¡Hola!
¿Como están? Well, there isn't much to tell this week...no new investigators, but I met some really nice, elderly less-actives; they crack me up! It makes me want to help out at an old folks' home after the mission:) But really, I've definitely gained a greater appreciation for the wise & seasoned while I've been out here. The oldest person I've met was 106-year-old lady in Ocoa, and she can walk and talk and dance and everything. But she's a bit crazy and has a machete and likes to steal her daughter's stuff who takes care of her haha:)
Hermana Perez and I are doing well together! She's 22 and was actually born in the South here in the West mission. Super sad, though: when she was 8, after her and her dad were baptized, he had to go work on another Caribbean island, and she didn't get to see him for 14 years. She had permission to spend a couple of hours with him during her first transfer when he came back. Can you imagine that? And still, this whole time, her parents have stayed faithfully married to each other.
It really is so sad to see all these messed up and broken families. I've learned a ton about what not to do in relationships and what I want for my family. It's pretty amazing all the skills you gain out here. Something I've learned, for one, is how to cook like a Dominican! If you don't burn at least part of the rice (making "concon"), you're a bad cook haha:) With 2 Dominicans in the house, we eat a TON of rice, like every day it's not my turn to cocinar.
Friday, I got a fever, so I stayed inside with Hna. Villegas (who is the definition of strong, don't-mess-with-me Dominican sass, love her) while my comp & Hna. Balls went on splits with missionaries from the MTC. Today, we went to the doctor's at the MTC, and I got to talk with Hermana Romney, the CCM President's wife! She was my mom in the CCM and helped me get through the difficult experience I had there. And since the CCM is next door to the temple, I got to see it again! So much peace there:)
Yesterday was my first real Sunday with the Bella Vista ward! It was way smaller than I expected, practically a branch, and it's not strong, but my bishop is amazing:) He went out to teach with us last night, and he's really trying to get the members to work with us more. So funny thing: the day before transfer calls, when I was still in Los Angeles, we visited a less-active family who used to live in Bella Vista. Turned out that some of their friends from that ward were there right then, so when I went to church yesterday, I got to see some familiar faces, it was great!
A scripture I often share when we first meet people is Mosiah 3:17, which says, "And moreover, I say unto you, that there shall be no other name given nor any other way nor means whereby salvation can come unto the children of men, only in and through the name of Christ, the Lord Omnipotent." Really, it is only though Jesus Christ and His healing Atonement that we have the ability to be saved and gain eternal life. W simply cannot do it without Him. I hope you'll allow him more into your life this week and feel of His perfect, unwavering love:) ¡Les quiero!
Con amor,
Hermana Randall
¿Como están? Well, there isn't much to tell this week...no new investigators, but I met some really nice, elderly less-actives; they crack me up! It makes me want to help out at an old folks' home after the mission:) But really, I've definitely gained a greater appreciation for the wise & seasoned while I've been out here. The oldest person I've met was 106-year-old lady in Ocoa, and she can walk and talk and dance and everything. But she's a bit crazy and has a machete and likes to steal her daughter's stuff who takes care of her haha:)
Hermana Perez and I are doing well together! She's 22 and was actually born in the South here in the West mission. Super sad, though: when she was 8, after her and her dad were baptized, he had to go work on another Caribbean island, and she didn't get to see him for 14 years. She had permission to spend a couple of hours with him during her first transfer when he came back. Can you imagine that? And still, this whole time, her parents have stayed faithfully married to each other.
It really is so sad to see all these messed up and broken families. I've learned a ton about what not to do in relationships and what I want for my family. It's pretty amazing all the skills you gain out here. Something I've learned, for one, is how to cook like a Dominican! If you don't burn at least part of the rice (making "concon"), you're a bad cook haha:) With 2 Dominicans in the house, we eat a TON of rice, like every day it's not my turn to cocinar.
Friday, I got a fever, so I stayed inside with Hna. Villegas (who is the definition of strong, don't-mess-with-me Dominican sass, love her) while my comp & Hna. Balls went on splits with missionaries from the MTC. Today, we went to the doctor's at the MTC, and I got to talk with Hermana Romney, the CCM President's wife! She was my mom in the CCM and helped me get through the difficult experience I had there. And since the CCM is next door to the temple, I got to see it again! So much peace there:)
Yesterday was my first real Sunday with the Bella Vista ward! It was way smaller than I expected, practically a branch, and it's not strong, but my bishop is amazing:) He went out to teach with us last night, and he's really trying to get the members to work with us more. So funny thing: the day before transfer calls, when I was still in Los Angeles, we visited a less-active family who used to live in Bella Vista. Turned out that some of their friends from that ward were there right then, so when I went to church yesterday, I got to see some familiar faces, it was great!
A scripture I often share when we first meet people is Mosiah 3:17, which says, "And moreover, I say unto you, that there shall be no other name given nor any other way nor means whereby salvation can come unto the children of men, only in and through the name of Christ, the Lord Omnipotent." Really, it is only though Jesus Christ and His healing Atonement that we have the ability to be saved and gain eternal life. W simply cannot do it without Him. I hope you'll allow him more into your life this week and feel of His perfect, unwavering love:) ¡Les quiero!
Con amor,
Hermana Randall
My CCM mommy, Hermana Romney!
I love the temple:):)
Mi primera compañera Dominicana (Hermana Perez)
We reenacted "Singin' in the Rain" that night during a total downpour:)
We reenacted "Singin' in the Rain" that night during a total downpour:)