December 8

                               

Stuck in Traffic

  

 
 December 8, 2014

Alright, so I've decided to do my email a little different this week considering I feel like my emails have been really lame lately. So here is my best shot.

This week we taught Elizabeth and Lula twice. They are progressing but we can't seem to get them to church. They keep all of their reading commitments and always have a lot to talk about. I love them and their children are adorable. We taught them the plan of salvation over two lessons. The first one was great although they had a lot to say about Adam and Eve. Catholics think crazy things about the whole Adam and Eve situation. The rest of the plan of salvation we had Hna. Perez there. She is a miracle worker I tell you. She knows what to say and when to say it. She brings the spirit so strong and you could tell that they felt it. We asked them to come to church but they said no. Hispanics have this huge fear of the freeway for some reason. That makes it really hard to get people who are in our area to church, BECAUSE THEY HAVE TO TAKE THE FREEWAY.

I had my first heartbreak this week. We have stopped by to talk to this guy named Ivan (pronounced eevaaan) a few times. We finally made an appointment with him but didn't make it due to being stuck in traffic all day. (that is another story that I will tell in a minute.) I finally convinced Hna Hurley to go visit him after 3 hours of service the next day. We stopped by and he dropped us hard. He was like," I don't understand why you would want to come. I already have a church and I don't think you have anything to say that I need to know." I was so heartbroken. We walked back to the car, more like sulked back to the car, and when we got in I put on Hilary Weeks, "Just let me cry" and sobbed for a good 10-15 minutes. I had never been so sure that someone needed the gospel as I was about Ivan. He just had this gloom about him and he said he was looking but hadn't found anything. I know this is what he needs but unfortunately we all have our agency. I think I am going to go drop a Book of Mormon off at his house for Christmas, after all this is the best gift I can give someone. 

I had my first big break down this week. We had a Christmas dinner this week with our ward and the English ward. It went okay except for the fact that everyone decided to talk to me and not speak slowly. A lady named Olga was there and she needed a lot of help too. It was just really overwhelming. Afterwards I had to take a language assessment and I just didn't have the patience to do it. I stood up and stormed out of the room. Hna Hurley was like...uhhhh. We talked about it the next day through and everything is getting better. I just have really been letting my emotions build up lately and it doesn't help anything. I've got to find a better outlet. Maybe I'll take up running? 

We had an English dinner this week as well. It was so different than anything I'd experienced. For one thing I could understand the conversation which was really nice. I feel I was in with the cool kids. It was just really funny. They are a great family. I'll tell you more about this in my hand written letter. 

So my crazy thing for this week...WE GOT STUCK IN TRAFFIC ALL DAY. We had to plan for zone training since Hna. Hurley is STL and we didn't get done until 4. WE were stuck in traffic until 6:00 trying to get to our area. We never arrived. We had to turn around and go to dinner. Then we got stuck in traffic on the way to dinner. It was crazy. 

Funny things. 

1. We have a super stylish elder in the zone named Elder Gove. He always says "Hna. Porter that skirt would make a great tie." Yesterday he saw Hna Hurley, who had worn the same skirt 2 days in a row. Elder Gove looked at me and said "Hna. Porter, you better not wear the same skirt 2 days in a row. I'll notice. See how Hna Hurley is wearing the same skirt." I about died laughing. I then told Hna Hurley this and she said "Dang it, I even though of Elder Gove when I put this skirt on this morning." It was so funny. 

2. We got a really funny miracle call last night. The elders stopped to contact this drunk lady. They described the whole thing in a British accent and then at the end, the lady tried to kiss one of the elders in the end. The miracle was "Elder Durstchi dodged the kiss and held strong."

That might just be missionary humor but I loved it. 

SHOUTOUTS 

Momma Misty

Sarah F

Bishop

Amanda

Dad

Mom

 

QUESTIONS

How goes THE WORK?
The work is great. Moving a little slow. Let's just say there won't be any baptisms anytime soon. That is okay though. Just spending a lot of time planting seeds. 

What is the funniest thing that happened this week?

Elder Durtchi almost getting kissed.

When are transfers?
The week after Christmas. I think it is the 27 or something like that.

Where are you going for Christmas?
I think we are going to Obispo house. We don't really plan that far in advance to be honest. We will probably know Christmas eve. 

What are you doing for P-day?
We have temple conference this week, where we go to the temple as a zone (keep you eyes down, if you know what I mean.) So we are practicing a song that we are singing for that. We also will be playing soccer and going shopping for food.

What was the best lesson you taught this week?
Lula and Elizabeth's. It was really the only lesson we taught this week. Not only lesson but only lesson with an investigator.

Do you ever teach at church?
No. We cant get anyone to come to church. But if you mean teach RS or SS the answer is still no.

How's the Spanish going? 
Maaaaaaaaa. I just wish I was fluent already. It is slowly chugging a long. I'm not sure what the best way to learn it is. James, if you have any suggestions please chime in. You too Casey.

Do you speak Spanish more than half the time?
No. ALL of our contacts are English. But at church and our investigators are all Spanish. So I guess it actually depends on which day of the week you are talking about.

 

  

My first pupusas