1. Corinne and her companion forgot about the cookies.
2. Easy cheese! Yum!
Monday, April 16, 2012
April 16, 2012- Pictures
April 16, 2012- Letter
Dear Mom and Dad,
HAPPY BIRTHDAY ZAC! I know that I am a couple of days late, but I thought about you all day Thursday! I sang to you and everything! I tried to sing loud so you could hear me, but even though I am a loud singer, I´m not quite sure I made it. But I sure do love you!!!
Now you know how I feel sometimes! Like I have super lame letters!!! Haha. But the good news is that I never really feel like your letters are lame! I always enjoy them! Okay, first things first. Hna Bingham says hi!!! Second, I ate the Nutella to go that you sent in my birthday package. It. Was. Genius. SO GOOD. I don´t know who invented that but they were so smart! So good call with that one. We will have to purchase more when I get home. Seriously, did you get to eat one? Third, this is to the girls of the family, okay and the boys, but I don't know how stuff works in YM. Hi! Okay, for Personal Progress, I think that you should search for some names in Family History so that we can all go to the temple as a family when I get home! Summer is 12 now, and the whole family can go and do baptisms!!!! How cool would that be? The only problem is this, now that Mom, Dad, and I are old, if we don´t have family names, they don't´ get super excited about us doing baptisms! So it is up to the three (four if Kami wants to help) of our to get them ready so that all of us can go when I get home!!!
Okay. Now moving on to other things. I´m afraid also that this week wasn´t that exciting. For a couple of reasons, 1) we still haven´t found any new investigators. I will never understand what is so scary about two small white girls trying to talk about religion. I mean seriously, think about what it is that we do. I am in a foreign country, speaking a second language. All day I walk around and talk to strangers, and ask to go to their homes, and go in, when I still don´t know them or a thing about them? What part of that sounds logical, it goes against everything you every taught me. Don´t talk to strangers. If someones invites you into their house and you don´t know them, don't go in. Let alone accept food from them. It ridiculous! If anyone in this situation should be afraid, its me! But its all good, things will get better.
This area is huge, there are TONS of people who are waiting for the gospel, and I know that they will be so excited to talk to us and to accept our message, we just have the small task of finding them first. There are also a lot of menos activos who need some attention so that we can help them come back to church. If everyone came to church, we would have over 200 people, as it is right now, there are about 50. So sad. One of my goals is to have the assistance number up to at least 80 by the time I leave.
One of the hindrances we had to finding this week was that Hna Bingham was sick. For a while we thought that she had a parasite, but thank goodness, it seems to be passing! She is doing much better, and she is eating again! I am so relieved! I was so worried about her. I´m not quite sure what it is that is making is so hard to find, but things will get better. They really can´t get much worse. That makes it sound so much more dismal than it actually is. It really isn´t that bad.
About the pictures. We made the cookies in the mix that you sent me. But we had a problem. We forgot that they were in the oven. It was very sad. Also, today we went to McDonalds to get french fries and McFlurries, and Michelle was there! Michelle from Punta Alta! It was so exciting, so we sat together and took pictures!!! Oh, there is also a picture of me using the easy cheese. Oh the things that you miss from the States. Haha.
All in all I am doing well. I am starting to learn the area better. and the members. They all seem so tired, and I am sure it is because the afore mentioned reasons, so many less actives, and the lack of investigators and baptisms. But all that is about to change. I am ready for a change, and I am more than positive that the members are also ready for a change. I met the Bishop this week, and he seems really great. He is ready for us to meet with our mission standard and baptize every week! It is so possible in this ward. He has a really good vision for the ward, and I am ready for that vision to be met.
I am getting along well with Hna Bingham. We are really good friends already. We have different work styles, but nothing to cause much contention. I think that she is also a little depressed with how things are going here, this is her third transfer here, and it has basically always been the same. I feel like she is losing some of her motivation, it is really hard to work hard and long and have so little results. But the results are coming! Miracles are on their way! I can feel it!
Other random info, I finished the Book of Mormon for the second time in Spanish! I have figured out that I will be able to read it again in Spanish, as well as the Doctrine and Covenants before I go home. I am studying the New Testament in Spanish, but I´m not sure if I´ll finish that one, we´ll have to see. I love reading the scriptures! I am also almost done with Jesus the Christ! Thank goodness! I love it, but that is a monster of a book!
Well, I´ve got to go, sorry this isn´t very long. Hopefully next week there will be better news to give you! I love you so much! Thank you for everything you do! One transfer left till school is over (one transfer is six weeks!) Hang in there my dear siblings, you can do it!!
I love you!!
Corinne
HAPPY BIRTHDAY ZAC! I know that I am a couple of days late, but I thought about you all day Thursday! I sang to you and everything! I tried to sing loud so you could hear me, but even though I am a loud singer, I´m not quite sure I made it. But I sure do love you!!!
Now you know how I feel sometimes! Like I have super lame letters!!! Haha. But the good news is that I never really feel like your letters are lame! I always enjoy them! Okay, first things first. Hna Bingham says hi!!! Second, I ate the Nutella to go that you sent in my birthday package. It. Was. Genius. SO GOOD. I don´t know who invented that but they were so smart! So good call with that one. We will have to purchase more when I get home. Seriously, did you get to eat one? Third, this is to the girls of the family, okay and the boys, but I don't know how stuff works in YM. Hi! Okay, for Personal Progress, I think that you should search for some names in Family History so that we can all go to the temple as a family when I get home! Summer is 12 now, and the whole family can go and do baptisms!!!! How cool would that be? The only problem is this, now that Mom, Dad, and I are old, if we don´t have family names, they don't´ get super excited about us doing baptisms! So it is up to the three (four if Kami wants to help) of our to get them ready so that all of us can go when I get home!!!
Okay. Now moving on to other things. I´m afraid also that this week wasn´t that exciting. For a couple of reasons, 1) we still haven´t found any new investigators. I will never understand what is so scary about two small white girls trying to talk about religion. I mean seriously, think about what it is that we do. I am in a foreign country, speaking a second language. All day I walk around and talk to strangers, and ask to go to their homes, and go in, when I still don´t know them or a thing about them? What part of that sounds logical, it goes against everything you every taught me. Don´t talk to strangers. If someones invites you into their house and you don´t know them, don't go in. Let alone accept food from them. It ridiculous! If anyone in this situation should be afraid, its me! But its all good, things will get better.
This area is huge, there are TONS of people who are waiting for the gospel, and I know that they will be so excited to talk to us and to accept our message, we just have the small task of finding them first. There are also a lot of menos activos who need some attention so that we can help them come back to church. If everyone came to church, we would have over 200 people, as it is right now, there are about 50. So sad. One of my goals is to have the assistance number up to at least 80 by the time I leave.
One of the hindrances we had to finding this week was that Hna Bingham was sick. For a while we thought that she had a parasite, but thank goodness, it seems to be passing! She is doing much better, and she is eating again! I am so relieved! I was so worried about her. I´m not quite sure what it is that is making is so hard to find, but things will get better. They really can´t get much worse. That makes it sound so much more dismal than it actually is. It really isn´t that bad.
About the pictures. We made the cookies in the mix that you sent me. But we had a problem. We forgot that they were in the oven. It was very sad. Also, today we went to McDonalds to get french fries and McFlurries, and Michelle was there! Michelle from Punta Alta! It was so exciting, so we sat together and took pictures!!! Oh, there is also a picture of me using the easy cheese. Oh the things that you miss from the States. Haha.
All in all I am doing well. I am starting to learn the area better. and the members. They all seem so tired, and I am sure it is because the afore mentioned reasons, so many less actives, and the lack of investigators and baptisms. But all that is about to change. I am ready for a change, and I am more than positive that the members are also ready for a change. I met the Bishop this week, and he seems really great. He is ready for us to meet with our mission standard and baptize every week! It is so possible in this ward. He has a really good vision for the ward, and I am ready for that vision to be met.
I am getting along well with Hna Bingham. We are really good friends already. We have different work styles, but nothing to cause much contention. I think that she is also a little depressed with how things are going here, this is her third transfer here, and it has basically always been the same. I feel like she is losing some of her motivation, it is really hard to work hard and long and have so little results. But the results are coming! Miracles are on their way! I can feel it!
Other random info, I finished the Book of Mormon for the second time in Spanish! I have figured out that I will be able to read it again in Spanish, as well as the Doctrine and Covenants before I go home. I am studying the New Testament in Spanish, but I´m not sure if I´ll finish that one, we´ll have to see. I love reading the scriptures! I am also almost done with Jesus the Christ! Thank goodness! I love it, but that is a monster of a book!
Well, I´ve got to go, sorry this isn´t very long. Hopefully next week there will be better news to give you! I love you so much! Thank you for everything you do! One transfer left till school is over (one transfer is six weeks!) Hang in there my dear siblings, you can do it!!
I love you!!
Corinne
April 9, 2012- Pictures
Pictures from new area, Pueyrredón.
1. I got to see Hna Freeman again!! Her last day in the field and my first day back in Bahía!
2. I also got to see Hna Collette, so the three of us took a picture together. I am the last one "living" from when I was "born" how weird!!!
3. Hna Bingham and I! My new comp!!!
4. The giant chocolate Easter egg that someone gave us.
5. Me trying to eat the giant chocolate Easter egg that a member gave us.
6. Inside the egg was filled with candy and more chocolate!
7. The egg once we had broken it and started eating it. It was delicious!!!
8. Just a picture of me!
Pictures from last area, Puerto.
1. When we had the whole ward mission team at church!!! They just aren't all pictured...
2. The ward missionaries
3. At the Flia Valentes house on my birthday. That is my face when they brought out my cake.
4. Those who were at my surprise party. They are so great. I love them.
5.My cake. It was yummy.
6. My last ward mission team meeting. There were so many of us there!! It was great! I was literally bouncing in my seat during the meeting I was so excited. Did I mention that I am also super mature?
7. Me serving, NOT drinking mate during the general conference break.
8. Myra and I. A cute investigator that should get baptized in the next week!!!! Please pray for her!!!
9. Jenny, Nadia, and I
10. Everyone who came to the terminal to send me off! Aren´t they sweet?!
12. Me just being super cute.
13. My last picture with Hna Vawdrey!
April 9, 2012- Letter
Dear Mom and Dad,
Wow, it sure does sound like you had a busy week! I am glad that things seem to be working out so well. Does it weird you out that next year Zac is going to be a senior and that Holly is going to be a sophomore?! Cause it sure weirds me out. A lot. Also, I am sure that the longer I am on my mission, the worse my grammar gets, so I apologize for that. And any spelling errors. I have a feeling that today is going to be a little bit worse, so buckle up folks, its going to be a bumpy ride.
This week was good. The first week with a new companion is always a little different. Some require a lot of changes, others none at all. Hna Bingham and I get along really well. We are constantly laughing, and that has been good for me. She was a little sick this week, so her ability to leave and work was a little hindered, which is always rough. But I think that that will get better.
I am now in Barrio Pueyrredón. It isn´t quite as big as Puerto, but it is still pretty large. Right now the area is going through something of a hard time, which, unfortunately means so am I. There is so much potential here, there are so many people who just desperately need to know what we can teach them, but not many of them are willing. Better said, we haven´t found the ones who will listen to us, because they are here. Of that I have no doubt.
This last week we didn´t find a single new investigator. So in that area, it was a super rough week. And we never see members, and I am really used to being in constant contact with the members, and working really closely with them. So that is one of my visions for this ward, members who have strong desires to work with us, and having work for them to do. We have some really great members, and I want them to know how important they are.
There are two new members, (one is really new, he just got confirmed yesterday) named Romina and Fernando. They are so great. They are so excited to be members of the church, and they are so anxious to learn and do everything they can. Romina got baptized at the beginning of March, and Fer got baptized the weekend of transfers, so just over a week ago. They got married at the end of February so that Romi could get baptized. I am really excited to work with them, and to watch them grow. They are so so so great. And they are helping the ward get excited about doing missionary work, it´s like watching Romi and Fer helps them remember the potential that their ward has.
Easter went really well. Nothing super out of the ordinary or exciting in that regard...But that is not a problem. I am good with normal days. It means nothing tragic happened.
Oh! Mom, you should know I LOVE the scarf that you sent in my birthday package. Super cute. I am a very big fan.
Okay, as that really is the only thing that is going on, I am going to send you as many pictures as possible in my time remaining. I feel like it has been years since I have sent you pictures.
Oh, also. Just so you know that I am still me. I feel down this week. When I was just standing there. I don't´know what happened, we were waiting for Romi and Fer to answer the door, and just randomly, down I went. I scraped my knee, but not too bad. What can I say, I´m super graceful. I´m just glad I still haven´t fallen down stairs on my mission. Probably the longest I´ve ever gone in my whole life...that's sad....
Okay, just a quick thought, then I´ve got to go. Here in Argentina, they don't decorate real eggs like we do, nor do they have plastic ones that they fill with candy. Instead they make chocolate eggs, that are frequently filled with candy, as you can see from the pictures above. They can come as small as real eggs or super super giant. A member gave the egg in the pictures to Hna Bingham and I, and we were really excited. They are actually really expensive, so we weren´t expecting to receive anything. It was a really fun Easter tradition that I think we should continue!!
I really do love the Easter Season. It is probably my favorite holiday. I have been reading in Jesus the Christ about the Atonement of Christ, and I am daily more grateful for the sacrifice that He made on my behalf. I continually hope to become a better person, so that I can be worthy of the gift that He so freely gave. And that's the best part, the gift is freely given to everyone. We don´t have to be rich, poor, beautiful, smart, an athlete, a performer, or anything special. The gift of the Atonement is for all of us, so that we can become who He needs and wants us to be. And He has visions so much higher than ours are. And, the (other) best part? Its true. Christ loves us, and so does God. They are watching over us, continually interested in our daily lives, our needs, our wants, and our hopes. When we are victorious, so are they, and when we fall, they are cheering us on so that we can rise again. Never forget that they love you. Maybe we´ll never understand why that is the case, but its true. And with that knowledge, we can do anything.
I hope you enjoy the pictures and that you have a great week!!!
I love you!!!!
Corinne
Monday, April 2, 2012
April 2, 2012- Letter
Dear Mom and Dad,
My Birthday week was really great!!! You already know what we did the day before my birthday, and my actual birthday passed very well!!! We had district meeting, and my district leader made me french fries, since they are my favorite food! It was very nice. And Hna Vawdrey had gotten me a little gift.
We had planned to go surprise Hno and Hna Valente since their anniversary is the same day as my birthday, so we had this whole thing worked out with the ward missionaries, I was really excited. But little known to me or to Hna Vawdrey, they had planned a little surprise for me! It was very sweet. And really fun since only the ward missionaries knew about the surprise. The Valente´s and I were equally surprised!
They are really great. On Wednesday we had divisions like normal, and they went really well. I love doing divisions. I went with Noelia, and one of her friends Debi, who is also waiting for her mission call. We had a good time, and then we went to the Equipo Misional Meeting. I also really enjoy those meetings. Slowly but surely, things are getting better, and they started out great!!! Is sure is fun to watch them grow!
Thursday and Friday passed by without much to mention (but probably mostly because right now I am so tired that I can´t really remember). The bummer about those couple of days is that I got a little sick. Nothing major, mostly just a cold, but it was making it hard to sleep. Always a bummer on the mission.
On Friday we were supposed to receive transfer calls, but they never came. We were so anxious! Transfers are seriously one of the worst parts of the mission. Just the anticipation! Its awful!
Saturday morning while we were getting ready for conference, we got the call. I was getting transferred. Again. I was not very happy. I was not ready to leave Puerto. I feel like I have very rudely ripped away from my areas before I am ready to leave. And I know its not about actually me being ready, its about going where the Lord needs me, but still. I was not ready to leave.
So before conference, we had to start spreading the news, and working out all the logistics of when I would be leaving, what Hna Vawdrey would be doing while she would be waiting for her new companion, etc. I handled the news quite well all things considered, until I had to tell Hno Valente. I could hardly get the words out.
It did help me a little to see that he was also sad. I have always valued his opinion very highly. He invited us to watch the last session of conference the next day at his house so we could do a little farewell thing, and we gladly accepted.
Conference was wonderful, wasn´t it? It really really really helped me. I love conference. And, I was able to watch it in English! Which was really great. I had a lot of notes with everything all marked out what I was going to share as my favorite parts, but in my fluster, I left that paper at home. So I´ll have to talk about that next week. I did really enjoy President Eyring and Presidente Uchtdorf´s talks.
Saturday after conference, we went home, and I proceeded to pack and to cry. (But we should keep in mind that I held my own well in front of the members).
Sunday morning Hna Vawdrey helped me finish packing, and we went off to conference. Where again, I was uplifted beyond description.
After saying goodbye to all of the members who were there, and taking many many pictures, we headed to Hno Valente´s. They are so sweet. We watched the afternoon session, and then afterward, he had everyone that was there go around and just tell me how they feel about me.
It was a really special experience. I always hope as a missionary that I will be able to help at least one person, that I will do someone some good. And it really meant a lot to me, to hear some of the people with whom I had worked so closely, say some very sweet things. I really have grown to love them.
I then asked Hno Valente for a blessing. I was really struggling with the idea of leaving Puerto, I really felt like I would be there at least a little bit longer, and I just felt like I needed some help. So he gave me a blessing, and I started to feel better.
So we headed home, and gathered my things, and then headed to the terminal. Where we waited for my bus. And much much to my surprise, people from the ward showed up to see me off! Bishop and his wife, Hna Greco, and a lot of the youth, and ward mission team. It was such a pleasant surprise, and it really touched me. Again, I was overwhelmed with the amount of love I have for them, and those who were unable to go. I am going to miss them desperately.
The travel was fine. Nothing super special, but nothing awful either. Oh, I never said where I am now, did I? I am now in Bahia Blanca, in Barrio Puerryedon. My new companions name is Hna Bingham, and she is from Carlsbad (sp?) Cali. She is a little younger than me in the mission, but I think that we will work well together. That's pretty much all I know about the area up till today.
Hna Collette had stayed the night with her, as Hna Collette was going home and Hna Bingham needed a companion, so we had to take Hna Collette to the office today, which was actually really cool because I was able to see Hna Freeman as well. I had always hoped to be her companion, but it never happened, but we have grown really really close, and I was always able to confide in her. And now she´s going home. Its so weird!
I would send you pictures of all this, but for whatever reason, the computer isn´t reading my camera. Next week, without fail, I will send pictures.
You should know that while sad to leave Puerto, I do know that there is a reason that I am here in Pueyrredon, and I am excited to learn what that is. Thank you for your birthday wishes! Oh, will you tell Mishali that I got her email, and have her send me her street address, and I´ll get her a letter sent?
Thank you so much for your continual support! It really does mean so much to me! I am praying for you daily!
I love you!!!
Corinne
My Birthday week was really great!!! You already know what we did the day before my birthday, and my actual birthday passed very well!!! We had district meeting, and my district leader made me french fries, since they are my favorite food! It was very nice. And Hna Vawdrey had gotten me a little gift.
We had planned to go surprise Hno and Hna Valente since their anniversary is the same day as my birthday, so we had this whole thing worked out with the ward missionaries, I was really excited. But little known to me or to Hna Vawdrey, they had planned a little surprise for me! It was very sweet. And really fun since only the ward missionaries knew about the surprise. The Valente´s and I were equally surprised!
They are really great. On Wednesday we had divisions like normal, and they went really well. I love doing divisions. I went with Noelia, and one of her friends Debi, who is also waiting for her mission call. We had a good time, and then we went to the Equipo Misional Meeting. I also really enjoy those meetings. Slowly but surely, things are getting better, and they started out great!!! Is sure is fun to watch them grow!
Thursday and Friday passed by without much to mention (but probably mostly because right now I am so tired that I can´t really remember). The bummer about those couple of days is that I got a little sick. Nothing major, mostly just a cold, but it was making it hard to sleep. Always a bummer on the mission.
On Friday we were supposed to receive transfer calls, but they never came. We were so anxious! Transfers are seriously one of the worst parts of the mission. Just the anticipation! Its awful!
Saturday morning while we were getting ready for conference, we got the call. I was getting transferred. Again. I was not very happy. I was not ready to leave Puerto. I feel like I have very rudely ripped away from my areas before I am ready to leave. And I know its not about actually me being ready, its about going where the Lord needs me, but still. I was not ready to leave.
So before conference, we had to start spreading the news, and working out all the logistics of when I would be leaving, what Hna Vawdrey would be doing while she would be waiting for her new companion, etc. I handled the news quite well all things considered, until I had to tell Hno Valente. I could hardly get the words out.
It did help me a little to see that he was also sad. I have always valued his opinion very highly. He invited us to watch the last session of conference the next day at his house so we could do a little farewell thing, and we gladly accepted.
Conference was wonderful, wasn´t it? It really really really helped me. I love conference. And, I was able to watch it in English! Which was really great. I had a lot of notes with everything all marked out what I was going to share as my favorite parts, but in my fluster, I left that paper at home. So I´ll have to talk about that next week. I did really enjoy President Eyring and Presidente Uchtdorf´s talks.
Saturday after conference, we went home, and I proceeded to pack and to cry. (But we should keep in mind that I held my own well in front of the members).
Sunday morning Hna Vawdrey helped me finish packing, and we went off to conference. Where again, I was uplifted beyond description.
After saying goodbye to all of the members who were there, and taking many many pictures, we headed to Hno Valente´s. They are so sweet. We watched the afternoon session, and then afterward, he had everyone that was there go around and just tell me how they feel about me.
It was a really special experience. I always hope as a missionary that I will be able to help at least one person, that I will do someone some good. And it really meant a lot to me, to hear some of the people with whom I had worked so closely, say some very sweet things. I really have grown to love them.
I then asked Hno Valente for a blessing. I was really struggling with the idea of leaving Puerto, I really felt like I would be there at least a little bit longer, and I just felt like I needed some help. So he gave me a blessing, and I started to feel better.
So we headed home, and gathered my things, and then headed to the terminal. Where we waited for my bus. And much much to my surprise, people from the ward showed up to see me off! Bishop and his wife, Hna Greco, and a lot of the youth, and ward mission team. It was such a pleasant surprise, and it really touched me. Again, I was overwhelmed with the amount of love I have for them, and those who were unable to go. I am going to miss them desperately.
The travel was fine. Nothing super special, but nothing awful either. Oh, I never said where I am now, did I? I am now in Bahia Blanca, in Barrio Puerryedon. My new companions name is Hna Bingham, and she is from Carlsbad (sp?) Cali. She is a little younger than me in the mission, but I think that we will work well together. That's pretty much all I know about the area up till today.
Hna Collette had stayed the night with her, as Hna Collette was going home and Hna Bingham needed a companion, so we had to take Hna Collette to the office today, which was actually really cool because I was able to see Hna Freeman as well. I had always hoped to be her companion, but it never happened, but we have grown really really close, and I was always able to confide in her. And now she´s going home. Its so weird!
I would send you pictures of all this, but for whatever reason, the computer isn´t reading my camera. Next week, without fail, I will send pictures.
You should know that while sad to leave Puerto, I do know that there is a reason that I am here in Pueyrredon, and I am excited to learn what that is. Thank you for your birthday wishes! Oh, will you tell Mishali that I got her email, and have her send me her street address, and I´ll get her a letter sent?
Thank you so much for your continual support! It really does mean so much to me! I am praying for you daily!
I love you!!!
Corinne
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