WEEK 7 "Am I on a vacation or on a mission?"

Saying goodbye to Hermanas Yee On, Curtis and Bashford was a sad day.  Sister Yee On has two more months in the MTC to heal her foot after surgery.  Then she will go to Montreal.  Sister Curtis is on her way to Bolivia and Sister Bashford is headed to Ecuador via Boise, Idaho.  The "girls trip" is over (as I referred to the MTC).  I loved everyone I met there!! 

The second I set foot in Florida I felt at peace and I felt like I was home.I have had a wonderful first couple of days. I absolutely adore my trainer. She is hard-working, kind, and bold! The power in her testimony is truly so inspiring and I am learning lots at a fast pace. I couldn't have asked for a more Christ-like trainer.  I know that it was very inspired that we are put together.

OKAY seriously we are spoiled here. Let me just give you a run down of my new life. I am in the Silver Lakes (or silver cakes/bakes) area and I will be here  for the next three months. This is one of the nicest areas in allll of our mission. As we drive down the roads there are Lexus dealerships, beautiful lakes filled with enormous fountains, and the most beautiful foliage you have ever seen. I am obsessed with this place. It is breathaking. By the way.. we LEGIT live in an apartment complex with a sauna, bowling alley, swimming pool, tennis court, and the best part... (drum roll) a huge Gym! We wake up early each morning so we can have extra time to work out! We are so BLESSED. Yeah I low key feel really guilty because I know that all of the rest of the missions around the world are nothinggggg like ours. We also live with two other sisters and they are so sweet.

Believe it or not, my real home isnt our insanely nice apartment it is the trailer park! We study our scriptures and Spanish books until 11 am and then we are out working hard in these beautiful parks.These trailer parks are filled with iguanas, lizards, cancer birds (yeah they are as ugly as they sound), and a trillion stray cats. The people that live in these trailer parks are sooo kind and I have already met soo many amazing friends that have changed my life forever. In the past five days that I have been here my Comp and I have found 6 new friends who are really interested in our message. They are absolutely the most amazing people from Venezuela, Columbia, and Peru. I love them and they are sooo patient with my broken up spanish. jaja we're getting there slowly:)

We have had days that are packed full of miracles. However, the one miracle that stands out to me is my own ability to do this work. I have had multiple major concussions that have resulted in chronic pain for the past four years. It is a shear miracle that I am here functioning as a missionary of our Savior Jesus Christ. I know that it is only through His strength that I am able to do this work. He truly has healed me. My heart was overflowing with gratitude last night as this message sunk deep into my heart. We glared across the breathtaking sunset and I couldnt help but cry happy tears of gratitude to my companion. It was in this moment that I knew God has a work for me to do here. He needs me to be healthy and strong right now to help His children find JOY in this message of this restored gospel. I love Alma 26:12. I know that I am weak. But I also KNOW that I can do ALL things through Him who strengthens me. Love you all

Fun Facts from this week... 

1. We rescued a dying iguana that was bleeding from its head

2. We met a man last night from the Bronx who has been stabbed several times in his life but is a survivor... He was quick to show us all of his scars

3. I had my first Arepa this week! It is the yummiest Venezuelan dish

4. I met a sweet family in our ward with two sweet girls who are Eliza and Sarah's age... they reminded me exactly of them