET. He’s going to travel all over the Caribbean and I’ll have tons of pictures of him in cool places when I get home. First he’s in the Santo Domingo West mission, and in three weeks he’ll be in Santiago. After that I think it’s Barbados, but I’m not sure. I don’t have the schedule with me right now. So as soon as I get pictures I’ll be sure to send them to you! otra ves, gracias por todos cosas en the package!
BTW I’m sending pictures in another email – look out for those!
Sorry it’s so short today, we’ve been training the new kids and the new MTC presidents on how to do everything here. The new presidents aren’t that right, but they care a lot or something idk. They’re not really my cup of tea. pues, it’s been rough, I feel like we’ve been running the place and they’re just not even trying to be responsible adults. It’s slightly lord of the flies-ish here right now without a real leader. When you’ve got 30 something kids and two adults who don’t know what the heck they’re doing its’s hard to have anything but chaos.
Mom you would be proud of me, I made every girl in my room a little banner out of freaking tape, and sticky notes. I felt so accomplished and it reminded me of you and ur crafty-ness. I’ll send pics of them. also, in the picture of me crying the elders are as follows: left to right: Elder Koldewyn, Elder Richards, Elder Vea, Elder Magleby, Elder Ellis, and Elder De La Merced. (also yes sierra it is the same last name, but they’re not related – I promised I checked.)
Con paz,
Hermana Thelin
p.s. IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ASK THEM AT THE BEGINNING OF YOUR EMAIL. Thanks, that will make is mas facil to answer them.
