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