COLD

Hello Dear Family!

Primero, HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Camille and Mommy this week!!!!!!! I will be sad to not share a birthday dinner this coming Sunday,but I will be thinking of y'all lots! I sent birthday cards, hope they were received. I got my birthday card from Grammy and I am just dying to open it, but I will wait. It will be strange being away from home for a birthday, and to not be there for Camille and Mom's. Make sure someone takes a video of the singing and candles!!!

This week was pretty good. There was an activity for Thanksgiving "Accion de Gracias". Let's just say I will really miss an American Thanksgiving... they put chilies in their mashed potatoes...and chilies with their turkey...and chilies with the green beans...and chilies with the corn. Everything tasted the same because it was spicy. Ha ha ha...mommy I miss you. We, as missionaries, sang "Because I Have Been Given Much" in the program. I seem to be the designated piano player, which is actually very fun! I won't be out of practice when I get home. I don't think I mentioned that I also played for the Primary Program a couple weeks ago. It's on my list of favorite callings! We will be playing football Thursday morning for Thanksgiving. It's funny because most people in the ward are confused at why we call it turkey bowl. And it's adorable when they try to say it!

It has been VERY cold here this last week. I haven't seen the sun all week, it hasn't reached over 55 yet, and it's rainy and windy. Every time I walk outside I am layered and bundled but still COLD! I always picture dad laughing at me and calling me a "desert rat". And I want to live in Canada some day...very funny. The good thing is though that everyone makes us hot chocolate! A less-active, Maria Fuentes, made us warm milk the other day. To our surprise after we had drank it she told us how to make it...milk and a little coffee. So I accidently transgressed a law. We then taugh the Word of Wisdom, ha ha which she is not a fan of. It's adorable how little old ladies think they can do what they want just because they're old! Hermana Fuentes is progressing though and is coming back to church. A miracle that happened this last week was she prayed for the first time in 30+ years!!!! It was a very sweet feeling to be a part of that, I love her dearly. Eva Vasquez is progressing slowly. We had an awesome, I mean AWESOME lesson with her about recognizing the Spirit this week!!! She really does want to find the truth, she has great faith, she just needs to exercise it. We had another miracle this week with receiving a referral! These last two weeks we have been very lacking in that area...we ask everyone for a referral and we are always given nothing. Every morning before we go out we say a prayer and we ask to find new people to teach that are prepared to receive the Gospel and to receive referrals. Well on Wednesday we were out walking around a neighborhood to find new people(yes, it was a HUGE sacrifice because it was freezing) when we got a phone call from a lady that Hna. Greenwood and I contacted months ago and haven't heard from since. Her name is Leanora. She called and gave us a referral for her son!! He doens't live in our area...BUT!!! It was a referral!!! God always answers prayers. It's usually not how we expect or in our timing, but he hears them and aswers them because He loves us! Although this week was all around slow with lessons and numbers...we saw lots of miracles. Hard weeks only mean there are great ones to come if we're faithful through the trials!

I hope everyone had a great last week and that this week will be even better! Happy Thanksgiving y'all!! I am so grateful for everything that I have been given. I have a wonderful family and great friends! And I feel SO blessed to be able to serve a mission, to help other come unto Christ, and serve God's children. I can't believe I will be 21 this week. I am grateful that I have lived this long, it's incredible if you think about how silly I am sometimes. :) Be happy, be safe, and be grateful!!

Love,

 Hermana Florence