June 29, 2015 - Week 79

Companions being dorks...

Well, I did it! I served a full-time mission in Paraguay!! I am so happy. I have a ton of different feelings running through my head right now and it is just crazy... But, it`s all good! To start off, I thought that I would just have you all know that on Saturday, Karen and Marcelo were MARRIED and then Karen was BAPTIZED!! It was just the best ever. Definitely the best way to end the mish. I was so happy for them. We have worked so much with them and I can`t even explain to you the difference in that family. They are just so cool and happy and they have such a testimony!! So, it was a bit of a stressful day and all, but in the end... Everything turned out PERFECT! And, to just mention, Paraguay won the game in futbol (soccer) and made it to finals!! It was crazy!! Like they literally won the game (against Brazil) and then everyone was like screaming and stuff in the streets and then ALL of the invited people came like barging into the chapel for the wedding. And we just had a wedding! And then a baptism and it was the best day ever. So, that is the big event for this last week.  

Well family.... It`s about to be all over. This is my last letter to you all from Paraguay and it is pretty weird to think about it like this... But, hey.. It had to end at some point! I really have had such a great experience here. I honestly have learned things that I NEVER thought I would learn on a mission. I have met people and loved them like I NEVER thought I would before. I really have loved the mission. For sure there have been the ups and downs and many times where I have wanted to just go home already and also the many times when I just wanted to live with the people here and be a part of their family. I have experience hot, hot, HOT and HUMID weather and also rain up to my shins weather, and I have also felt the spirit the most strongly I have ever felt in my entire life. I have loved being here in Paraguay and I wouldn`t trade the time that I have had here for anything. I don`t really bare my testimony too often on the letters that I have sent home... But, I just want you guys to know that I really do know that this is the true church. I honestly have NO doubt about it. I know that this IS the church that Christ built. He is our Savior and He did die for us. I know that Heavenly Father loves us and listens to us. He is our Father and loves us SOOO much. I know that we have a prophet that lives and guides us. He also loves us and really does speak with God and receives the revelation that we need in these days. I know that the priesthood is real and that it can do miracles. I KNOW that the Book of Mormon is true. It is the truest book on the face of the earth. It is literally the evidence that we have that Heavenly Father loves us and that He has restored His gospel. And I know all of these things... Because I have felt it. I have really been able to experiment for myself and KNOW that what we do as Latter-day Saints is true and that we are in HIS church. And there is only one. I know it with all of my heart. 

Last P-Day at Pizza Hut

I love you guys so so so much and you honestly have no idea how excited and happy I am to see you guys again!! I can`t believe that the time has come, but I am STOKED!! I love you so much and want to thank you for every letter that I have ever received in my mission from you guys! They helped me soooo much! I know that I honestly have LA MEJOR FAMILIA EN EL MUNDO!! And I am soooo grateful for that. I know that we are going to be able to be together forever with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ one day in neverending happiness (Mosiah 2:41--my fav scrip) and I am even more stoked for that :)

Con muchísimo amor siempre, Hermana Chloe Whittaker

June 22, 2015 - Week 78

Hermana Whittaker's countdown chain

Well... Freaking we`re in the last week of my mission. I never thought this would happen! It has always seemed so long! But, I am so excited and happy and also nervous and sad.... It`s just a lot of feelings... But, I will have you know that it is mostly happy and excited!!

Well, this week was a good one. It went by pretty fast, too. There honestly wasn`t anything super cool that happened. Just been working and like preparing mentally and all to go home... ;) But, it has been a good week. We had a really good lesson with Gabby, one of our investigators. She is doing great, but sadly won`t be able to get baptized while I am here. But, I am not even worried about that. If there is one thing I have learned on the mission it`s that everyone is different and sometimes there are people that are prepared, but they just need more time! And Gabby is one of those. She will for sure get baptized at some point and that is the only thing that matters. But, anyways, she is so cool and we had a great lesson. We started out with The Sabbath Day, but in the end she was just asking like millions of questions about the temple! So, that was cool. She definitely wants an eternal family :) But, we just had a chill week.

Drinking Mate Dulce

We drank mate dulce like every night this week with Karen and Marcelo cuz it was like freezing! We are getting into the cold now... So, that has been fun. How lucky that I am coming home before it gets really cold, right?? ;) Anyways... We just had a fun week. Also, on Wednesday, we had out zone meeting, but it was actually a mission meeting! All of the zones that are close to Asuncion (which are 6 out of the 8 cuz the other 3 are like 7 hours away...) had a reunion with a 70. Elder Gonzales came and spoke to us. It was really good, but mostly cuz I got to be with Hermana Valenzuela a WHOLE DAY! Haha it was great. But, it was a really good conference.. Even if it was just like sitting in one spot for like 5 hours... ;)

Hermana Whittaker with ALL but two (went home already) companions!

Well, that is pretty much my week. This one is going to be CRAZY! Cuz not only is it my last week.... But, also I got to go to Anahi today to visit the people and also Hermana Libertee Valenzuela... And on Wednesday, I have my LAST interview with President! I had to like print out some questions that all the missionaries that are going home have to fill out and then have an interview with Pres about it... So, that should be fun... Also, we have to plan the WEDDING and BAPTISM that we are going to have on Saturday!! This is seriously going to be the best last week a missionary could have... And the more busy I am, the faster it will go.... ! But, wish me luck that I can make it through this week and yeah!! Love you guys so much!! I hope you have a great week, too! It`s the LAST one!!
Love, Hermana Whittaker

June 15, 2015 - Week 77

Only two weeks left... whoa. Well., this week was a good one. Not too much happened. Our baptism was cancelled... BUT for a good reason!! In the end of everything.... Karen is going to get married to Marcelo on the 27th of June and she is going to get baptized after. So, it`s just a lot better! I am so happy and excited for them. It`s great cuz now they can be an eternal family in one year! It`s just great. But, we are happy and all. Well, that is the news with Karen. they are just doing great together too. They are like always coming to church and reading the BOM and just doing everything so great. We actually did a special fast with them and everything this week! And even though we didn`t have the baptism on the 13th... We still celebrated Karen`s birthday and everything! We showed up at her house with some peruvian food that my comp made and a cake that I made! She was so happy and surprised to see us! So, it`s just all great.

As for other things... We are still teaching Gabby, but she is still like weird. It`s like she is scared to ask God if what we say is true cuz she knows that she`ll get an answer! Haha but we help her anyways and stuff... So, that is good. I just love her and want so much for her to get married and baptized!! Anyways.. Hopefully she can pray and stuff. In fact, we had a great lesson with her the other day about the gospel of Jesus Christ and she told us that she really understood and all and that she understands the importance of baptism. And at the end of the lesson she told us that she would seriously pray and ask. So, we`ll see! But, they didn`t come to church yesterday even though they said they would...  But that is probably just cuz it was raining and we are in Paraguay...

But, that was my week! Last p-day, we went to Itaugua and I visited the families there and it was so great! I loved seeing everyone again. It was actually not even sad when I had to say goodbye and stuff. I know Ill see them again... At SOME point in my life :) But, that is pretty much it. Just living it up while I can... But I am stoked to come home! Wow... 16 days.. Can you believe it? I actually can`t... But.. I love you all so much and have a great week!!!!! :)

Love, Hermana Whittaker

June 8, 2015 - Week 76

Well, obviously the highlight of the week was Diana`s baptism! It was the greatest thing ever. Anyways... It was a great experience. For reals. She was just so happy and she was just SO beautiful!! So, it was cool. It was actually a really funny story. So, the baptism was on Saturday, and she got to the chapel and everything on time. Things were going great and stuff... Then, we start the service and all. Things are fine. She is like super happy and one of the returned missionaries that helped us out a lot to teach her (Ben) did a talk on repentance, then another girl, Teresa, did a talk on the Gift of the Holy Ghost... Everything is fine. Then, we had a cool special number and I sang with that kid Ben ``Be Still My Soul´´... In english (cuz he speaks fluent english) and his sister accompanied us on the violin. So, that was pretty. Diana is like crying to much and things are just great. Then... It`s like her turn to go and get baptized and all. Well, we are like sitting and waiting still to go to the font and like we were kinda confused cuz no one was saying anything... Then, all of the sudden, the 2 doors to the font (where the people can see the baptisms) like start to move like someone is trying to open them from inside the font (cuz it was locked)... So, it was kinda weird and then all of the sudden.. THE DOORS FLY OPEN! And we just see Pable (the one that baptized her) in his white clothes and he totally BROKE THE DOORS to open them.

Apparently, in the moment of the baptism, there were no keys to unlock the font... So, he had permission last minute to BRAKE it open. It was the funniest experience ever and I just didn`t even understand what was going on... But, that is cool, right?? I don`t now how many others have had that experience in their mission, but I will definitely always remember it. I even had a piece of wood from the doors as a recuerdo! Hahaha So, that was the baptism. She was just so happy. After that, we all went (me, my comp, Diana, Ben, and Pablo) to eat pizza to celebrate. So, it was fun :)

Yesterday was the confirmation and that guy Ben confirmed her.. It was so great! And we had a great Sunday. Hugo, Malena, and Luz came from Aratiri to visit me in Luque and so that was cool! It was so cute cuz Malena got up and bore her testimony and stuff and like no one even knew where she was from... Cuz she is from another ward.. But, it was cute! It was my last fast Sunday in Paraguay and that was kinda weird... But yeah. Also, our other investigators that are preparing for baptism were there. So, that was great! Karen is getting baptized this week, so that should be fun. We are stoked for her and she is so excited! This Saturday, the 13th, she will be baptized and it`s her birthday, too! She turns 20. Anyways, it should be a great week. We are way excited.

Well, as for today, we are going to go to Itaugua to visit my area. I am kinda feeling weird about it. It will be the last time I see them and I just never thought this day would come. Well, the last time I see them for a while. Cuz I definitely want to come back eventually! But, it`s just weird to think. I only have 3 weeks left. That is crazy! That is like nothing... But, I will just enjoy it. We had interviews with President at our zone conference on Thursday... It went well. President pretty much just talked to me about going home and never forgetting about the people. Like always helping them out even from far away. Facebook, insta, Whatsapp (everyone here uses that app and I don`t even know what it is yet...) but, just stuff like that. I already knew, obviously, but it was just cool. He told me that I am going to for sure finish my mission strong cuz he can just tell that I am pretty focused. Later, my comp told me that in her
interview, he told her that he can`t believe all that we are doing and the way that we are working in my last change. Cuz usually missionaries that are going home just quit working early, you know? Haha so that made me feel great!

Well, that is that... I am starting to get a little bit sad about the
whole mission ending! But, I am stoked to get home!! LOVE YOU!!!

Love, Hermana Whittaker

June 1, 2015 - Week 75

WOW. Only one month. That is pretty much like nothing. Haha, but a lot can happen in one month! Like, we are super excited cuz we are going to have a baptism on Saturday. Diana is like so ready and she is so excited. It`s just been great. I feel like she is like my sister or something... But, she is stoked and stuff for her baptism. Then, not only that.. But, Karen (the investigator that needs to get married) is actually getting baptized on the 13th! The next week... She actually is not getting married now cuz she split up with her boyfriend. It is kinda sad and a way long story.. But, all in all, it is a lot better for everyone. And she is like so excited, too, cuz she wants to get baptized. So, that is the other good news. As for Gabby, I think we might have to change her date for one more at the end of June. But, it`s ok. She is just really investigating and we don`t have like a ton of opportunities to teach her. She is pretty busy with work all the time, but she is doing well. She has come to church like 5 times now and is reading the Book of Mormon. So, we`re all good.

Also, this week we contacted a guy and taught him the restoration... And we did it SOOO good! Well, obviously it wasn`t us... It was the Holy Ghost... But, he understood so well and even told us in the end that it all made sense and he is thoroughly convinced of what we had to say.. Jeez I wish that everyone here was like that. Cuz it`s true!! Anyways... He didn`t come to church this week, but we have plans to visit him again and like straightup put a baptismal date with him. The work is going well.

In other news.. I am like super excited to go home. It is like pretty funny, actually, but like everyday this week, I have had dreams about going home. And the thing that has reoccured like 7 times since like every dream is that I forget to buy souvenirs! Haha it`s pretty funny though... Every dream is different. Like every situation. Sometimes you guys (my family) are there and I am at home or sometimes you guys are here in Paraguay and I am still a missionary with my companion... But everytime.. In the end I realize that I didn`t buy souvenirs! And then I feel all sad and stuff and regret it a ton.. But, then I wake up and realize that I still have time to do that! And the funny thing is... I am like buying them. So, I don`t know why my brain is like so worried at night about it. Anyways.. It`s pretty funny.

Family Home Evening with Familia Armoa

This week we pretty much just have our baptism that we are looking forward to. So, that is the best part. And also we have a zone conference on Wednesday. It will be my LAST zone conference of the mission. Usually when it`s the last, they make you give your GRAND testimony in front of everyone, but it is the month of interviews with President, so I don`t think that they will do it. And I don`t even know if I will be having an interview because I have to have the FINAL one at the end of my mission and with the number of people going home at the end of this month... He might just save us ``last-changers`` for the last p-day we have here. Which is in 4 short weeks. By the end of this week, we will be halfway done with this change. CRAZY. Anyways.. That is like all for this week. I am looking forward to it being the end of the week cuz or Diana`s baptism and then next p-day... I am going to visit the people in Itaugua! Also... Today marks only 30 more days... LOVE YOU ALL! Obviously, cuz I am having dreams about you every freaking night!!

Love, Hermana Whittaker

May 25, 2015 - Week 73

Hermanas Ramos & Whittaker - vow to drink 4 liters a day!

Ok.. So, we got some news... I had changes AGAIN! Freaking the 4th change in a row. But, no worries... I am in my area still and I am now in my LAST CHANGE!! To tell you the truth about changes.. I was pretty sad! Cuz really really REALLY wanted to stay with Hermana Morgan and finish my time in Paraguay with her... But, it`s fine cuz the Lord obviously has other plans for her... And for me... Anyways, my new companion is named Hermana Ramos and she is from Peru. She is really cool and all and we get along pretty well.

Hermana Morgan, Diana, & Hermana Whittaker

Now, talking about the work. It`s going SUPER well! Like way good. I am just like so excited and it almost feels like 5 more weeks to work isn`t enough! Haha just kidding, but really. We are working like hard and seeing some sweet results! So, first of all, our investigator, Diana, is going to get baptized on the 6th of June! So, we have just like 2 weeks! We are stoked for her and I kid you not... I have had like the best and most spiritual and detailed lessons with her in the last week than in all of my mission! She is so cool. She was pretty sad when she found out that Hermana Morgan got changes... But, she is glad that I am still here. I am definitely the favorite.. But, at the same time, sad that I am going home soon! But, she is awesome and I seriously feel so close to her. I feel like she is my sister or something. We are really similar in the way that we think and she is super funny and we have like the same likes and style... I don`t know. But, it`s cool. She is like progressing a ton and she already has like a ton of friends in the single young adults... It`s just great. She talks so much and we cover so much info in the lessons.. It`s just so cool! But, anyways... She is awesome and I just can`t even express the love that I have for her. And how much I will freaking miss her... :( But, it`s ok... Cuz I will come back to Paraguay for HER. Hahaha.

Also, we have TWO other investigators with baptismal dates! And they are both like half member families. One is Gabby, she is the investigator and her boyfriend, Mauro, is the less active that is not active... She accepted a date for the 13 of June! Also, she is just like sooo cute! And then there is Karen (investigator) with her boyfriend, Marcelo (less active) who accepted a date for the 27th of June! So... We`re SUPER EXCITED! For reals. I am just like loving this last change cuz I am stoked to work here and do all this stuff and also go home so soon!!

Anyways.. That is all. I am good and we are having a good time. The time is just flying and in 5 short weeks, I will be home. That is crazy. But, I love you guys a ton and have a good week! LOVE YOU!!!

Love, Hermana Whittaker

May 18, 2015 - Week 72

Well.. I am officially in my last change. And I am just ready and excited for it! I am ready to just give my all these last 6 weeks and work a ton and just do everything I can! Cuz... You only have one chance to be a missionary, right?? So,  gotta live it up while I can. But, it is actually pretty unreal that I am in my last change. It is going to fly and I can`t believe it! This week, we hung out with Hermana Ixquiac, my very good friend from Guatemala who is in the mission, cuz she is going home this week! I asked her how her last change was and she said that she can`t believe how fast it went! It`s just going to be loco.


We had a pretty good week. This week, nothing too special. But, we have an investigator named Diana and she is SO going to be baptized. She already accpted her baptismal date for the 5th of June! So, we are super excited. She actually is an investigator that we met at church cuz she had been going. But, she like found out about the church cuz she was dating a returned missionary and she was like investigating so she could see if it was all good and if she wanted to like be a member. Well, her boyfriend broke up with her, but she is still like looking into the church cuz she feels like it really is true! Haha so that is cool cuz she totally told us that she feels like maybe she needed to meet him just to know about the church! So, it is a cool situation. But, she is super cool and always has like a million questions for us. So, we are teaching her and all. The only thing is that she freaking talks like crazy. She literally talks MORE THAN ME! I didn`t even know that was possible! Haha but she is really cute and we are super excited to help her and work with her. Also, we still have the family that has the less active member and the investigator, Gabby. She didn`t come to church this week, but he did. And we are going to visit them this week and probably also put down a baptismal date with her. So, the work is good. We just need to contact a lot more people. We had like a district meeting on Saturday and the assistents came to teach. They told us that we really need to step it up as a mission cuz we are a little bit low on baptisms. But, they did it in a cool way and shared with us about where are all desires really. And it really makes you think. It especially impacted me cuz I really want to take adventage of this last time that I have and stuff. So, I have goals to contact a lot more people and just SPREAD THIS GOSPEL!! 
So, that was pretty much our week. I am like pretty tired also. Haha it is funny cuz I am like excited and want to work a ton but I am super tired at the same time. I think it just means that I am almost done... Haha but we will work through it. I am hoping that we don`t receive changes tomorrow... I really would just love to stay with my companion these last 6 weeks. So, we will see. We find out tomorrow. 

Paper chain Hermana Whittaker made to count down the days!

Well, I hope you all have a great week. I love you a ton and wish you a feliz semana. Have fun and stay safe. Haha I don`t even know why, but just do it! LOVE YOU!!

May 11, 2015 - Week 71

Well, the subject line says it all. After talking to you guys for forever yesterday on skype... There`s really not much let to say! 

I guess I could talk a little more about the work... So, the baptism that we are really hoping happens in the month of May (or June, probably) is of a girl named Gabby. She is the girlfriend of a less active member named Mauro and the bishop asked us last week if we could visit them. So, we got their number and called them and then set a day to go and visit. They are really cool! They have been together for like 8 years and want to get married. And she has already been to church like twice now and said she feels a difference there. So, she is really interested and he has lots of desires to come back to the church. So, it`s really cool. Also, we had a reference from the elders of a girl named Guadalupe and we went to visit her and she seems really cool. She says that she knows that all we are sharing with her is true and all, but she didn`t come to church yesterday even though she said she would. So, who knows. And then there is that other less active member that just showed up today with his family and we figured out that his wife isn`t a member yet. AND there was another girl that had been to church before and she was a reference also from a member. She came to church yesterday, too and wants to share and receive the lessons and stuff. So, we are getting really blessed right now. 

This week, we went to the temple as a zone and it was really great. I just love going. The spirit was just so strong and I literally just felt sooooo happy! So, that was cool. Also, we had a testimony meeting with our zone and President before the session and it was super cool. I bore mine and really realized that I have learned a ton here. It`s so weird that it is all ending!! But, it was really spiritual and awesome and stuff... Also, President dropped cane again on contacting. So, that is something I am gonna step up.... But, we really did have a great week. From the temple to finding some cool investigators, to skyping the fam... Just a solid, good week. 

Well, that is about all. I don`t know what we are gonna do for p-day today. We were going to go into the office if my comp had her package, but it`s not in yet.. So, we will probably just chill and shop around for stuff I need.. Hahahaha.

 So, that is my week. I love you and miss you, but calling yesterday just made me super happy and even more excited for July. I love you and stuff!!

Love, Hermana Whittaker

May 4, 2015 - Week 70

I can`t believe it either... 2 months left! That is crazy. Well, this week also wasn`t too cool. It was pretty normal. You know, missionary work and stuff. But, it was cool. Some bad news that we had is that our assistence yesterday wsa really low. It was like 57 when usually it is like 100... But, that is only because on Saturday night and on Sunday morning, it was raining like a ton. Like a huge storm and Paraguayans just don`t do anything when it`s raining. So, that is the reason. But, it was still a good Sunday and I actually learned a lot from the classes. So, that is cool. A few people gave some really cool testimonies and stuff. The spirit was super strong even though only a few people showed up at church. So, that was way cool. Also, I realized that I only have one more fast Sunday left in Paraguay... Weird!

Another cool thing that happened this week is that I did divisions with Hermana Morales!! So, that was a blast. She is an hermana leader now and so she and her companion are in charge of doing divisions with the hermanas. So, of course when it was our turn, she obviously chose to go with me! So, that was fun. I went to her area with her and it was cool. I seriously was just remembering all the cool and great moments we had in Itaugua together! Cuz her area is like Itaugua... And so it was super fun. 

But, that is about all that we did. We just had a pretty borning week. We are really trying to help that one family get married so that the girl can get baptized. But, the boyfriend is kinda being stubborn. So, it`s just a frustrating experience. But, that is all. Today for p-day, I don`t even know what we are going to do. I think we are going to go to a place to eat with Hermana Valenzuela and her companion... But, who knows. Haha I hope you all have a great week! LOVE YOU!

Love, Hermana Whittaker

April 27, 2015 - Week 69

The companions in their home

This week was a pretty alright one. Nothing, again, too cool happened. We are just working and stuff and it is good. We did, however, meet a really cool family that is menos activo and they are really cool. My companion had already met them and shared with them a few times. They are the familia Martinez and we went to their apartment (cuz here, there are mostly just apartments) and shared with them on Tuesday. It was fun and we really got to know them well. They are funny and stuff and we just passed the whole night laughing and stuff. But, that was pretty much it of all the cool stuff that happened this week. In fact, we are going over to their house tonight to celebrate the birthday of the hermana. Should be fun. Also, we are still working with that one family that has to get married so that the hermana can get baptized, but when we visited them, she told us that her boyfriend doesn`t want to get married all of the sudden. So, that kinda sucked. But, we are going to try talking to him to see whats up. Other than that, we had a cake contest in the chapel this week and only three people make cakes. Us, the elders, and some other member BOUGHT a cake. So, that was kinda lame. And we didn`t even win! All the little kids voted for the elders and their ``tres leches cake``. Whatever. Haha but it was fun.

The activity with the Hermanas

Today, we had an activity with all the hermanas in our mission that are close (cuz there are like some hermanas that are like 8 hours away). But, everyone within like an hour`s distance in colectivo was invited. And a lot came! There were like 12 companionships or so. So, it was fun cuz I saw like everyone. And you know you have a lot of time in the mission when you see ALL of your companions except the 2 that have already gone home... Haha but it was fun! We all had to like bring a authentic dish from our country to share. So, I tried a lot of Peruvian, and Guatemalan food. And I made Chocolate Chip Cookies. So, that was fun. 

That is like all for this week. Nothing too cool... But, I can`t believe that we are like now done with April and we are going into May! Also, we are excited cuz next Tuesday, we are going to the temple as a zone! So, should be fun! 

I love you soooo much and have a grand week!!

Love, Hermana Whittaker

April 20, 2015 - Week 68

Well, not much happened this week. As for my ankle... It`s like better now. I can walk and everything. Really, it was only sore for like a few days. So, that is good news, right?? But, that is about all for that...

For the work. It`s going along. We are pretty excited cuz we have an important appointment tonight after our p-day and it`s with like a couple that talked to a member that wants to learn and stuff. So, it`s cool cuz THEY are coming to US. So, we will see how that goes and all. But, I have just been getting to know the area and all and visit the investigators and stuff. One of our investigators, Margarita, pretty much said that she won`t be ready to get baptized anytime soon cuz she has to recover healthwise (I don`t even know if that is a word anymore???) But, basically, she needs to get better cuz she is not doing too well. Also, we have a recent convert named Amada that is going through lots of stuff right now and so we gotta help her out... Lots of stuff to do.

Raincoats for all the rain!

Other than that.. Nothing happened.. Haha except something super funny did happen this week and my companion gave me permission to write about it. Ok, so it has been raining like all week (also, it is raining really hard right now), and on like Thursday, we went to eat at this place for our lunch cuz we didn`t have a member to give us lunch that day.. And we are like sharing an umbrella and stuff and we get to the place, eat, and it starts to rain like SUPER bad. Like pouring and lightnight and thunder. And, we had to go back to the house and stuff to put boots on and all.. So, we decide to go out anyway into the pouring rain and we are walking and the roads are like full of water and stuff.... Also, my companion is like freaking out a little bit cuz she has almost never been in a rainstorm cuz where she lives it just doesn`t rain. So, we are like a block away from our house and there is this HUGE lightning that strikes and the thunder came like right after.. And all I said was ``Wow... That was a close one!´´ And I started to fast walk/run to get to the house and we get there and my companion says... ``I think I peed my pants......´´ HAHAHAHAHA!!! She totally peed her pants cuz she was scared! But, she is really cool and thought it was just as funny as I did and she said I could write home and tell my family... So, that is the funny thing that happened this week. I was laughing like forever!!

Well, that is about all. We did cyber early again and after, we are going to the Pizza Hut and meeting up with Hermana Valenzuela and her comp to hang out. So I am like BEYOND excited. Have a great week!!

Love, Hermana Whittaker

The new living quarters...

April 13, 2015 - Week 67

Hermana Morgan, Chloe's new companion

Well, I am guessing you are all dying to know changes... I am just sorry to inform that I DID receive changes and I am no longer companions with Hermana Valenzuela.... And I am PRETTY sad about it.... But... It`s all good cuz I am with a really nice companion who is pretty cool, too. Her name is Hermana Morgan and she is from Peru. We actually get along really well and are pretty good friends. I knew her from before cuz she was companions with an hermana that is my friend and we would always do stuff with her... So, it`s pretty fun.

In BIGGER news... I am not in Capiata!! It`s sooooo weird, too. 15 months in the same stake... You know, you get kind of used to it. But, now I am in an area called Luque. It`s like all city. I am used to like more spread-out type of areas. Like neighborhoods... But here... It`s like only apartments. And we are like the Central of Luque. So, we have like tons of stores and stuff. It is just really different than my other areas! I miss the people in Anahi... But I miss my companion more. But, it`s ok cuz I hear a lot from her. She calls me like everyday. Also, Hermana Valenzuela is training a new missionary, so it looks like she will end her mission like that! I at like 99.9% positive that this is my last area... Haha unless President does some crazy weird change for my last 6 weeks here (that sounds weird). And I am like 98.9% positive that I will stay with Hermana Morgan as well... But, those are the changes in my life right now. I am just trying to get used to a new area and stuff that is sooo different. But, it`s all good! I am already good friend`s with my companion, so that`s a good sign.

The time is just going soo fast. I have like 11 weeks left. And THAT is crazy... Speaking of that... I actually already received my ``Trunky Call´´. That is the call when the secretary in the office calls you to ask you for your final destination and at what time you want to leave to go home... So, things are real now! I don`t know tons of details yet, but I do know that I leave Asuncion at 1 AM on Thursday, July 2...!! (Too soon for this info...? haha) So, that is the news!

As for this area... It`s pretty cool. We actually have some investigators that are super cool, but they just need that ``push´´ to help them really progress so that they can be baptized! So, we are going to work a lot with them. There is an investigator named Karen that is really cute. She is 20 and has an 8 month old baby and her boyfriend is a member who is less active. But, my comp with her old comp were working with them a lot so that they can get married and she can get baptzied. And he is reactivating again. So, we have Karen along with a few other investigators. So, there is a lot of potential here in Luque. Our area is pretty huge, though. I feel like it`s just giant and I`ll never be able to learn it. But, one, it`s probably just cuz it`s all streets and cities and stuff and two, I probably won`t be left here to teach the area to someone else... Haha.

OUCH!

Oh... Another thing. So, something happened yesterday. So, we live in an apartment on the 4th floor, right.... And yesterday on our way to church, I was walking down the stairs and on the last one... I fell. And I sprained my ankle REALLY bad. Like it was so swollen! And it freaking HURT bad... So, I called Hermana McMullin and she told me I had to stay in the house all day and elevate it and ice it and stay off of it... So, that is what we did yesterday. I can like barely walk. But, the good news is that last night, it was hurting SOO bad, but this morning, it is doing a lot better. So, I think I will be good as new in a couple of weeks. I just walk really slow... Also, I had to buy like this brace to wear. But, I`m all good.

That is our week. Today for p-day, we have a zone activity in Aregua (that place that is like a lake with a beach that I have sent pictures of before...). And they are going to play soccer and volleyball and have like a BBQ. So, that is what we are doing. But, I am probably just going to be sitting downt the whole time... Haha. And then I will probaby rest some more and I have to ice my foot when we get back home. LOVE YOU ALL! Have a great week. 

Love, Hermana Whittaker

Initial reaction when they found they were no longer companions...

April 6, 2015 - Week 66

So, I feel like lots of stuff happened this week! But, only cuz we took a lot of pictures... But, for reals, it was a full week. First of all... It was Easter and conference! The 2 were both great. I loved conference (like always) but, we had to watch it in Spanish cuz the english wasn`t working... But, it was still good. The last time I will see conference in Paraguay... Wow. But, I loved it. They talked A LOT about marriage and the family... Next step??? HAHAHA just kidding! But, it was great. I really liked the talk about helping people who have lost their way come back. Also, one of the spanish speakers, Jorge F. Zaballos is like a leader for our area over here! So, that was cool! And it was so cool how like every speaker remembered decided to talk about Christ cuz it was Easter. I thought it really showed just how much we really do only believe in Christ. We don`t adore Joseph Smith or the prophet... Just Jesus Christ. And so I loved that everyone talked of his resurrection and stuff. It was great.

The Rabbit Farm

 This week... We just had tons to do, I feel like. We started off great and on Tuesday, we met an elder that just got back from his mission that is in our ward. Elder Souza (he is the son of that family that is Brazilian--but they`re not members...) And he is super cool! We hung out with them and his mom has like lots of desires to get baptized! So, we are working with her on that! But, we just had a blast with them. On Thursday, they gave us lunch and it was pretty delicious. We ate rabbit... So that was fun. Haha I would say in honor of Easter... But, we usually eat that with them cuz they are the owners of a rabbit farm... So, we took a lot of pictures with their bunnies! Then, that night we did a fun family home evening with some recent converts, Familia Nuñez. They are just so cool. We talked a lot about the family and stuff and our responsabilities as parents and children. And then, we ate dinner with them. We had just like meat and sausage... Typical Paraguayan asado. But, it was fun. We celebrated for Semana Santa. 

A trip to the Temple

Then, on Friday, we went to the temple! The story is that my companion had a member in her old area that she worked with that was going in for her endowments and so she was going to go as well AND that we had our recent convert, Tito, who was going to do his baptisms for the dead for his family history for the first time and we were going to go with him (and Hermana Bautista was going to come--cuz with her, we worked with him on it) and we were just all going to do it on the same day so it would be a lot easier!! Like a 3 companionship deal. Sounds like a great plan, right? And it would have been... But, Friday of Semana Santa in Paraguay is like a huge holiday (cuz it is the day that Christ died) and NO ONE works. Like NO ONE. So, there would be no form of transportation (there are only very few to no colectivos). So, we had to end up cancelling Tito`s visit to the temple and went for Hermana Valenzuela`s person from her area. We got on a taxi (that we had to call in advance) and went to the temple. When we got there... She went with her old comp from her old area in to do the session and I went back to her old area with her old comp`s comp... (if that makes any sense) Basically... We did a division. And after waiting for a colectivo for an hour and a half... We went to ``Mariano Roque Alonso´´ and did a division! I was with Hermana Mera from Mexico and she is just so cute! She is like super new in the mish... Still in her training. But, we had a good division. We visited a few investigators. It went well! Then, we all four just slept at the house in Mariano. So, me and Hermana V had to sleep on the floor. It was pretty horrible. Like I felt beat up in the morning. But, it was a fun day. We got lots done! And Saturday morning, we got on a colectivo and went back to Capiata for conference! 

Hermana Valenzuela & Hermana Whittaker - April Fools!

Ok... So, you all know that this past Wednesday was a very important date... It was April 1, 2015. So, we (being us) definitely did an April Fool`s joke!! It was so funny, but yet so simple. And this is what we did... We dressed as eachother!! Haha like completely.. You just have to see pictures. So, you`ll definitely be getting a lot. I just hope our families find it as funny as we do! Cuz, we seriously did everything exactly like eachother! Even changed our plaques. And that`s how we looked ALL DAY. It was great. A lot of the members noticed, so it was just a great idea :)

So, that was our fun week. Also, we made chocolate chip cookies for all the elders and hermanas in our zone for Sunday conference and I saw lots of cool people again! It is always so cool to see all of the people you`ve met at stake things like conference. Also, we painted EASTER EGGS!! They are so cute! We just had to.... It was way fun! And earlier in the week, she showed me some acrobatics. It was pretty hilarious. And so we just had a super fun week. 

Well, tomorrow we find out about changes. I am thinking we will stay together just cuz I was with my last companion for only one change and I don`t even have that much time in my area yet.... But, we will see what happens. Anything is possible. Just hopefully we don`t have them! But, you`ll all know next week.

Today... We had a super cool p-day cuz we went to Itaugua to but a TON of stuff! So, we are both very happy about that :) And it was just a fun and chill p-day. I hope you all had a great Easter this weekend! I love you all so much and I wish you the best semana. LOVE YOU TONS!!!!

Love, Hermana Whittaker

March 30, 2015 - Week 65

How weird is that?? March is now over! But, we did have a pretty good week. It was pretty chill actually... It`s so weird that this week is the last week of changes... The time is seriously going so fast. I feel like I JUST started my time with Hermana Valenzuela but 6 weeks has already passed almost! But, we are having the time of our lives... So, that`s good.

Family Home Evening with Familia Bazan

This week, was pretty chill and boring. It was actually kinda cold. I think it`s starting to be winter here soon, so in the nights it was pretty cold. So, that sucked! But, it`s not even anything close to the cold at home... Haha. But, it rained a bit, too, so that is never good news for missionaries. No one wants to attend you when it`s raining out.. So, that was kinda lame. But, we still had a good week. We had a super cool lesson with this family (familia Figueredo) yesterday and it was so SWEET! Like, he is a returned missionary, but they are like less active members and we went to like figure out what they need and what their whole mindset and feelings are and stuff... And we had like a SUPER long but WAYYY cool lesson. We just like really focused on them and how we can help them and the spirit was SOOO strong. It was just really cool. I just love being a missionary.. For real. Like, honestly, it can be so easy to just get homesick or want to just go back to ``normal life´´ and stuff... But, when you are in situations like that and you just feel the spirit testifying SO STRONGLY that you are really in God`s true church and that this is the only way... I just forget about everything else! I just love it!! So, that was like the cool highlight of this week!

This week we also had our zone conference. It went well. We just talked about ministering to the people (which is awesome) and I learned a ton! But, we learned how to minister to the investigators, recent converts, and less active members using the Book of Mormon. So cool. So, that was fun. And also we have this goal to read the Book of Mormon as a mission (starting in April) like with a new copy and mark on things about Christ (in blue) and the atonement (in red). So, that should be a cool focus. We have a schedule and everything to keep us all on track as a mission togehter. And good news... We get done with the BOM the last day of my mission! So, that`s funny.

Ice Cream for P-Day

Today for p-day we did like nothing. We just chilled at home and then went to this mall to eat KFC. So, it was pretty fun just to chill together and stuff and not have a huge plan. But, next week I think we are going to go to Itaugua to buy stuff.

 

But, that is about it for this week! Love you and have a great EASTER! I am so excited... But, I totally didn`t even know that Easter was this week until yesterday! Haha someone just said... ``everyone is out of work this week cuz of Semana Santa´´ and I`m like ``What? Easter is THIS week? The same week as conference??´´ Haha so that`s cool. We get a cool conference/easter week! I`m excited! Have a great Holy Week everyone! :)

Love, Hermana Whittaker

Drinking mate dulce because it's getting cold outside

P.S. The other day I was sitting on my bed and my companion is like organizing her desk and all the sudden she is like on the bed too and just says ``HOLY CRAP DUDE! There is a huge taratuala in our room and I`m gonna have to kill it!!`` Haha cuz she knows the terror I have of spiders... So, she gets down and with a like a wave of courage... Kills it!! But, I didn`t even look at it while it was still alive... So I don`t actually know just how big it was! But.... The fact is... THERE WAS A TARANTULA IN OUR HOUSE........ 

March 23, 2015 - Week 64

Lucia on her baptism day

Yep... 100 days left. That´s crazy, right?!?!?!?! Yeah..... But, anyways... We had a great week. Why? Cuz Lucia got baptized on Friday! And it was a great experience. She told us that she felt so happy that she was baptized and that she is just super content. Also, we made two sweet... Like freaking awesome cakes for the baptism and nobody could stop talking about them!! They were lieterally in love. And it was like two box-cakes that we bought from the store!! Haha but they turned out great and we all just had a great time. Especially Lucia. So, we are so happy. And, she was confirmed a member and given the Holy Ghost on Sunday. That went well, too. And so that was really the highlight of our week! It was a great one. 

Other than that baptism... We didn´t have too much happen. I had like a lot of headaches... But, that´s alright. Also, we went to the chapel yesterday after church to get a package that a returned missionary brought from one of Hermana Valenzuela´s friend´s that was serving in Argentina with hjm. So, that was pretty fun. She got a cool package. Also, yesterday I got a sweet call. Hugo and his girls (Malena and Luz--from my old area, Aratiri) called me yesterday just to tell me thank you for everything and to tell me that they are super happy with where they are in life and that ´´thanks you for helping us return to church and to really feel content with where we are... ´´ It was beautiful!! I almost started crying! I miss them a ton but I am super happy that they are doing so well!! :)

For the other work.... I don´t even know. We are trying to work with that family that got married like the other week but they just don´t ever answer their phone. But, we did see them yesterday and told them that we are going to visit them this week on Friday... So, we will see how that goes! Also, there is antoher family. Ramon and Fanny that we are working with. We are hoping that they will progress cuz there are super cool and stuff.. So, we will see this week as well. We have a brownie appointment with them on Tuesday... So, should be good! Other than that... The only other news is that we are going to have our zone conference on Thursday. So that should be good, too.

 

Today for p-dady we really just did tons of checking things out and buying stuff. So, it was fun! But, we went to this tonwn called Aregua (which I have been to two times before) to find some cool things. Also, we went to San Lorenzo to this cool mall to buy an ipod charger for my companion and we found a freaking Quiznos! Haha that never happens. I´m pretty positive it´s the only one in this country. But, we split a sandwich and it was good! And guess what... We were so excited just to see all the stores and stuff... That we forgot the ipod charger! Haha so we didn´t even get it. But, it was a fun p-day!

That is about all for the week. I love you all so much a wish you the best this week! See you in 100 DAYS!!!!! :)

Love, Hermana Whittaker

Playing a new game - catch the camera. Set timer and toss till it takes a picture!