February 23, 2009

from february 23

This week was great. The weeks go by soooo fast.

We have not been able to find Nestor. He randomly disappeared. So we are really sad that that happened. We have no idea where he went. weird eh?

We are teaching two great families. The running theme I see in this work is the purpose and life people receive from the gospel. One of my favorite persons ever, Erikca, is finding so much happiness and purpose from the gospel. (sorry i dont have a lot of time so I can´t go in crazy detail). A year ago she wasn´t happy at all and now she has purpose.

I know that this is God´s church. I am grateful to be apart of it. I am also grateful that I can be apart of the work. I think everyone should go on a mission. We need more missionaries.

love,
hermana urban

February 16, 2009

This Week in Pictures...always fun!




Here is a bunch of girlies from a Banfield activity . . . oh and Hermano Ramierz haha.
and...Doing some sweet paper work.







We might have stayed at the mission home last weekend. And hermana Asay might have made cookies. That was the first real cookie I´ve had in a year. Brown sugar doesn´t exist here. But Hna Asay has some I guess. She is pretty much amazing.

The LONG train ride. Imagine doing 2 bus rides and a train ride and then walking to your new home with crazy luggage. No fun. zero fun. The big suitcase of mine broke. I don´t know what I will do . . .



Familia Rameriz from Banfield 4 (love them.)

















Me packing my life away to move to Monte while sucking a sucker (one of those Las Vegas suckers that my Mom sent me)

A nice friendly cockroach...Whoa!

February 10, 2009

happiness.

So one week in San Miguel de Monte. It is soooooo cute. Honestly, this entire week I have non-stop been telling my adorably awesome companion that I feel like I am in a whole different world. It has all these tourist type things. There is an amazing lake that I see people jet skiing and playing. I try to not get jealous. There is a bit of a drought going on so the lake is really low; it actually is acting like a beach right now because it is so low. People are playing on the "beach."

The church is super small. To give you an idea the member list is 2 pages long. It hasn´t had missionaries for a really long time and so the members are getting a little more excited about the work here (because we are here now!). Our church building is – no joke – an old Club. It is hilarious because behind the "bar" is the baptismal font. The upstairs floor is spotted with chewed gum embedded into the worn down carpet. The old dance floor is now lined with folding chairs with hymn books lying on top. Basically I love it. But my goal for this area is to help out the assistance so they can get a chapel. So that is my dream and hope. A cute little chapel for cute little Monte.

The people are great too. I am happy because if not I would be having major Banfield 4 withdrawals. N is this man that has problems with some pretty heavy drugs. We have started to call him everyday. I see so much potential. The only thing he wants is to follow Christ´s example and to have his family back together and happy. It is just that; that is what people want! Happiness. A good family. So it is going to be some hard work but I know that he can do it.

Sunday was . . . interesting. An older hermana that has been sick for a very long time died during the night. Some of the family are active members and others not. The branch president was called to go to the funeral/barrial. So we actually didn´t have church at all. Instead we just went to this cemetery and sang some hymns. Of course they make the missionaries lead the songs. It's funny because I am just this chica from the states, nobody really knows me, but I was some sort of help in a time of need by leading them in song. Sometimes we just need to do the small things for people.

Sunday night we traveled to another little town to stay the night with some other hermanas (Duran and Olivera). Because yesterday we had zone conference, hence the reason why I didn´t write yesterday. And Monte is pretty far so we have to travel lots. So anyway, our bus broke down half way there. The bus is super crowded to the point where we are standing on top of one another. We were standing where the door opens and closes (in the states I actually don´t think you can stand there). But anyway we met this really cute girl and made friends with her. She is 24 and has been dating her boyfriend, who lives in Monte, for 3 years. This weekend we are hoping to go met him and chat it up about how the gospel can bless their lives.

Ok sorry this email is long!

The mission is great. I love the point where I am right now on the mission. Gotta live it to the FULLEST!

Loves yous lots. Its been awhile ya´know?
Hermanita Urban

Ps. All you people get to see and read about me, but I don't catch much wind of what is going on up there. IE: friends write and send me a pic!!

February 2, 2009

Transfers


Hola from the Deep South!

Well my friends and family, it happened. I am leaving Banfield 4. It was a long hot 4 months, which really did go by fast and was completely rewarding. We got the call that I was leaving Saturday night, early that day I called President to let him know that I would be willing to be in Banfield 4 the rest of my mission. The people are just amazing. I cannot describe the love that generates from those people. I have completely fallen in love with them. I am so proud of all of our recent converts. Lily has beyond amazed me. Delfina has such a strong testimony that she is constantly sharing with people around her. Ivan knows the Book of Mormon inside and out. Hevana is a shining example to all of her friends. Yolie finally feels as though she has guidance in her life, Siliva as well. Gloria and Diego will be getting married and baptized in this next transfer. Banfield 4 is just going to explode with success. Yes there were HOURS of walking in the dead heat, and there are many more hours ahead of me, but the people make it all worth it. I am sad to leave Banfield 4. Even though the pension is complete asco!

I am off to this place called Monte. It was just recently opened. Our chapel is in an old Disco turned church. My companion is Hermana Ingoldsby from Canada [insert screams of excitement]. I am excited but nervous. It is farming country again (flashback to San Vicente) So it will probably be a bit more tranquilo, than the ghetto.

So yup that is the update.

There are a lot of Missionaries going home today. A lot of my little friends. So blah. I hate saying goodbye. Its just sad news. But I was thinking about it. The elders that are leaving started their missions (2 years ago, dur) before I even started to really think about going on a mission. So I am happy for them, and proud of them for having served a mission. Because pretty much it’s the greatest thing ever.

It´s a small thing that I can do to show my love and devotion to the One that did everything for me.

Moments of being in our own Gethsemane are only opportunities that we have to know what Christ had to go through.

Welp, love you all soooooo much!! I cannot believe how long it´s been since I´ve seen ya´ll. Know that I love yous and I wish I could hug yous!

Vaya con paz y amor y mas que nada Dios,
Hermanita Urban