Hermana Despain's Odyssey: Week 2 in Florida

I'm not totally sure what to write this week! I think I'm kinda getting used to everything, so it's hard to pick out the super cool things that you guys would want to hear about.

Here's one: I had my first exchange! The new thing for sisters is the Sister Training Leaders, and they're basically Zone Leaders, for the sisters. (I think. I'm still getting use to all the lingo in the mission world). So once a transfer, each companionship goes on an exchange with the STL's. Mine are English sisters, and I went to their area, so I got to speak English for a day! It was fun! We had 4 appointments, one of them was dinner! It was SOOOO good! We don't eat with members much because my ward has 11 missionaries (5 Elders, 5 Hermanas. I think I forgot to mention that last week) so it's hard for them to organize it for everyone. I think it's just up to whoever we teach, and which members love who most. JK, they love us all equally, I think.... Anyway! Most of the appointments were less actives, and one of them, the dinner appointment, was especially hard. It's a mom and her daughter. The mom is 87, the daughter is 62. The mom wants to go back to church, but it's hard for them to go and sit for sacrament meeting. The daughter has had a lot of hard things in life (divorce, her son died). I asked her if she still prays, and she said no, because she doesn't believe that He's listening. That just broke my heart. I hope you all know that every time you pray, addressing the Father and closing in the name of Jesus Christ, HE HEARS YOUR PRAYER!!!! No matter how dumb you think it is, no matter how long, where you are, kneeling, standing, laying down, sitting. HE HEARS IT!!! I don't know how else you get everyone to know that without reaching through this computer and shaking you! Which, of course, I'm not actually allowed to to (no touching!). If you don't feel His presence when you pray, pray harder. I have found here that when I really try, and I'm paying attention, and really praying, I can feel His love for me. EVERY TIME!!!

Back in Spanish world, we've been reaching out to more less actives, and getting many different responses. But it's all going well, for now. We have a couple that said they'll come to church, and so we remind them most days that they said that. We'll see how it goes.

Speaking of church, we had 2 investigators come!!! Both were a total surprise because they had both told us earlier that they weren't going to make it. But they did! They only stayed for Sacrament, and one of them was really embarrassed because he wore jeans. But we talked to him last night, and he said he'll come back, next time in different clothes.

Here's a fun bit: Hna. Russell talks in her sleep. Hardcore. It's quite entertaining. The other night I sat up to fix my blanket, and I looked over and she was sitting up, and started talking. I told her to go to sleep a few times, and eventually she woke up. But when I asked her about it in the morning, she didn't remember anything. She wants me to voice record it some night. It's pretty awesome.

She's a great trainer. I'm really glad I got put with her. She makes me do things I don't want to do. We get along very well. I think we push each other. She's very good at pointing out when I say something wrong, but in a way that's loving, and understanding. She's pretty crazy, but I really do love her. I think that before this training stuff is over in 8 more weeks (our training got cut from 12 to 10 weeks because of a catch-up transfer) we're going to have some pretty fun adventures!

Familia y amigos. Yo se que este evangelio es el mismo evangelio que Jesucristo su mismo establecio en la tierra en Jerusalem, y entonces en las Americas. Se que con Dios todas las cosas son posible. Esta obra es de Dios, Jesucristo, y el Espiritu Santo, y necacitamos los tres para hacerlo. Gracias por todo, y por favor sean misioneros en sus vidas como mi y las demas. Recibiran bediciones de Dios.

Les quiero, muchisimo!!!

Hermana Despain