Most people think it's a good idea to pack everything you will need to live with for the next few days in your carry-on luggage. I'm here to tell you that you might still want to have some back-ups in your checked bags.
Don't worry, I got off the plane and to the Mission Home with it, but the next day when we went to the transfer meeting, my carry-on was nowhere to be found. I could have sworn that I gave it to the Elders to load in the trailor with all the rest of the luggage. Hmmm...After the meeting, all the vehicles that had been used to haul everything had left, so we had to go to our area without it. Here are some of the things I had in there: glasses and contact case, all make-up, blow dryer and straightener, pajamas, towel, spanish books(including scriptures, Preach My Gospel, etc.). You get the idea. Let's just say it was a fun adventure!
Here's what happened. All the other luggage got loaded in the trailor, but mine and Hermana Gwynn's carry-on bags got put in the back of the big van...which never got unloaded. No worries, I finally got it back on Saturday and all was well again. So the lesson to be learned here is: when you travel, don't put all your goodies in one basket:) Don't you all feel so much smarter because of me? I thought so.
Now on to more serious business. My trainer's name is Hermana Reid from South Ogden, Utah. She is only here until March. We have been assigned to the Sudley B area, which is a new one for the sisters. We love whitewashing! Really, though, it's fun to open an area. Even when it's hard, it's fun. My level of tiredness has been upped about 10 notches from the MTC, which I guess is good because I sleep a whole lot better. Especially in Sacrament Meeting. Oops! It's uber exhausting to try and listen to a foreign language all day. I can't really help it.
We are currently serving in a branch in Manassas. The people there are wonderful. I don't usually know what they are saying, but I try to just smile at them like I love them anyway. I really do love them, though! I think I want to move to Central America after I get back. P.S. I haven't had much of the food here, but what I have had is AMAZING! It's only going to get better. Some of the countries that people are from are: Honduras, Peru, Argentina, San Salvador (Crystal, you're going to love it!), Puerto Rico, Mexico, etc. Basically they're from EVERYWHERE! Surprisingly, the people from Mexico are the minority.(At least from the ones that I've met.)
So my first day here I got to go to a baptism with my companion from her old area. It was really good to get me excited for the work. It also helped my starving stomach that they had some wonderful food there. Pupusas are the best! Hna. Reid is going to teach me how to make them today.
We have a couple of new investigators and one of them especially has been prepared to receive the gospel. I just pray that she can see that. We'll see when we go back if she keeps her commitment to read the Book of Mormon and pray about it. I think she will, but that might just be my "greeny attitude". We felt the spirit so strongly in her apartment, I don't know how she couldn't want to do more to always have that feeling. Her name is Flor and she is from Honduras. It's amazing how much you love your investigators from the beginning. We've only met with her once.
We had an interesting experience while knocking on doors. We talked to a man who said that there isn't a need for prophets anymore because Christ already came and fulfilled the law of Moses so we have all that we need. He went off about the Trinity and the Book of Mormon and how it contradicts everything in the bible. (His pastor obviously spends a lot of time teaching his people what to say to the Mormon's.) It's so sad, though, that people really believe that they aren't going to get any more guidance from God. I'm so grateful for the knowledge that we have.
So all-in-all, my experiences here have been great. I love being a missionary and it's way better than the MTC. Big surprise there. Thanks for all your love and prayers. I'm really going to need them with the spanish, but I know that the Lord will give me the gift of tongues a little at a time as long as I work for it. Until next week!
Hermana Larsen