Cute pics Dec 16

Preaching in the park.

Birthday wishes

Making Brownies!

Merry Christmas all!

From Hermana Willardson

What’s the Beef

Well Family here we are again first and foremost I wish the happiest of birthdays to my beautiful Mother!!!! I hope you had a fantastic day on Friday and know that I was thinking about you alllllllll daaaaayyyyy!!!! But yes here we are, the last email before Christmas. I don't believe I will be emailing next week because all of the mission will be together for our Christmas celebration. So the next time we talk will be through Skype!!! WOOOHOOOOO I will be calling around 12:00 your time. I am kind of nervous I won't lie. Hahaha. But it will all be great I know!!!

Lets see, not a whole lot to report this week but I will see what I can remember haha. 

Tuesday was a good old day of work, my companion got sick and lost her voice so all the people were telling us their medicines for how to fix what she had. I think we recieved about 20 lemons to make a lemon drink haha. We are teaching a family right now that gave us a pumpkin and told us how to make a soup out of it... but I am not exactly sure what they said to tell you the truth... Hahaha. 

Wednesday we went to a part of our area that is called Choriso. It is the poorest part of our area but it is probably one of my favorites. We had two of the teenagers from the branch helping us so that we could teach and contact at the same time. I was out contacting and I saw this lady putting water in to her little wheel barrell so we offered to help her out. So picture this, 5 buckets full of water in a little wood hand cart and me pulling it along this dirt road to her house. It was quite humorous. Anyway when we got to her house my companion was outside talking to her daughter. How ironic that we were contacting the same family without even knowing it. The Mom is a less active member and has a husband that isn't a member and her daughter with her husband. They were very receptive to our message and invited us to come back. The problem was that they were in Managua until tomorrow. So hopefully next time they will be receptive still. But it was a lesson I learned that through service we see the blessings of our Heavenly Father. 

Thursday we had meetings in Leòn with president and all of the missionaries in the zone. Everyone had to present their area and talk about their investigators and what we are good at. Haha it is always a little scary to present what we have in front of President but it really wasn't all that bad. Since we are TL's we had to be there for every presentation so we were in Leòn almost all day. But at the end of the day President took us to dinner and I rode in his car, it was the first time I have been in a car in a real long time. Haha. 

Friday we were out working and it was really really hot so we decided we would buy some ice cream. Now here in Nicaragua there are people that walk around with carts of ice cream and it is the best ice cream, sure it is a little sketchy but it is still the best. Anyway we stopped to buy some and as we were talking to the man we introduced ourselves and he invited us to his house for later that night. We were pretty excited! So later that night we went to teach Marlo and his wife Eva. The only problem is that they live right next to a church, the churches here are all open. So everything they were chanting and yelling we could hear. It was so loud we couldn't hear ourselves haha. So we have our next appointment for when the church isn't in session. hahaha. It was rather humorous. 

Saturday night I opened up one of my packages of beef jerky that I had forgotten about, and naturally I shared with my companion. She went nuts and had quite a bit but I was more than happy to share. Then I put it in the fridge so that no animals would get it.... this story continues the next day...

Sunday after church we were eating lunch and I asked for soup because I had a gnarly sore throat. So I was sitting there eating my soup and this soup was one of the best soups I have ever had!!! So naturally I asked what it was..... Prepare yourselves.... it was soup with cow stomach.... yes you read that right. The meat that was in my soup was the stomach of a cow. And it was delicious. I don't know if I have changed or if it just has always been good... but there is the weird food story for you. Anyway later that night we came home and I was hungry so I went to the fridge to eat some beef jerky... When I looked in the fridge there was my bag with one piece left. So I chuckled a little and went to ask my companion what happened. When I asked her she had the saddest little face and she told me that in the middle of the night she woke up craving the beef jerky and couldn't stop herself. Hahaha in the middle of the night my sweet companion swiped my jerky. The story was so funny that I couldn't help but just laugh and give her my last piece of jerky. Hahahaha. 

So family that is the week for you all. I hope that you all have a fantastic week and I will see you all for Christmas, this week try not to get all caught up in the hustle and bustle. Sit down and take time to think about what it is we are really celebrating. 

I love you!!

Hermana Willardson

Breann and her best friend Hemana Raymond

Breann’s comp Hermana Cruz

Praying over the dead Scorpion

Hector and his Brother and the missionaries that baptized them

Mission of miracles! I don’t think she is ever coming home!

Well family how are you all? Man this week flew by again!!!! Someone start praying for the time to slow down will ya? 

Anyway Monday was quite the experience. After we had our family night we were at home just studying like good little missionaries.... and randomly Hermana Cruz starts screaming!! scared me so bad I fell out of my chair. No jokes. So I ran over to her desk to see what in the world was happening and as I was running over I saw something scurrying across the floor. One HUGE scorpion was running right for my bed. So naturally I screamed too. Hahaha we got the broom and sweeped it into the middle of the floor so that we could keep our eyes on it until we planned what to do. Finally we went and got a coconut and smashed it real good. Haha It smelled HORRIBLE!!! And it was one of the scariest moments of my life because ya they are dangerous. Anyway I took a video of the killing and hopefully I will be able to send it to you. 

Tuesday we were in Managua for a Leaders meeting that made me stressed but motivated. They told us that no one would recieve their Christmas packages until the 23rd of December which was depressing. But as I was talking to one of the APs he told me he would help me out. Hahaha its good to have friends in high places... something I learned from my Father. :) Anyway as we were about to leave President told us that we needed to come back the next day for another meeting. When I asked what it was for he told us that he is meeting with all of the people that are in the top 10% of the mission to see what they are doing to have success... I had no idea that I was in the top 10% so that was a little surprising. But it was sad because it meant another day that we wouldn't be able to work in our area. 

Wednesday we returned to Managua and had our meeting. I got to see some of my old friends so that was fun and after president took us all to lunch!!!! Then the APs told me that they had my packages hahahaha So I smuggled them onto the bus with me. Later that night we went and visited Hector and Augustina and Augustina told us that she didn't want to get baptised until the next week but that her husband was all ready for this week.

Thursday we had a special fast for our little family and that we would be able to see miracles.

Friday I had to go to Leòn to help the sisters out there. They are in a trio and that comes with a special set of difficulties. I helped them find some new people to teach and commit one family to baptism. It is weird that my mind set has now changed. The success of the Hermanas in Leòn is just as important to me as the success that I see in my area. But with that it isn't easy. We work really hard and it is exhausting but I know that for everything we give we are blessed!!!!

Saturday I returned to Nagarote and we went to ahve the baptismal interview with Hector and Augustina. Our District leader Elder Stark worked a miracle and she told us that she would be baptised with her husband the next day!!!!!! The mission is of miracles. That night was a celebration in the Catholic church that is kind of like halloween but they don't dress up. Anyway there were a lot of drunks and no one was in their houses.... So we had to go inside early. 

Sunday sunday sunday... Our day of miracles. Hector and Augustina were baptised in the morning!!!! We were all very happy and very blessed. That night there was the Christmas Devotional that I hope you were able to watch. It was incredible and to be completely honest it made me a little homesick but all is well all is well. Anyway we had to go to the South mission because it is where the closest Chapel is. So we rented a bus and our little branch headed for the Devotional. Hector came with us, we got to the chapel pretty early and sat down. About 20 minutes later a man came up and tapped Hector on the shoulder then the next thing I knew they were hugging and crying. I was a little bit confused as you all can imagine. But as it turns out, it was his brother. They hadn't seen or talked to eachother in 5 years because they lost contact. They are both recent converts to the church!!!! His brother has been a convert for 5 months and our sweet Hector that was baptised that very morning. His brother told us that he had been praying for the missionaries to find Hector. This moment in my mission brought me more joy than I have ever felt in my entire life. I know that our Heavenly Father loves every single one of His children and He answers our prayers. I am so grateful that I get to be a part of these miracles. I am blessed beyond imagine and I don't know if I will ever be able to come home. Don't get me wrong I love you all, but I am going to miss seeing the miracles.

Anyway I love you all very much!!! In 2 more weeks we will be skyping!!!! Have a great week and try not to be too cold... hahahaha....

Love Hermana Willardson!!! 

PIcs Dec. 2

Breann and the turkey on Thanksgiving

Hermana Cruz demonstrating the church drinking fountain

The baptismal Font

Volcano Momotumbo

Nagarote and Leon

Well family! I hope all of your thanksgivings were awesome and a special Happy Birthday to Diane!!! I hope that Thursday was a good day :) this week also feels like it didn't even happen. With all that I am doing the weeks fly by, it scares me a little how fast time is going!

Tuesday we were here working in our area and we went and visited one of our recent converts. Her name is Miledi but it is pronounced like me-lady. It is always a little humorous to me. She is a 14 year old but the crazy thing about Nicaragua is that people never look their age, she seriously looks like she is about 20. She lives with her parents and her family but is the only one that has any direction in life. Her brothers earn money by betting on rooster fights and raising roosters for these fights. Hahaha oh Nagarote.... Her parents make a living selling tortillas. I got to learn how to make corn tortillas when we visited her. It was quite exiting but really really hot. We also found Hector and Augustina, they are a couple that have children that are all grown and moved out of the house and Hector has had a troubling life. But he was really receptive of us and let us in to talk to him. Our first lesson went really well and we set our return appointment for the next day.

Wednesday I did my first splits as a TL. I was in my area with one of the Hermanas and my companion went to Leòn. As a TL the way I work needs to be an example to the zone so I knew that this day I had to kick it into high gear but I also knew that I couldn't do it without the help of my Heavenly Father. So I was praying really hard all day for a miracle. We went and visited Hector and Augustina and I had the strong impression to talk to them about baptism which wasn't what was in the plans. But I knew that I needed to follow the prompting. We talked about how Jesus Christ was baptised and I extended the invitation for them to be baptised and they accepted! It was literally a miracle. 

Thursday we switched back companions and went out to work we needed to find more new people to teach so that was our focus for the day. We were walking along the street and we went to go contact one house. In this house we found Angelika, she is 9 months pregnant and was ready to pop, literally, as we were there teaching her, her water broke.... most awkward moment of my life.... dont worry though her mom was there so we didn't have to do too much. Oh man.... awkward day. Then we had what is called "Noche De Hermanamiento" which is a night where the branch gets together to have a little spiritual message and eat some treats. I was in charge of the message and since they don't celebrate Thanksgiving here I decided to talk a little bit about thanksgiving. We all went around in a circle and told what we were thankful for. I was telling them that I am very grateful for my family but at the same time the members of this branch have become like my family. They are always so willing to help and I am so grateful for them. To be honest with you I kinda forgot that it was Thanksgiving until the night time haha. 

Friday we had our Zone meeting in Leòn. We did an activity where we were taped together with our companions and we had to leave the chapel and contact one person, imagine that image... about 32 missionaries hobbling along contacting people. Hahaha it was supposed to show us the importance of sticking with our companions and working as a team. 

Saturday we went to an area in our area that is called "Sonrisa de Dios" which means God´s smile. It is so beautiful there but I didn't have my camera. I will have to take it with me next time. There we found a whole bunch of Less active memebers so we will be working in this area to help reactivate the people. 

Sunday Hector and Augustina came to church and were recieved well  by the members and really enjoyed it. They will be getting baptised next Sunday if everything goes well. They really are my little miracle family :) 

Today we went to Leòn to buy somethings because there literally isn't anything in Nagarote. Leòn has a lot of white people and it was really weird for me.. we decided to treat ourselves and went out for lunch. I ordered the American Breakfast and had bacon for the first time in 4 Months!!!! I am very content. 

Well family the last thing I want to tell you is that I know that miracles exist. All we need is to have the Faith, I testify that faith proceeds miracles. I love you all and I hope you have a great week!!! 

Love,

Hermana Willardson!

4 months down!

Well there family! Here we are again, anyone else feel like I was just writing like 2 days ago? This week was the fastest one so far! Can you believe that I have already been out for 4 months now?!?! What in the world?! 

Tuesday we had a meeting in Managua for all of those that are still in training, even though it doesn't feel like it I was in training until today. I am now officially done with training :) But we had another meeting the next day so we got to sleep in Managua. But that night we got to go out and work in Managua I was working in a section called The Americas. I don't like Managua very much but it was a good experience. Hahaha I was walking along and it had been raining all day and the roads are dirt so this day the roads were all muddy. And as I was walking along I was singing with the Hermanas and I got a little carried away and totally slipped and fell and I was covered in mud. It was one of the funniest moments so far in my mission. Mostly because I was with 3 other Hermanas and we all laughed really hard. 

Wednesday we had a meeting with all the Hermanas in the mission so I got to see a lot of my friends. We talked about modesty and how this mission is going to be recieving a lot more Hermanas. This week we will recieve 12 Hermanas and 3 Elders. Hahaha. It is really good! Nicaragua will soon be the first mission with 50% hermanas and 50% Elders because it is one of the safest missions in Central America. Then I was in divisions with Hermana Ayala she is the leader of the sisters of all the mission. It was a little intimidating but I knew I was going to learn a lot from her. So that night I went and worked in her area with her and I was feeling super sick. After our last appointment we were walking back to the house and I was in the middle of telling her a story when all of a sudden I felt super super sick. So I ran to a tree and threw up hahahaha my poor companion.... 

Anyway Thursday I was feeling a little better but I didn't have much energy. But we went and worked like normal. I was still in Managua with Hermana Ayala. We went and contacted in the mall and it was really funny. I felt like I was at home for the first time in 4 months. It honestly was really weird to be in a mall again. 

Friday I returned to Nagarote exhausted, I didn't eat very much all of Thursday and still didn't have an appetite on Friday and my body was without strength. So we kinda took it easy. We are working on reactivating a family that reminds me of home. They are a young couple with two little girls one named rachel (4) and one named Katie (2) They are the cutest little girls and I have adopted them as my little Nicaraguan nieces. The parents and grandparents all live in the same little house and it is a full house.  

Saturday we had a zone meeting and we found out that our little zone of 8 missionaries is now part of the Zone Leon. We were all a little sad because it was fun to be a zone of only 8 missionaries. 

Sunday our branch found out that they are now part of the Stake in Leon as well, I think it will help the branch to have a stake to help us out with stuff but some of the members were a little sad. 

Today we found out the transfers. 4 of the 8 missionaries that were here are leaving and we will be getting a new District Leader. I have also been called to be TL with my companion. We are responsible for the Hermanas in Leon. It is a huge blessing and a huge responsibility for me. I am ready for the challenge because I know that the Lord will help me fufil this calling. Otherwise he wouldn't have called me to do it. We will be the ones to go to Leon for splits to help the areas there and help the Hermanas with whatever they need. Anyway I am excited and nervous all at the same time. But I am ready :) out of the frying pan and into the flame we go!

With love,

Hermana Willardson

Letter from Nov 18

Well guys, someone back home must have been praying for me to have something more exciting to write about this week because I definitely do have a lot more to tell you all.... hahaha oh boy.... 

Tuesday started out normal, we had our district meeting and it was probably the best one yet. Then we got to work and we were working really hard like normal because we have the goal to baptise every week. So we were out looking for the people that are ready for us. For some strange reason I had the desire to contact an apartment that was up 4 flights of stairs... Hermana Lopez thought I was crazy but we went anyway. There we found Silvia, she is the niece of one of the members of the ward and had recently moved into our area. So we taught her and she is super prepared for our message. Later that night we had a meeting with the ward mission leader and he told us that we are doing really good things for the ward of Ayapal. As we were walking home we got a phone call from the Zone Leaders.... They told me that I had to pack my things because I am needed in another area. We were really confused because transfers aren't until the 26th. The problem was that they didn't know where I was going or why. So I had to go get my clothes from the Bishops wife and start to pack my things. Elder Vivas and Elder Hernandez came to say goodbye and spend a little more time with us. It was super sad because I didn't have anytime to say goodbye to the members or my converts.. And I don't know when I will get to see them again. So we bought Coke in the bottle and sat on the steps of the apartment and waited for the Zone Leaders to call to tell us what was going on. At about 9:30 at night they called again and told me that I needed to be in Nagarote in the morning and that Hermana Lopez was going to get a new companion that was in our zone. So we went up to the apartment to pack my things and cry a little. It was definitely a sad night. I had no idea what was Nagarote or anything about my new companion. Or why I was being transfered early, especially because I am still technically in training hhaa.

Wednesday Elders Quiñonez, Gonzalez, Vivas and Hernandez and Hermana Lopez all came to the bus stop to say goodbye.. It was really sad because we were really close and all of us were best friends. But anyway... haha I got on a bus with another Hermana and we came to Nagarote. My new companion is Hermana Cruz and she is really really awesome. There was a problem in Managua and for this we had to have emergency transfers. Don't worry it wasn't anything I did! Hahaha anyway Hermana Cruz is a TL which is the leader for the Hermanas in the Zone. Nagarote is about 45 minutes out of Managua and it has just about everything you could think of. From really really rich areas to extremely poor. Our area is super huge. I have been here almost a week and I still haven't seen all of the area. Hahaha so anyway we dropped off my suitcases and got to work. I met all of their converts and their investigators. I know that this area has a grand potential to grow into something better. Right now the ward is actually a branch. There are 562 people that are members of the church but on Sunday there were only 42 people there... So as you can imagine most of my work is in reactivation. But this town has a ton of problems haha. I am not going to go into the problems but just know that reactivation is not easy.  Anyway here is a funny story for you all, we were in one part of our area that is just dirt road and little tiny houses and we needed to be in another part of the area to meet with the ward mission leader. The problem was that motos, or taxis, or triciclos don't go to where we were. So we started walking, but we were already super late so we were praying for a miracle. As we were walking a man with his horse and cart passed by, I looked at my companion and we both just smilied and proceeded to ask the man if he could give us a ride into town. Hahahahaha so imagine two missionaries sitting in a cart being hauled into town. Oh man I laughed pretty hard. 

Anyway a little more back ground, in my zone there are only 8 missionaries. We are the only Hermanas in the entire zone. Haha So Friday there was a meeting for the leaders and I got to go because my companion is the TL. So I got to meet with President and sit in on the meeting. It was really interesting! After everyone told me that I am going to be the next TL. But I told them they were all crazy because I am still just starting out. 

Saturday we had the baptism of Ady and Alicia which is a family that they had been teaching for almost 3 months, and finally on Thursday they told us they were going to be baptised. So the font here is more like a big boxish thing full of water.. Haha I will have to take a picture for you guys. It is a bit humorous. 

Sunday I was just chillin in Sacrament meeting like usual when the Branch President announced that I would be giving one of the talks... Haha man the life of a missionary. So luckily I remembered my talk on the fall from the MTC so I just used that haha. 

Anyway today we went and hiked to try to find this river...But no one knew where exactly it was. All 8 missionaries from our zone went so it was nice to get to know them a little more,  but anyway, so we were hiking and hiking and it was hot. And we couldn't find this river so we kept walking and ended up at this really sketchy farm, haha, so the Elders went and asked for help. They returned with this man dressed in army clothes and he told us he would guide us to the river. So we followed him but he was pretty much running so we had to walk really fast... I tell you what I don't know why we were looking for this river because I was a river, we were all sweating really bad. Super delicious right? Haha. Anyway finally we found this so called river but it was more like a creek, kinda disappointing. But we brought chicken and bread so we lunched Nagarote style haha. Anyway now here I am exhausted :) Another funny story for you all... So Friday night they turned off the water for all of the city without telling us. We have been without water for 4 days now... This morning we knew we somehow had to shower. So we asked our neighbors (don't worry they are members) If they had some way for us to shower. They lead us to their bathroom and there was a big bucket full of water and a little bowl. So I have officially had my first bucket shower:) Cross that off the bucket list. Anyway I am really excited to be here in Nagarote. It is a little cooler than Ayapal so that is good. It is sad to not be with the people I was used too but I am happy :) I know I am here for a reason and I am learning more and more that in the mission nothing is about my timing. Everything is in the Lord's timing and he knew that I was needed here. I am ready and excited to work more in this area and get to know it better. I just hope that Hermana Cruz doesn't have transfers on the 26th because I don't know if I will know the area well enough haha but who knows! 

Anyway I love you all so much!!! Thank you for your prayers, I promise you I can feel them!

Loves,

Hermana Willardson

Nov 18, 2013

Sweaty Breann after her hike to the river.

Hike to the river

Baptism of Alicia and Ady

The new Zone!

Last night in Ayapal

Mom and Dad saying goodbye.

The Surprise Duet

Life as a Nicaraguan missionary!

Well family here we are again, another week has passed. Can you believe it? I certainly can't. This week was pretty normal and I don't have much to report so we will see what I can come up with to tell you all. 

Lets see, Tuesday was pretty normal. Nothing too exciting happened. 

Wednesday there was more fumigation. This time they came to our apartment with this thing that was like a leaf blower that was blowing out the pesticide. I instantly got a headache but the good news is that I don't have Dangue. They have been fumigating the streets everyday because 17 people have died from Dangue in the passed month. Crazy stuff I tell you. 

Thursday was the birthday of one of our Elder friends. He is in our same district so in the night we bought a piñata and had a grand old time! 

Other than that it was a pretty normal week. SO I am going to describe what our normal day is like for you all :) 6:30 we wake up and do some exercises. I use the rubber band thingie that Dad sent with me and I am getting pretty muscular...hahaha.... then we walk to this store that is really close to our house to get something for breakfast. Every morning I ask for orange juice because they squeeze it fresh right there in front of me :) So incredibly delicious. Then we go home and shower and get ready and study. We study personally for an hour then we study together for an hour and then we read the Book of Mormon together. I read it in Spanish and H. Lopez reads in English. Sometimes it is really funny to watch her try to read English haha its probably the same for her with me. :) Then we leave the house and start contacting. 

I really enjoy contacting because everyone we meet has some story to tell. Then at 1:00 everyday we have lunch at Hermana Patricias. She is a member of the Church and always makes really good food. I am so grateful. It is always really hot right around this time so we are grateful to have the hour break from the sun. I am starting to get some really funny looking tan lines haha. Then we leave to go teach or contact more. On average we try to teach around 5-6 lessons everyday. We also visit our recent converts. We have dinner every night with different members of the church. Some of the members I look forward to eating with... others... well not so much haha. Then at night we come home and plan for the next day. During the day or at night I try to do something to make Hermana Lopez laugh because we do much better work when we are happy. :) Anyway that is pretty much the normal life of a Nicaraguan missionary. I don't think it is that different from other missionaries... sure there are a few things that are different but I am so grateful to be here. I know without doubt that I am supposed to be in Nicaragua. It is feeling more and more like home. The time is flying by and it scares me a little. Haha. The spanish is coming along really well! I am so blessed!!! Anyway sorry this week was a little lame I will try to do something weird this week so that I have a good story to tell you haha. I love you all and miss you so much! Have a great week!!!!

Love Hermana Willardson

Before Breann got off the email I asked her to tell me a story about someone she is teaching.  Here is her reply. 

Ok, I am going to tell you a story.

This week we were looking a lot for new people to teach. I have been getting frustrated because I didn't feel like I knew how to know when the spirit was telling me to knock a door or when it was just my thoughts. So we were heading to dinner one day after a day of not finding hardly anyone to teach. We were tired and sweaty. I offered up a desperate, honest prayer that I would be able to find just one person that was positive. As we were walking my heart started pounding and I couldn't figure out why. I looked down this dark, sketchy ally and before I knew it I was walking down the ally. Hermana Lopez reluctantly following, At the end of the ally was one Little house, the door was closed and there wasn't much light. Hermana Lopez told me that we should leave but I told her that I wanted to knock that door. So we did. A woman answered the door and told us that at one point she had studied with the missionaries but then they moved and lost touch. She has a husband and 3 kids and she told us to come back on Tuesday. I was so happy and as I left that house I had goosebumps. It is so incredible to feel myself being used as an instrument in the Lord's hands. I know that I can't do this alone. This isn't my work and that is something I am still learning. I am so grateful to be here learning how to listen and do what the Spirit tells me.

Week 9 in Nicaragua

Hey there family!! Man can you believe that it is already November? Where did October go right? Anyway I want to start this letter off by wishing the happiest of birthdays to my sweet, beautiful niece Eliza and my stud muffin of a nephew Cayden. I wish I could be there to celebrate but I tell myself its ok because they won't remember this birthday haha. :)
This week was a little crazy, but still really good!
Tuesday we did splits because there was a meeting in Managua for the leaders. I was put with Hermana Kent again. It was a really interesting experience being with another North American. She still doesn't speak much Spanish which meant I was basically alone. She would say hello and goodbye and that was about it. It was really good for me though because it showed me that I really can speak Spanish and teach without a Native. :)
Wednesday we had another meeting in Managua for the trainers and the newbies and I am still considered new so we had to go. I really like going to hear what President has to say. He is a very wise man. Then we got to go to McDonalds again :) It definitely isn't the same as in the states but it was still delicious.
Thursday we were out contacting and I was with a member of the Church who is 15. We knocked one door and the people were super friendly, they invited us in and we had a great converstaion. They told us that they go to our church every sunday but I had never seen them before. Anyway they fed us and gave us juice and just before we were about to go I reminded them where the church was... as it turns out they thought we were Jehova's Witnesses the whole time. Even though I told them at the beginning what Church we were from haha. Needless to say it was a bit awkward.
Friday we had the baptism of Madelyn. She is the daughter of some inactives, but had the huge desire to be baptized. I know for a fact she is going to be a missionary some day. After she was baptized she bore her testimony. This cute little 9 year old girl. She is adorable. Then that night we had a little more time so we celebrated Halloween :) we don't have much though so it wasn't too creative we were witches. They don't celebrate Halloween here because people think it is Satanic... haha...
Saturday was another great day in the work but nothing too much to report. It is getting hotter and hotter day by day
Last night around 2:00am I woke up because my whole bed was shaking and I thought it was Hermana Lopez trying to wake me up. Turns out it was just an Earthquake haha we had a good laugh and went back to bed. This life in Nicaragua sure is crazy. :)
Anyway That is about it for this week!! I will try to do something out of the ordinary this week so that I will have a good story to tell you all next week! I love you all and miss you tons!
Hermana Willardson!

Breanns family in Nicaragua!

Breann's family in Nicaragua!

10-22-2013 Sorry this is late

Hey there family! I hope you are all doing well!! This week was just another normal week in the missionary life!

Monday we went to the park with all of the Elders that we are friends with because 4 out of the 5 had transfers. So we went to the park and the Elders got hamburgers I got myself a big cup of cacao- It is like chocolate milk but 100 times better- 

Tuesday was just a normal day. We had our last lunch with the Elders and then said goodbye. Then we worked like usual and we were both kinda having a bummer day so we decided to make it a "eat like an American night" I got a super delicious hamburger and Hermana Lopez got a hot dog. It was so so delicious! 

Wednesday we had a meeting for the Zone to meet all the new people. We played mafia and had introductions and I told people that I was from Nicaragua haha. I think some of them actually believed me too... That day we found Rina y Leonardo. They were standing outside and I got this overwhelming feeling that we needed to talk to them SO we did. Turns out they live in the area of the Elders. But the Elders gave us permission to teach them :)

So Thursday we went looking for their house. They live in what is called "La liña" it is a much poorer area then ours and is a little dangerous so the Elders have to accompany us. It is all dirt road and tin shacks, but oh my lanta it is beautiful. There are plam trees and flowers and the people are so incredibly happy and friendly. I love it so much there. Anyway they are going to be baptised and married in December because Leonardo has to go to Managua for a month for his work I am praying I will still be here. They are so awesome. 

Friday we were walking and out of no where this guy asks us if we have anywhere to go for the next half our because he wanted to talk about Jesus with us... so we said sure and went with him. He invited us inside and told us to sit down. Before we knew it there were 7 more people that came through the door. Turns out it was a meeting for a different church haha... but by that point we couldn't leave... hahaha so we polietly sat there as they sang and prayed. As we were leaving we ran into the Elders.... that was a little awkward to try to explain. Haha that night the Bishop fed us dinner, he wanted to make me feel at home so he got us hot dogs. But with jalepeños inside. It was a spicy hot dog. 

Saturday was pretty normal, we were out tracting and out of nowhere came this huge storm. Normally we can tell when it is about to rain because there are clouds but this time it was just like the movies where there was a random crack of thunder and then downpour!!! We were soaked within minutes. Haha its a good thing I know how to swim. 

Yesterday we had 3 lunch appointments... I have never been so full of gaillopinto in my life. Hahaha. We had to roll ourselves home.

Today we had to go to Managua in the morning to renew the identification for H.Lopez, we left here at 5:00am and I am very very tired. We had to walk through the market to get to the bus and it was really exciting. It was like in the movie Aladdin, I enjoyed it but it kinda smelled like old fish so that wasn't super enjoyable.  And now here I am writing you all. Sorry this email isn't super exciting!! Just living life in Nicaragua :) I hope you know I love you all!

Love,

Hermana Willardson

10-28-2013

Mi familia chelita!                        

Man can you believe that I hit my 3 month mark this week? Time is flying so fast! I know that before we all know it I will be living back at home. That is a scary thought hahaha just kidding! This week was good as usual J

Tuesday we were helping Manuel with smoking because he is having troubles again. We helped him destroy a whole pack of cigarettes!! It was the first time I have ever held a cigarette haha who would have thought that the first time would be on my mission ;) It was awesome to see him take more steps to change. I know it was hard for him but it was great to see how happy his family was.

Wednesday we did splits with the teenagers of the ward, I really enjoy working with them because a lot of them want to go on missions so this gives them an opportunity to see what a mission is really like. As we were visiting Hazel in the night she told us that she wanted to be married and baptized the next day. You can imagine our surprise and exceeding joy! So we called our District Leader and she had her interview. We have been working with her husband as well but he is tough. He believes that he doesn’t need a baptism, so we have met with him a few times.

Thursday we had the marriage of Hazel y Jinmey and the baptism of Hazel. The bishop was there and he bore testimony of how important baptism is and it was perfect for Jinmey!!! After Hazel was baptized we were waiting for her to get dressed and the ward mission leader had me directing hymns. He came up to me after we sang a couple and asked me what my favorite hymn was, so I told him it was How Great Thou Art. To which he turned to the people there and said “Hermanos y Hermanas vamos a cantar por ustedes.” (brothers and sisters we are going to sing for you.) You can imagine my confusion and shock. He counted to three and we both started singing Grande eres tu! Hahaha. Talk about always having to be prepared, you’d think I was a boy scout or something. Anyway after we were done the bishops wife told me that I am learning Spanish because I am supposed to marry the ward mission leader… Awkward… haha. People always love to joke about me marrying people here. But anyway I laughed about the surprise duet for the rest of the day.

Friday we had a meeting with the other Chinandega zone and President Collado. We also had the privilege of hearing from an area 70 Elder Maravilla. It was very spiritual and I learned  a lot! I also got my package (Thank you mom) J And I don’t know if Sarah Young reads these letters or not, but if she does I just want to say thank you for your letter! Mail means so much to a missionary, I don’t think people understand unless they have been on a mission. So if anyone else feels like sending a letter feel free! Haha, but seriously….

Saturday was pretty normal, there was a soccer game on that everyone was watching and it reminded me of how Utah is on the day that BYU plays U of U. It made me miss sitting on the couch with Dad watching the games.  I have decided that I really do like watching soccer though. So that is something else new that I have picked up from here J

Sunday was another day of rain. In the morning we did splits to bring more people to church and at 1:30 we did splits again because one family told us that they could only go to the 2:00 meeting. So Hermana Lopez stayed at the church with one of our families and a teenager and I set out with another teenager into the monsoon. I kid you not the taxis were like boats. The water was up to our mid-calf. So we swam to the house and it turns out they weren’t there. I gave my umbrella to the teenager I was with because she was in a white dress and by the time we got back to the church I literally had to wring out my clothes. I felt like I had jumped into a pool fully clothed haha. Oh the life of a Nicaraguan missionary. That night we had dinner at the family of Jerry (the Escorsias) and her food is always so good. It is nice to have good food on Sundays because it makes me feel like home. Anyway all of their family came over and we were all laughing and having a good time. It reminded me of how lucky I am to have family that all loves each other and the good relationships that we have. I know that we are incredibly blessed to have the family that we do. I know that Heavenly Father blessed us with our family because He knew that we would need each other. I am grateful every day for the love and support of my family. So thank you to my Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, Parents, Brothers, Sisters, Nieces and Nephews for your love and support. I know I couldn’t do it without you all and the help of my Father in Heaven. Until next week J keep on smiling!

Hermana Willardson

What the Bat?

Hola Familia!!
I am still here in Ayapal with Hermana Lopez J We hope to be together until she finishes the mission. That would be awesome. Our area is really starting to thrive and I am grateful. Cambios were today and some of my friends that I have grown close to are leaving which is sad. The mission is a strange time. Haha but I am grateful to be having the experiences I am having here in Nicaragua!
Tuesday we had our normal District meeting and it was a pretty normal day. It started pouring rain in the middle of the day and we were drenched in about 2 minutes haha. It’s a good thing I know how to swim because the streets literally turn into rivers when it rains here. It is crazy, I think I am going to buy a raft and when it rains we will just paddle ourselves to our different appointments haha. The Bishops dad died and the Bishop invited us all to the funeral, I tell you what if you are ever looking for an awkward experience go to a funeral of someone you didn’t know. It was a little awkward… haha
Wednesday we were walking to another appointment and it started pouring again so we took shelter on the front porch of one of our investigators. While we were waiting out the storm drunk Joseph found us again. ( I told yall about him last week) Anyway this time he had a bowl with him and he would scoop up the water from the street and drink it from his princess bowl. Then he proceeded to tell me that he knows 4 different languages. He is quite the funny guy, but he always seems to find us and he will always try to speak English but I swear he is always drunk. It is quite humorous to be honest.
Thursday we were with Emanuel for his baptismal interview and there has been an outbreak of Dengue so they are fumigating like crazy. The funny thing is that they fumigate very differently here. So we were sitting outside talking to Ingrid while Elder. Vivas talked to Emanuel and all of a sudden there was this loud buzzing noise. Ingrid stood up and ran into the street then came back and started yelling, in what I think was Spanish, grabbed the chairs and ran to the other side of the road. You can imagine my confusion. Naturally we followed and coming down the street was this pickup truck with a big tank in the back. It had a mister attached to it and it was spraying all the houses, kind of like a big sprinkler, but only one side of the street at a time. So as it passed we were all coughing up a lung because we were inhaling the pesticide, don’t worry I am sure it’s safe to breathe... Haha It was a fun experience
Friday we did splits and I was with Hermana Rojas. She is from Costa Rica but served in Nicaragua and was back visiting her recent converts. I learned a whole bunch from her and it was really good for our area. We went back to the house for a second to get stuff to do splits and we walked in and there was a bat flopping around on the floor. Scared the crap out of me and Hermana Lopez haha. We had to sweep it out with our broom but very carefully because we didn't want it to bite us. It was a little frightening I won't lie.  It was also the Cumplimes of Hermana Lopez so we bought a pizza and Coke and for a moment I felt like I was home again. The pizza was super super tasty J
Saturday Emanuel and Jerry were both baptized. I tell you what there is nothing quite like watching people you have worked so hard with finally take the necessary steps. It was a very tiring but rewarding day. Both families wanted to feed us after plus we had our lunch appointment so we ended up having 3 lunches. I almost barfed haha I haven’t been that full in a really long time.
Sunday was a normal day, nothing too exciting happened. We were looking for people in the morning to bring to church like usual and I invited this random old man and he told me that he would come (which  is what they all say.) and then we were sitting in church and what do you know Julio walked in (the old man). I was pleasantly surprised. As I was playing the piano for the Hymns the fan was on high so the pages wouldn’t stay. So I had to use one h and to hold the page and the other to play. It was really exciting. I will have to try to figure out something to do about that.
Anyway I hope you are all doing well and know that I love you! I am loving Ayapal and things are going really well! I am taking extra precautions with the mosquitos because 8 people have died in the last 2 weeks from Dengue.. don’t tell mom… haha just kidding. Anyway I am sorry this email was a little boring. But I love you all!
Love Hermana Willardson

Hola Familia!

This week was pretty normal, things here in Nicaragua are good! The rainy season is ending so everyday it is getting hotter and hotter. I know I wanted to be somewhere warm but woooweee haha, I definitely got what I was asking for.

Tuesday was pretty good we had a District Meeting and afterwards we played Mafia. People always underestimate me when it comes to Mafia which is why I enjoyed playing it so much haha. Then we started teaching Emanuel. He is the son of Ingrid but for some reason she didn’t want him to be baptized the same day they were. But we started teaching him and he will be baptized this Saturday. He has a hard time focusing on the lessons because he is only 9 so I bring him candy and when he is good he gets the candy haha.

Wednesday I got a sweet package filled with American candy. It was super nice!! Packages are seriously envied here so when you get one it is the talk of the mission haha. Anyway we met with Jerry again. He is the teenager that was going to get baptized a couple weeks ago but it fell through due to family problems. Anyway the problems are resolved now and he should be baptized this Saturday as well. I am very excited. During the middle of the day there was a huge rainstorm! In 15 minutes the roads were flooded and the water was up to the middle of our calves. CRAZY!! So we sought shelter in one of our recent converts houses. Thank heavens. Haha.

Thursday was pretty good we worked super hard this week because we could only go to General Conference if we had investigators. So we would leave early and come home late. It was some hard work I tell you what. But we finally met Jimmey. He is the husband of Hazel. Hazel is Ingrids friend that told us she wants to get baptized but she needs to get married first. So we met Jimmey and talked to him about the church. He is kinda hard but I have faith that things are going to turn out right.

Friday we were teaching Hazel and Jimmey outside when all of a sudden this drunk man stumbles up and sits down with us. We were all a little startled because drunks are usually dangerous, especially for me. So we were all a little on edge but he told us to continue teaching. So we did. About 30 minutes after he sat down he stood up and said, “Hay una chalita aqui!” It took him 30 minutes to realize I was white haha. So he started walking over to me with his hand extended and he told me that he could speak English. So I said, “oh can you” and he told me his name was Joseph. So I shook his hand, and said, “Goodbye Joseph”. He saluted me and went on his marry way, telling the dogs in the street that he talked to the white girl with eyes of the ocean.. Haha. I am convinced that Heavenly Father has a sense of humor.

Saturday all of our investigators fell through so we didn’t get to go to conference L So we just worked hard all day. We had an appointment with our neighbor Mirna. She is the one we had a lesson with and her bird flew on top of my head in the middle of the lesson. So as you can imagine I was a little nervous to teach her again. So as we walked up to her door, Juan the bird, appeared and flew onto my arm because I was prepared this time and held out my hand for him to land on. He climbed his way up onto my shoulder and sat there for the whole lesson. Haha we have become good friends. He is a parrot and will repeat random stuff throughout the lessons haha. Super hilarious.

Sunday we got to go to both conferences and they were super great. Hazel and Jimmey came and I know that they felt the spirit because it was awesome. The church had a bus for the members because it was in the stake center which is pretty far from here. So we had a big bus that we got to go in. Exciting! But to be completely honest I didn’t get as much out of conference as I was hoping to. 1. Because it was all in Spanish and apostles like to use big words

2. I wasn’t very focused because I was in charge of keeping the kids quiet. So when conference comes out on the internet I will be listening to it while I write.

Today we went to the market to try and find some Christmas presents. The hard thing is that I am white so people think I have money so they try to charge me double what it really is. So we took the wife of the Bishop with us. Haha I found some stuff to send J And now here I am in the Cyber Faby writing all of you! I hope you all know that I am loving it here, I have realized that this is going to be the best 18 months for my life and every day I am grateful to be here. Regardless of the difficulties of living in another country I am so grateful and so lucky to be here. Every day I realize more and more why I am here. I am so grateful for conference and for the chance we have to hear from a living Prophet. I love you all and I can feel your prayers. Thank you for your love and support.

Hermana Willardson 

Pics of Bre in Nic

Sept 30th 2013

9/30/13
¡Hola familia!
This week I learned a lot about how trials proceed miracles. I am very grateful for this opportunity to have learned this lesson even though it was a hard one to learn.
Monday I was having a rough day, I was homesick and physically sick and just not having a good day. But we got to move into our new house thank heavens! But as a was praying that night and asking for help I realized that my head wasn’t in the right place. I realized that I need to take the word “I” and put it away for the next 16 months. And I tell you what after I figured that out the week was much better. Now I am not saying that magically everything was fine but I have realized that when you focus on the work everything else will fall into place the way it is supposed to.
Tuesday I hit my two month mark and it is hard for me to believe it has already been two months. Although sometimes it has felt like longer hahaha after we finished moving the rest of our stuff we were sitting outside with the elders that had helped us move and we bought them cokes to say thank you. And as I was sitting there on the steps of a rundown apartment building drinking coke from a glass bottle it kinda hit me that I am living in Nicaragua! I was filled with so much joy I just started laughing. People thought I had lost my mind haha. That night Hermana Lopez was telling me that her calf was really sore so I let her use some of my Icy Hot and it was the first time she had ever used anything like it… hahahaha she was rubbing it on her leg and then turned and looked at me and said “HERMANA WILLY MY LEG IS ON FIRE!!” In this cute broken Hispanic accent. I laughed so so hard! It was really funny until I went to take out my contacts and I had forgotten that I used a little of the cream too.. haha. Let’s just say I don’t think my eye will ever feel the same.
Wednesday morning they came and fumigated our apartment which they didn’t give us any notice but its ok we just had to let it air out for a little while. But we went back in and resumed studying and I was reading my Book of Mormon and all of a sudden a dead cockroach fell into my lap. Hahaha I tell you what I have had more strange experiences with animals here in the past month than I have my whole life. Then as we were teaching one of our investigators their next door neighbors started to have a party and they were playing American music.. It was extremely difficult for me to not stand up and start dancing right then and there!! But for the sake of my companion, investigators, and the seriousness of the lesson I restrained myself. Ha but it was not easy. That night there was an awesome lightning storm with horizontal lightning! I can’t explain it very well but it covered the whole sky with never ending lightning! It was so so cool!
Thursday we had interviews with president everyone was nervous and I was calm as a rock. Rocks are pretty calm right? And I am still not sure why people were so nervous but oh well haha anyway we forgot to close one of our windows and there was a really good rainstorm. A few of my books got really wet and things don’t dry very well here so we will see if I can still use them. Hopefully I will be able to. While we were waiting for our interviews we decided to go contact a bus. I was a little nervous I won’t lie. Just because I am insecure with my Spanish but I stood at the front of the bus and invited everyone to be baptized haha. It was actually super fun but I probably won’t be doing that again anytime soon. We did get one person that was interested. But they live in a different area so we gave the other missionaries her information.
Friday we had to get everything ready for the baptism and wedding. Which was a lot of work haha we pay for the lawyer and buy them a cake on our little missionary budget haha. But I was more than willing to help out. They had their interviews and we faced some difficulties and cold feet but by the end of the day everything was ready to go.
Saturday morning we found out that the bus that was supposed to take us to the Ocean wasn’t going to leave until 3:00pm which would mean we wouldn’t get back until 9:00pm and Ingrid didn’t want to do that so we just went to the chapel, which was still beautiful.  That morning we helped her get ready and made sure nothing happened to them before their baptism. And then at 12:00 they got married then baptized. My heart was so full of joy and love for this family that I love so much. I know that I saw a miracle this weekend and it made every trial that I have had worth it. I am grateful for the chance I have to be here and be a helping hand of a miracle. After the baptism at 6:00 we had a dinner and the cake and Hazel (Ingrids friend that we have been teaching too) told me that she wants to be baptized ASAP!!! Another miracle, we are hoping that on October 12th she will be married and baptized as well!!!!
This week has just shown me how the night is always darkest before the dawn. (Thank you Batman.)
I am grateful for every one of my trials because I know that it either means that I am about to witness a miracle or learn a lesson that I will be able to take into my life forever. I am learning so much here, not only about myself but about life as well. I wouldn’t trade this experience for anything. Yes there are going to be hard days, but if it was always easy what would I learn? I am so grateful for the support of my family and friends. I know it isn’t easy for you all to have me be gone haha but I am grateful for your letters and support.
I love you all!!
Hermana Willardson

Sept 23

9/23/13
Hey Family! I hope you are all doing well J
This week was pretty good and it flew by faster than I can even handle!
Monday after FHE we had to hurry home because Hermana Raymond and Hermana Gonzales were sleeping over because we all had to go to Managua in the morning and we needed to leave at 5:00, it was fun but our room is tiny so we really didn’t have much space. 4 girls on 2 twin size mattresses and bunk beds. We had a good time!
Tuesday we went to Managua and it was another 6 hour bus ride round trip and these buses always make me sick because the way they drive is absolutely crazy! Anyway we were in our training from 9-6 and it was super super super long. Haha especially because I was so tired! As we left we convinced the bus driver to go to Mcdonalds. So we had to go through a parking garage to get to McDonalds and the bus was too tall. I know because we scraped the top as we passed the bar that tells you how tall your car can be but the bus driver just kept going so when we got to the actual garage we scraped the top again really bad and then finally the bus driver decided we were too tall haha. So we went to another McDonalds and it was so good  I was so excited! I wasn’t even hungry but you better believe I got myself a hamburger.
Wednesday we had splits and I went to another area. This area includes a city called Naranjo and it is so incredibly beautiful. It is like a jungle with little shacks for houses. It was seriously so awesome. A lot of people here have pigs for pets and we went to this one house and the pig had pigglets and they act just like dogs. They were really cute but smelled super bad
Thursday we had a district meeting and I got the letters from the family!! It was super funny that you send 4 different envelopes haha people laughed at that. Then we were tracting and we sat down on the curb for a second and I looked in the street and there was a dead rat so I took a picture and I will send it. It was super gross but for some reason I thought it was hilarious. We had 2 dinners and I thought I was going to throw up, haha I am starting to get sick of Gillopinto already.. this is going to be a long ride.
Friday we woke up early and went running, yes you read that right. I woke up and went running. I tell you what I am a changed person haha it was super hot but I actually really enjoyed it. Then we had to go to the Chalpia to get the marriage papers for Jose and Ingrid because they are getting married and baptized on Saturday J. We also started teaching a woman named Mirna and as we were teaching her this parrot (her pet)came and landed on my head. No joke. I was just sitting there talking about the restoration and then out of now where this bird lands on my head. It scared me pretty good and I screamed hahahahaha holy cow it was so funny!
Saturday we finally found a house and we should be moving tomorrow. President just needs to view the photos and approve it! I am so excited. It is in a complex called Colonial Ayapal I dunno if you want to Google earth that or not.  Then the Elders came and taught Ingrid and Jose with us. I think Jose was happy to have men to talk to haha.
Sundays are always really great but I woke up and I was so exhausted because we had so much to do this week haha, I couldn’t believe it was already Sunday though. Jose and Ingrid came to church with us and their daughter Sarah, and her friend Maribelle that I talked about a couple weeks ago. It was really great!
Today we went and bought some stuff and cleaned and started packing to hopefully move tomorrow. I am still loving it here!! I have the funniest tan lines too. From shoes and my watch and my shirts, it is a nice farmers tan!
That is about all for this week! I love you all and I will talk to you next week!

Pictures from week 2 in Nicaragua!

What the Crab?

Hey there family!!

Man can believe that I have already been in Nicaragua for 2 weeks? Sometimes I believe it and other times I don’t haha. It has been really good though I am learning so much and I absolutely love it here. It is funny to see people in coats in pictures because I am still just sitting here sweating haha. I love it though! I would much rather be hot than cold J And it just going to get warmer. We have really good rainstorms here. The lightning is always so close that the thunder hurts my ears haha. It is way exciting. There is a volcano only about 10-15 miles away from us so that is really cool to see. There is usually a pretty sweet thunderstorm right above it. Nicaragua is definitely a different world. I have a couple of funny stories this week that I will tell you about J

Monday was pretty great and definitely needed. After we wrote our emails we went home and had family night with some members then to celebrate making it through the first week here the 4 Elders we eat lunch with and me and my companion all went and got ice cream. You all know how much I love ice cream J!!! And it is like 100x better here. Don’t ask me why it just is haha.
Probably because it is pretty warm haha just the way I like it.

Tuesday we had a zone meeting in the morning where we learned about how to tell our companions they are doing something wrong lovingly haha. It was slightly humorous I won’t lie. Then we went and taught Ingrid and met her boyfriend (but father of her 2 children) Jose. They are so awesome. I love that family so much. They have two kids, Manuel (9) and Sarah (5). And we invited them to be married and baptized and Ingrid was all for it but Jose wanted some time to think. Which I completely understand.

Wednesday was Hermana Lopez 14 month mark so we made a goal to contact 14 families but we ended up only having 2 hours to contact so we basically contacted everyone and reached our goal. We went back and visited Ingrid y  Jose and taught them the restoration. Jose is really difficult for me to understand because he talks super fast and swallows half of his words. But Ingrids friend Hazel was there too with her daughter Roxanne who has become my best friend. And we taught her as well. She is super interested but needs to talk to her husband and get him to come too. But she is so so great. I told Hazel that I liked her nails and she told me to wait, then she left haha I was a little confused. But she returned with her bag full of nail polish and such and took my hand and painted my nails while we taught haha. Her daughter Roxanne (6) only wanted to sit on my lap and play with my hair. She is seriously adorable I will try to get a picture with them soon.

Thursday was awesome!!! Jose and Ingrid accepted our invitation to be married and baptized!!!! I honestly have never felt so much joy in my entire life. If this is how I am going to be feeling then I want to be a missionary forever. They will be married and baptized on the 28^th and we are trying to get it approved to be at the BEACH!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You better believe I am so excited! How awesome would that be?!?! Man seriously. I love this family so much and seeing them take the steps to be together forever fills me with more joy than I thought was humanly possible. So pray for them to stay ready for the 28^th of this month.

Friday was pretty normal we tracted and visited Ingrid, Jose y Hazel and taught them some more. Roxanne did my hair and gave me a huge hug and then so did Sarah and Manuel haha. I don’t know why but the kids always take interest in me. I enjoy it J After lunch we had a little bit of time so I played baseball with the members we are staying with. And yes I did it in a skirt with class!

Saturday… oh man… Our baptism with Jerry fell through L So that was sad but it got better. We were eating lunch and it was soup (don’t ask me why they feed us soup when it is 100 degrees outside.) and I felt something hard in the bottom of my bowl so I scooped it out and there was a whole crap. Head, eyes, everything haha I started laughing so hard and the Elders thought it was funny that I thought it was funny so they started laughing and basically we were all just sitting there laughing for like 5 minutes. It was definitely necessary haha :) then we went over to Jose y Ingrids and they fed us dinner and gave us coke J So even though it was kinda a rough day it definitely had its good moments! 

Sunday was good, we took Ingrid y Jose to church with their kids and I played the piano in sacrament meeting. It was actually really funny, after sacrament meeting was over this swarm of people came up to me and all started talking to me at once and I couldn’t understand anything. Then the old women all grabbed my hands and kissed them. I felt like a rockstar, needless to say I think I will play in church more often J The people here are so loving and so so humble. I love them more and more everyday. I didn’t think it was possible for me to love a group of people so much in my entire life. But I love them so so much. They have become my Latino family. I had a dream I was Latina this week too haha.

We found out today that we are going to Managua tomorrow for a training and we have to leave at 5:30 in the morning Yikes. Haha. For lunch today we had fish, but it was all still intact head gills everything haha but it was super tasty! I ate it all! My Spanish is finally starting to kick in. I can understand almost everyone if they talk slow and most of them will talk slow for me. I taught a lesson in English this week and it was difficult because some things I only know in Spanish haha. I don’t speak much English at all so I know it will be a struggle when I come home. This morning we went and bought a couple things and then went to see if we could find another house to live in. We are still living in our little room. Haha pray that we can find a house. We really need it!

Anyway that is about all for this week!! I love you all so much and I will try to get more pictures of Nicaragua this week it is just dangerous for me to carry around my camera. I love you all!

Hermana Willardson