The Cricket

Hello Family!

I had a very interesting week. It was Hermana Greenwood's last week here. I just dropped her off at the mission home. There have been a lot of tears these past couple days, obviously. She has really become like one of my sisters, it felt like saying goodbye to family again. Definitely not easy. I'll be out of my area for a few days but will return to it with a new companion on Wednesday. Yep, I'm taking over my area, pretty scary. But I know I have a lot of support from the ward and the Lord. It'll be tough but that means I will grow. We have the baptism for Crystal Marin coming up this weekend! There is a lot to do to plan a baptism...I feel a little scared without Hna. Greenwood helping me, but the Lord will too. But I am very excited, Crystal is just amazing! I have never had an investigator as prepared as her. I feel like it's a huge blessing for me. President Ashton said that when we find prepared people, we are doing our job. That means the Lord trusts a to teach well and to the needs of the person. I hope that by finding Crystal that means I am an adequate missionary. Sometimes I feel like I'm just not quite there with somethings, maybe with the language or my teaching skills in general, but there is a definite desire to do what is best for these people, so I feel that I have the trust of the Lord. I'm giving my best, and that's all He asks.

I was so happy to see a picture of little Z! She looks like a darling little girl! I wish I could hug her tight! It was cute to see Charley's cute Halloween outfit, it fit her personality very well!

We had a Noche Mormona(kind of like a family home evening, but a more teaching setting) Last night with the Rodriguez and Garcia families. Hno. Garcia was baptized recently so we are going through the new member lessons with him. We taught about Temples and eternal families. I got emotional during the lesson, as I mostly do when we talk about families. It's not entirely because I miss y'all, it's because I have a strong testimony of it. Families are so special, they are literal gifts from God. And I feel so blessed to have such a loving family who lives and loves the teachings of Christ. After we shared our message we had dinner...pizza, pasta, pan dulce, and CRICKETS. Once upon a time I promised myself that I would try everything I was asked to eat(unless it would kill me). So far I have stuck tot he promise. Yep. I ate a cricket. It was dead of course and roasted with chili and lime. The flavor was pretty good...but then I remembered I ate a bug and that's when I had the hard time chewing. I eventually swallowed it with juice! They eat crickets like chips...I think I'll stick to chips. After I did it Hna. Greenwood did it as well. She has a video of it so look for it on Facebook maybe!

Well my sweet family, I love y'all. I am so grateful to be able to serve the Lord in such a great cause, to help families return to live with God. I am grateful for all of your love and support! Les quiero mucho mucho mucho como la cola del chucho! Hna. Santillan always says that to me. :) Have a wonderful and blessed week!

Love,

Hna. Erica Florence