1 Nefi 19:20

Alrighty then, another 6 weeks and it is time to change. We got the call last night, i.e. we called the Elders to give them our numbers for the week I get a "Hermana nos vamos!!!" As a response to my hello. That's almost what I was expecting. But I learned I'm heading back north to end the mission. I'm going a place called Zarate. It's super campo - i.e. large fields ranches. Not big city capital. God loves me so much. I was kind of expecting to leave based on some of Pte Gulbrandsen's remarks (we were having some convert drama, and he asked me if my companion had a good relationship with the convert. What are you trying to say President....?) Anyways, my new companion is from Argentina, pretty sure. I definitely know she's latina. I will know her name when I can see her plack and know how to spell her last name. It will be nice. I've only had 2 latin companions my whole mission. Something about God having confidence in my language skills. Which is valid, He's the one that gave them to me. I feel like I'll go and learn the area, and then I'll be asked to train for my last two transfers. How weird to be talking about the end. how did time go by so fast?

Allright, lets go for some fun stories real quick. We learned a new song. Well, I learned a new song, it's something latinos sing when they go on road trips. Dad, maybe you know the tune, we learned it from a Peruana. It goes like this.

Vamos a Paseo Beep beep beep
En a alto feo Beep Beep beep
Pero no importa Beep beep beep
Porque llevo torta Beep Beep Beep!

Except Hermana Erickson and I made up new lyrics. Like any good companionship

Vamos a paseo Beep beep beep
Predicamos el evangelio Beep beep beep
Bautismos los Domingos Beep beep beep
Aunque somos Gringos Beep Beep Beep!!

We liked it. I still get a kick out of it. Especially since it works as we're both from the United States. Rock the gringo power.

Fun story numero 2: we were over at a recent converts house having a NDH, and Julian, a son shares this story. He is talking about how their family is really calm and it takes them quite a bit to get worked up about anything. they just don't yell and scream (not true during games, they were all pretty in to it). For example, one time the whole family was over and someone put a towel or something up next to the furnace to help it dry. Well, it dried....and then it caught fire. Julian sees the whole thing, calmly walks over to the family and in a monotone voice says "I think your clothes are on fire." And no one pays attention. So it kind of waves, "Gente! Se parece como su ropa esta enfuego...." It was just really in spanish because it translates to "People, it would appear that your clothes are flaming." And mostly i wanted to tell you that story so I wouldn't forget it. because that is hilarious.

The last funny story is a mix in translation. Which is funny. I love it both ways, spanish to english or english to spanish. But this happened during our last district meeting. Afterwards, Elder Leon comes up to Hermana Erickson and says, mildly quietly, "Hermana, I don't mean to be bored when I say this," and Hermana Erickson just looked at him funny...."You mean rude??" Que chistoso. But it was good. because he told us that Elder Bednar came to the mission in 2009 and asked all the missionaries for their placks and if they had any stickers/writing on the back of their placks he snapped them in half. The idea was that the placks show everyone who we represent, Jesus Christ. We need to treat our placks with respect, just like we do our scriptures and our priesthood leaders. It was a good insight and got me thinking.

That and we have been given the challenge to read the scriptures in 60 days as a mission. So we've all been starting on that. And it has been great reading in English again, i've been able to get some really good insights. Things that I just would have missed reading in Spanish. Or that I had forgotten. One of which is the strong witness of the spirit in our lives, and the necessity of the spirit. And that's where 1 Nefi 19:20 comes in. Because nefi talks about how he is just exhausted from feeling the Spirit. And that is how we are. Because we have mortal bodies and aren't ready for the Celestial Kingdom just yet. We wouldn't be able to handle the glory. And as missionaries we are feeling the spirit and looking for the spirit all the time. To find the people who are ready, to teach what they need. In every moment, we are searching for and testifying with the Spirit. And that's why we are so exhausted all the time. Think of Joseph Smith after his visions, the numerous times he saw angels, and then was just sapped of energy. Or Lehi, in the first chapter, after seeing a vision, he goes home and collapses on his bed, completely drained of energy. But what joy we receive. It just gives me so much more hope for the future. Especially the verses that talk about receiving our rest some day. I'm really looking forward to that. I love what I'm doing. And I know that I am doing what the Lord wants of me. Because I can feel His confirmation every day. But I still need to do more. There is more for me to do. We are weak, our bodies are not perfect, and sometimes we break down. But God will always be there to pick us back up and give us the energy that we need for just one more day.

It was really great getting to talk to you yesterday. Even though the connection kind of blew sometimes and I couldn't see a single person. But it was good to hear your voices, and just know that you all are thinking of me and are a part of my mission, through your e-mails and your experiences. Keep looking for opportunities to share the gospel. The people need the joy that the Gospel brings. And everyday I go to bed wishing I could do more, but knowing that I'll have another day, another opportunity. Darn weaknesses.

I love you all. Keep being strong. And know that whatever weaknesses that you have, God gave them to you to help you remember Him and to help you recognize your true potential. Because every trial and every weakness can be overcome. It says so, in Ether 12:27. Every weakness is an unopened gift.

Hermana Reed