THIS WEEKS EMAILS

PRESIDENT & SISTER VILLALBA
Hola!!!

This weekend was the BOMB!!! My first baptism. It was seriously wonderful. The branch was so excited. They said this was the first marriage that they had seen get baptised in years. It doesn´t happen often. Usually it is just one that gets baptised or it is their kids. It is amazing to see the change in Mary and Juan Diaz. It is such a testament to me that people really can change, through our Savior ANYTHING is possible. Now we just have to get their girls baptised. They are coming around and we are hoping we get to stay together one more transfer to see them get baptised. The assistants called and asked us what we wanted to do. We were like "stay together!" I think because we have been working so well together they might actually grant is one more transfer. Who knows though...the Lord is always in control.

I had a break down yesterday morning about the language...I HATE not being able to understand people. Sometimes we leave from teaching and she tells me the parts I didn´t understand and I am always amazed. I always say, "I must´ve been in a different world, because that is not what I heard." A lot of times I just make up stories about what they are saying. At times it is fun but really I wish I knew what they were saying. It is my fault though, I speak English a lot more then I should. It is just so much easier!!! But my study skills are much better then they were before. The difference...I actually study... If BYU doesn´t accept me AGAIN after my mission they are going to be missing out on a dang good student!!!!

Speaking of getting rejected by BYU over and over again... My comp the other day was like, "How does it not bother you when we get rejected?" I guess it really bothered most of her comps... I was like "sister, I am use to it. I am like that toy with the weight at the bottom that you can hit and it bounces right back." Who cares if you get rejected here and there ESPECIALLY when you KNOW that you have the truth, you´ve got the goods, and if they don´t want it its their problem!

We just had an asado with the Elders and their Branch president. Basically it is a bar-b-que where you just eat meat. Sausage and BEEF. LOTS. So good, but so bad for you...yes..I have put on a few pounds...but what can you do? Wallow in self pity...NO....just walk a little faster during the day, besides, I have way to many other things to worry about then my skirts being a little tighter, haha.

The work is great. I love it here. When we were talking at lunch today I told my little story about how I almost got married...and how GRATEFUL I am that I didn´t and how lucky I feel to be here. There is nowhere I would rather be right now.

I love you all. The Church is true! And if you need to know for yourself, go out with the missionaries for a day!! Keep in touch!

Hna Redfern




PRETENDING TO EAT A SALAMANDER

PRESIDENT & SIS CALL

So hello worrrld.. Well this week was a crazy one. This week i had three comps. Elder Garcia left me on Monday for Tampico, and i got Elder Melendrez, who had already been in this area for 4 and a half months, and actually when i got here i was here with him for a week. But it was not gonna be the best situation for him to be here again, so on Thursday i got Elder Cabrera who i knew already. And well he´s here to stay. So there was a lot of time getting in and out of Tampico getting new comps and whatnot so we only got a couple of good work days in, but this upcoming week should be less stressful. Elder Cabrera is from Tijuana right up there by the border and we should get out to do some good work. Well President Call has been very active travelling around the mission and visiting all different types of areas. He seems like he´s really serious about helping this mission as much as he can. He´s a strict guy and its looking like there will be some not so subtle changes, but I'm excited to see the affect he´s had in some elders already getting them motivated to work hard and obey the rules. The work will move on. We have some baptisms planed for the next week, two people we have been teaching a long time, so it will be awesome to be able to see them take part of this sacred covenant. Oh before i forget, if anyone has been planning on sending me a package, put a church cd in there! My music is getting boring, and i´d love some church and even classical music. Anything you know is appropriate, i would love! And even Christmas music! i would love to be sure I have that by October so i can get it going after halloween haha! Seeing as the Thanksgiving rule wont apply to much. But thatd be great. I love you all I hope everything is going good!

Elder Redfern