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!