"Lift Up Your Head and Rejoice"

So I know 27 is my lucky number... but I don´t know if any week could surpass this last.  It was OFF. THE. CHARTS. I have this huge list of incredible things that took place and I could seriously write 10 pages or more so mom when I get home (in a year) we need to go back and reminisce over this week.  Don´t let me forget to tell you.  

The list:   ...I will highlight a few...

1. Hermano Kristhian Duarte Vazquez was baptised at 6 pm on Saturday, October 26th and I couldn´t have asked for anything better.  The spirit was SO strong, the whole bishopric was present, tons of ward members came and Kristhian´s family, we had members bear testimonies while waiting which had Kristhian´s mom go right down to bawlin, and tons of food afterward.  Success!!  Celcia hugged me afterward and we both started to cry and she whispered in my ear before pulling away, ¨Voy a recordarle siempre en mi corazón.¨ Seriously I love them so much. WE are going to their house tonight for family night.  

They made empanadas after the baptism.  Yum

His sign says "Gracias Hermana Goimarac"
She was Hillary's last companion that helped teach Kristian

2.  Erin, Pte. McMullin´s daughter salio con nosotros ayer.  President and Erin came to church with us. Sacrament was focused on missionary work and my comp bore her testimony. She is so awesome.  President also spoke and gosh the spirit was so strong.  Kristhian got confirmed and I wrote do/tried to write down all of it so we can type it up and give it to him.  Anyway it was so fun to have Erin come with us.  She is a mix of Ellis and Mish.  Hilarious I felt like I was hangin out with my family :) She is doing so well in Spanish and it was neat to watch her figure out how to explain things in the lesson.  It made me realize I actually have progressed a bit in my spanish BUT still have a long way to go.  I am seriously learning SOO much though living with these 3 latinos!! It is so awesome!

3. So yesterday we had a realtively low asistencia for Loma (91 asistencia) which I had no idea until after church cuz I was so pumped with gozo en mi alma we had the WHOLE ENTIRE (you ready for this Faith??) PAVÓN FAMILIA en la Iglesia!!! Serious. Not lying.  They ALL came and their son spoke with the bishop about starting mission papers!!! Ya I was about to cry with joy. Gloria, Milagros, and Faviola (who is so ready to be baptized) came to church.  Long time no see!  Cuz I am working on the other side of the transchaco (giant main road).  and.... CELIA CAME!!! It was so cute, Kristhian was waiting by the door until she came.  They sat on the front row and his blessing/confirmación was beautiful.

4.  Another golden moment was that this young man- Gorge Casco, 25 years old- came to church.  We have never met him. He has never heard of the church, suele passes by no mas and was curious so he came.  WHAT!! yahhaha!! We talk him with cute little miss Erin after church and he´s already a new. Could get baptized this month on the 16th that is when we are gonna put a date for Celia.  We asked him if he had any questions about what he learned or heard, and he said I would like to know more about Joseph Smith and just more about what you teach.  Uhaha lesson one please!  Chaching!  You guys the Lord is preparing people left and right.  As long as we are prepared the Lord will place them in our paths. 

5. Hna Duarte and his experience with prayer that day... the Lord prepared him for the NDH it was so cool!

6. Sunrise, Sunset... incredible!  I got a picture of the sunrise and seriously if I had a latter I probably could ahve touched the clouds that were passing over my head from where I stood on the roof.  The sunset the night before wasw UNREAL. Sometimes I just stand and gape at the beauty of this country. Bright yellows, oranges, and hot pinks lit the horizon with dark thin purple clouds behind this thick green field and tall paraguayan mango trees.  I love it here. 

7.  Some of our investigatores (recent as of last week)  came to the ward activity.  First ones there and we had a BLAST with them! We showed them around the church and they loved it!  They have tons of potential. They are a huge family and want me to organize a class to teach them English how fun huh! I think we are going to cuz Gorge and tons others are asking! :) 

8.  Had probably one of the coolest experiences yet.  I was super discouraged and overwhelmed the other day. I just wasn´t happy for some reason.   I knelt in prayer begging my Heavenly Father to help me find peace and feel happy. I did something I haven´t done in a while. I thumbed the side of my scirptures, knowing that I have recieved answers before by just opening up to a random page, and opened to Alma 8 and read verse 14-16.  The spirit rushed over and I literally fell to my knees in humility and just started praying to my Heavenly Father saying ¨Thank you thank you thankyou¨. I love the scriptures so much.  The Lord knows us so well. I think we often forget that simple truth. We truly can recieve person revelation.  I have no doubt about it.  I´ll let you read those verses, but from em my favorite part says, ¨lift up your head and rejoice¨  So that´s my quote this week.  I love you all so much. xoxo 

Con mucho cariño,

Hermana Owen 

Hillary made Crepes for her companion

EMPANADAS

A ward party

Love the purple flowers in front of this humble little house

Me and my companion

I Speak Spanish

              First off, Kristian Durate, I am proud to anounce, is GETTING BAPTIZED this coming Saturday!!  He is so ready it´s unreal.  This past week we taught him with hna Almirón en el barrio.  We taught him Word of Wisdom and he accepted it NBD.  He said, "Öhhh coffee??¨ ¨Bueno if the Lord asked us to I trust he knows what he´s doing,¨and he started to nod as Hno Alimrón explained why.  He asked us, well my baptism is a in a week what do i need to do prepare?  What who does that!?  So awesome. We told him to continue doing what he´s doing and living what we are teaching.  He is really excited to get baptized and then receive the Priesthood to baptize Celia and Jasmine!  Celia still hasn´t come to church but I am sure she will next week with his confirmation.  

   Saturday, I got up early and made crepes and butter milk syrup for everyone to celebrate Hna Silvás birthday. They were IN LOVE with em. hahaha and I must say I made some of the best buttermilk syrup I have EVER tasted!!  (Hna Fuller, the nurse, gave me tip)  Mangos are blooming so we enjoyed mangos on our crepes as well.  I couldn´t find lemons so I´ll have to make the originals another time. We still have a huge jar of syrup in our fridge.

    Times are getting hot, as I said mangos are blooming.  Thank goodness clouds rolled over today and it´s not as scorching as yesterday.  I now understand why they say you are literally only dry for 5 seconds after the shower. Ya it´s a thick heat and I think my EYES got sunburned!!

     Exciting part... so living with 3 latinos is PARADISE!!! Seriously it is one of the biggest blessings yet I have recieved on my mission!  Hna Silva said I was talking in my sleep the other night.  Went to ask her what I had said, but thought, "öh hilly she´s not gonna know cuz you speak English.¨  To my surprise she alughed and said I was testifying to someone/teaching them IN SPANISH!!! como.. ¨Yo Testificó... ¨   WHAT!! Ya not lying I am the happiest camper ever dad!! I speak SPANISH!!! I can think in spanish without thinking about it! I am also noticing I don´t need to think twice about what people say or ask them ¨otra vez¨ as often.  I am not 100% yet but definitely above the 50% maybe even to the 70% mark!!!  Hna Silva told me that she can tell the spirit takes over in the lessons and I speak so fluently.

    Being a trainer has helped me A TON!!!  I have been the one having to direct lessons and speak on the phone and coordinate things. I am learning SO MUCH!! I love training and couldn´t be happier that I am training in my pirmero area!! :)  Hna Silva is so cute and we are having tons of fun getting to know each other.  She is a wonderful teacher and I love teaching her little tips oh see her explain something like I do in a lesson.  Makes me like I´m teaching her something, when I really thought I would hardly teach her anything cuz she is already fluent in Spanish.  We  are learning English as well. It is hilarious and so fun.  Hna Vasquez and Hna Pelicó love and want to learn English as well so we are practicing everyday.  Oh I am seriously so grateful for all the Lord has blessed me with.  

    Count your many blessings name them one by one and it will surprise you what the Lord has done. He really is the deliverer of all.  I love the faith of the stripling warriors in Alma 57 and how they know that their strength, success, freedom, and joy all comes from the Lord.  Go. Fight. Win!  (when the Lord is on your side!)  Love you all and wish you all a fabulous week!  xoxo

    Con cariña,

Hermana Owen

there are frogs that have been coming out when It rains (haven´t seen em) but they cry and make this sound that sounds like crying babies it is THE most bizarre thing ever!!Mom I will respond to your email next week or maybe write ya a letter.  te quiero i will get back to you about the missionary thing. love you tons AND AND I have this goal to read the book of mormon in a month1!! Starting next monday hasta mi cumpleaño con sophia rivarola and some other sister.  choa choa! love hermana owen

si si!! I will talk with him!! actually he sent everyone an email this week cuz GUESS WHAT!?!?! Elder D. Todd Christofferson is coming to visit us!!!! I am so excited!! 13th of noviembre!!!  can´t wait probably will be one of the best bday presents.  hna silva says thankyou for the birthday gift (dad said you sent one) love you all so very much xoxo

Asuncion, the big city, behind us 

Having fun while doing a Service Project at the park

Serious Joy !

Week 25                                    Serious Joy                           October 13, 2013

It´s a rainy day and the weather is perfect.  I love rainy days.  I want to play some oldies music like Frank Sinatra oh por favor and curl up with a good movie... ha who am i kidding.  Life couldn´t get better. I´m todavía en Loma Pyta, Paraguay.  I´m enjoy my usual caramels as I write my weekly email :)  I´m TRAINING!  the cutest Bolivian sister. I am living with 3 latinas... ya I am stoked my spanish is going to sky rocket! (I hope)  I´m preaching the gospel EVERYDAY. I am bringing the world his truth. :)   

This week has been a little crazy but we are getting a handle on things.  Shout out to Faith Goimarac!!! Hope you returned and hope safely as well wonderful Hermana Homer!!  So Monday and Tuesday I was a little uptight/worried just of what was comin (a few tears were shed), so Tuesday I asked my zone leader (Elder Oharra-awesome, just finished his mission with elder bredsguard)  for a blessing (my first one recieved in Spanish!) and seriously I haven´t been stressed or sad or worried since.  I seriously am loving this change so far.

 My comp is awesome.  She is from Cochabamba Bolivia!  Hermana Silva se llama. She is beautiful... looks almost hawaiian or polynesian.  She is wonderful!!!  A little timid, a sweet heart, super chillax, and patient :)  We have had a rough start (as in our part of the area the people never let you in their houses) but we are praying a lot together and we set some awesome goals this week in weekly planning I have no doubt in my mind the work is gonna pick up.  

My favorite part of this week was probably our lesson with Kristian and Celia Duarte.  We taught them about baptism and confirmacion. It was probably one of the neatest lessons.  I was studying a ton for them cuz seriously they are SOOO close to baptism and I didn´t want one lesson to go wrong just cuz I am a weak teacher or can´t speak spanish very well.   All I can say, is that the spirit took over.  Hermana Silva and I were workin like gold.  The spirit was so strong.  We had Celia read Mosiah 18:8-10, and then I asked Kristian to read  verses 12-14 putting his name where Alma´s is and Celia´s or Jasmine´s (his daughter) where Helam´s is. It was so powerful!! I have never seen bigger smiles on their faces, especially Celia´s. They were practically begging us to get baptized at that point.  So Kristian will be getting baptized the 26th of this month (A DAY BEFORE  HOMECOMING TALK, FAITH!!) and wants to then receive the priesthood to baptize Celia and Jasmine!!!!!! Ahhhhh I just wanted to just for joy as they couldn’t back smiling and looked at each other serious joy my friends.  Oh I love this work.  It is truth.  It is freedom.  It is joy.  It is life. Hermana Silva gave each other the biggest hug (where hna Goimarac and i always would) by the big tree down their street.  

It has been a little tough otherwise to be accepted into homes and teach. We split our are down the transchaco and the side we have I hardly ever visited before.  Although, it is a tougher area it´s kinda like startin a new area because I haven´t really work that much over there.  Maybe I´ll send ya a map fam so you can see what a monster of an area I have bee working in. It´s huge, such a blessing we have 4 hermanas now.  It is super exciting!    

Anyway that´s about it.  Oh and this Saturday is my comps birthday!! I am going to attempt to make mountains or pancakes and buttermilk syrup! :)  If you want send some letters for her.  She would love that!! I would love that (family :) love you ALL so so much!!!! Go to work!

Some good words of wisdom from Elder Bednar this week in the Liahona, ¨You can do this! The Lord you represent and serve knows you can do this. I know you can do this.¨ It´s true, if the Lord trusts me, I will put my trust in him.  :)  

xoxo,

con cariño, 

Hermana Owen

P.S. didn´t see kenzie freeman´s sister at stake conference slash didn´t have much time to look but  hopefully i will one day.

P.S.S.  THE MANGOS ARE BLOOMING!!!! AND They are THE best mangos I have every eaten in my life!!!!  creamy and super juicy!

--

yaya"!! can´t wait i love you mom!!!! :)  it´s hna silva´s birthday THIS WEEK!

Me, Hermana Silva con Presidente

                                           

                                             the "moms" (trainers) and all the "decendants"... down the line.... 
                                                                   from trainer to daughter, trainer to daughter etc. :)

Hermana Silva and I in front of house, arrival day

This morning, working out on our roof top

"The morning sky"

"We ate at Pizza Hut-Yah you heard that right and all you can eat."

Best Roller Coaster Ride Yet to Come

Week 24                           Flame your Faith                  October 7^th 2013

So everyone tells me the missionary just gets better with time, but seriously I don´t know if anything could surmount this past week. It was... for lack of better words, off the charts.  Sooo mayber I take that back, cuz our numbers were really low and there weren´t any baptisms, BUT I practically did everything a missionary doesn´t have the priviledge of doing. 

So let´s begin... Tuesday we recieved a call from President McMullin, bueno our phone wasn´t working for a day so the Elders in San Jorge walked all the way to our house cuz it was urgent that president needed to talk to us.  Hermana Goimarac was goin home early.  Bueno we practically had a half week cuz of packing and doing recuerdo shopping/imigration stuff and conference.  The office elders also brought furniture to our house cuz we will now have 4 sisters serving in Loma.  Ya I am splitting and organizing the area!! AHHHH!! So much to do so little time! Pray for me! Can I do this??

Friday I was priviledged to go with the Hermana Goimarac and Hermana Homer to immigrations and then recuerdo shopping.  Got some fun stuff but I won´t say cuz i want it to be a surprise.  Also I am sending stuff home with Elder Bredguard on Wednesday. Sent a Christmas gift home with Hermana Goimarac.  So ya she left last night. It was hard to see her go and I am a little nervous cuz today I recieved notice that I, yes I Hermana Hillary Owen will now be training!!! Who knows if it will be a latino or norte americano pero vamos a saber en miercoles.  Me voy a las 8 en la mañana.  There are apparantly more north americans than latinos.  Hermana Toctaquiza is with me until then here in Loma otra vez :)  and she will be training as well!!   She´s now a grandma (cuz I will be training- mi primera hija).   

Anyway, Friday was like a free day, right?   I went to the distribution center with them, and out to eat (got a yummy hummus plate) and the best part... GOT TO DO A TEMPLE SESSION WITH THEM!!! It was so perfect cuz it was hermana goimarac, hermana homer (other hna goin home), hermana mcmullin (pres. wife), hermana fuller (the nurse), and I ... well along with other paraguayans.  But seriously I am VERY lucky that I got this opportunity. Cuz we only get to go to the temple once a year and at the end of our missions.  The spirit was so incredible.  It was such a boost, especially before conference.  

Cool story, we were in the temple in the waiting room studying from 2 to 3:30 until sessions started and hna fuller and mcmullin came.  Anyway the electrical power was out in the area. The temple president came and sat down to tell us the sad news that we might not be able to do a session cuz the movie and lights keep goin out.  Hna Goimarac was a little heart broken.  It had to happen.  I took all the faith I had and hoped with high expectations that of course it would work :)  As we were sitting and waiting I went into the room next door (bueno the shower in the bathroom haha) knelt down and prayed.  I prayed in faith, asking for this session to work and believing that it would.  IT DID. :)  Oh it was such a treat to be there again.  A lady in our ward, Hna Suarrez (LOVE HER!!) helped me is the session.  It was a  little tender mercy cuz we are really close with her family. Seriously I was so lucky that I got to do that, I don´t think you guys realize.

Conference was awesome wasn´t it.  There were so many good talks.  I got to watch one in English and the rest in Spanish.  It was hard to pay attention to the ones in Spanish.  

Also after Conference,  I had el gran privilegio a comer en la casa del Presidente McMullin. One, their house is a mansion.  I definitely did not feel like I was in Paraguay.  It was so fun.  They made us feel like family.  We were treated to salad, delicious chicken, mash potatoes, and BROCCOLI!! Tambien Erin their cute 15 yr old made donut muffins (with cinnamon sugar on top) and Hermana Mcmullin made us cake with homemade whip cream for dessert. Afterward, we sat down on CLEAN soft COUCHES and shared testimonies.  Then their family skyped in and we said a quick hello and then it was off to Hermana Fuller´s house where I said goodbye to Hermana Goimarac (tear) and sweet Hermana Homer.   We picked up the infamous Hermana Toctaquiza!!! and Presidente brought us back here to Loma.  

So Erin is so cute and reminds me a ton of Ellie in her mannerisms and the way she talks.  She asked me if she could come on splits with me one time.  That´s just where she comes out with my comp and I.  Well that sums up the amazing week.  My heart is full and seriously I have so many emotions running through me right now.  Am I really going to train?!!   If the Lord trusts me, hey I trust him.  It´s kinda like hiking the first climb of a roller coaster.  I just want to close my eyes and get rid of the anxiety that is building in my stomach.  But hey who knows this might be the best roller coaster ride yet!  I'll hold on tight.   Work my hardest.  I know I´m going to learn a lot.  I am pretty much organizing two new areas cuz two new sisters are comin (already said that).  So got a big climb ahead. I will keep you all updated. For now, I am puttin my faith in the Lord.  I loved the talk, ¨Lord, I Believe¨ by Jeferey R. Holland in conference on Saturday.  first and forever fan the flame of your faith, because all things are possible to them that believe.

Sorry that coppied a little  large :) but he is awesome.  Love you all so so much.  This gospel is incredible. Remember the Lord hears your prayers, and is aware of every tiny little thing or concern in your life.  He loves us so much.  

xoxox

Con Cariña y animos :)

Hermana Owen

           Sister Goimarac, her last companion who just got home on the 9th - and their Green Juice - Yum

Tea Time

Week 23                  Tea Time with Hermana Guillen                           Sept 30^th

Wow! One week left with Hermana Goimarac!  Where has time gone! I feel like she just got here.  This week felt like a month but flew by unbelievably fast at the same time.  Time is just weird in the mission.  My knee is recovering well.  It really was a miracle.  I was limping all Sunday night, rested and took it easy/icing it all Monday and seriously by Tuesday I was able to kneel down and pray on it and walk sin problema.  Un Milagro. So thank you for those who were praying... I know someone was cuz it was a straight up miracle. When the Lord needs work done, he always provides the means for us to accomplish it.

We had a wonderful Christmas this week! We got lucky and it was a cold Christmas Eve... we read that Christmas story you sent me mom by President Eyring.  SO GOOD.  We sang Christmas songs in Spanish, English, and Guarani all day.  Christmas morning we woke up to presents :) and made cinnamon rolls while listening to Christmas music. Oh I wish you all could be here to share these fun moments with me. We also had some beautiful runs this week.  The weather has been so nice.  

Okay so church yesterday was AMAZING!  We had Kristian Duarte and his two little girls again.  I swear that man is going to get baptized and instantly be made stake president.  He is awesome.  Read half of the Liahon (with last April´s conference talks in it) on Saturday! Unreal right.  As a family they are watching less tv cuz he says it distracts from the spirit they feel when they come to church and when we visit.  They are learning and improving so much.  They are so accepting of all the principles we teach and… holy life, Celia (his wife) is like a master on Alma already.  Ya! the book in the Book of Mormon.  She was commenting to us the other day about how much she loves the books and all the war chapters.  What!?  I know, I am amazed too. She said she signed up on the Mormon facebook page haha.  We just need to get her to church, but Kristian really enjoys coming and the girls as well.  The ward was so good this Sunday about sitting by him and making him feel welcome.   I have really seen a difference as we have learned to first set the example.   The missionary work in our ward is picking up so much with the members it is incredible.  We had 17 lessons this week just with less actives or nuevos conversos and holy powerful.  

Thursday night Hna Goimarac and I were headed home and all we needed was one lesson more, but lessons with less actives or new converts don´t count in the ¨lesson¨ category.   I thought we should really pass by for Dilce, but I kinda brushed off the thought... I kept thinking how selfish of me to just want to reach our goals when maybe Dilce is the one who really needs our visit.  Then as we were passing Dilce´s street I thought of another investigator that maybe we could go to with Dilce and told Hna Goimarac.  We decided to pass by and to my humbling surprise we found Dilce outside her house just in tears. She hasn´t been to church in 2 weeks.  The neat thing was she realized and told us that´s why she is not happy.  She said she has just felt solo and like Satan is really working on her.  She recognized our visit as an answer to her prayers.  We talked about the Savior and sang ¨Where Can I Turn For Peace.¨  It was such a blessing the Lord helped me think of that other investigator otherwise we probably wouldn´t have stopped by for her, and she probably wouldn´t have come to church, etc. etc.  But I am so grateful for the little thoughts of good we have. Those really are promptings of the spirit. Dilce came to church yesterday and she was happier than ever. Also familia Salas and Ruis Diaz (a big family)  They ALL came.  Lili this cute 20 year old and Dilce would be great friends so we are gonna have a lesson with those 2 this week.  That will be really good for both of them to have a friend in the church.  Hno Ruis Diaz has always had work on Sundays so he doesn´t usually come.  Stinkin Super Seis (everyone works on Sundays).   Anyway to our sad yet exciting surprise we found out (Friday afrternoon) that he quit his job there.  We had had a lesson with them the week before about sacrificing for the Lord.  He says it´s cuz he was having problems with his boss, but I think he kind of did for his family as well.  They are all baptized, but now they will have the chanced to be SEALED in the TEMPLE!!! That´s our next goal.  :)

Last night we had an awesome NDH in el hogar de familia Bogado and then cute Hermano Guillen (not sure if I have told you about him) invited us over for a little goodbye party for Hna Goimarac.  He really loves our visits, cuz his daughter is really changed (Laura Guillen) since we have been coming over.  She hasn´t gone to church since she was 13 when her mom died. She lives with her dad and compañero (they´re not married) and her 6 month old baby Ernesto.  Anyway she gets so excited and lights up everytime we come over now.  I love watching the spirit of this gospel change people.  It is the Spirit of Christ... the spirit of Christmas.  They are adorable.  We had hot cocoa in Hno Guillen´s tea set, with galletitas and scones. I love them.  I want to draw Hno Guillen. He is the most darling old man.  He almost looks Italian... a bald head and patches of hair on either side with his cool little stache.

Anyway, lots happened this week and oh I painted!! got a water color set for Christmas!  We have changes next week.  Hermana Goimarac goes home (I am sad for her to leave, but excited for what the Lord has in store.  I´m afriad that may be training!? :)  Wish me luck and wish us luck this last week together.  We´re endin with a bang.  Seriously a bang though... a big talent show Friday night for all and GENERAL CONFERENCE!! I am SOOOOO excited!!! Seriously I am craving it and can´t wait.  Know that I´ll be watchin it with ya´ll.  Love you all so so much. 

This week was fabulous hope you all are well!

Con mucho cariño,

Hermana Owen

p.s. natalia´s baptism is on hold for another week or so. but she is continually progressing it is amazing to watch the atonement take effect in her life. 

OTHER EMAILS:

hey i am comin back in a few to write but i was wonderin in the mean time if any of ya had some fun/funny skit ideas hna goimarac and i could do for the talent show we have for this friday! we feel super pressured cuz everyone expects the misionaries to do the funniest biggest act! yikes! haha love you all so much! hope your week is goin well! my knee is tons better! it was a miracle it got better in like two days!!

Teresa Tejada, Hillary’s reply –“ya they are seriously the cutest. they write EVERY WEEK ??!!! I LOVE them and i feel so bad i don´t always reply :) send them my love for me”   :)

and tamara larsen :) she always writes me dear elders, she is so sweet

Feliz Navidad - I Could Live Here Forever

WEEK 22

This came early in the morning... "i will write later today, but i got some gnarly news for ya´ll... stay tuned ;) be excited!"  See paragraph 4 below for details

Some comments and replies to our emails to her:

Elder Bredsguard and Hna Goimarac are coming home in like 3 weeks and said they would bring stuff home for you guys.  Anything you want specifically?  I might just send letters and caramels or alfajors :)

Nate - !! Jr came to church ?!  So awesome!! Get him taking the discussions!! If he goes to church and has all the discussions he can get baptized!! That´s just so fast to me, i never really knew that before the mish. keep it up i am so proud of you :)

Kate it sounds like you had a flippin’ blast at the dance.  Oh I am so happy.  Wish I could have been there to listen and share the magic with ya.  Know that I was listening as you told it through the letter.  I could hear your voice telling me every word.  I love you. Your dress was darling! Tell fern i love her and congrats on the call! where is she going?  Way to go on the missionary work!  Who is Belle?? Taking the discussions with Isabel Huish? And Miranda came to church! Awesome!

Mom hope your tennis match went well today!  Sorry you didn´t win last week.  Real success is how you face adversity. :)

That´s what I have come to learn.  And the neighbor family is inactive?!  I know all about that!  Get over there with the missionaries (IT IS SO AWESOME WHEN MEMBERS GO WITH THE MISSIONARIES TO INACTIVES)  and talk to the about their covenant they made. Find out their reason for not coming.  We have a formula we are following as missionaries cuz we are really focusing on the less actives because PResident Hinckley said, Ïf they are worth baptizing, they are worth saving.¨  

There are 7 steps in the formula:

1. Teach a doctrine

2.  Help them remember their conversion

3. What changed for them to be baptized or after their baptism

4. Evaluate their spiritual state

5. Preach repentance

6. Testify

7. Invite (do something like read the BOM cada día (every day) or come to church :)

                                                      Feliz Navidad

 ¡Feliz Navidad! Hermana Goimarac and I are celebrating Christmas, the 25th of Septiembre!  I am so excited. We are playing my Christmas music on my ipod (obviously church Christmas music) and we are doing presents and everything.  The best part is, we are gonna make cinnamon rolls and take them to people.  Plus familia Flor invited us to dinner Christmas night!  It´s really like Christmas!  I love it.  Sometimes you gotta make the most of things.  Sister Goimarac said it´s a good idea to be celebrating it, cuz Christmas here doesn´t feel like Christmas cuz it´s so hot and you work.  We got lucky and it´s been cold the past couple days hopefully Christmas day will be too.

Any way this week has been awesome.  Thursday we were fasting with Hno Flor for his wife in honor as well for the 40 day fast.  Did I even tell you guys?  Our ward is doing a 40 day fast... everyday for 40 days one member is fasting in honor of missionary work, with someone in mind or to have an experience.  So Thursday we went and taught Yeny and Hno Flor about the Book of Mormon.  We had her read 1 NE 10:19 and as she was reading she slowed to a stop and you could tell the words were starting to take effect on her.  She didn´t look up at us but kept reading it.  I looked up at Hno Flor.  Everything was silent and the spirit was so strong.  Hna Goimarac, Hno Flor, and I all exchanged smiles of excitement and anticipation.  She looked up expressing her feeling of the verse and she committed to read it everyday.  We gave her her own copy, which she was so excited about and acted as though it were a treasure (shouldn´t we all).   What an answer to ayuno (fast).

Also, Natalia Rivarola is doing wonderful!  Just not going to church :(  We are fasting with her today and going to visit her today (I hope I can walk all the way there).  She was hoping to be baptized this Saturday, but she needs one more asistencia a la Iglesia (visit to church).  BUT! She is reading the Book of Mormon intently everyday, prays with her husband, her kids, and separately, like all day everyday.  She is such a strength and has the most incredible faith and desire to change that I have ever seen.  She is also keeping a journal that she is going to let us read after her baptism so we can see the change this gospel has had on her life. She cries with us every time and tells us how grateful she is for us.  She is doing really well giving up the smoking and drinking and today we are all fasting.  I love her so much and am SOO excited for her baptism.  I love her family as well.  I feel like she is my second mom.  We had a family night last night in the house of her father in law´s (who lives behind them) and we were laughing, talking, crying, and singing together. I just felt the spirit so strong. Wish you all could have been at the family night. I must say Hna Goimarac and I planned a pretty stellar one. :)  Anyway afterward, Sofia and Natalaiah and Hna Goimarac gave me the biggest hug.  I felt like I was surrounded by family and seriously my heart was so full it was as though I really was with you guys. I told them I wish I could live in Paraguay forever. They laughed and then begged me to.  Sofia is so cute.  She is like another little sister. I also need to get her coming to church.

So for the exciting news Mom... yesterday Hna Goimarac and I were running to drop some treats off for our family night cuz we had to get/find a new investigator in one hour to meet our goal, but I´ve told you guys how the Paraguayan streets are right? Ya not pretty.  Took a hard spill and I swear I could have caught myself but my flipping backpack is so heavy it just took me down.  I skidded a bit on my hands and then took a hard hit to the knee.  It all swelled a little bit. (I have been icing it and resting with it above my heart.  But all is swell.)  I only have a tiny gimp when I walk and I am taking IB profen to kill the pain.  I made a mini cast for my pinky finger cuz the top got slice like the scalp of Zarahemna (was that his name).  Anyway, some blood and tears never hurt anyone.  I am just glad I have gone a good 4 months without getting hurt.  The funny thing is when something like that happens EVERYONE knows.  We were walking back up that street after Sofia´s uncle cleaned up my hands and knee with hydrogen poroxide and iodine, and like 15 men were whistling over this wall asking hey ¨Que Paso?¨  ¨Esta Bien?¨ ¨Se Cao!¨  haha yep Me Caí (I fell) big time, but seriously you don´t need to worry everyone is so awesome here.  Everyone like dropped everything to make sure I was okay.  Two young men ran as fast as they could to help me up, Sofia´s uncle quickly got out his little doctor kit to clean me up, Sweet Gloria (my recent convert) was telling me everything I need to do to treat it and she was rubbing my knee to make it feel better.  She is a sweet heart.  The Rivarola Familia (Natalia and Ricardo) drove us to our next lesson.  Hno Guillen went and bought me IBprofen! He reminds me of Grandpa Dougie.  I told him not to though cuz it was Sunday.  Then familia Adorno came and picked us up to take us home.  I was in a lot more pain yesterday than I am today.  I love IBprofen.  Oh and I am please to announce that my fall did NOT keep us from finishing our work. We still got 3 lessons after that completing this week with 78 contacts each and 7x7!!! Yippee!!

Wanted to comment about our family nights.  We talked about the light of Christ and we demonstrated it by using candles.  We also incorporated lesson one about the restoration and how the light came back into the world through a prophet. Blowing out the candles represented the apostasy and when we relit the candles we held one next to the pìcture of Joseph Smith´s vision and recited his own words.  We talked about how we have personal apostasies in our lives and how we have to turn back to Christ to come out of the darkness (our personal apostasies).  Seriously I have never felt the spirit so strong on my mission.   I could tell the members felt it too.  The less actives that were present in the lessons... it hit them. I could tell. Especially with Griselda Rivarola (Sofia´s aunt).  It was so powerful.  And then with the candles lit, we sang, ¨Abide with Me Tis´ Eventide.¨ Precious moments.  I fall in love with my mission more and more each day.  Love you all and wish you the best. 

xoxo

Con Cariño,

Hermana Owen