Getting in the Groove

Bailey and her roommates

This week (well week and a half really) has gone by much faster than the first week. Rather than having the 16 hour days drag on, I feel like I don't have enough time to learn! This week we were challenged to memorize 15 scriptures IN SPANISH and man do I wish I had more time for it! Between the language classes, training, devotionals, and scripture study it's hard to find time to get it all done! I've got 10 memorized so far, so I've got some work to do yet, but I'm making progress!

For gym time (50 minutes every day) me and Hermana Madsen have been playing a lot of volleyball, Frisbee, and occasionally even basketball when the guys are willing to pause their real games and let us play some pretty intense games of lightning with them! Oh and in one of these games, Hermana Madsen, who has never played basketball before, got out one of our Elders who is playing in college! The whole district lost it, everyone was screaming and cheering, it was awesome.

Bailey and Hermana Madsen

Oh and apparently cleaning checks happen often here and are very thorough, and for those who know me, you already know that we failed our first one (all of us were pretty equally unorganized). But after we were taught the specific way in which we are supposed to make our beds (tucking the sheets all the way around) and making sure our closet doors are locked before we leave, we have not failed another! 

Hermana Madsen also got a little sick this week. Nothing terrible, just a head cold, stuffy nose, cough, sore throat. I was doing a really good job of staying healthy until about a week in and I caught her sore throat and cough, but nothing too bad! And luckily it was not strep like she thought it was! 

Bailey and Hma Madsen teaching

I was also invited to take a test this week to potentially put me into a Latino district where I would be fully immersed in Espanol. I would have to get a new companion and change housing and everything to do it. I was hesitant to take it, because though my Spanish has definitely improved, I wasn't sure if I was ready for that level. I decided to try though and took the 49 question grammar test, which I needed a 70 percent to be considered for the transfer and I ended up getting... wait for it... a 67. My teachers told me that if I wanted they might be able to talk to their boss and get permission to let me take it again, but I decided that the 67 was God's answer to my prayers asking if I should go or not haha. Both my teachers said that they were relieved and happy that I was staying in the district with them and felt like I could do a lot of good there, so I'm kind of glad I didn't pass.

Since the test I told everyone what happened and now that is the guys' favorite joke. I get crap for it at least 3 times a day, but I honestly like it. I missed getting teased haha, and I feel like the teasing means they've all accepted me as a bro, so that's made things more fun!

Bailey's district

Oh and guess what Mom! My Origami totally came in handy. One of the Elders in my district had been struggling quite a bit and during one lesson I folded one of my ninja stars and tossed it at him and he started carrying it around in his pocket and called it his little ray of sunshine (it was yellow and orange) and said it was legitimately helping him feel better. So that was kind of awesome! One little example of how God can use our strengths (however weird they may be) to help bless others' lives, even if it's just a little bit!

Highlight of the week (and of my life) was that ELDER BEDNAR CAME!!! He gave a 2 hour devotional and the spirit was sooo strong the entire time. One of the many things I learned is the importance of what we do, not only in the field but after we get home.  He told us that "when you go home you are only changing your field of labor." This hit me. This work is not only for missionaries to spread this joyous gospel in far off lands, but for us all to share! If it's important enough to leave everything you know for 18-24 month, it should be more important to share with those you love! 

I love and miss you all and hope you have a great week!!

P.S. There is an Elder in my district who looks so much like Bryson (Bailey's cousin) it's weird. His personality isn't super similar but similar enough, and the way he talks, smiles, and carries himself is so much like Bryson it's almost scary.