Ranas y sapas

I heard there was a cold front in Austin and I guess there has been one here in California, but I'm still walking around in short sleeves and doing just fine. It has, however, been raining like crazy. We were talking to a family the other day and I said it was raining cats and dogs and they corrected me and said no, it was raining bullfrogs and toads (ranas y sapas). I don't want to sound like a white fool so I'll be sure to use that from now on.

 

I have an amazing new companion and we are super pumped to recharge this area. She's from Canada, is 5'11" and a redhead so she's really just a taller, foreign version of me. It's hilarious to see the faces of people when two, beautiful white girls with flaming red hair approach them and start speaking Spanish. It's like the best thing ever. I should take a picture of everyone's first reaction of us and start a tumblr - it'd go viral. I warned her early on that we have a sketch area and there are a lot of places we can't go unsupervised at night. Not totally believing me (as if my precious face is questionable pshaw) she wanted to go check them out herself...I was more than happy to oblige. As we stepped out of the car she said yup, I see what you mean, we probably shouldn't come here at night. I chuckled and we went forth to preach the loitering men the gospel and she decided not return after the safety of the sun goes down. baha. Told ya.

 

Yesterday the Elders had a baptism and they made us give the talks. Don't worry we had 5 minutes notice. Of course the President showed up to this baptism, which I didn't notice until I got up to speak and saw him staring at me. Awesome. At least I looked cute. Anyway, I talked about the Holy Ghost and I took advantage of the Christmas season and talked about the feeling in the air right now that makes everyone smile, be a little more kind, feel good and hopeful. To me, this was the best way to describe the feelings of the Holy Ghost, a confirmation of all the perfect and pure things God has to offer us. As a baptized member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we get the special blessing of having the comforter, the Holy Ghost, with us all the time. It's like Christmas all year round and as we live worthy of having him be our BFF we get even more blessings from our loving Heavenly Father; we receive inspiration, spiritual gifts, confirmations of truth and of course feelings of comfort, peace and joy. As missionaries we are just banking on the Christmas spirit to help people see what they could have with them forever! We couldn't ask for more. So take a few moments with me this week to remember the wonderful, eternal gift of the Holy Ghost as our chance for Christmas cheer all year round.

 

Also, if you haven't already heard, there is a new Christmas website: mormon.org/christmas that has a beautiful short nativity video, free music, e-cards and offers for a free bible. There are tons of ways to share this awesome tool with friends and family with a click of the button - take advantage!

 

xoxo

Hermana Hall

Cheese Fries

I know I'm a missionary and the highlight of my week should be that we got a new baptism date, but it actually was that we found the best cheese fries in the world! haha jk...a little. I need to be more excited for this baptism and I am - eternally speaking - but this investigator has started to leave us serenading voice mails so things are getting a little weird. Oh well, this gospel isn't just for those who can sing, it's for everyone. But seriously, the cheese fries were amazing.

 

My recent missionary role has been the word of wisdom police, walking into homes and demanding all the booze walk out with me. They don't seem to fight me too much which is rather shocking. I think they aren't exactly sure what the redhead will do so they'd rather not take their chances, but in the meantime it's helping them all keep their heads clear. win-win. The best part is the priceless looks on the neighbors' faces when they see the missionaries carrying around a bunch of six packs. Good thing President trusts me.

 

I can never stop bragging about how much the seniors at BINGO love me. I'm going to be so sad when I have to leave that place. We haven't been there in such a long time because of the holiday and meetings, but I finally made it back on Friday and there were gasps when I walked in the room. I'm starting to wonder if they can see my angel body guards. We were late so someone already started monotone BINGO, but she couldn't wait to hand me the mic and as soon as it touched my hands the room filled with applause. They love me! They really love me. I might have gotten a little teary eyed at that moment. I bet I could get them all to follow me to the baptismal right now. I'm gonna try it next time.

 

Christmas season is the best for missionaries! People are actually taking our cards without mocking us. I think the twinkling of the Christmas lights goes well with repentance. We've been handing out invitations for a free nativity exhibit the church is putting on in Palo Alto this week (which I actually get to host today and I get a free cardigan and scarf!) and people have been thanking us for the invitations. What? No one seems to want to hear about Jesus Christ any other day, but they are all about hand carved nativities - maybe people don't know what nativities are. It doesn't seem to matter what you know about Christ, this time of year changes everyone and it's blindingly clear as a missionary. It's magical how Christlike everyone becomes without knowing it during a time set apart for the birth of our Savior - people just can't help it. If only we could bottle it and sprinkle it around the rest of the time. We are really hoping to cash in on all the love walking the streets these days and help people find the happiness they feel right now be with them all the time. I am so lucky I get to share the gift that never stops giving, the gospel of Jesus Christ every single day. Ahh it's happening, I'm a cheesy missionary! Warm fuzzies.

 

xoxo,

Hermana Hall