Chloe Whittaker's Mission Blog: July 28, 2014

Well, first of all... Another change down. 6 weeks just flew by and I have no clue where they went. This whole week, I have been just like thinking in changes. They have seriously been on the back of my mind this WHOLE week. And the worst was yesterday in church. Everyone was telling me that they don´t want me to leave Ituauga. They were all saying... ´´We are all going to pray that you stay!!´´ Also, I just really love my companion. So much! So I was just like a worried wreck yesterday... So, today comes and I am just like so nervous!! After our studies, the district leader FINALLY calls and...........

I am changing areas... I am going to an area called Aratiri and I am going to be companions with a latina. Hermana Pelicó. So those are the changes that are happening with me. I am leaving my beloved Itaugua. Really, I am pretty sad to be leaving. I mean, I have spent a third of my mission here and I just love the people. But, I am excited to learn and be in a new part of Paraguay. The thing that I am most scared for is my companion... She has a reputation of being really strict and ´´drop cane´´. But, also, they say she is nice and she is a hard worker, so I will probably learn lots from her ;) But, also, this is her last change in the mission. She is going to end her mission with me. So, for sure I will only have 6 weeks with her. (Not in a bad way, just a fact... haha) Good news is that this area, Aratiri, is like pretty close to Itaugua. In fact, it is in the same stake! So when we do stake activities (which is really just Zion to the Rescue--with the youth) I will see some of the youth from Itaugua and also Hermana Morales! Haha, also, I have been to the area (Zion to the Rescue from a few weeks ago) and it is really cool! It is a nice area. I am excited to get to know all the members and see what it is like. The person that is coming to Itaugua to take my place is Hermana Seeman. She was with me in the CCM in Argentina, so that is pretty cool! My companion is worried though, cuz I told her that Hermana Seeman is pretty shy--because she is. Something else that I found out is... Hermana Hunt got called to be an Hermana Training Leader! I totally knew it, too. I was not even surprised when I found out. She is going to be such a great hermana leader! She is like freaking out, though... She doesn´t feel like she is prepared. But, she totally is! So that is what is happening with changes. I am leaving... :(

Familia Maldonado - Saul is in pink shirt

But, now let´s talk about Saúl. So, he did not get baptized this week cuz when we went to talk to him last Monday, he told us that the 2nd of August would be a lot better for him. Really, he wants to find work so that he can buy clothes to look nice for his baptism (pretty sure). So, we gave him that date. When he said that though, my heart dropped, cuz I knew that there would be a huge chance that I would get changed and not be able to be there. And... Look what happened. But, really, the only thing that is important is that he is getting baptized. Hopefully! He really is so ready and I have seen him change SOOO much! But, yesterday at church, his sister, Sandra, was talking to me and was asking me if I was going to get changed. I told her that I didn´t know and that we would know tomorrow. Then she says, ´´And what will happen with my brother if you get changed??´´ ´´Well, he is gonna get baptized!´´... is what I was thinking. Apparently, Saúl is a person who doesn´t like change and really, he is very used to us--me and Hermana Morales--and doesn´t want us to change. So, I am pretty sure that everything will be fine and he will get bapized and just be so happy. But, that did make me even more sad! I honestly don´t know what I am going to do tomorrow with the members when I go to visit them. Seriously, it is gonna break my heart. But also, I know SI O SI that I will be coming back to Itaugua to visit the people. They are literally like my family here in Paraguay! But anyway, that is the news on Saúl. He will be getting baptized this weekend.

That is about all that happened for this week. I also went on divisions with Hermana Meese this week in her area cuz Hermana Francois was sick really bad for like 3 days and they couldn´t work in their area, so they needed help! Really, Hermana Francois got sick cuz of stress. She has just worked so hard her whole mission that now, in the end, she just got overwhelmed with stress trying to get everything ready to go. Like, school stuff, she is worried about her mom cuz she is sick... Stuff like that. So, Hermana Morales stayed with Hermana Francois at home and I went out with Hermana Meese. It was pretty fun! I had an American companion again for a day! ;)

The main thing for this week is changes and I am sure I will have a lot more to say in the next email cuz it will be a WHOLE DIFFERENT experience. I was like packing my stuff today and I seriously feel like I am leaving on my mission all over again. I don´t like it! Plus, I am REALLY REALLY REALLY gonna miss Hermana Morales. She is seriously my sister. But, obviously the Lord needs me in Aratiri with Hermana Pelicó cuz if He didn´t.... I wouldn´t have gotten changes there! ;) So, everything will be ok. I hope you have a great week. I know I will probably have a pretty crazy one changing areas and stuff. Let you know about it next week! Love you! Also, can you believe that now it´s 7 months here?? Crazy! LOVE YOU!!!

Love, Hermana Whittaker