Hello there!

This week was another good one. 

Wednesday night after dinner at an hermana's house, we found a turtle in the road and my companion wouldn't let me take it home. Just after that, upon walking into the house I found another one behind the door (or could it be the same one who beat us home?).

When and how he got in is still a mystery to us since the doors and windows are always closed, but it made us laugh pretty hard. Taking our priorities into mind, we named it Donatello, took pictures, gave it a piece of bread, and then pushed it out with a broom. Wildlife.

Saturday we had zone conference in the morning and the General Women's Conference at night, and both were really great. The Women's Conference was so beautiful and it made me excited for General Conference this weekend. I am so grateful for inspired leaders here in the mission and Church-wide. 

This week we had some great lessons, found some great people, and dropped some that weren't progressing. One night we went to have a lesson with a 15-year-old named Jose. We were sitting outside with him and about 4 of his younger cousins when a truck full of teenagers pulled up. After the hymn he says, "I'll be right back", goes in the house and walks out with his soccer cleats, hops in the truck and waves to us as they drive away. What?

We laughed really hard and asked the kids where he went and they were all, "To play futbol, didn't you see his cleats?" Oh, okay. We shared a message with the kids and about a half hour of waiting later we get up to leave and Jose comes back and asks, "Oh, you're leaving now?" Yeah. See you never. I guess there are more important things than hearing the gospel.

Another lesson that was fantastic was with Wendy, a young mom with a little baby. Her husband just recently left to illegally get into the States, leaving her alone here. She hasn't had contact with him for a couple of weeks and doesn't know if he is okay or not, seeing as this trip is always really dangerous.

We left her a Book of Mormon the other day, and when we got there yesterday she had read the chapter we asked her to read (WHAT?) and had prayed (ALSO?) and knew that it is true (YESS!). It was a really neat lesson and the Spirit was really strong. She said she would go with us to the conference, and we are hoping she will. 

Anyways, life is good here and we are doing great! Have a lovely week!

Hermana White

 Indoor wildlife.

At zone conference.

Hello from Choluteca, barrio San Luis!

Things are just lovely down here. It is a whole different, beautiful world from Tegucigalpa, from the fact that it's totally flat without hills, to the cows and horses and chickens and fireflies, to the heat, to the people who are so so nice and will always let us come and teach them. I feel like I've come full circle since my first area where it was so similar. This time I appreciate everything a lot more and understand what people are saying so it's a lot better! 

Saturday we went with the ward to do a service project at Teleton, a rehabilitation center here in Choluteca. We cleaned it real well and it was lots of fun. The members in our ward are really great.

My companion, Hermana Realivazquez, is from Oaxaca, Mexico, and is really sweet. She is teaching me a lot from her example and the love of the people. Also, she is my sixth Mexican companion so I'm basically Mexicana now. I eat more hot sauce than real food. 

Life is great; we are moving forward and trying not to get fried!

Have a great week!

Con amor,

Hermana White

  

Attached fotos: Goodbye Esperanza & some of my favorite people. 

[La Esperanza is the area in Tegucigalpa where Amy has been since March 29th.]

Service project at Teleton, a rehabilitation center in Choluteca. 

Hermana Realivazquez, Amy's companion from Oaxaca, Mexico.

Our back yard, looking into our neighbor's yard.

Well, this week we finished another change here in La Esperanza! 

We had splits with the hermanas of Guaymuras. I have really loved being Hermana Lider for being able to get to know all these wonderful sisters, learn from them, and help them aunque sea un poquito [even a little bit]. We have the most incredible sisters here in the city and even though life's not easy, they are tough cookies. 

We also had a beautiful baptism on Sunday! Yesterday morning all the elementary school kids had their parades for Independance Day on the 15th, and after that they were pooped. We arrived in the afternoon to go to the church with them, just to find Marian and Magnor asleep. Their mom woke them up but they were all grumpy and the hermana was all "Can't we do it next Sunday?" 

We said a quick prayer and explained that the baptism was going to be like so fast and they could sleep afterwards, and after begging and pleading them out of their beds they zombie-walked to the church where the pila was full of - wait for it - CLEAR water - which was the biggest miracle of the century. 

It was a really nice baptismal service. We started only 14 minutes late (the 2nd biggest miracle of the century) and the bishop arrived before we did (miracle number 3). These kids are geniuses and are so strong in their testimonies and their desires to follow Christ. 

This weekend the kids had gone to stay with their dad in a pueblo outside of the city, wherein he told them not to get baptized, and told their mom that if she Mormoned them (actual Spanish word) he wouldn't support them financially. The kids stood up to him and told him he couldn't keep them from being baptized because they knew it was right. It was a huge risk they took, but it showed so much faith. They are huge examples to me. 

Aaaand... President Bowler called yesterday. They are going to put elders in our area. Hermana Aguilar will be going to another area here in the city, and I am going to Choluteca! Hello hot dirty south! 

Anyways, life is good. We are doing great and looking forward to our next adventures! 

Thanks for the prayers and support! 

Have a great week,

Hermana White

Splits with the hermanas of Guaymuras.

Marian & Magnor baptized on 09/11/16.