Sad Goodbyes

How do you say goodbye to those sweet faces?

They love their "Angel" (not sure if they are referring to her skin color or her sweet spirit)

Well wow!  We sure did have a great week here in Sabana Yegua.  Tuesday Presidente Danilo (President of our country) decided to stop by again to give a speech which meant NO ONE was in their houses. No one because they were all at the park with cardboard signs asking for things. I was about ready to march down there with my own sign asking him to please leave so that we could have some lessons but the spirit told me that was a bad idea. We did actually have some good lessons one of which was with Gabriel because Pres gave him the thumbs up to go to the temple. He was so excited when we explained that he could go. We had a lesson with Joel and his niece gave the closing prayer. She kept trying to say "nos te damos gracias" (we are thankful for) but it sounded like "no te damos gracias" (we are not thankful for) and Joel kept stopping her and telling her it was wrong and making her start over but she didn't understand what she was doing wrong and did it like 15 times. By the end she got it down pretty well and we all had a pretty good laugh. Then Joel's mom went on for about 20 minutes about how she watched a program on channel 66 and how now she knows that the Mormon baptism is the only true baptism. I don't know what they are showing on tv these days but I like it! 

Wednesday we had a lesson with the reference from the Feliz's (he lives with them).  It took me about 30 seconds of talking to him to realize that he understands very little Spanish and only speaks creole.... we have our work cut out for us. But good news is there are several kids in the ward who speak Spanish and creole so they are going to help us out. Then we went to Gy and he totally remembered everything for his interview. Holy cow we were so excited because that was a huge deal for him. Thursday was G's interview and he killed it! Ah man we were so excited for him. Then we made a lot of temple prep visits. They were all so excited. We also met with K$ and Tl who are my favorite people in the world and so cute and basically like members because they are working on their duty to god and personal progress. I taped their baptism rejistros to our wall in the house so that when I leave no one will forget about them. We also started teaching Gy to read so that should be interesting. Oh, also the hermanas called Pres. Rodriguez to talk to him about something and then he revoked his permission to let me and my companion go to the temple. WHAT?! So we all went home and sat on the roof and made a giant list of why we should be able to go because it was honestly a big deal to us. Then we called him and he didn't answer... And then hermana Huish called me because the hermana leader was at her house! It was so so so good to hear from her. 

Friday, made baptism cookies. Then I called president and he answered and after 10 minutes and a couple of tears he gave us permission to go. WOOOOHOOOOO! ... We had great plans but then went to the capilla (chapel) and it was sooo dirty so we had to clean. I killed 23 spiders and 3 cucarachas in the font...But then...Gy's baptism! It went really great and it was a really special experience for us and him because he really has changed so much. Saturday... temple day! We got up at 3:30am because we had to be at the church at 5am and we had to make food and stuff. Then we all piled in the bus. Oy and Gl and Jl and Gy and Wr (investigator) were there. Then we rode to the capital and had a really chaotic yet wonderful day. Basically the four us got people where they needed to be, got the family names organized and stuff like that. It's one thing to have a baptism but it's even more special to be with converts in the Temple. Another great thing was that the Ocoa ward was there too! Like, what are the chances?! I only have been in two areas and they were both at the temple on the same day. It was a really great reunion especially because I  could actually communicate. I would say one of the best days in my mission so far. 

Awesome Member Missionaries

Sunday was a normal day. Normal lessons, church, meeting, preparacion misional and then waiting for TRANSFER CALLS. We made cookies and popcorn and orange juice and then had a fire on the roof. The neighbors thought our house was on fire so everyone was yelling for the bomberos and then we were just like "no, it's fine, we are just having a little fiesta is all."  Anyway big news is I am leaving :(:( I am surprising really really sad to leave but I know that's what God wants so I guess its okay. I packed and wrote letters until 5 am and then good up at 630 so ya I am feeling great right now. Then Hernandez and I spent the morning saying goodbye to everyone. Being in an area doesn't make it easy to say goodbye especially when J Feliz is crying. I have been so blessed to be in sabana Yegua these last 6 months. I can't even express how much I love Sabana Yegua and everyone there. But ya, so that's that. Tonight we will find out our new areas and companions. I am thinking I am going to the capital but only God (and president and the assistants and office elders) knows. Sorry this was like a novel letter, just a very good week. Love you all! Hermana Rush Sr.

Thanks to those who sent Christmas cards!!