The One with the cold front...

Feliz Conferencia General y Pascua!!!!!!

Hello everyone! Yay!!!!! General Conference and Easter!!! We are SOOO excited to hear the words of our church leaders. And we are inviting the whole city!! It will be a great week! 

This week in my studies I am focusing on Jesus Christ. Hermana Hooke and I are memorizing The Living Christ. We are almost done! It is so neat to teach with the words in our heads. We find ourselves quoting from the words of the profets and apostles as we testify of our Savior. It is a great experience. I love my Savior. I love that I can be His missionary for 18 months. I love the person He is molding me to be. I LOVE every minute I have here. I have never been so happy.

So disappointing news... Marta and Evaristo didn't get baptized. Tuns out they are married by heart but not by paper..... and to make all matters worse he was previously married to another woman a long time ago... The hard thing here is that getting divorced takes a LOT of time, money, and paperwork so nobody bothers.... marriage really doesn't even come across people's minds... it broke my heart to see their faces. They were so excited to be baptized. But we assured them not to worry, that we would get everything worked out so they can get married. Unfortunately they didn't come to church yesterday. Marta is sick and Evaristo stayed with her. But the kids came! They are all future missionaries. They are going to seminary and sharing the gospel with their friends at school! It is awesome! Also they invited us over to their house for lunch this week! They are so humble and so giving. It was one of their daughters birthday this week, Catarina. She is 7 and is preparing to be baptized next year! :) haha hopefully I can come back to be there for her and hopefully go to the temple with them! hint hint mom and dad :) 

Well that's about my update for the week. Oh!! Happy news! San Pedro got hit with fall!! It was cold all week! We had to wear a cardigan during the day and a jacket at night! It is BEAUTIFUL! I haven't been cold for a year. It was awesome! Today is a bit warmer but we are hopeful for some more coldness! :)

All is going well with the Belgrano Mission. We are really excited. This week we have a training for all of the missionaries and the ¨district leaders¨. This week in church we had a ton of less actives that haven't been to church in months and for some even years!! It was a miracle! We always love to see the fruit of our labors :)

Well thank you all for your support. I feel it so strong and it is definitely 

needed :). Have a great week and Happy Easter!

Con amor, 

Hermana Hammond  

Ma gurls.

Happy Birthday Catarina!

So... before the big storms... this was a bridge... 

Then we crossed the bridge....

Here's a pretty view outside our apartment. The sunrises are unreal.

The One Year

Hola chicos,

We are sure killing it here in Belgrano. I love this area and all the hard work it brings. Also I am hitting the big one year this week. I don't feel that old.... but that's what the calendar says... haha.

WE are moving along great with our investigators! Marta and Evaristo Diaz (the parents of Mayra and Celeste) are getting baptized this week!!!! Oh we are just so happy!!! They ALL came to church yesterday! What a cool sight to see an entire family sitting together. It brought tears to our eyes. 

We had tons of cool experiences this week where we just were in the right place at the right time. People who had been praying for us to come, and then we show up that day, or people we contact on the street that end up coming to church. We had 6 investigators at church on Sunday! It was incredible! We found another family on the same street as the Diaz family. The 2 girls came to church on Sunday and we are working on their parents :) 

I finished the Pearl of Great Price this week! It was so interesting. I absolutely love Joseph Smith History. I have a strong testimony that he is the prophet of the restoration. I am so grateful for his devoted service to the church and for restoring the Church of Jesus Christ back on the earth. And I LOVE telling everyone about it!

Being a missionary is the greatest thing ever! I am so happy I could burst!

Que tengan una buena semana!

Hermana Hammond

 

Happy St. Patty's Day!

This is an Argentina hot dog.

We just couldn't part from our sweats on this lovely P-day. But it's a rule that we have to study in a skirt.... so this is what we came up with :) Lookin' good.

The One when the Church got struck by lightening....

WOW!!! This week was incredible!!!!! We had an amazing zone conference with President Chaparro and the assistants. They all gave very great talks. We learned a ton! Sam spoke on obedience. It was so powerful. I wrote a list of things I can do to be more obedient. 

We had to wake up at 5 in the morning to travel to Jujuy.... it was a 2 hour bus ride.... and then 2 hours home. It's crazy being on a mission because you can't just crash for 5 hours to catch up on your sleep.... you just have to keep going. But somehow.... somewhere... we find the energy :)

Then we ended the week with Mayra's baptism! It was the most incredible day! Here's a readers digest version...

So we got to Mayra's house just before a HUGE thunderstorm hit. It was raining so hard and the wind almost blew the house away. The Diaz family lives in a very humble home. There aren't really walls... and their roof is just a big piece of metal. So we all huddled together and waited for the rain to pass. I suggested that we say a prayer. I started to pray and as I prayed it started raining harder!! I was like ¨Are you kidding???¨ I was hoping the rain would stop... but instead it got worse.... we started singing hymns... nothing.... we started singing louder... nothing. I looked at Mayra and she said, ¨well, lets get ready to go!¨ Their whole family started getting dressed to go to the baptism! Some of the members who were waiting at the church called and said the power went out.... I told them to say a prayer and that we would be there soon! We got everyone ready and started our trek through the muddy streets to the church! The thing is when it rains... it floods.... so we may have had to cross a few street rivers... but we kept singing hymns and laughing the whole way. We finally got to church... after singing I am a child of God about 200 times..... and.... There was power!!! Yay!!! We went through with the baptism. We didn't want to get the church all muddy so we all took our shoes off :) It was a beautiful baptism. She was so happy. And her dad came to church the next day! Speaking of church... we got there on Sunday morning and the steeple got struck by lightening!!!! haha yikes.....

I am so sorry my emails are not very detailed. There is SO MUCH to tell you and I get so overwhelmed every Monday as I try to fit a weeks worth of miracles in one email. But just know my mission is CRAZY! We sure love it here. I love my companion and I love our area. 

Thank you for your prayers!

Hermana Hammond

Mayra's baptism! Soaking wet...

We love Mayra :)

The church got struck by lightening....

The One with the day of the Woman!

Hello family! And HAPPY WOMEN'S DAY!!

Hahaha they celebrate everything down here in A-town. And yesterday was National Women's Day!

Haha here's another light speed update because we started writing late.... oops. 

So Julian didn't get baptized. His mom is a convert and hasn't been coming to church. She started smoking again and it just wasn't right. He won't be baptized this week either.... It breaks my heart because he is SO PREPARED! He told us the other day he reads the book of mormon every day. He said ¨I don't understand, but I know I need to read it. So I read and write down my questions to ask you.¨ I mean are you serious??? He will be an amazing missionary. He reminds me of my cousin Ryan. He loves soccer, is so sweet, and has such a strong testimony. I will keep you updated on his conversion :)

Speaking of missionaries!!!! BIG SHOUT OUT TO MY BROTHER!!!!!!!!! KENTUCKY LOUISVILLE will be a better place after he serves there. Austin you will be an outstanding Elder. You have a love for people that is contagious. You will bless so many lives and leave the people eternally blessed because of your testimony. Thank you for accepting the call.

Mayra Diaz is getting baptized this weekend! She is Celeste's sister! She is so excited and so ready. Today we are going to go buy skirts for her first Sunday as a member!!! It will be fun. 

We had a lot of spiritual experiences this week! But I don't have enough time to tell you all!!!! And I forgot my camera at the apartment..... so no pictures this week... SORRY!!! We will just have to have a big family night so I can share EVERYTHING with you! 

Last week we had a zone training! And this week a zone conference! Also President Chaparro came to our church yesterday to give a talk. It was awesome.

Hermana Hooke and I are currently in the middle of a big project. ¨The Belgrano Mission¨. We are turning our branch into a mission. With missionaries assigned to every part of our area! The members are excited and hopefully it will double our numbers are reactivate a lot of members!!

So sorry this letter is so short. 

I LOVE YOU ALL!

Shout outs to my Uncle Jared, Cousin Saylor, and Aunt Natalie!!! Happy Birthday!!!

Hermana  Hammond

The One with the Locusts and Wild Honey

Hey all!

WOW!!!!!! What an amazing week!!

Here's a light speed update!!

Well I am definitely in the Jungle... I have seen all sorts of kinds of bugs here... And my legs look like I have the chickenpox :) hahaha. Seriously. We walk down the street and there are grasshoppers EVERYWHERE! They jump and hit you in the face... it's hilarious... but gross at the same time. I like to laugh about it so I don't start crying :) hahaha

We had 2 baptisms this weekend! Laura Rojas and Celeste Diaz!! They are darling girls in families that we are working with! Our theme this transfer is ¨Complete families¨. We are working like crazy to find, baptize, and send FAMILIES off to the temple. So please pray for them. Almost all of the kids are baptized and the parents accepted baptismal dates!! WHOO! 

This week we have another baptism! (Another family we are completing.) The Martin Family. This week Julian is getting baptized. He is 10 and that will be the last member of their family to get baptized. We are now working in 2 areas... it's insane. The Elders left us a list of names and we have been running around like chickens with our heads cut off trying to manage 2 areas!!!

Haha, funny story! Monday night we went to teach the familia Diaz. We were in the middle of teaching and I felt something on my leg..... I looked down and about a hundred ants were crawling up me!!! I started stomping my feet but I didn't want to freak out. Haha, I just said a prayer that I wouldn't get bit and kept on teaching. We finished and when we left I started brushing them all off and got them out of my shoes. And... NOT A SINGLE BITE!!!! My testimony of prayers definitely was strengthened :)

SO I am not typing fast enough.... haha but man do we have just so much work to do. I love being busy :) I wish you could see what I see everyday. The most humble people trying to find peace in their lives. The other day we gave a Book of Mormon to a new investigator. She burst into tears because she was so excited to receive something so precious. 

I LOVE THIS WORK!!! We are doing so much! And it is so rewarding. 

Thank you all for your love and prayers!! 

Hermana Hammond

Familia Diaz

Familia Rojas

This is Carolina :) she is one of Elder Slighting's converts. We are preparing her parents for baptism at the end of the month :)

The One with the Big Changes!

Hey everyone!

It's been a week of changes! First of all... I turned 20! Yikes... haha it was the GREATEST BIRTHDAY EVER!!!!! Here's a quick run down. We spent all Friday morning working like crazy to find new families to baptize! Hermana Sanhueza and I calculated 10 people ready to join the church this transfer! It will be a great 6 weeks for her. Then we studied and went to the chapel for a family night that we have every Friday. We were so nervous that there wasn't going to be anyone there because they didn't announce it in church like they usually do. It seemed like everyone had things to do to get ready to go back to school. Well we walked in and SURPRISE!!!!!!! There were decorations, food, and so many members!! They threw us a surprise party!! It was so special!! The pictures will tell the rest :)

Next big change! I got transferred!! I am now in the beautiful Jujuy!! I am with Hermana Hooke! She is from California! She's been out 6 months.... I almost said ME TOO!... Then I realized I had been a little more than 6... It FLYS by! It seriously is like a dream. ANYWAY! I went from living will all Latinas to living with all Americans! Another big change but we all clicked right away! 

It was so hard saying goodbye to Tucuman. Especially to Hermana Salas. It was her who put everything together for the surprise party. She is an incredible lady. I love her so much.

And another big change!! We are a branch here in the area. Before they shared the area with Elders but they closed their area so.... we get to take it on! Adventure!! :) They have a baptism this week and we have a baptism this week! So please pray that we can find these peoples houses so we don't lose anyone! It will definitely be a great transfer I know it.

So ANOTHER change.... the apartment. I had just spent all last transfer fixing everything in the apartment in Tucuman... and I came to cockroach land... seriously some even started crawling on me. EW. I have lots of work to do. 

Well that about sums it up! Haha, so I have a funny story. Last Monday Hermana Sanhueza and I went to the city because we wanted McDonalds. I got a sandwich and fries. Then this man walks in and starts asking people for money. The manager saw him and came to kick him out. When the man saw that the manager was coming he ran up to us, (about gave me a heart attack), grabbed our french fries and took off running! Haha. I was like... What just happened? We looked at each other and started laughing. I guess we didn't need the french fries anyway :)

Alright now I'm out of time :) Please pray that all will go well this week with working in 2 areas! And bless that the baptisms will go through! 

LOVE YOU ALL! Thank you for my birthday letters and emails. I am so loved.

Have a great week!

Hermana Hammond

I feel I should give a shout out to my little (big) brother Austin!!! He is just the greatest and is about to get his mission call! I am so excited my heart could burst! Little did I know what great things were waiting for me when I read Salta, Argentina. I get emotional just thinking about it. Austin you will be called to the exact place you need to be. And little do you know what is in store for you. I LOVE YOU! Go get 'em :)

Familia Cabrera... they are nuts.

Saying goodbye to mommy Salas.

This is Paula! She was sad I had to go but she is excited to progress with the other sisters!

Happy Birthday to US!!!

Turning 20 together!

Saying goodbye to Tucuman.

The One where I'm finally understanding

Hey everyone!

Wow what a great week! I have to apologize in advance.... I am going to write this letter at the speed of light.... so don't laugh at my spanglish.. haha and also the keyboard is broken... I press the question mark and it does this -... so I found this one ¿ (which is really the plus sign... and I can't find the other parenthesis to close this thought... haahaha STRUGGLE!

But this was a great week! I feel so good here. Paula unfortunately didn't get baptized. It breaks my heart. She is having problems with her dad. He is very controlling and doesn't support her at all. We have been talking to President and he said that when she feels ready she can be baptized. She meets all of the requirements and will be an incredible missionary one day. On the other hand our district leader seems to be trying to not let it happen... he told us last night that Paula isn't progressing at all and that she will go inactive the week she is baptized. There are lots of things to consider but she is definitely progressing!!! I will let you know what happens this week. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE pray for her. She is our main focus right now. I love her so much my heart could burst. Please pray that her dad will soften his heart and see the desires she has to join the church.

The rest of the week was great! I love my companion and we have made some goals this week to finish off the transfer strong! We have a little phrase that we always say, sin temor. It means without fear! We have conquered a lot of fears together and I have grown so much from her example. AND we get to share our birthdays together! All my life I have shared my birthday with my mom and my grandma. I thought it would be tough on my mission but the Lord blesses us in more ways than we can think of!! 

So I have to tell y'all an embarrassing story... I had to call the assistants to ask them permission for a few things. I called their phone and started talking... then the Elder passed the phone to his companion like he didn't understand me... I laughed and then started talking to his companion. He was like... who is this¿... Oh sorry elder... it's hermana Hammond.... then he was like.. do you know who I am¿¿... I said Elder Almond¿¿.... no Elder Slighting! Hahaha I was so embarrassed! I didn't even know who I was talking to! He said the assistants were out looking at the apartments and they left their phone with him. Haha I was embarrassed but he got a good laugh out of it. 

So this week my companion and I finished reading DyC. And personally I finished the New Testament. It was super cool reading them both and learning more about the gospel. I feel like at this point in my mission is where the understanding comes in. I have learned and learned and now it's time to apply. I am starting to really understand why I'm here. I am understanding better the commandments, instead of just knowing them. I understanding better what God has in store for me, instead of just having faith. And I understand I still have A LOT more to learn. I love my life. These 20 years have been so great. And these 12 months have been greater. I am so grateful for this opportunity. Thank you all for supporting me!

Have an amazing week!

Hermana Hammond

p.s. Thanks to all who wrote me for my birthday! I have a STACK of cards in the apartment and a broken record in the mission. I feel so LOVED!

I drew this picture in family night at the Montoya home! Surprised myself. haha everyone here loves The Simpsons...

Waiting at the bus stop.

We are turning 20!