December 29, 2014 - Week 52

Well... Merry Christmas! It was so much fun! We seriously had a great day. This week was just FULL of stuff and it went pretty well. So, we started out with Christmas Eve. That was so much fun. First of all... I got to skype you guys and that was so much fun!! I loved talking with you guys. It was great. Also, it was like not even sad at all! I guess  being in the mission for so long does that to you. It´s like I don´t even miss you guys anymore!! Hahaha but just kidding. It was great to see you. Then, we went to sing with a family and the elders to various less active members in our areas. And that was so much fun! Everyone loved it and we sang like 22 times or something like that. Haha but it was a blast. Then, we had to get back to our area to start our Navidad with Hermana Betty. But, first, we had to stop by another family´s house and that went well. We sung with them for a bit and also they gave us some food for a surprise and a gift for Navidad. So, that was nice of them. Then, we had to get to our house to make the mashed potatoes. We got all that done and at 11 in the night... Yes. 11 in the night... We started the feast. It was so delicious. I ate some pig and some other things and it went just great. Then, the clock stroke 12 and I screamed MERRY CHRISTMAS!! And then all the bombs and fireworks started going off. So, it was fun! And we even did a few fireworks with Hermana Betty and her family. We then watched a video of them and it was so cute. And at 2 o´clock... We slept. Haha so it was a crazy and super fun night.

Then, the next day we had our zone activity and that was crazy. We went to the other chapel and all the missionaries in our zone were there. We first wrote Christmas cards to our President and his family. Then, we did the white elephant gift exchange. So, that was cool. It was so funny cuz the first elder that opened his gift.... It was langerie! (I don´t know how to spell that...) Yeah... I am pretty sure that the zone leaders didn´t like that... But,  it was so funny! Then, we went to the maternity hospital and sung some Christmas hymns for  all the mami´s and their babies. It was nice! So cute. And then, we went back to the chapel to eat hamburgers with the whole zone. So, it was cool. Then, we went to call my companion´s family in the chapel. She talked with them and it all went well.

Then, we had a pretty good weekend. We had divisions with the hermana leader trainers. I was with Hermana Hunt AGAIN and it was a blast. But, while we were doing our division...  I started feeling  like really crappy. I don´t know why, but my body just started to hurt. I took ibuprofen and it was all good. Then, in the morning when I woke up... Again! The same thing. So, more ibuprofen and we were all good. But then, Sunday night it hit me hard. I couldn´t even sleep the pain was so back. I was like freezing and then hot and I am pretty sure that I had a fever and stuff... But I was just trying to sleep. Then, I get the worst headache of my life and I just put tons of oils and take pills at like 3 in the morning and I was just praying that it would go away. When I woke up this morning... It was like almost gone, but not completely. It was crazy! And all day today my head has just had this nonstop pain. I don´t know what is going on. And right now, I just don´t feel too good. So,  that kinda sucks. But, today for p-day.. We didn´t do like anything. Just sat in the house and I just felt like crap! But, I am sure that everything will be ok.  I am going to call the nurse today to see what I should do.

But, that is like all that happened! It was so much fun though ! We had a great Christmas and I enjoyed it a lot. I t also looks like you guys had a great day also and I love the pictures!! So cute. But, that is what happened. We enjoyed ourselves and had a very Feliz Navidad. Also... In like 2 days I will have a year in the mission! That is crazy, right?? I can´t believe that! But, the time goes by so fast!

I love you guys tons and I hope you have a great New Years. New Year is for new beginnings! I am excited to start it off good! LOVE YOU GUYS!!!

Love, Hermana Whittaker

Here are some pictures of our Navidad. It went great. There I am with a firework and me and my companion with Hermana Betty and her family! So cute!! 

December 22, 2014 - Week 51

This is Christmas week! I can´t believe it! It is so weird that we are already in Christmas again. The time flies. Well, this week was pretty good. It mostly consisted of going to practices every single night up until Friday to practice for choir. We did this dinner in our ward for Navidad and it went really well. We sung in a choir and there was also a live play. It was so cute! There were different members that acted in the play and it was just like a mix of a family that is all stressed-out for Navidad and stuff, but then the grandpa tells the story of when Christ was born. And then there is like a live Nativity and stuff. So cool. And the choir sung along with the story and stuff that that grandpa was telling. So, we practiced all week cuz we had to be in the choir and it turned out super good! Everyone loved it! And I learned so sing in Guarani! So, that was fun! But, that was the highlight of the week, for sure.

As for other things.. It rained a few times this week and so the work was a bit harder. Whenever it rains, there is like NO ONE in the streets and no one wants to open their door for you... But, hey. It was still a good week.

Also, we found a family that is inactive yesterday and we are excited to be able to work with them so that they can come back to the church. So, we will see how that goes. Also, they have a daughter that is 10 now and still needs to be baptized! So, that is exciting. But, yea. This week was good. I am more excited for this next week though, cuz it will be Navidad. It definitely won´t be the same, but it should be really fun. We are planning on spending Christmas Eve with Hermana Betty. She is the hermana that lives in front of us.  Like we live in a house in her backyard. Here, in Paraguay, they celebrate Christmas Even and that is about it. Like you stay up until 12 and then there are like fireworks and stuff. It´s like New Years kinda.  (And also, they do the same thing for New Years.) So, that should be fun. But, Christmas isn´t really a huge deal here. But, we have permission to stay up to see the fireworks and stuff. So, I am excited. But, Betty is like our mom and we are planning to eat with her and spend Christmas with her and her family. Should be great! Also, I am so excited to get to skype you guys! That is going to be awesome!! But, Christmas is gonna be good here. Also, this week we are going to make cookies with the elders and an hermana and then take them to different less active families and sing to them! Like caroling and stuff. Should be way fun. Also, we have our zone activity and we are going to do like a white elephant gift exchange and sing in a maternity hospital. So, this week should be full of fun things.

Also.... Today, an elder in my district had to go to the office and guess what he brought me.... MY PACKAGE!!! And... I was going to wait until Wednesday to open it, but the elders and my companion all like begged me to open it today. So, while we were all eating at this place.. I opened it!! And I ABSOLUTELY LOVE MY SHOES. I CAN´T EVEN TELL YOU HOW MUCH I LOVE MY SHOES. They are the cutest things ever and I love them. And so does my whole district. They think that they are SO COOL! :) So, thank you SO SO SO MUCH for the package. It was so cute and everything in it was just perfect. I  really was in dire (dyre?) need for new shoes and socks. I was like barely funcioning with what I had, so the package came just in time. Also, the skirt is SOOOO cute and I am so excited for it. Also, the candy. JUST what I wanted!! So thank you a ton!! Plus, I am so excited to listen to the new music! I didn´t know that you were gonna send music, too! So cool. So, that was also a huge highlight of my day. I loved it. 

So, that is all for the week. I can´t wait to see you in person on Wednesday and I hope you have the merriest Navidad ever! And remember about who was born on this special day. Cuz HE is the reason that I am here in Paraguay and HE is the only one that can really bring us true happiness. LOVE YOU SO MUCH!!!

Love, Hermana Whittaker

December 15, 2014 - Week 50

This week wasn´t too special... I´ll be honest. We did have a good Sunday though. Our less active member, Hugo, came to church with his daughter that we are preparing to be baptized and that was great! Cuz he told us that he would not be able to come to church cuz he had to go to work. So, we are all sad and stuff and... He came! So, that was a surprise. He is actually progressing really well and had an interview with the Bishop so that he can receive the priesthood and baptize his daughter! So, that was good. But, either way, if he can´t get the priesthood soon, Malena will still be baptized cuz she wants to SOOO bad. It´s like her biggest desire right now. And she is like a genius. She understands everything that we teach her. And, it´s like we don´t even have a lesson with her cuz she already knows everything!! Haha but, that´s that. Also, she wrote me the cutest poem yesterday about how my hair is yellow like banana icecream and my eyes are blue like the ocean and my lips are pink like roses... Haha it was the CUTEST!! I love that little girl. So, that is what is going on with them. 

Also, we met a lady named Guiermina this week and we really think that she could progress. We are definitely going to return to talk with her and also with her husband. So, we will see how it all goes! She is a really nice lady, too.

So, this week, we had our zone conference and President dropped cane like I thought. I knew he would. Apparently there is a bit of disobedience in the mission right now and so we talked a lot about that... But, it was still a good conference. Also, we were informed that we are going to do an activity for Navidad and our zone is doing like a ´´white elephant´´ thing. We all drew names and we have to buy something for that name. Then, we are all going to a maternity hospital to sing carols to the mamas! So, that will be so much fun. I didn´t receive the package from home at the conference, but I am guessing that pretty soon it will come. It is probably cuz there is just a lot more mail and stuff at this time of year. But, I am hoping to call and see if it´s in the next p-day and if it is... I will probably just go to Asunción to pick it up! So, we´ll see.

Also, this week the elders in our ward played a joke/prank on me. Ugh, they told me that one of them had special changes and I believed them! At first, I did not believe them at all cuz they ALWAYS do stuff like this. But then... They sounded so serious and ALL DAY they said that he had special changes and that they weren´t going to be able to say goodbye cuz they didn´t have time and stuff. Then, at night, they call us to ´´say goodbye´´ over the phone and I was like... ´´ok, then... guess we will never see you again...´´ and then they told me that it was all a joke. Haha it was a lot funnier in person... But, that is what happened. 

This p-day should be pretty fun. We are writing early today cuz we are planning to go to ITAUGUA to visit a few families in my old area! I am so excited to see them! And then, we are going to the old area of my companion and we are going to visit a few families there. So, should be fun. That is pretty much all that happened for this week. It was an alright week, but we will see how this week goes! Have a fun week! LOVE YOU TONS!!!

Love, Hermana Whittaker

December 9, 2014 - Week 49

Well, first of all... Sorry for writing late. It´s just that yesterday was a holiday here in Paraguay, so like none of the cybers were open! So, we had to wait until the morning. Sorry if I scared you all! ;) But, it wasn´t really like a holiday.. Just that the Paraguayans like to celebrate different saint days... Like it´s a huge Catholic thing. So, every now and then no one has work cuz it´s a Saint day. It´s like Memorial day in the states. Like, it´s not too important, but you don´t have to go to work!! But, the truth is that this time, it was crazy. It was the holiday for the virgen Caacupe. And apparently in this city called Caacupe, there is this huge virgen statue (I wouldn´t know, cuz it´s in the other mission...) but, the tradition is that all the Catholics walk like super far to see and pray to this statue every 8th of December. So, that was what happened. And on Sunday night, we were walking to a member´s house and there were TONS of people walking on the street. We´re talking like this place is like far from where we are... And the people walk! So, there is some cool Paraguayan history and traditions for you guys...

Ok, so first of all... I didn´t have changes! I am going to stay in my area with Hermana Chuquicallata for another change! And I am so excited about that. I really wanted to stay here for another change to spend Navidad here. So, That is the news. It was actually super cool, cuz no one in our district had changes! We were way happy about that cuz we are all like super good friends. But, I am like so excited to stay here cuz we are gonna find the chosen people in this area! Also, I will be here for Malena´s baptism! She won´t be getting baptized this Saturday like we thought.. But, I am pretty sure that it will be like the 20th of December. So, that´s cool. 

Anyways... This week was pretty good. Well, my companion was like really sick on Tuesday and Wednesday and Thursday... So, we didn´t get too much done those days... But, this week will be better cuz now she is feeling great. But, it was actually pretty bad. Especially on Monday night last week... She was feeling like horrible and the elders had to come to our house to give her a blessing at like 10 at night. It was bad... But, she got better and stuff. We didn´t find anyone cool this week... But that is mostly cuz we didn´t get too much done the days that my companion wasn´t feeling good.

 

So, that is what is going on right now. We are happy to be together again. Which this will be the longest time that I have been with a companion up until now... Also, I will have 6 months in this area! The time flies! So, I am happy. Wow... I don´t even know Paraguay cuz I am spent like a whole entire year in the same stake! Haha... But, it´s cool. 

Well, I hope you have a great week. I see that your trip was a blast... That´s cool. Wow... still can´t believe that we are in December again! So weird!! But, have a great week! I love you guys tons!!

Love, Hermana Whittaker

Also.. This is a picture of us with Irene. She is a lady that we found who was inactive and now she is going to church again! She is soooo funny,... But this is a picture of us with her! 

December 1, 2014 - Week 48

Well, it´s official. Today we hit the 11 month mark. I can´t even believe. And tomorrow I will know if I am leaving my area or staying another change with my companion. We will see! I am not feeling anything specific... I honestly don´t have a clue what is going to happen with changes. But, you guys will know next week!!

This week, was good. It was actually like a great week for us. We worked and worked and worked. So, it was good. We had like tons of lessons and we are expecting a baptism on the 13th of December. Hopefully I am still here, right?? But, we are excited for that. It is a little girl that is 8 and her name is Malena. We are helping them all come back to the church as a family and her get baptized. And she knows everything. Seriously. I feel like I am not even teaching lessons with her cuz she answers every question. Well, it makes sense and all cuz she has gone to church like all her life with her grandma... Just hasn´t had the chance to get baptized cuz her dad was inactive... But not anymore!!! :)

So, that was good. Also, we are working with the family of an hermana that is a recent convert in our area, Aida. Her family is listening and they feel that what we share is true and a few of them have been reading the Book of Mormon and have prayed and received an answer... The only thing is that they need to come to church!! So, we are working with them on that one and it is going pretty good. In fact, they were going to come to church with us this week.. All of them. But, when we got to their house in the morning to pick them up... We found out that they had to travel unexpectedly cuz their grandma died. So, that was sad. But, we will see what happens with all of them.

Also, this week we did divisions with the hermana leaders. And I was with Hermana Hunt... AGAIN! So, that was fun. And this time, we spoke in english! I felt so weird cuz I seriously haven´t spoken in english in like this entire time that I have been in this area. Like 4 and a half months. So, that was weird, but cool. She broke her ´´english fast´´ so we finally cound talk and joke together like old times! But, it was great. I went to her area this time and we had a good day. We just talked and talked and talked and I loved it. But, we had some really great lessons with people in her area, too. But, I learned to admire the hermana leaders cuz their area is super hard. It´s like way chuchi and all the houses are like richy rich houses.. So automatically everyone rejects you... But, I learned a lot with her and it was so much fun!

Today, we went to T.G.I. Friday´s in Asuncion with like 9 elders and 2 other hermanas. It was so fun! We decided that we had to do something fun cuz it is the last p-day of this change and we don´t know who is going to be leaving. So, we came up with that idea and went. We were going to play like waterballoon fight, but it is like really crappy weather and it was storming all night and gray skies all day. So, we just went to eat. And it was delicious. So weird, though. I haven´t been to an American restaurant in 11 months! But, I got a bacon cheeseburger and it was like I was back at home. Hahaha it was so weird. But, that was what we did for p-day. 

And that is my week. We did a lot of good things and had a great week. Hopefully I will stay in my area again so that I can spend Navidad with the people here and stuff, but... We will see what the Lord has in store... You´ll all know next letter! I hope you have a great week. Sounds like Thanksgiving was a success. We did have a ´´Thanksgiving´´ dinner. But, a member cooked us mashed potatoes and chicken on Thursday and that was good enough for me! I hope you have a great week! We are now in December! Love you!

Love, Hermana Whittaker

November 24, 2014 - Week 47

Hermana Whittaker and her companion

Well.. We had a great week. We had  investigators in church... So that was awesome. We really saw a lot of success this week. So, that was awesome. So, this week, we were visiting a member that is a less active. His name is Hugo and he has  daughters--one who is  years old.. He is the member who did like a birthday party for me with that halloween cake. Well, we had a super cool lesson with him where he came to the conclusion..alone..that he needed to come back to church and be an example to his daughters. So, we are like totally helping him out so that he can come back to church. Also, we are preparing his daughter to be baptized He also told us... That he wants to be the person to baptize her. So we are just like super excited for them. And they all came to church yesterday. Him and his two daughters. And the one daughter, Malena, has a baptismal date for Dec 13... Cool right--ugh I would be using like tons of exclamation points, but this computer´s buttons for exclamation and question marks doesn´t work... Just in case you were wondering...

So, that was great. Also, the other two investigators that came to church were family of a recent convert in our area from about a year ago. We are working with her mom and her niece and her sister and her niece and nephew came to church yesterday with us. So, we are pretty excited about that, too. We will keep working with them and we are hoping to put a baptismal date this week, too. 

Flooding from rain in Chloe's backyard!

So, the work has been super good this week. Other things that happened... It rained a TON on Friday. Seriously. It was only for like 30-45 minutes, but it was so much. It was pretty lucky that we were in our house when it hit doing our weekly planning, cuz it was crazy... When it stopped, we went out and there was like this street just full of water. There was like a river flowing from one side of the street to the other and it was just nuts. Completely flooded. I guess it´s just the wrath of God here in Paraguay... More people needa come to church... ;P

So, that was how our awesome week went. This p-day was pretty good, too. We just went to the chapel and cooked some Peruvian food with the elders--cuz my companion cooks and there is also another Peruvian elder in the other area--and it was good. Pretty good food they eat in Peru, I´ll be honest. But, that is like all we did. Pretty chill. Also, we couldn´t do anything too cool cuz first, we don´t have tons of money cuz we are now in the end of the month and second, one of the elders had to go to the hospital in the emergency room last night at like midnight and is like super week. Crazy. So, we just did something chill.

That is about all for this week. We are super excited that we have some people progressing. Seriously. I am like so happy. But, this week should be interesting with Thanksgiving being on Thursday and all... But, it´ll be ok. Next year, right-question mark-

I love you all sooooo much and I hope you have a great Turkey Day. Eat TONS of mashed potatoes and think of me.... LOVE YOU 

Love, Hermana Whittaker

November 17, 2014 - Week 46

Well, we had a good week this week. We did better with our numbers and found a few people to teach! It was pretty cool. But, not much happened that is cool. I mean, we only had our zone conference and interviews with the president. And that was interesting... It was pretty good though. We talked about like a few of the goals that I have as a missionary. So, that was good. He congratulated me on the good contacts and stuff. Then, we just talked about the mission. We did like half of the interview in english and half in spanish. Ha it was funny. But, that is like the only cool thing that happened.

As for invesigators.. We visited an hermana again. Her name is Natalia and had an awesome lesson with her. She really could progress and we are going to continue to visit her. She ALMOST came to church this week, too, but Sunday morning, she couldn´t make it cuz of something that came up... (is what she says) But, I have faith and we will see what happens with her. 

We, for p-day today, went to a lake called Lake Ypacarai (that´s guarani) and played volleyball. It was pretty fun, but the lake is actually pretty ugly. It´s not like clean or pretty water, in fact, it was like super green... But, it was still fun cuz it was two other sets of elders and the other hermanas. We are like such a tight district. It´s actually 2 different districts, but we are all like close friends and so it was fun.

This is a really short email, but I just don´t know what else to say. Not a lot happened. We just worked harder and achieved more! So, that is cool! And we are gonna do it again this week!!

Love, Hermana Whittaker

November 10, 2014 - Week 45

So, this week was alright. We did a ton of contacting cuz we just really need to start having more people to teach. We need to look for the people that really are waiting for the gospel in their lives. It is a lot harder than it sounds. We  contacted like crazy and I am feeling like this next week is going to be a really good one. So, we´ll see! But, as for this week... It was alright.

On Wednesday, we found a lady who seemed pretty interested and once we were done talking about the restoration and stuff, we told her that we would talk about the Book of Mormon and explain it and stuff in the next visit and she said she was really excited cuz she is curious to know what it is and stuff. So, that is good. We have an appointment with her on Wednesday, so we will see how that goes! Also, we found two other ladies and they, too, are interested in learning more. So, we are excited to see how things go this week.

 

So, I know have 10 months in the mission. Well, technically last week I hit 10, but I just forgot to mention it. It´s so crazy how fast the time is passing. It´s even crazier how fast this change is going. We are now starting off week 4! We are already halfway through this change and I can´t even believe it! I just really don´t wanna get changed... I want to have at least one more change here cuz I know there is someone here that we need to find!! Also, I want to spend Christmas with the awesome members in my area... Haha :)

 

Well, today for p-day we went to this mall that is pretty close to our house with the elders in our ward and also some elders and hermanas in another ward that is close to ours. Also, HERMANA MORALES came!! She wanted to come cuz she couldn´t meet up with us in Pizza Hut to celebrate my birthday last week... So she came this week! I was soooooo happy to see her. It was like seeing my other half again!! Haha but really... It was great to see and talk with her. We ate at KFC... Haha funny, right?? But it´s honestly like the nicest place in the mall. And it wasn´t even that good. It´s a lot tastier in the states... And then after, we went to a frozen yogurt place all together. So, pretty fun, chill p-day. At least I didn´t have to go to the dentist today, but I will be heading in again on Friday... Ugh. But, it´s FOR SURE (hopefully) the last time. 

Anyways... That is all for this week! Sorry it´s short, but there is like nothing that happened. Tomorrow we have a conference and interviews with the President. Should be great. I hope you have a great week and I love you with all my heart!!! 

Love, Hermana Whittaker

November 4, 2014 - Week 44

It`s true. I have 20 years of age!! That is so weird for me... But, that is life, right?? So, I actually had a great birthday here in Paraguay. The people (the members) really made it special for me. They are like my family in this time of my life, so it was like I was with you guys at home!! But, this is what we did!

Friday comes along... And the first thing that I do is open my package! THANK YOU SOOO MUCH! It was so cute and I loved that it was decorated like a present! So cute. I loved everything that was in it! Especially that crack in a bag! Wow! It`s so good. Also, my companion loves it. I am going to take it to district meeting today so the other missionaries can try some! ;) So, that was great. Then, someone knocks on our door. It`s Daihana! She is the daughter of the hermana that we live with (well, we live in a little house in her backyard...) and she had a poster that said ``Feliz Cumpleaños Hermana Whittaker!´´ So, that was just sooo cute. Then, we had to go to the store to first, take out or money for this month and also, eat some icecream to celebrate! Hahaha. But, it was fun. Then, we had our lunch appointment. So, we went to the house that we always eat on Fridays and the hermana wished me a happy birthday and gave me a gift! It was so sweet. It was 2 cute colors of nail polish. Also, for dessert, she gave us cake and icecream. It was sooo sweet of her. Then, after lunch, we went to our house to do weekly planning (which is always Friday) and we planned and listened to music... ;) So, that was pretty chill. Then, we went to go and visit an hermana who is a member and shared with her a scripture. She is having a hard time with her health right now... But, she also wished me a happy birthday! THEN... Last but not least... We had my birthday dinner! I don`t know if you guys remember, but last week, we celebrated a birthday with a member menos activo. We are trying to help him return to church and stuff.. With his two daughters. His name is Hugo. Well, he made us a delicious dinner for my birthday!! He is really good at cooking... And... He made me MASHED POTATOES! And not only that, but they were deliciousssssss mashed potatoes. Also, he made like some meat that was delicious as well. And.. Bought the coolest cake for me! It had a JACK-O-LANTERN on it! It was so cute. It was super cool, too cuz it didn`t even feel like Halloween cuz like no one does trick-or-treating here. So, it felt like a weird birthday cuz it felt like any other day. And I`m not used to that!! ;) Haha, but then I saw that cake and it was just the best. I definitely felt like it was Halloween and my birthday. So, that was my great day of being 20 years old. 

But, it doesn`t end there! On Sunday, after church and the fast and stuff, we went over to a member`s house that lives in the elders` area to eat lunch cuz they wanted to celebrate my birthday, too. So, we went and all of us (missionaires) ate a delicious lunch with the familia Riquelme (that is the family of the house that we painted like my first week here). So, that was super fun, too. They were so sweet and stuff, too. And then.... At night we had to go to ANOTHER members` house that wanted to celebrate! Haha, and they live in the other elders` area. So, we went all went to their house (us missionaries) and they made pizze for us for dinner. And it was so delicious! And also, they made me a cake! And it said... IN ENGLISH... ``Happy Birthaday Whittaker´´ ....Note--they spelled ``birthday´´ wrong, but it`s the thought that counts! They totally wrote in english for me! ;) And so that was fun, too.

And it still doesn`t stop there... Cuz on p-day. We (missionaries) celebrated my birthday, also. We first had a plan for like 3 weeks that we would all go to Pizza Hut in San Lorenzo (which is close to where we all are). But, surprise surprise, we got a call on Saturday night from the secretary in the office saying that my companion had to sign into migrations on Monday and that he is sorry cuz it totally ruins your p-day. So, that sucked. But, I called my district leader and told him and he says... ´´We will all just go to the Pizza Hut in Asunciòn!´´ So, we had new plans. We were all worried that it wouldn`t work out, cuz you never know how long migrations is going to take... Sometimes it`s fast and sometimes you wait for hours.. But, we got done like just in time and asked if Elder Valenzuela (secretary) could just drop us off at the Pizza Hut close to the temple. And he did!! And everyone from my district and also another district were there! And we celebrated my birthday and also the birthday of another hermana (cuz hers was on Saturday). So, it ended up just being a great day! And then... You know.. I had to go to the dentist... And they finished the process and stuff, but... I have to go back AGAIN so they can put on the permanent filling and stuff.. So, that`s fun. And I go back in 2 Fridays. And that is also the reason that we didn`t do our emailing yesterday--we were in the city ALL day. But, that is literally my whole week. Well, the cool parts of my birthday week! I was so fun and I will never forget my 20th birthday here in Paraguay. I just love everyone here so much and they really made it special for me! Also, I love my you guys cuz you are always thinking and praying for me and I really felt like I was with you guys on my special day!! LOVE YOU SOOOO MUCH!! <3 <3 <3 

Les quiero muchisimo y gracias por una buena cumple!! 

LOVE, Hermana Whittaker 

October 27, 2014 - Week 43

First of all... THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE BIRTHDAY WISHES!! It makes me so happy to know that I have an awesome family like you guys :) Love you SOOOO much! Also, that video was so cute! Haha Oaken singing at the end.... Hilarious!! But, yes, it is true. I am going to be 20 years old!! That is crazy! I feel like I just turned 19! But, that is life, I guess. I just can`t believe that the first number of my age will be a 2 now! I was so used to 1! ;) Also, I will inform you that I did receive my birthday package... But I haven`t opened it yet! I am waiting for Friday to open it! But, it did arrive safe and sound and I picked it up from the office when I went to Asunción for the dentist. But, seriously, thank you so much for all you guys do for me and for being LO MEJOR FAMILIA EN EL MUNDO!! LES AMO MUCHISHIMO! <3

This week was pretty good. We found out changes and, like I thought, my companion and I are staying together! So, that is good. I was actually like almost 100% positive that we wouldn`t have changes this time around. So, we are both happy about that. There actually weren`t like any changes in our district, just that one of the elders got a new companion cuz his companion finished his mission. So, that is cool, too! We have a pretty awesome district and we are all like great friends, so this should be a good change!!

 

Not too much different happened this week.. We have been finding some people and THEY ALL ACT THE SAME. Ugh, it has been frustrating. When we have our zone conferences with the President, he always reminds us that our focus is on the family, so we need to talk to the mom AND the lion (the dad). Not just the mama cuz she is nicer and accepts the visit... But the dad, too. And from the beginning of when we start to visit someone we need to talk with the dad. So, this week we actually found 3 dads. And they are all so stubborn. We are just all so excited to teach these families, and they are just..... Ugh, I don`t know. They`re just difficult! They are actually like pretty nice and accepted our visit and stuff.. But they are all guys who have talked to missionaries before and KNOW about what we teach. And all they wanna do is ask and ask and ask questions that are not even important... Just to see how we react or answer... I don`t know if I am describing these types of people well.. But that is how they are! For example. The other day, we had a lesson with a lady that we contacted about 4 weeks ago named Mercedes. We decided to pass by her house and she was there. She accepted us and we had a great lesson. She understood and said she wouls read the Book of Mormon and pray. We were actually like super excited about her cuz she acted super interested. We told her that we would return and that we also wanted to talk with her husband. So, we returned and met her husband... And he is one of these types of people... But, yeah. We will see! There is a chance that they could progress together and open their hearts and stuff. So, that is just one example of what happened with like 3 people this week. But, we had the opportunity to teach and bear our testimonies of what we KNOW is the truth... And who knows? They could receive an answer and be 100% willing to change or 100% willing to follow Christ. Even the hardest heart can be softened with the Holy Ghost. So, we will see. They are all great people and we will follow visiting them. And also, if now is not their time, the seed has been planted and maybe they will have the chance to accept later on.

 

But, that is what is going on as of now in the work here in Aratiri. We are just looking and looking for the prepared people! And, we will find them! But, things are going pretty good. It`s now like a thousand degrees here in lovely Paraguay and I LOVE IT! Haha, that is kind of an overreaction, cuz it can be pretty horrible sometimes, but it`s better than snow! Also, 30 Seconds to Mars came here on Friday, so that is pretty cool, too. It`s like the same date (or super close to the date) that I saw them last year! Also, yesterday, we watched the women`s conference. I don`t know why we watched it so late from general conference, but we did. It was really good. They talked the whole time about temples and it was awesome. Especially cuz Elder Uchtdorf gave a super cool talk. So, this week was actually pretty good. Also, today we had a fun activity with our zone. We had water balloons and totally had a waterfight. And so we all got soaked.. But it was so much fun! And we also played volleyball. And I got sunburned. But it was a fun p-day. 

That is all for this week. I love you guys more than life and thank you so much for your love, prayers, and birthday wishes! I hope my 20th birthday will be a day to remember... And it will be cuz I am in the mission serving the Lord!! ;)

LOVE YOU!!!

Love, Hermana Bruja Whittaker 

This is a picture with a less active member named Hugo when we celebrated his birthday with him and his daughters on Friday! 

October 21, 2014 - Week 42

Lame week - Haha, so this week was a bit lame. Not cuz the mission is lame, or anything... Just cuz my companion was sick for like 3 days and didn`t want to go out and do anything. I mean, I understand, cuz if I was feeling bad, I wouldn`t want to either... It was like super hot this week. We are now starting summer here. Well, it`s still spring, but everyone is saying that because it is so hot right now and we`re only in October... December and January are going to be DEATH. So, my point with all this is that, the heat and sun gave my companion a headache like everyday and she just hates this weather. She said that her body was hurting like all day and stuff. So, that was sad for her. And, it was pretty boring for me. I just studied the scriptures and made my agenda for this new change and wrote my talk. So, it wasn`t too exciting, this week.

Oh yeah.. I gave a talk in sacrament meeting yesterday! It was pretty good. I gave a talk and the 2 other elders that serve in our ward gave a talk. And also, one of the elders that is going home in like 2 days gave his testimony. And... all 6 of us, missionaries, sang a song in sacrament meeting. So, it was a Sunday full of missionaries. But, my talk went well. I had to talk about missionary work (obviously) and use a talk from general conference. So, I used the talk by Elder Bednar... Cuz I just loved that talk so much. But, I first talked about WHY we share the gospel (dad) and then how we, as members, can share the gospel. And I just used a ton of scriptures. So, it was good! Also, yesterday, we went to a members house and had a ``surprise´´ farewell for Elder Gonzales (the elder that is going home like in 3 days). It wasn`t really a suprise though.... But, it was still fun. 

This week, we finally found Ever again. He just looks terrible. He looks sad, skinny, and horrible. Seriously. I was feeling so sad for him! But, he also said that he is really sad and that, again, he wants to change. But, we told him that he just needs to make a decision already... So, we`ll see. That is about all for this week for investigators. As other news. Cesar is now like active! He has been coming to church every week now for the past 3 weeks. So, that is pretty cool. 

So, that is all. Today, I have my dumb dentist appointment :( I am pretty scared to be honest. But, it`s better to just get it over with than to have more problems later on... So, wish me luck and pray for me--cuz in about 6 hours I will be in the chair suffering... ;) Hahaha what a p-day, right?? And, in other news, we will know changes tomorrow. I just want to stay in my area. I don`t know if I will change companions or no. Probably not, but you never know. I just don`t want to leave Aratiri yet cuz I love the people here...! But, that is about all for this week. I hope you all have a lovely week... Cuz I will be having a great week here in the 100 degree sun.....!! ;)

Love, Hermana Whittaker

October 14, 2014 - Week 41

So, this week was pretty good. It was the ALMOST normal week in a while. We found a few people who could really progress and stuff, so that is good.

 

I`ll now let you know how the second doctor appointment went... HORRIBLE. So, Thursday comes along and we worked in the morning so we could visit and find people... Then, by 3 o`clock, we had to take a colectivo for Asunción. We got there at about 4:30 for my 5 o`clock appointment. They were all ready to go when I got there, so I went in and she got started right away. She put the anesthesia in and started to work on the tooth. It stung a bit, but I could deal with it. Then... BAM. It sounded like something broke and my tooth just started to KILL. Well, nothing broke but since that point and till the end... It just hurt like heck. I am serious. Everytime the she touched the nerve... It hurt! But, whatever. Nothing I can do but pray and hope for the best, right?? Haha but in the end, it was ok. She did tell me that there were 4 parts she needed to do, but could only do 2 cuz the other two weren`t ready yet... Cuz they hurt too bad. So, she put more medicine in the 2 nerves or roots (or whatever it is) and said that I need to return in 10 days so they can finish them up and fill the tooth completely. So, next p-day is my appointment. How fun. But, I am just wanting them to finish already so I don`t have to worry about it or experience that pain again!!

So, that is the story of the dentist for this week. But, we had a pretty good week of work other than that. We first went to a farewell Tuesday night for a teen in our ward who just left on his mission on Thursday for Salta, Argentina. So, that was fun. And we also did another activity on Wednesday night for the Ward Night. We played with waterballoons again. And then, on Friday, we had another zone conference. It was kinda weird cuz we just had ours.. But I guess that one was for September and this one was for October. But, it was really good. We talked a lot about LOVE in missionary work and also that we can`t have fear to talk to the people and invite them to be baptized. President McMullin always has something really good to say, so it was a good zone conference. Also, I received a small gift from the mission for my birthday.. It is just like some oreos with a note that says ``Thanks for all you do..´´ Haha, but it was nice. And then on Saturday, we had that ``Zion to the Rescue´´ activity in another part of our stake. That was pretty fun.

 

And that is really all that happened this week. We don`t know anything about Ever and what his deal is cuz he is literally NEVER home. But, we are thinking that he just doesn`t want to listen or try anymore... :( It`s sad, but true. And we still don`t know too much about Elsa. But, we keep working and trying to find people! So, that`s good.

Also, we had a fun zone activity today for p-day. All the companionships in our zone were there and we had to answer questions about our companions to see if we know well. And if we didn`t know one of the questions... They popped a balloon full of flour on our heads!! But, lucky me... I know my companion so I didn`t get one balloon broken over my head... ;) Hahahaha but it was a way fun and creative idea. But, that is all. This week should be a good one. And hopefully we can finish up with my tooth on Monday.. Cuz I am just about out of patience with this dental care business! LOVE YOU GUYS!!

Love, Hermana Whittaker

October 7, 2014 - Week 40

Let`s just start off this email with the fact that I had to get a ROOT CANAL. In PARAGUAY. 

And I`m not even kidding... 

So, yesterday, we got up and had to go straight to Asunción. We first had to go to the Baptist Hospital because my companion has like a rash on her back and needed to get it checked out. So, we go and it is a pretty nice hospital, I`ll be honest. But, we go and see the dermatologist there and she gives my companion some perscriptions. So, that was good. Then, we ate some lunch and waited in the office for a bit. Then, we had to go to my dentist appointment....

So, first off, the reason I went to the dentist is cuz a small part of my back, second to the last molar on the right side broke off a bit. So, I called the nurse so she could make an appointment for me cuz I knew that I should probably get it all fixed up before there was a big problem... Second of all... I was already scared cuz the ONLY thing that I didn`t want to have in the short year and a half in a foreign country was problems with my teeth. But, look. I had a problem with my tooth. So, I was scared to go to a dentist that wasn`t Dr. Keefe. Haha. But, it`s true. But, you know, I went and they were just so nice!! It was like a really nice dentist, too. They work with all the missionaries, so they like know exactly what to do when a missionary comes in. They were super nice and helped me out. When it was my turn, I went in and they took an x-ray. All the equipment was pretty good. Like it looked just like the equipment in the states, so that`s a good sign. Anyways... They took an x-ray and then she came back out and said, ``This isn`t going to be fixed as easy as we thought. This is going to need RUTA CANAL...´´ Yep. I definitely understood that word. So, then she talked to me and said that she could get started right away on it cuz it would be a three-step thing. I called the nurse and she said sure. Haha it was actually funnier than that cuz when I told her, I said... ``Hey Hermana Fuller. So... I am going to need a root canal.´´ She responds... ``ROOT CANAL!?!´´ And, I kid you not, it was just like when Jamie Lee Curtis says that EXACT same thing in Freaky Friday... Hahahahaha so I was laughing at that. But, anyways... After that we went to the other room and the other doctor starts my root canal. She gave me the anethesia and stuff and gets started with drilling. And, it hurt a little bit at first, so she put more anethesia... Like three times she put anethesia in my mouth. But, I didn`t feel a thing after that. She got done really quick and that was that! But, I have to return 2 more times so that they can finish the process. My next appointment is on Thursday. And after all that... We came back home! And I couldn`t feel the half on my face for like 4 or 5 hours. And, the family that we had a Family Home Evening with in the night was just laughing and laughing and making fun of me. Cuz I was trying to whistle and apparently my face looked real funny. Haha so it was fun. So... That is my fun p-day. And I woke up this morning and my mouth was hurting bad... But, ibuprofen fixed that! 

As for other things... We finally got to have a good lesson with Elsa and she was like golden again. The spirit was strong and she realized that this is true and this is what she wants. So, that was great. But, then last minute, she couldn`t come to the conference with us.. So that was sad.

Speaking of the conference. It was just amazing! I loved it so much. The talks were all so great. I watched the first session on Saturday in spanish cuz the english wasn`t set up. It was good. Then, for the second session, the english tv for the missionaries was set up, so I did mini divisions with Hermana Dunagan (who is now in my stake!) and watched it with her! And her companion with mine in the spanish. It was even better in english cuz I can actually write notes and stuff! So, that was good. But, it was pretty funny cuz when the speakers who spoke their native language (which was SO cool) spoke, and they were speaking spanish, it was translated in english! It`s like... Wait... I can understand this normal! But, either way, the conference was great. I loved the talk of Ballard about staying in Old Ship Zion and Bednar`s talk. I think he is just my favorite cuz I always love his talks so much! I loved when he explained WHY we share the gospel. Because we LOVE IT!!! And of course, the prophet`s talk was fantastic.

 

So, this week was full of great things and also crazy things. All I know is that I won`t ever forget that I got a root canal in Paraguay... 

LOVE YOU!!!

Love, Hermana Whittaker

September 29, 2014 - Week 39

First of all... Can you believe that 9 months has past?? It really scares me to be honest. In just 2 days I will have officially completed half of my WHOLE mission. And it scares me to think that I just have another of what I have already done to go! It is going by WAYYYYYY too fast! But, I am so happy! I really just love being a missionary here in Paraguay.

So, this week was pretty good. But, let`s start off with the beginning of the week. You guys thought that our bad luck ended... NOPE. On Tuesday, after our district meeting, we went to visit Elsa. When we got to her house, she wasn`t home. But, her little brother was home and he said that we could wait until she got home cz she was on her way. So, we walk up to the house and when we get to the door, we see that there are two puppies. My companion is looking at them, you know, and saying like ``AWWWW´´. Everything`s good. We didn`t touch them or anything. Then, we turn to walk inside the house to wait and we hear the little kid say something like ``Yeah, the mom is bad.... Here she comes´´. The mama dog then comes out from around the corner of the house when we were at point to walk in and all so fast..... BITES MY COMPANION. Yeah. Totally bit her ankle. We run into the house and look at it. It`s like bleeding and stuff and there are two teeth marks. She was crying, cuz obviously it hurt... And it was just bad. Elsa got there after and felt so bad. She helped us clean the bite and stuff and my companion was just really mad and worried. But, we called the mission nurse and she told us what to do. We had to clean it out with soap at the house and then put antibiotic cream on it. Then, she told us that we had to return to see the dog in ten days to make sure it is all good. If it is, then things are great. If the dog is dead... My companion has to get the rabies shot. But, it is like a tiny tiny tiny chance that the dog has rabies. So, we will see! But, that is definitely the most crazy thing that happened this week. Her poor ankle hurt like all week and it was hard for her to walk... I felt so bad! Stupid dog.

 

Also, we had a ward night on Wednesday that we (the missionaries) were in charge of. It went well! We were first a bit worried that it was going to rain and ruin all our plans... But, it didn`t and we had a pretty good show up. We actually have a ward night every Wednesday night in our ward, but there is never anything planned. So, we decided to plan an activity and we played the pass-the-balloon-with-the-towel game! It was a hit. Everyone loved it. 

Other news is that we had a zone conference on Friday with President McMullin. It, of course, was awesome and very inspiring. After all the conferences you always feel so excited and ready to go out and work, but you also feel horrible cuz you feel like you aren`t doing anything good... There is always something to work on! But, it really was a great conference. We also talked about how we need to be prepared for an emergency and filled emergency kits for our houses. 

Hermana Pelico and Whittaker

This week, Elsa and Ever made me a bit angry. I just don`t know what their deal is. Elsa, has a few doubts now and so we are going to work with her to help her out with that... And Ever. I don`t even know. The other day we passed by his house and he was home... But, he didn`t want to talk with us. Who knows why. He is probably just embarrassed or felt bad cuz he isn`t doing to good with the word of wisdom.... So, we will see with them. Some good news is that we were walking from Ever´s house on Friday (when he didn`t want to talk with us) and I remembered that there was a house of inactives that Hermana Pelicó told me we should visit. So, we passed by and the whole family wasn`t home, so we set an appointment to visit them another day of the week. But, the cool thing is that the son that was there talking to us, gave us the reference of his uncle. He said that he was a member. So, we passed by his house and he accepted! So, we found a member the other day. And we had a good lesson with him. His name is Cesar. He got baptzied about 2 years ago. And... He came to church with us yesterday! So, that was cool. We are working with him now to re-activate him in the church. 

So, that is about all. I am excited that we are going to be in October (the best month of the year ;) and I am excited that we have general conference this week! Should be great! Have an awesome week!

L<3VE, Hermana Whittaker 

September 22, 2014 - Week 38

Un-Lucky Week! This week was just that. The truth is that it was pretty funny, all that happened... But also pretty unlucky. So let`s start with the beginning.

Tuesday, we had to go to Asunción because my companion has like a rash on her back and needed medicine from the nurse in the office. So, we first went to visit Elsa, just for her to tell us that she forgot we were coming and didn`t have time to visit... I am pretty worried about her. I don`t know what happened, but it`s like she has an excuse for everything now. I hope we get the opportunity to talk with her soon! But, anyway, after Elsa... We got on a colectivo and went to Asunción. Everything went well, we got the medicine and then got on another colectivo to get to our area again. Well, we usually have to take two colectivos to get to our actual area, so when we got to the area to change colectivos, we got off, and waited for the next. Along comes one of the three that we can take to get to our area... Or so I thought. I was seriously almost positive that it was the correct colectivo... But, no. We totally got lost in Paraguay! It actualy isn`t as bad as it sounds... We are pretty sure, though, that we were lost in the other mission. But, it`s all good! We just took another colectivo back to where we waited before and waited for the correct one.

 

So, that was the first instance. But then, we had a good few, normal days. We ended having divisions with the hermana leaders and I was with.... HERMANA HUNT! It was so great. I was so happy to see her again and especially spend a whole day and night with her. We had a really good day, too, to be honest. But, we didn`t speak english! Hermana Hunt has a goal to speak spanish until the end of her mission so that she will never ever forget how to speak in spanish. She has like 5 months left in her mission and is really doing it! So, I felt weird if she talked to me in spanish and I answered in english... So we just ended up speaking spanish the whole day. So, that was interesting. But, it was a fun division. Then, in the morning before we went to meet up with our companions, we had a service project with the elders. We went to the area that is like next to ours to help a member move all these rocks and dirt in front of her house to the back of her house... It was fun! And... It was raining. Pouring rain. So, that was quite the experience. We really just moved mud around, but we got the job done and it was good.

 

So, that was a good day, but then Friday night, some more bad luck came my way. At about like 5 or 6 o`clock in the night, my tooth started to kill. My companion looked at it and told me that one of my fillings has like a cavity next to it?? I don`t really know completely... But it was aching all night. So when we got back to the house, I called Hermana Fuller (the nurse) and she said she would set an appointment with the dentist. But when I was getting ready to go to bed, the pain miraculously stopped. And then came the worst... I got SICK. So, I haven`t been sick in the mission yet and I was pretty proud of that. But, Friday night, I was in the bathroom ALL night. Just sick. I am like positive that it was the lunch that we ate on Friday. So, first time that the food has made me sick here in Paraguay. But, ALLLLL day Saturday I was feeling horrible. The truth is that we didn`t get anything done cuz I was just in the bathroom and in my bed for the majority of the day. It sucked! But, I haven`t had any problems with my tooth and so I don`t know what is really going on with that?? But, yeah. Sick all day Saturday. But, Sunday comes around and I was feeling great!

So it was just a one day thing and I am fine now. Ever finally came to church on Sunday. So, that is good news. He just needs to get baptized already. I am hoping that he is really wanting to change and stuff now cuz hermana Hunt and I had a good lesson with him about how he needs to see his future different. Like visualize it and stuff. He needs to change his thoughts cuz our thoughts lead to actions. So, we will see. But, Sunday for lunch was quite the story. We ate with the family that we always eat with. And they served us something pretty weird. It`s called mondongo. And I`ll have you know that I will never eat it again. It is so gross!! It is like the part of the cow`s stomache that surrounds the sack that stores the...... Crap. The crap sack!! YEAH. And it tastes like it too... So, that was a new experience. A new and gross experience.

 

So that was my interesting week this week. Today, also, for p-day we went to this museum of mythology or something? And it was pretty cool. We went with some elders in our area and it was fun. Then, we went to eat at this restaurant of Peruvian food. Cuz my companion and one of the elders in our ward are from Peru. It was delicious! Seriously, so good. But, while we were on our way there... We were just walking down the street... And I tripped. And fell down. Like ALL the way. I fell down HARD. I scraped up all my knees and everything. But, it didn`t hurt too bad and the truth is I was more worried that I broke my glasses than anything.. Which I didn`t. They are fine. But, yeah. I fell down and that sucked pretty bad, too. It all just happened so fast. The elders had no clue how it happened. Hahaha but I am fine. So yeah. That was my week! A pretty good one! But, we are looking forward to a better week. A week more full of luck, maybe? That would be good... Anyways... Hope you guys have a fantastic week, too!! LOVE YOUUUUUU!!

Love, Hermana Whittaker

September 15, 2014 - Week 37

Chloe and her new Companion

Hermana... Chuquicallata. That is her name. That is the name of my new companion!! It is pronounced like Chu-key-kie-ata (so you know...). But, she is cool! She was like in an area that is pretty close, too. Like me when I left Itaugua. She was like in my stake and everything. And I knew her before cuz I lived with her in the CCM! She was one of my latina roommates! So, that was funny that now I am companions with her. She is cool though. She is from Peru. Like and area super close to Machu Pichu. She´s really laid back and kinda shy and quiet... But, that is changing cuz I am ALWAYS talking with her. So, now she talks to me. But, the truth is that she has a cool story. She is 21 and the ONLY member of her family. Her parents and brothers and sisters don´t support her in the mission, but she is here anyway! She was baptized when she was 17 and was baptized in secret cuz her family doesn´t support it! Her family doesn´t even write her. So it´s crazy, but so cool to me that she is here in the mission and stuff cuz she knows that it´s the truth!! It´s not like they don´t want to write her, they just ´´don´t have time´´. But, it is so cool that she sacrificed all of that... Like the relationship with her own family to come out here and serve the Lord! She has also had like a miracle story in the mission about a tumor (or cyst, maybe?) that she had in the mission that miraculously disappeared! So, that is cool!! (It´s a bit more detailed and cooler than just that, but that is the long story short).

So yeah! We received changes in the zone meeting that we had on Tuesday in the morning. And... President is going to do that every change now... So, looks like I won´t know changes on the p-day before the transfers... Sad. But, I guess it´s what the Lord wants cuz President receives revalation for these kinds of things. But, I received the news that she would be coming to Aratiri!

This week was a good one. Pretty different cuz Hermana Pelicó wasn´t with me. But, I know the area and the members and stuff, so it is good. Also, Hermana Pelicó wrote me today and told me that she is doing good and stuff in her house. I miss her! But, it´s all good. I know that me and Hermana Chuquicallata will be great friends. But, speaking of Hermana Pelicó, her surprise farewell was awesome!! She totally thought we had like a meeting with the bishop and the other leaders of the ward on Tuesday night. So, we were like going to the church and when we got there, the elders told us that we were late and the bishop already left. Then, they said like we needed to go into the cultural hall. We walked down the hall to go in and all the sudden... One of the elders put his tie around Hermana Pelicó´s eyes! We lead her into the cultural hall and then everyone shouts ´´SURPRESA!!!!´´ And all the members were there!!! She just hugs me and starts crying. She was so happy and had no idea!! So, it went really well. It was hard to say goodbye, but we  will always be like best friends. Plus, she says that she is going to come to Utah FOR SURE to see me and also see the Salt Lake Temple in winter time with the lights in Temple Square... So that should be good!! 

So... For our week. We had a really awesome lesson with Ever this week. I was a little worried to visit him, cuz he really was sad about Hermana Pelicó leaving. But, it went good! He was all excited and ready to really change things. He told us that he would quit FOR GOOD smoking and come to church and stuff. It was seriously a great lesson. And... He broke my heart cuz he didn´t come to church! Ugh... He makes me soooo mad! But, we will see what happens with him.

Then, Elsa.... Ugh we called her to remind her about church and she told us she couldn´t come. So now I don´t know what is up with her. But, we have an appointment with her on Tuesday, so we will verify with her on the whole baptism thing...

That is about it! We had a great week and are looking forward to an even better one! Today, for p-day, we had a zone activity and so that was pretty fun. We like cooked hamburgers and played soccer (well, the elders played soccer...) But, it was fun. I also realized that I am the ONLY American hermana in my zone. The rest are all latinas! That is just a fun fact for ya. Have a great week and I love you so much!!!

LOVE, HERMANA WHITTAKER <3

September 8, 2014 - Week 36

There goes my comapnion... We had another pretty good week.  Pretty normal, but also pretty full of stuff. Hermana Pelicó is getting ready to go home, so we had a lot of packing going on over the week. The truth  is we didn´t even have good lessons this week cuz it has been so busy with everything!

But, as far as investigators go, things aren´t looking too good right now. So, first of all, Elsa didn´t come to church again. We don´t know why cuz she wouldn´t answer her phone.  But, I am sure that everything is fine and we will have the chance to visit her this week. On the other hand, Ever, we just don´t know what is going on with him. He is hardly ever home and we don´t know what he is doing. Really, it´s just a little bit sad cuz it´s like he has competely lost his desire to change his life and be baptized. But, we will see what happens with him. 

The truth is, we didn´t do too many things this week! It really was just full of packing and getting ready for my companion to go to Guatamala again! It´s so crazy.  I can´t believe how fast this change is going. I still haven´t received my changes, so I STILL don´t know who will be my companion!! It´s driving me insane! But, anyway, it is a little bit sad, well, a lot sad, that Hermana Pelicó is leaving. These 6 weeks have seriously  been so full of spiritual experiences and laughing and just fun things. She really is a great companion and super awesome missionary. She really knows the scriptures and the gospel and stuff. So, I have learned some things from her. We packed like all of her stuff and also, the other p-day, we went and visited one of her old areas. The bishop over there made us a dinner and it was just really cute and nice. They all love her a ton.  Then, yesterday, we had her last Sunday is Paraguay. She bore her testimony, obviously, and then we had a really good lunch with the other missionaries and a family that are recent converts (the people whose house we painted that one time). It was fun! And delicious. Then, we went to another area that she served. It is like really close to our area and we went to visit some members that she loves. They were all super excited to see her, too. So, it was fun.

Also, I am throwing a surprise farewell for my companion (which--I don´t know how I did cuz it´s a little bit hard to do surprise things for people that are with you 24/7... But, I did!) On Tuesday night, the members are going to be in the church and then we are going to get there and they are going to shout surprise. Hopefully it all works out. She has no clue, I´m pretty sure. But, there will be like empanadas and a cake. The elders are going to buy that stuff cuz I obviously can´t... Anyway it will be simple, but should be fun! I am sure she will be so happy!

But, that is seriously all we did. Today, we have to go to Asunción to have her final interview and then we have to do a family home evening for the 15 year old that lives in front of us (or--we live in her backyard) because today is her 15th birthday! And, if you didn´t know, 15th birthdays here are like the Sweet 16 in the States. So, she is having a huge party and we were asked to do a small family home evening in the area where they are doing her party before. So, that should be fun!

I still don´t know changes and so, you guys probably won´t know until next week! When I already have my new companion. So, that is all! Sorry it wasn´t a cool week, but, it´s all good.

Love, Hermana Whittaker!!!

September 1, 2014 - Week 35

So, we had another really great week. I can`t believe how fast it has gone by, actually. I now have 8 months in the mission and the weeks just go by faster and faster! It`s crazy! But, we had some great experiences this week. 

We first taught Elsa on Tuesday. She is doing really good and is progressing REALLY good. So, we went to her house to teach her and we taught her the Word of Wisdom and the 10 Commandments. It went really well. She always has like so many questions for us and stuff and I love it! It just shows us that she really wants to understand and learn, you know?? Also, something that I just love is that we know that she is ready and that she knows that this is the true church and stuff. While we were teaching the Word of Wisdom, she was really sincere with us and said, ``Well, I`m not going to lie, I have had alcohol and stuff before, but I am willing to avoid ALL of that to follow this commandment.`` It is just so cool to see her progress and stuff. So, that went great. 

Then, we also ended up finding this guy Ever and he had some good news for us. Turns out that he received his ``freedom`` (the paper that he has been waiting for to be baptized) and he was just sooooo excited! He told us that he was going to stop smoking for real and get baptized before Hermana Pelicò leaves to go home. We had a really great and super spiritual lesson with him and stuff. Then, we visited him the other day (like Friday) and he told us that he smoked 2 cigarettes. He seriously has such the desire to be baptized and has a huge knowledge of the gospel (because my companion has been working with him for like 6 months now), but he just needs to leave behind this small thing in his life and it is just so hard for him... So, my companion shared something in the Bible about Naman who had leprosy and had to bathe in the Jordan River 7 times to cure it and related it to him and it was a SUPER cool lesson... Super spiritual and stuff. He was like so ready and excited to quit then and there and prepare to be baptized the 6th. But, my companino, after the lesson, told me that she isn`t going to be content until she sees him in the waters of baptism.... Which makes sense cuz he didn`t end up coming to church this week and no one knows why.... So, we`ll have to see. But, either way, it was a cool week with him.

So, Elsa didn`t show up to church this week either. But, we talked to her on the phone and she told us that she wanted to go so bad and that she is so sorry, but she was like really sick. The thing is the weather is changing like a ton right now... Like in the beginning of the week it was cold and by the end it was like super hot and humid. It`s just weird here in Paraguay. It`s a lot like Utah. But, anyways, she couldn`t come cuz of that. So her baptism date will just have to be changed to the next week, but that is ok! My companion isn`t even sad that it will be after she leaves... She is just happy that she is going to get baptized.

Also, on Tuesday night, we assisted a baptism of an 8 year old in our ward cuz his mom asked us to sing a song. We sang a sweet spanish/english version of ``A Child`s Prayer``. It was really cool. So, that was pretty fun.

And.... The best part of it all was that I went to the temple on Saturday!!! I totally forgot to mention that to you guys the other week, but my companion had the opportunity to see a family that she taught in one of her other areas (they were an inactive family for 6 years and she re-activated them) get sealed in the temple!! And since I am her companion... I got to go, too! And let me tell you... It was sooooo amazing. The first time I have ever seen a sealing and it was incredible!! Seriously. So, we got to the temple around like 1 and had some extra time. We were STARVING so we ate some lunch. And the only place that was close by was Burger King. So, we ate Burger King. It was delicious. Seriously... I haven`t had American fast food in 8 months and so it was like SUPER good. So, that was pretty fun. Then, we met up with the family in the temple and went in to do the session with them. It was so cool! I just love the temple, so it was just awesome to get to go again. Then, after the session, we went to see the sealing!! It was literally amazing. This family was just so happy. They had their two little kids and it was just awesome. So, that was pretty fun.

And that is about it for this week. Again, it was full of cool things and the awesome experience of seeing this family be sealed for all time and eternity. This change is coming to an end and we only have a week left together! I will be finding out my new companion in one week. Me and Hermana Pelicò are really good friends, so it is pretty sad that she is going... But, we will write eachother every Monday!!! ;) I hope you guys have a fantastic week! LOVE YOU SO MUCH!!!

Love, Hermana Whittaker

August 25, 2014 - Week 34

I am glad to hear that you guys had a good week, especially in Lake Powell and stuff.. But, I most definitely had a GREAT week. Seriously. It was so good. So, let´s start out with talking about what happened last week. Haha, so remember how there was a zone conference?? Well, I forgot to say, but at this zone conference, during my interview with President, he told me--and also my companion...but in her interview--that the elders that are in Aratiri have an investigator that is a girl who is 19 years old and that he wants US to teach her. He told us that he just feels like we should be the ones to teach her and that it is a lot better. Like she can have a true conversion and stuff--if you get what I am saying... Well, anyway, we accepted, of course, and we actually knew this girl cuz she had been at church the week before, as the investigator of the elders. Her name is Elsa. So, we were pretty excited to get to teach her. I will be honest, one of the elders was pretty mad/sad that we were ´´taking´´ his investigator. But, it´s fine. So, anyways, this Tuesday we went to visit her cuz the elders told us that that was the best day for her. We went to her house with the elders and they broke the news to her that we were going to be the ones teaching her instead of them. And, she was like totally fine with it. So, then we started to get to know her better and stuff and my companion asked her if she had any questions about what she read in the Book of Mormon--cuz the elders left her a chapter to read. She had some really good questions and stuff and was like telling us that she knows that there is a God and stuff, but she just has a lot of fear that she will disappoint Him. Like not being able to keep all of His commandments and stuff. And she just had these questions for us and we answered them and it was just a really, really great lesson. Super spiritual and when she started talking about how she was a bit scared--like scared to receive an answer or scared to do things wrong... My companion pulls out Isaiah 41:10. And, of course, I was thinking the exact scripture. And it was perfect. She like cried and stuff and the Holy Ghost was just SOOOOO strong and stuff. I had like tears in my eyes and yeah... Just a really good lesson. She accepted that when she receives an answer, she will get baptized and stuff, and we left her 2 Nephi 4 to read.

So, that was such a blessing for us. My companion has been working with that guy Ever for like so long, and he just like lost his desire. We can´t find him anymore and he just doesn´´t want to try anymore to change his life around. So, the fact that the Lord gave us this opportunity to teach and help Elsa... Is just great. We are just SO grateful for her. Especially cuz then, this happened... We were of course going to pass by her house to take her to church with us this week. So, we call her up on Saturday to tell her, she says sure, and then Sunday, we got up and ready and then went to pick her up. We had to take a colectivo cuz it was actually in the Stake Center, cuz we had a conference this week. It was like a conference for the area. So, it was for all of Paraguay and Uruguay. So, it was cool that she came with us cuz it was a conference. So, we went to the Stake Center all together, and then THAT was just great. One, because I got to see EVERYONE from Itaugua--exclamtions points-- ...the explanation point doesn´t work on this computer... So, I was SO happy. All the families that I love so dearly were there and I got to see and talk to everyone. The best, was that the familia Maldonado was there and when I went to go talk to them, they were so happy to see me. Then, they tell me to turn around..cuz I was just facing and talking to the three girls..and there is Saúl. And, not only was it Saúl, but it was Saúl in Sunday clothes with his hair cut and everything--more exclamation points-- I WAS ABOUT TO CRY. He looked so different. A completely different person. And he is just so happy. And his family is just soooo happy. And I just love that they have been able to find true happiness as a family together.

So, that was just like SUCH a cool experience for me. So, anyway, that was the first reason this conference was just grand. Then, secondly, it was because it was so sprititual. Like, the talks were just great. The ex-president of the area talked and then some other guy from the 70 and then a sister and then Elder Bednar. It was awesome. Seriously, he gave a cool talk about repentance and not only repentance, but how we need to TRULY repent and stuff. So, that was cool, and then THIRD... Is because we had another lesson with Elsa, after the conference in the chapel and it was life-changing.

 

So, we go into a classroom and we have 2 members with us to share with us and we first ask her how she liked the conference and she told us that she really really liked it a lot and stuff. Then, we start the lesson and my companion asks her if she had a chance to read the part in the Book of Mormon that we left her, and she tells us yes, and then my companion asks her if she knows if the Book of Mormon is the word of God. She tells us yes. Then my companion asks her if she has her answer about the Church of Jesus Christ and if it is His true church. She says, I am SURE that it is the true church. So, right away, it was a great lesson. Then, we teach about the gospel of Jesus Christ and the lesson is just great and then after an awesome lesson, my companion asks her. So, Elsa, will you be baptized on the 6th of September?? And she says yes. Then, she tells us something beautiful... She tells us,´´ I know that it is real... Because if it wasn´t, I wouldn´t be feeling the same as you guys feel in this exact moment..´´ She is so true. I am serious, the spirit was SOOO strong in this moment. I was crying, she was crying, my companion was crying.... It was just the best feeling in the world. So, she has her baptismal date and everything and I am telling you... She seriously was prepared by the Lord. And I know that we were supposed to teach her and that President knew that. There was not one problem or doubt that she had about the elders teaching her. It wasn´t that there could have been a possible problem or really she wasn´t interested in the church. It wasn´t about them at all. It was her true desire to really know if this is Christ´s church. And she has her answer now.

The Hermanas with Elsa

I love this work more than anything and moments like this makes everything worth it. Maybe I am missing out on boating a bit, or other activities with the family. Maybe I can´t listen to all the music that I want to or maybe I can´t watch movies that I want.. But, I would not trade this for the world. I have no doubt in the world that this is Christ´s church. His ONLY church and that we can return and live with Him again if we do what He asks us to do. And I just LOVE being a missionary.

 

Movie night activity with some of the Elders

Soooooo.. That happened this week. Also, we had like a movie night outside in another ward and so that was fun. It was like a projector and stuff. And, after, we all--7 OF US... Us 2, the elders, and 3 members--had to ride in this tiny moto truck with a bunch of equipment to get back to our area. That was pretty nuts, I´ll be honest. But, that is my week. I am so happy to be a missionary here in Paraguay and help people here in Aratiri. I love it more than life-muchos exclamation points-

LOVE, Hermana Whittaker

August 18, 2014 - Week 33

So this week was pretty fun, to be honest. We had a really really full week, so it felt like it went by so fast! It was crazy. But, it was fun.

So, we started off with a mini division with the Herm! ana Leaders. That was pretty good. They called us like Tuesday morning to ask us if we could do divisions after the district meeting that day. We said sure, but that we had choir practice in the night (other story...). So they both came into our area and we did a small 4 hour division in our area, the four of us. So after the meeting, Hermana Gutierrez and Hermana Hunt came to Aratiri. I KNEW that I wouldn`t be with Hermana Hunt cuz it was just too good to be true. And, I wasn`t... :( But I did get to see her and that was good enough for me! I can`t even believe it, but she has like a year now in the mission! It is so crazy how fast the time goes! But, anyway, I went with Hermana Gutierrez and we had a few lessons. I didn`t get TOO lost in my new area so that was good. Haha but it was pretty fun. 

So then after we had choir practice. There was a competition with the different wards in our stake to sing and then the winner will sing for the Stake Conference or something. So, our ward, Aratiri, took it really seriously and we had choir practice every night this past week. We got really good and even had a pianist that is the boyfriend of one of the girls in our ward. We sang, ``I`m Trying to be like Jesus``. So, Friday came and we had our performance. It went good! We most definitely won the competition. Well, it wasn`t like there was much competition, to be honest... Like only three wards performed and we went definitely the best. So, we will be singing in the Stake Conference. But, that went really good. But, me and my companion received a surprise that night. So, after all the wards sang, the Stake President went up to give a talk. As he was talking, he decided to take us by surprise and asked us... The hermana missionaries to come up and sing with him Joseph Smith`s First Prayer... So we did!! And it was really good! So that was pretty fun!! Then, we went outside and ate some cake because it was someone`s birthday. And then we ate Lomito with the Elders.

 

But, also something else that happened was we had a Zone Conference on Wednesday. That was pretty good, just also spiritually exhausting. Seriously. It was like a ton of practices cuz while we were doing the practices, President McMullin was doing interviews with the missionaries. What we had to do was ridiculous! We had to teach The Restoration in 15 minutes and then talk about how we could do better for 5 minutes and then do it AGAIN in 15 minutes!! Talk about crazy. And not only that, but we had to do that with The Plan of Salvation, The Sabbath Day, and ``God Reveals His Gospel in Every Dispensation``. It was really hard, that last one... But, it was good cuz we learned a lot. Also, we were quizzed on how well we know the scriptures. Like there are 100 that we need to learn. So, it was a LONG day. Also, I had a interview with the President and it went well! Also, I got a new temple recommend.

ALSO... I got my package!! I just wanna say THANK YOU! It was so great!! I was sooo happy to receive those goldfish!! YUM! You can bet that I ate almost all of them like the minute I opened them! But, thank you so much cuz I have now a brush and I love that nail polish! And the photos! I just loved that!! They are so cute and I have showed them to just about everyone! The one of me in the front is so funny. I just tell people that it is cuz my birthday is on Halloween.... ;) But seriously... It was so great to receive that package!!

 

So that is about all for this week. It was full of tons of stuff, but really productive and super fast! I can`t believe that it is already Monday! Also, on Saturday, my companion got sick from some food that we ate at a member`s house. Not like super sick, but she had to stay in the house for a few house and rest a bit. So that is all that happened!! I love you guys so much and I hope you have a fantastic week. LOVE YOU TONS!

Love, Hermana Whittaker