12-22-14 MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!

SO this week has been so crazy. Fun and busy!! I am just going to do a run-through of the last 7 days.

Monday- Pday as sisters!!! Always the most fun haha. We went to a place called Pampamichi which is like a native pueblo. They dress you up in their native clothes and teach you about their people, and then dance for you, and then… you get to dance with them!!! It was literally one of the funnest things I have done in my whole mission. Hermana Durfee and I went crazy dancing with the natives and it was such a happy moment! Then we got to play with and take pictures of a monkey and a big boa. They were both awesome, only the monkey attacked us and left a scar on Hna Durfs hand… not so fun. It was a very fun happy day!!

Tuesday and Wednesday- mostly just proselyting and trying to find people to teach. The DOWN side to the holidays is that EVERYONE leaves. So we have been having kind of a hard time with that. But to keep ourselves busy, we have been doing a service project of collecting clothes from members and gifting them to needy families. It has been so fun to be doing that all week, as well as sharing the Christmas spirit with everyone we come into contact with. :)

Also something crazy happened Wednesday. So my comp and I were in a lesson and we get a call from Erica (our almost matrimonio bautismo) she tells us that she is at the cementary and that there is a funeral for a small child, but the priest or pastor wont come and everyone is just waiting around. She asked if we could come and say a few words, sing a hymn and pray. So we came. And there was about 60+ people so releaved to finally see someone care about the child. So my comp and I got up in front of everyone, introduced ourselves and said a short message. We then sang “God be with you till we meet again” and then I told everyone that I was going to offer a prayer on my knees if they would like to join me. It was sooo cool to see many people also kneel down, fold their arms and close their eyes. Heavenly Father really worked through us in that moment. I can't explain to you how POWERFUL the spirit manifested himself in those moments, but it was INCREDIBLE. My companion told them all that we are set apart representatives of Jesus Christ and as she said that, we both realized how true that is. We have HIS power and authority to act in His name. It was a super awesome experience. We also are going to be visiting the family of the child who passed away, they were so sweet and the dad wants us to come soon. Also as we left, we found the elders in the street and were telling them of our experience, and someone from the cementary contacted us!!! We are now teaching her and her daughter and they are awesome!!! I will let you know how that goes.

Thursday- We had our Noche Navidena, which was perfect. Us four missionaries dressed up as angels, and we had a wonderful program of songs, and videos. Elder Layton, Emmelcamp and I sang “O Holy Night” in English too! The coolest part of the whole evening was the fact that we planned for 60-70 people TOPS, and more than 120 came!!! Also, Papa Noel came and I helped give all of the children dulces. It was such a fun night and everyone is still talking about how well it went!

Friday—no pasa nada. ;)

Saturday- MULTI-ZONE CHRISTMAS CONFERENCE. Obviously one of the best things about being in a mission is multi-zone conferences. The things we learn, the people we see, its all so great. And when it’s the Christmas one, we get presents and food too :) I got to be with my best friend Hna Durfee all day, playing every type of sport with the Elders. It was really fun. There was a lot of things I wanted to write, but I seem to have forgotten and I have literally been waiting 45 minutes for this internet to work and it still doesn't. So IF this sends, it's going to be a little bit random and without much point, but hey, I can't always be perfect ;)

Honestly, I am SO excited to see my family in a few days and talk to you all. Just be warned I am probably going to lose it. Don’t make fun of me. Also. I love this time of year. It's been SO fun sharing the REAL Christmas story with everyone and helping others be more serviceable. Being able to see peoples lives changed and be blessed by this gospel and to see the hope that Jesus Christs birth brings to everyone is AMAZING. I love it and all of you!!

Have a super merry Christmas. Eat all of the good things I love, take pictures, give everyone you see a hug and remember why we have this perfect holiday.

See you soon then, 

Hermana Whitlock