Hasta la vista Juarez

Hola todos!!!

This week was good and incredibly difficult. We worked hard, taught lessons, had 2 exchanges, had people come to church, almost set a baptismal date (he said he wants to get baptized but doesn't feel ready quite yet). It has been awesome for all of those reasons. 

It was incredibly difficult because I had to say goodbye to my Juarez family. I am going to miss it so much. I cannot believe or even begin to process the idea that I am going home. That tomorrow I will not be leaving the house at 11, I will not be teaching, will not be contacting nor trying to help the members here. This has become my life. It has become who I am. I understand that everything has its time and its season, but I will incredibly miss being able to do nothing more than His work. 

goodbyes...

In my time here in Juarez my Father gave to me...

6 great companions

5 pounds or more

4 new parents

3 areas

2 languages and

1 new and improved version of me

I am so incredibly grateful for all that I have learned and become here in the mission. It was the best decision that I have made in my life. 

See you all in two days!

Hermana Naatjes

Surprise!!! It snowed in Juarez!!! But then melted a couple hours later...

9 days to go!!!

Evans Family at church!!

Hola Todos!!

This week was good! We had a lot of appointments, met a lot of new people, and I even got to try a new food!

Taquitos with Rasario, Ana, and the fam

In my mission I had been warned time and time again to avoid the menudo (a traditional Mexican soup made with cow stomach). I was told I would not like it a bit, that it would make me gag, etc. But yesterday we walked into an appointment with a less active woman who we have been visiting and she had bought us menudo. I anxiously and nervously waited as she began to warm it up and serve us. When it was served I looked down and saw the small, slightly fuzzy looking pieces of cow intestine floating in my bowl amongst the corn and onion.

 I took a deep breath and took my first bite. The smell was unpleasant, and the texture as well, but it was not nearly as bad as I expected. It tasted about the same as any other type of soup/stew I've eaten here! So I survived, and finished my bowl without a problem, but did not ask for a second plate.

Menudo with Hermana Ramona

In my time here in Juarez my Father gave to me...

6 great companions

5 pounds (or more...)

4 new parents

3 areas

2 languages

For the last year and a half I have lived in Spanish almost 100% of the time. Learning Spanish was very difficult for me. At the beginning of my time here I got frustrated a lot. I often felt alone and always felt confused, but the Lord has infinitely blessed me. In my times of difficulty He helped me overcome, in the times when I was confused, He gave me the words to say, and in the times where I messed up, He blessed the people that they could understand. In this year and a half journey of learning and growing, the language was one of the greatest challenges, but it let me see the hand of the Lord truly work in my life, and in the lives of the people that I taught.

 

Spanish has now become a part of me. It is a part of who I am. I love this language and this place so much, and as I have already said, as excited as I am to see all of you again, I am so incredibly sad to be leaving it.

When your comp tries to tell you low key you gotta lose weight. (Those are eggs with broccoli).

Love you all and hope you have a great week!

Hermana Naatjes