Okay I want to update you on some funny things that happened in Santiago!
So we were reading the introduction of the Book of Mormon with this lady and her granddaughter. Her granddaughter who is 9 was reading the last 2 paragraphs and read, ¨la Iglesia de Jesucristo de los Santiaganos de los Ultimos dias.¨ Which means the church of Jesus Christ of latter day Santiaganos. Hahah, my comp and I died laughing after. It was so cute!
Another funny story. We were at the sisters apartment in Santiago cooking together. Hermana Rosales, who is Hermana Herrera´s companion is from Peru. While I was making the salad she comes up to me and says, in English, ¨who peed in your cheerios¨ hahahaha, Hermana Herrera and I about passed out laughing. Us Americans love to teach funny phrases to the Latinas. Hahaha, it was hilarious.
At the reunion of the hermanas, Hermana Chaparro said something that really touched me. She said, regarding to the mission, it's not the best place in the world, but it is the best mission in the world.¨ That is so true in so many ways. Argentina really is a rough place. It is beautiful and the members are wonderful. But the bad forces of the world are so strong, the weather is horrible, (3 people died in Santiago already from the heat... glad I escaped) and there are drugs, pornography, and addictions everywhere. So how do I love it so much? Because I am serving the Lord. I am here on a mission and that's what makes my life so great. He is helping me help the people. I LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY!
My last Sunday in Santiago was Mother's Day here in Argentina! Some of the young men and men in the ward sang ¨Oh Elderes de Isreal¨. It was BEAUTIFUL. So spiritual.
Speaking of mothers, there have been 2 Sundays now where the theme was on Mothers. I love the story of the stripling warriors. Everything they were, they owed to their Mothers. I can truly say that everything good about me, came from my mother. ¨Mother¨ is a sacred title that we as women have. Heavenly Father trusts His daughters to raise his children on earth and help them reach their full potential. I love my mother. She means more to me than I can say. She is my hero.
So I'm sure y'all are wondering about the title of my email... haha, let me explain. So we were in a very poor, very sketchy neighborhood. Before we left from an appointment we decide to hide the phone, keys, and money we had, in our clothes. I was super tired and a little scared. So I took the keys and said, ¨Voy guardar las llaves en mis zapos¨..... which means I am going to put the keys in my frogs... hahaha I meant to say zapatos.... which means shoes.. hahaha, we both looked at each other and busted up laughing!!!! And then we laughed the whole way out of the scary neighborhood.
So Wednesday the heat finally got to me. I was sick. It is so hot here I can't even believe it. We study with our feet in ice water so we don't pass out. Hahaha, it's a struggle. But this weekend was glorious! It finally cooled down and I feel a lot better! I guess that is to be expected when you are in the hottest mission in the world :)
So this week we found the greatest neighborhood!! We found tons of families and really great people!!! One family we are working with is the Familia Montoya. Their daughter is a member and the parents and their son aren't. Marcela, the mom is working on her papers to divorce her other husband so she can marry her ¨boyfriend¨ and so they can all get baptized!!! I am so excited for them! Please pray that all will go well :)
So I realized something this week.... A year ago this Thursday I opened my mission call. A year ago I was called to serve in the Argentina Salta Mission and I still couldn't be happier! Super cool.
Anyway, I better get going. We have a family night tonight! I love the members here :)
I love you all! Thank you for your prayers.
Until next week,
Hermana Hammond
Culture fact: The people here are super blunt.... you are either gordita o flacita... which means fat or skinny hahaha. They really say it how it is. Luckily I am still flacita :) Haha, for now....
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