The Last One.

Hi everyone!

My heart is bursting and my eyes full of tears as I have reflected on this incredible adventure I have had. I can't put into words how incredibly happy I am. I had a very emotional week. We are seeing the hand of the Lord every day here. We worked so hard every day. I have truly grown to LOVE this work. I love teaching, tracking, contacting, walking around smiling, serving, praying, planning, studying, and most of all watching someone experience the conversion process.

The other sisters had a baptism this weekend. A 17 year old boy named Alejandro. His mom is not a member and was hesitant for a really long time to let him get baptized. When they got to the chapel she sat on the front row. The talks were very spiritual and the baptismal service made us all cry. Then as he was changing we watched meet the mormons... but just the story of the missionary mom. The spirit was so strong and I couldn't help but cry. I LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY. The most important part of all of this was that Alejandros best friend is Lucas, Lucas is a member of the church. He invited his friend to come, was there in every missionary lesson, and was able to baptize his best friend. And he will be by his side every step of the way. THAT is what I have learned is missionary work. Friends helping friends make that special decision to start them on the path back to our Heavenly Father. Lucas passed by Alejandros house every Sunday morning, read the scriptures with him, and helped him feel loved. It was so neat to watch. I am so excited to keep helping those I love most gain a strong testimony of their Savior and help them come, or come back to this incredible gospel.

This week we had interviews with President Chaparro. Mine was short and sweet. He counseled me to always listen to what the Holy Ghost is prompting me to do, that I always should seek my Heavenly Father's help in every decision I make. To stay focused on my goals and carefully plan how I am going to reach them. He came to every apartment personally and had our interviews there. (we normally all go to the stake center.) He got to know us a little better with the pictures of our families on the walls, and how we like to organize our things :) It was fun to have a visitor :)

An update on our area...

We are seeing so much progress in the ward. We saved a lot of marriages.. and lots of eternal families. I feel good. The Caro family came to church on Sunday!!! They are definately converted. Because it is short notice they won't be married this week. But this month for sure! Then they will be baptized as a family :) I love them so much. They have been made fun of, robbed, and rejected for just talking to us. But they have stayed firm to what they know. They love the Savior and stick together as a team. Please continue to keep them in your prayers.

Mercedes is letting Satan get the better of her. She still needs a lot of help. But she will get there.

Well I thought I would end with my testimony. I have such a love for this gospel. I love my Savior. His is my friend, my teacher, and my guide. I love my mission. My own personal time to let my Heavenly Father mold me into the daughter He wants me to be. The lessons I have learned here are eternal. This country holds a special place in my heart. The people I have met are my brothers and sisters. I love them dearly. I don't want to leave but I know my Heavenly Father has a lot more in store for me. I will devote my life to Him. The gospel is true you guys! It's ALL TRUE! The Book of Mormon is TRUE!!! Christ LIVES! Our Heavenly Father knows us!! Each of us personally! I love this church. And if I could chose one thing that I have learned here is that we are here on this earth to be HAPPY! So be happy everyone! Thank you for all your support, love, and prayers. I have the greatest family and friends. I love you dearly.

Have a great week!!

Hermana Hammond

The one with the light at the end of the tunnel....

Hey everyone!!! 

Man was it a good week!! First of all I want to apologize for my letter last week. I felt bad after leaving the internet cafe because I felt like I was a little negative... We had a GREAT week last week and sometimes I just write about what happens on Sundays. So just know that I am happier than ever and that the problems really are never as big as they seem.  

Anyway :) This week was really great! In our district meeting on Tuesday our district leader could tell I was a little down. He took us outside and we looked at all the trees. Then he showed us the seeds that came from the trees. He asked us why they haven't grown yet... then he asked if it was the tree's fault if it's seeds don't grow. I loved how he explained it. He told us to not blame the tree. The tree's job is to be a tree! 

So I hope you can see how this applies to missionary work. I have been focusing on being the best ¨tree¨ i can be :) 

Then we read together in Ether about when the Lord helped the brother of Jared get his people to the promised land. He first needed air, then light. I felt like that is what I needed last week. A little air and a little light :) Our Heavenly Father loves us so much. We immediately saw miracles. But we are still dealing with trials. But like the story in Ether the storms they were in were what pushed them to the promised land. They needed the strong winds to get them there! It was a great chapter for me to read. I love the Book of Mormon!

Speaking of scriptures... My companion and I finished Isaiah this week! It was so much easier for me to understand in Spanish!! I loved it! Isaiah was a pretty smart dude. It was neat to read. 

So yesterday the Caro family came to church!!! They are going to get married next week!!!! If everything works out like it should they will be baptized as a family next Saturday! :) but if the wedding doesn't happen then the 2 boys will be baptized. They are so excited and are ready to make this decision in their lives. PLEASE pray for them! We are asking for a miracle... but God is a God of miracles. 

Also Mercedes is still on her road to baptism. She just has to get some things figured out :) and we found some other great families this week!

Our ward is doing a LOT better! This week was full of activities! They are going to be just fine :) 

So we are just doing better than great here in Palpala :) The sun is out and the temperatures are higher :) I will escape just before summer.... hahaha 

Thank you all for your love and prayers. It means a lot. 

Until next week,

Hermana Hammond 

The One in the oven...

Hello everyone!! 

So every Monday I have to push myself to write a big letter home.... haha, I just want to keep working and talk to you guys in a few weeks instead of write a letter..but I must endure to the end.

So there is a saying in spanish that if someone is in a bad situation they are ¨in the oven¨... everyone is saying we are in the oven! That our ward is in the oven, their families are in the oven, that the investigators are in the oven... 

Every time someone says that I just say, WELL LET'S TURN THE OVEN OFF!!!!!

We really are going through some trials in our ward and in work but we can do something about it! 

We are focusing on the family. We are visiting the members more and planning TONS of activities! We are visiting our investigators every day and always are calling or sending messages. The most important thing is that we will never give up. And the other good thing is that Satan can't win!! Haha, I don't know why he even tries... 

Anyway I have to go now! I hope all is well!
Enjoy your summer!

Until next week!,

Hermana Hammond

enjoy my latest trash basket photo. he's #1.

The One with the prompting.

Hola a todos!! :)

So this week came and went in the blink of an eye. We had our leadership conference this week. Normally it is on Tuesday and we travel on Monday 

night after p day... well this time it was on Wednesday and we traveled Tuesday afternoon... so the week went by faster and for the rest of the week I was confused what day it was.... haha.

Our meeting was really uplifting! President Chaparro just completed a year in his mission!! Holy smokes that went so fast! I love the Chaparros so much!

Our investigators are getting hit hard with temptations... nobody came to church yesterday.. our ward is going through a really hard time. Satan is attacking the families here. It is heart breaking to watch. Please keep them in your prayers. We need a lot of strength.

Yesterday we met with our bishop and made some goals to help the members. Then when we walked out I felt like we needed to visit some members. We prayed and both felt like we should go and visit a certain family. We went to see what we could do to help them!

We got there just as they were getting home from Grandma's house. (Typical Sunday :) Their house was a mess, dishes everywhere, laundry to be folded, and dinner to be made. We told the mom to just have a seat and talk to us. We started in the kitchen and cleaned everything! Then talked to her as we folded laundry. I made dinner. As we talked she said she had been praying and asked Heavenly Father to send us a feeling to go to her house. She really needed a visit. I love this family with all my heart. I love even more that Heavenly Father trusted us to receive that special prompting to go and help His children in a time of need.

I love this work more than anything! Everyday is a new opportunity to learn and grow closer to my Heavenly Father. I know I say it a lot but I am just so happy! It's hard not to be. Yes we have hard times, trials, and days where nobody wants to listen to us... but that doesn't mean we should be sad. We control us. Satan isn't stronger than us. So I control what I can control. And I am happy. Always :) 

Gracias por todo!! Les extraño, les amo, y estan en mis oraciones siempre. Hasta la proxima!

Hermana  Hammond

The One with a broken heart and a contrite spirit.

Hello everyone!

Wow we have had some very humbling experiences this week. There is too much to write.... luckily I have been diligent with my journal :) 

I wanted to share 3 stories of 3 people who have really touched my heart these last few weeks. 

1. Mercedes. She has had a really hard time with feeling worthy. She is absolutely incredible. Her and her boyfriend are not married and are living together. Our lovely bishop kind of called them out on it and she felt terrible. All she tells us is that she wants to make things right with her Heavenly Father. That baptism is her main focus and that she will do anything to get there. She absolutely LOVES church and soaks it all in. She has been so patient and incredibly humble in the whole process. She is such an example to me. I am praying I will still be here for her baptism.

2. Jose Luis. He is a recent convert who is battling with an alcohol addiction. To watch a grown man come so low in his life that he literally has to beg for forgiveness is so humbling to watch. As we teach him he just cries. It is heart breaking for me. Please pray for him that he can over come his addictions. He is so willing to put it all on the table and follow Christ but addictions are very hard to overcome. 

3. Claudia. She is an investigator that we are teaching. Her husband passed away a few weeks ago. Her kids are members but her husband didn't let them go to church. She was interested in the gospel but her husband didn't let her go. The week he died they were all in sacrament meeting. It was kind of funny... haha but they are still going through a hard time with his death. She cries a lot and we can see it hurts her so much. She is working on baptism. She hasn't come back to church. It has been a few weeks. I know it just is hard for her to feel like getting up in the morning. I know it just hurts her. 

I have learned a little more this week the love our Heavenly Father has for each of us. I cry as I think about the blessings He has given me. I have grown such a love for these people. I want to do everything for them. 

I love this work and everything about it!!

Thank you for all your prayers!

Have a great week!! Keep sharing the gospel! 

Hermana Hammond

The One with the New Beginnings.

Hey everyone! 

Thanks for your patience last week. It was really special for me to be able to spend that time emailing with my brother. He is going to be the greatest missionary. And I already know he has the greatest support team.

We are doing so good here!!! We have BIG PLANS for this transfer.... like BIG PLANS. We have put a goal of 8 baptisms this transfer! We set goals, made plans.... lots of plans.... and we have TONS of faith. But we need more prayers. Please pray for our goal. We have so many people ready to be baptized. We just need a final push! ;) 

I am doing good :) Y'all know I just love my life. Argentina has become my home and leaving just doesn't seem like it's in the near future. I absolutely love it here. I can't say it enough. 

Our investigators are still hangin' in there. We need to start making decisions about how to best help them. Keep praying for them. We need it. 

So we are ready to take on this new transfer! New beginnings are always refreshing.

Thank you for your prayers.

Love,

Hermana Hammond

The One where the mission field gets another Hammond...

Hey y'all!

So I have to apologize but this week my little brother is going to enter the MTC!!.... so my letter is short because I am going to spend the hour chatting with him. I am so proud of him and all he has done to prepare to serve the Lord.

But all is good here! I have lots to catch up on! But just know we are happy (a little cold), healthy, and excited!! 

Thanks for everything!

Hermana Hammond 

The One with the Sister Leader week....

Hey everyone!

This week was insane! Haha, on Tuesday we had divisions with the sisters in Perico! They are so dang fun. I stayed in our area while my companion went to Perico. I went to go pick her up and we took the bus back to Palpala.... well we were both exhausted... and decided to close our eyes for a second... Next thing we know we are in San Salvador!! It is about 1 hour past our area! We felt terrible!!! but it was pretty funny....we decided to get off in San Salvador because my companion needed to go to the dermatologist anyway! Things always work out :) So we went and turns out she has a fungus in her skin! Yikes.... it is all over her legs and on her face. Poor thing. She says it itches really bad. She has to take benedryl which basically knocks her out... I feel so bad for her... but we laugh so hard about everything that it's hard to have sympathy... haha. 

Anyway.. we worked Wednesday in our area and planned Thursday morning. Then some of the sisters in our zone called to ask us a favor. Their companions had to go to Tucuman to do paperwork for their visas... and they didn't want to lose their appointments with their investigators. So they called and asked if we could do divisions with them so they could work in their areas.... we were like... um.... Sure! (We can't really say no...) haha so we went! I stayed with Hermana Herrera and Hermana Stewart and my companion went with Hermana Peterson to her area. What was supposed to be 1 day turned out to be 3..... hahaha we were 3 sisters with 2 mattresses.... needless to say we didn't sleep very well... but we had a blast together!!! Hermana Herrera and I have divisions next week too.... round 10! We are basically companions. Oh and to top it all off my companions birthday was on Friday! We had a surprise party all planned and everything and had to cancel it!!! :( She was okay with it though... she is like me... she doesn't like much attention on her birthday..

So this week we are even more motivated to work extra super hard in our area!! We got some great references from the zone leaders in a neighborhood that I have never been to.... wish us luck.. 

Mercedes is doing good! She is still having problems with her daughter but she is trying not to get discouraged.

The Caro Family is doing good too! They have a hard time understanding the gospel. We have to teach very clearly and repeat a lot of things. Last night we watched The Restoration and they felt the spirit so strong. They are looking for an answer. Now they just need to act :)

Okay that about sums it up!! We are so stoked for another week in paradise!! 

Have a great week everyone! Thanks for all your prayers!

Hermana Hammond

We are a special companionship......

The One with the Road Trip!!

Hey everyone!! 

So we just got back from a long road trip!! There are some salt flats up north... almost Bolivia... and we took the P day to go and visit!! Then we stopped in Purmamarca (the hill of 7 colors) on the way back!! It was the greatest P day! We took tons of pictures and I got to buy a bunch of stuff for the fam! :) 

Yet another week that I don't have much time to write.... I just get caught up sending pictures and chatting with my family that I forget to write a big letter!

But life couldn't be better here! The Caro Family came to church yesterday!! It was so neat because they said when they were about to leave their house they couldn't move their legs!! They said it was a weird sensation but they pushed through!! They were so glad they came and LOVED sacrament meeting with all of the testimonies. Tonight we are going to watch The Restoration with them :) And talk about Joseph Smith's experience in the Sacred Grove.

Mercedes is doing great! She couldn't come to church yesterday because her daughter is really struggling. She got home at 4 in the morning, they had a little fight, but didn't get ANY sleep. We are really going to focus on her this week. 

This week we went to Salta and had 2 zone conferences! It was so spiritual! MLC was so uplifting. We talked a lot about faith and talking to everyone! I left with so much excitement and we both wanted to talk to everyone!!! We have had so many miracles happen this week! We are contacting everyone we see and finding a ton of new people to teach! 

Life is pretty much the greatest. I wake up so pumped up every day! We are making the most of every moment!

Have a great week!!

Hermana Hammond

Llama selfie....

Standing on a llama selfie.... it's a llama world down here :)

Hermana Owl :)

We went to the salt flats! It was SO BEAUTIFUL!

The One with a Good Feeling :)

Hey everyone!

So I just love every minute of my life. Serving as a missionary has brought so many blessings, trials, learning opportunities, and difficulties, but it has mainly just brought me happiness. I can't explain it very well, what it's like to be a missionary. (and not just because I'm forgetting English...) It's just a hard thing to explain. Every minute of every day I am happy. I wake up happy, I go to bed happy. I LOVE this gospel and everything that comes with it. I just have a good feeling this transfer. 

Yesterday Mercedes came to church! She is a rockstar! So prepared and so ready for the gospel. We are getting everything ready for her baptism on the 27th of June :) She had us over for lunch on Sunday and told us everything she learned at church she wants to apply at home! She said, talking about church, that she finally found her home. It was so sweet. I loved hearing that from her. Church was very spiritual on Sunday. The talks, the sacrament, the lessons, EVERYTHING! It was a great day!

We are still teaching the Caro family! They couldn't come yesterday but promised to go next week! Keep them in your prayers :)

I wrote a short letter because I tried to send more pictures! But this lovely computer doesn't let me multitask... if a was downloading a picture I couldn't write in the mean time... so... I'm sorry for the short letter and few pictures but hey... there's always next Monday. :)

I am out of time but I want you all to know I have a very strong testimony of this church. It is true. And I will defend it against anything. I feel like the work is going so great. We are working harder than I have ever worked and I am growing more and more everyday..... in more ways that one :)... haha. Thank you all for your support and your prayers. They are felt.

Have a great week!

Hermana Hammond

Sisters from 2 different countries :)

We had dessert night in the ward! We were the judges :) Haha it was so fun! And this is the only picture I have so far with my new companion..... 

Bronchitis fun.....

I love Hermana Arrospide. We made a good team :)

Lone Peak Knights! Haha I even wore our school colors....... 

my trash basket photo collection is coming along... :)

Sister Arias (the youth in south america get to serve mini missions in the mission they live in! Sometimes we need more help! She was a mini missionary for 5 weeks! We got to do divisions :)

The San Pedro Crew at the Cordoba Temple Dedication. That was so neat for me to see all of them there!! 

And that's all the pictures for this week.... 

The One with Bronchitis... aint nobody got time for that!

Hello everyone and Happy Memorial Day!

Holy moly the work is just going so good!!! We started the transfer sprinting.... and then I got hit hard with the flu and bronchitis.... ain't nobody got time for that... haha the worst thing for a missionary is getting sick. And on top of that I lost my voice. I was called to preach and couldn't even open my mouth! haha but the good thing is I never got mad or disappointed! We have so much excitement and are so happy to be here that this trail didn't even phase me. That was such a blessing. We went to the hospital yesterday, I got an Argentina shot in the butt and a breathing treatment. It was a needed experience for any missionary... haha as the nurse was injecting the medication he asked me if I was allergic to anything.... haha stupid... now ya ask me?? Good thing I'm not :) But today I feel SOO good! We decided to work today on our Pday... because when you have as much time in the mission as I do you just don't want to waste anytime. 

We had lunch with Mercedes!!! WOW! She is going to be baptized in a month!!!! She (and we) are soooo excited! Please pray for her. She is incredible. She wants to learn so much. I have NEVER had an investigator like her. She looks for ways to progress, she asks us what more she can read, she strives to keep the commandments. I have never met anyone so prepared. I am so excited!

So this week is going to be incredible! We have SO MUCH WORK TO DO!!! It's insane! haha but I LOVE it so much! My whole mission I have been preparing for these last weeks. And man do I feel prepared! I love Palpala with all my heart! I have never been happier! 

The work is hastening!!! And we've got to get going!!! LOVE YOU ALL! Thank you for all of your prayers and support! I will have more updates next week! And pictures....... this computer didn't read my camera... so sorry!

Anyway!! Got to go! OH! And happy last day of Alma! (for those who are reading the Book of Mormon with me) What a great book. I LOVED every chapter! The Book of Mormon is TRUE. Let it guide your lives.

Have a great missionary week! Share the gospel! It's so fun! :)

Hermana Hammond

The One with the Temple Dedication.

WOW!!! I did not use my time wisely this hour I have to write y'all..... sorry. Haha but WHAT A WEEK! 

First off TRANSFERS!! I am now with Hermana Pereira!! She is from Buenos Aires and is awesome!! She has been out a year on the mission! We are still the sister leaders for our 2 zones :) haha I love it! I love helping other missionaries and being there for support. It is such a privilege. 

Another privilege was the temple dedication!!! It was so spiritual and so neat. And the COOLEST part was that the members from San Pedro (my last area) were there!!!!!..... With all of my converts!!!!!!! Wow that was the neatest thing to sit with them in the ¨temple¨(stake center). :) I am so proud of Hermana Hooke and all the work she did to help them get interviewed. It was such a blessing for me to see them there. We took a picture but I forgot my camera cord so I will send them next week for sure!!!

I am SO SORRY for the short letter! I will repent and write more next week!

Love you all!

Hermana Hammond

The One with the 6 pounds of sweet potatoes....

Hey there!

So yesterday was the BEST day ever! We brought an entire family to church! Please pray for the Caro family :) I just love them with all my heart! They mean the world to me! We have a LOT of work to do to get them ready for baptism.... which includes a WEDDING!!! YAY!! :) Please pray that everything will work out. I know it will.

Also yesterday we met the wife... well the girlfriend of a member in our ward! They are living together but she wants to join the church! She said he has been such an example to her and she wants to be apart of the church! So ANOTHER WEDDING! haha Her name is Mercedes :) prayers are welcome.

So we are doing so good here! This week we had a conference with Elder Viñas! President Chaparro was his assistant when he opened the Argentina Salta mission as President! Super cool! He helped us a lot. We had to give him a report of each area. He wanted to know if all of the priesthood holders who have been ordained to the office of Elder, are active, have a calling, or are serving a mission. He was so pleased to hear that almost 100 percent of all the men are active, have callings, or are serving missions! He said we were the best mission.... I would have to agree :)

Today we go to Salta! This month went by way too fast... but I am excited to get more advice and help for our zones. It will be fun to see everyone too :)

So today I got a big sweet potato craving... haha we went shopping and I bought 6 pounds of sweet potatoes!!! Hahaha that should do it :) So... I will be having sweet potatoes for breakfast everyday this week.

I hope everyone has just a lovely week!

Hermana Hammond

p.s. Happy Mother's Day to all you Mommies out there!!! And all you future mommies!!! :) 

The tallest Elder in the whole wide world took our selfie..... 

Look who came to visit!!

The tallest Elder in the whole wide world took our selfie.....

The One with the haircut!! :)

Hey everyone!

It was a great week :) And.... don't worry... I didn't cut my hair... but I did cut my companions hair!!! We CHOPPED IT! She is so cute and I LOVE it! Hahaha I was surprised by my hidden talents :) haha pictures attached.

Nothing really out of the ordinary this week... well every week is EXTRA ordinary but not much to report on.

Here's what I've got:

1. I decided to do personal progress in my last 3 months of the mission! I talked to my Bishop and the Young Women's President and they approved! Whoo! I am going to do it at lightening speed. 1 value per week and the project! Yikes!!! Haha but it's a lot easier as a missionary because well... It's basically personal progress everyday! It will be the perfect thing to help me run past the finish line!

2. I had my favorite district meeting this week! We talked about faith and the things we can't see as missionaries. I LOVED the lesson! We talked about the purposes of God and how they are great and eternal (reference from our scripture reading yesterday... hint hint) and that our work here will last FOREVER!! It was a great meeting and really made me feel like I am an eternal missionary... not just an 18 month one :) 

3. We are working so hard to find people who are ready to hear the gospel. We have had lots of members who were inactive come back to church. That is a neat thing to watch :)

4. I have also been going over my MTC notes. I have learned so much reading what I learned over a year ago. It is helping me become the missionary I wanted to be when I started this great journey.

Well that's all I've got in this short hour :)

I love you all so much! Have a great week and HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!! 

Love,

Hermana Hammond

yay for fast computers!  I got to send a lot of pics this week...

Fun family that we found on the trail! They are going to look me up on facebook! The lady next to me has a sister who is a member! I love sharing the gospel!

my get up :)

This little name tag has seen it all...

Before haircut...

...after. She is so cute:) 

These hooligans.... are my roomates.. hahaha I love them :)

Market

This is how I feel...

I love my mission...I don't want to leave.

The One that didn´t make sense...

Hahaha hello everyone!

 

First of all I have to apologize for the confusing email last week... that just proves how crazy my life is right now... My head is all over the place :) 

And this has to be a lightening speed update because I just don't know how to use my time wisely and my hour to write my family goes by flying!! Haha So about the french fries... our church is behind a french fry factory! Hahaha so we going around telling EVERYONE to go to the church behind the french fries! And everyone understands.. fun fact :)

So this week was good! I traveled to Perico, a little town here in Jujuy to do divisions with the sisters there. 

This week we also had interviews!! Presidente asked me how I want to finish my mission.... The next interview I have will be my last.... yikes.... I told him I wanted to finishing my mission sprinting :) He gave me lots of good advice and just told me to keep working towards my potential. He said he is very pleased with the missionary I have become and for all I have done. It was a well needed interview and really helped me a lot. 

Today we had the BEST p-day! We went to The Hill of 7 Colors... I think Elder Slighting has talked about it... well it was so fun!!! I will have pictures next week for sure! But I will try right now to download them in time :) 

Okay that was way to short.... so sorry for the small updates... but just know I am so HAPPY!!! I want to make the best of every moment! 

Take care! And HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE BEST DAD EVER!!!!... que viejo... :)

Love you all!

Hermana Hammond