January 13, 2014

Hey everyone! 

How was getting back to the grind? I hope everyone survived the holidays and that school and work are going well for everyone. Hope you are all in good health! Everyone here is sick! Flu, cold, everyone has it. But we're trying very hard to steer clear of it.

This week was good. I am having to step up a lot more and take the initiative in our work as part of my training which is good but also scary. It's not easy to decide where to go, who to see, what to teach... But I'm learning and we learn the quickest by doing right? Sometimes I try to speak up and the members just stare at me then talk to Hermana Rosales. But I'm going to get them to warm up to me if it's the last thing I do!

We led our zone this week in the amount of lessons taught! So we are definitely working hard. And we are the only sisters in a group of 16 missionaries in our zone. So we had to show the elders how it's done! Now that I said that we're going to have a whopping 10 lesson this week.

I had an interview with my mission president this week, President Van Cott. We have them about every 3 months I think. It went well, it was good to get some words of wisdom. When he asked how Spanish was and how I felt I told him all about how hard it was and how I felt like I was really struggling sometimes. He heard me out and he just said "Good! I'm glad you have to work for something." So that was that and I'm still working on it! But he said he was really impressed with my Spanish, he said that I have been blessed with a great talent and ability so that was encouraging. The members say I speak well but I just have to work up my confidence to open my mouth and speak!

Today we went and played volleyball with our zone and that was really fun! I reminded me a lot of playing with the family in the park because we didn't keep score and we are definitely not pros. But it was definitely fun!

Oh! Thought of a story. So we have this couple that we're teaching. She is a less active member that has just started coming back to church and he is investigating the church. But he can't get baptized yet because they are living together and not married. He is 62 and she is 58 and even though they've been together for 20 years they don't want to get married because they think they'll change after marriage. After 20 years I don't know what would change but that's what they said. Well the other day we went over and taught them a lesson and the man said they were thinking about getting married and wanted to know what they had to do to get married, like how to plan it and what they needed. This whole time the woman had the most confused look on her face and he goes "What? Ya don't wanna get married?" (romantic right?) and she shook her head and goes "You can get married if you want, go for it!" and he says but I want to get married with you! And she just shakes her head and says maybe a little later. It was definitely the most awkward experience of the week. The man actually reminds me a lot of Papa. He is so funny and just tells it like it is! Needless to say he is my favorite to visit. 

This week is transfers. Every six weeks we have transfers- some missionaries go home, some come from the MTC, some move to a different area in the mission and some stay where they are. Hermana Rosales and I will 99% surely stay here because she is still training me. But we're also 99% sure that she's leaving next transfer because she's been in this ward for over 6 months. So we're going to crack down these next six weeks and work hard and I'm going to learn everything I can from her because who know's what will happen in six weeks! And next week we are going to the temple! I'm really excited :) Word on the street is that we get to go every 3 months but that is if all the missionaries follow the rules. I will try to take pictures to send.

We are singing in Stake conference next week so that's fun, I found out I am soprano. I'm going to learn to sing while I'm here too!

Not much else happening here in good ole Fontana, CA. Have I mentioned it's windy? I haven't been to Chicago but it's hard to imagine a place windier than this. I don't know why I bother getting ready in the morning. My hair is everywhere and my makeup literally blows off my face. There's lots of wind, guys.

Hermana Rosales is teaching me how to cook like a true Mexican! Last week I learned how to make tortillas. This week we're going to tackle huevos con chorizo. So that's part of my training too :)

Love you all so much, thank you for all the amazing support and encouragement you're all giving me. Your kind words and support are what keeps me going some days! I am a very very lucky girl to have you all. Until next week!

Love you,

Hermana Granado