3 months

Blurry, but here's me on the border with a sign. I'm definitely missing soccer!

Hola todos!

In three days I officially complete 3 months in the mission, just gotta do that 6 more times! Spanish is still a struggle (and will be for a while) but I'm less lost! I'm also much less lost in my area (wandering the streets all day every day for 7 weeks teaches you a few things I guess), but I still stick out like a sore thumb to everyone. I'm known down here as "la guerita"(the blondie) which has been strange because I would definitely not consider myself blonde, but it's chill.

Precious things from this week: 

This week we were teaching one of our families (the same family I mentioned last week) and the little girls were excitedly talking and telling us any and every thing that had happened to them in the past two days in which we hadn't seen them, when their mom told us that they had been playing "missionaries". They stopped and blushed but then excitedly told us that Dani played Hermana Hernandez and Sofi played me, but then Sofi looked a bit concerned and told me she wasn't sure how to talk like me.

The two adorable girls I talked about holding their Plan of Salvation poster we made for them to color

In the same family we had taught the word of wisdom and had invited them to keep it. A few visits passed and the two little girls informed us that they were still drinking a bit of coffee in the morning and we were talking about the importance of keeping the word of wisdom when they informed us they had been keeping it. They then showed us a little doll house in which they were protecting, or rather "keeping" the pamphlet entitled "the word of wisdom". I then realized the importance of word choice as we explained that we had meant to obey it. It was adorable and hilarious.

Went to the X in Juarez--better pics to come later because all were taken on other cameras

Depressing thing of the week:

Going into this second transfer I've been feeling a lot more confident with my Spanish, or rather WAS feeling a lot more confident. We were teaching a lesson on Tuesday (or Wednesday...?) and I was explaining the story of Joseph Smith and the first vision to a family. I felt like I had done well, maybe not my best, but not too bad, until the 13 year old boy in the family informed me after the lesson that he could "understand some of my "English". I was quite confused until his Uncle (who is 18) explained that the boy thought I had been speaking English the whole time. Guess I've got a long way to go.

                         Gringas quite happy to be at Buffalo Wild Wings

Spiritual thought of the week: 

The Gospel is Bold. There are times out here when I am explaining the gospel that I am afraid to teach certain things out of fear of offending people. We want to be respectful always, but that does not mean passive. This gospel is bold and is the only true way to happiness. 

In the scriptures it explains that Those whose hearts are hard will take this gospel and it's teachings to be hard, but to those who are prepared it will be sweet and give hope and joy. Don't be afraid to share, and look always for the sweetness and joy in this gospel. There is more to find here, more real, lasting joy, than from any other source. Live this gospel, Love it, and never take it for granted. 

There are many who don't have the beautiful truths that we do, the knowledge and hope of a complete remission from sin and the power to not just become clean from our sins but to find the power to change who we are to become new creatures in Christ, or of the miracle and blessing of an eternal family. 

Sorry if that was all over the place but I don't have time to fix it!

Love and miss you all! 

Hermana Naatjes

my comp was excited for me so wanted this pic at bdubs as well