Hamburger meat and Ataco

Familia,

I had some complaints from the fans, and I had a little extra time Sunday night, so I wrote a longer letter. Not sure if it´s better quality, but it´s longer ha. Hope this suffices. 

First, I´ve been asked, how am I doing? As I often write about investigators and experiences and less about me. Well...overall I am doing really well. I am happy overall and I am doing my best to become the daughter and the missionary that God wants me to be and I´m working each day to get the most out of this mission. So I´m happy in general. In these moments right now, if I´m completely honest this change has been hard.  These last couple weeks especially have been a little rough on me to be honest, but I´m praying for strength and knowing that chances are we´ll have transfers in 3 weeks. 

Baptism of Bryan. Go team go. We´re working with his step dad Carlos now. His mom is a member that recently just became reactivated.

 This week I was gone in Ataco working with two companionships of Hermanas there. First, I was with Hermana Lucero and Hermana DeLeon on Tuesday. In general, sometimes these interchanges are just kinda blah. And lots of times I wonder if I´m helping anyone at all. But I just pray and try to do my best and follow the spirit and I know it will all work out. Other times, the interchanges are answers to my prayers and amazing. I guess you win some and lose some. Day one in Ataco was just kinda blah. But day two with the other hermanas was an answer to my prayers.

Around 8:40pm on Tuesday we went to visit a family that has some members that are menos activo (less active). We walked in and sure enough there was just a giant cow´s leg on the table and he was cutting up all the meat to sell. Totally normal, don´t even worry about it. There were another two legs behind him and there were about 6 people just hacking away at the meat. It smelled awful, but was quite the experience to watch them cut up this cow. It made me never want to eat meat. 

But that only lasted for about 15 minutes. Once we left I was craving a nice juicy hamburger. 

Then on Wednesday I was working with Hermana Garbett and Hermana Escobar. At one point they asked me if I was ever close to getting married at one point in my life ha...so that brought up the whole fact that I was engaged once. They wanted to hear the story so I gave them a very shortened version at night before we went to sleep. To quote Hermana Garbett: "You were engaged...and now 

you´re on a mission..." I just laughed. Yep. 

We also had a cita (appointment) with Diana (one of their investigators) and Elder Flores came with us to the cita with Diana to tell his conversion story because it is similar. He is a convert hace 2 anos (a convert of 2 years). He was in charge of a group of jovenes (young people) in his church before he met with the missionaries. He was the leader of these jovenes between 18 and 30 years old. And he said that he even told them lots of time, don´t go to the Mormon church and stuff like that. Well one day he went to church with a friend that invited him and after started meeting with the missionaries. Well within a few weeks he had prayed and received his answer that yes, this church was true. So sure enough he made the decision to get baptized even though he was a leader and in charge of these other jovenes from this other church. Well next thing you know he started inviting all of his friends to church and within the next year and a half 18 of those jovenes from the other church were baptized and joined the church. Yep, that´s right, 18 of them. And then they all started inviting their friends, and when Elder Flores started going to church it was a little branch. Well now the asistencia (attendance) reached over 300 people and they split it into two wards and it´s grown like crazy. A bunch of those kids are on missions like him and it seriously is the coolest story. He literally brought 18 young adults to the truthfulness of this restored gospel and the joy of this message. How cool is that? I was just amazed and it was neat to hear the story from him and see the joy and happiness as he told it. Legit.

This week we´re going to the temple! I´m stoked. Go team go.

Aside from that, not sure what else to say, except I love you lots. 

Thanks for everything familia. 

Love,

Hermana Wright 

Transportation in El Salvador. Classic!

A little more esperanza

Familia,

Story from last Monday..."we left our house today at 6pm to go down to El Espino, a colonia q ue queda un poco lejos (a colony that is a little far away). Well we  waited for the bus for almost 15 or 20 min. And finally it came and it was PACKED. Literally, there were people packed as close as possible until the door. Well that didn´t stop us, we HAD to be on that bus. So we jumped on. And when I say jumped on, I mean I put my feet on the low step that barely hung on and the guy who collects money grabbed on behind me. I was literally smashed up against a couple of Salvadorean men and hanging out of the bus. There were a couple people inside that grabbed my arm because I had nothing to hold onto, so that helped me stay inside. Ha. First, I haven´t been that close to a man in a while. Second, it was hilarious and I was laughing a lot. Third, it was a great adventure. It was quite the ride. Imagine, I´ve got both my feet on the lower step of the bus, I´m smashed up against a random Salvador man face to face, I have about 3 people grabbing my arm inside the bus to keep me from falling out, and I´m basically hanging out of the door of the bus, and then the best thing happened...Enya came on and started playing on the bus. It was perfect. And hilarious. And I just wish I had it all on film. But I think that´s what I´ve learned about life...some of the best memories and moments just never can get captured. You just have to enjoy them. And then write about them. And then read later to remember how awesome it was. 

This week I learned a lot about la esperanza (hope). And I´m in the process of repenting. I´d been studying a lot about faith and working on increasing my faith, but I think I forgot about hope. In preach my gospel it says esperanza (hope) is "una firme confianza en que el Senor cumplira las promesas que le ha hecho, y se manifiesta a traves de la tranquilidad, el optimismo, el entusiasmo y una perseverancia paciente." (A firm confidence that the Lord will fulfill the promises he has made, and it is evident through the calmness, the optimism, the enthusiasm and a patient perseverance). The past few weeks I´ve felt this huge stress and pressure. And the sad thing is I really let that stress and pressure affect me and make me not be myself this past few weeks. While I´ve had faith and been focusing on that, I forgot about la esperanza. Which as we all know we can´t have faith if we don´t have hope. I had an interchange that taught me this hope. That I need to have faith and diligence and work hard, and then I need to be positive, optimistic, and leave the rest up to the Lord. And I forgot that these last couple of weeks. But I got some good advice from my broski (thanks Nate) and this interchange really taught me a lot. And I´m feeling more like my positive, enthusiastic, optimistic self and ready to move forward and be better. Just a reminder...have hope.  

Sunday Skype when the sound
refused to work.  Frustration!

Thankfully we got to try again this
morning.  Monday was successful
although the sound was a little rocky, but
at least we had sound.  :)

It was great chatting to you familia. Sorry Nate and Trev that we couldn´t talk for longer and we only have a smidgen of time. But it still was super nice to at least see your faces and say hi for a bit. Thanks for your love and support and prayers. I have the best familia ever. 

Love your buns,

Hermana Wright

PS I didn´t take photos this week, so no fotos. But you got a video chat, so that´s better anyways.

A stroll in the park...

Familia,

It´s official, the rainy season has begun. And to be honest I´m pretty excited about it. Why? Because it means there are going to be a whole lot more adventures, it won´t be as hot when it´s raining, and who doesn´t love to play in the rain? My hair is going to be a lot more wild and frizzier...but what else is new? I never could tame the mane before anyways. 

Bautismo de Jovi

Rain & our new comp

Wednesday was changes. And while Hermana Dominguez and I didn´t have changes ourselves, we received a newbie. We are now training and in a trio. Her name is Hermana Ortiz, she´s from El Salvador and she´s waiting for her visa for her mission to Mexico, so she decided to start here while she could. She´s sweet, but walks super slow. So I´m trying to learn patience and love her ha. Cause sometimes it just seems like more of a stroll in the park for her. Silly silly. 

Last Monday we made pupusas with the familia Pimentel. It was my first time making pupusas. It was fun, and it did not seem that hard, but in the end after eating them, the pupusas weren´t that delicious. They were just okay. I think I need to practice my pupusa making skills so when I get home I can make delicious pupusas. That´s my new goal. 

This work is great. I´m more determined than ever to work like a crazy person this change to do everything I can to help others feel the power of this message. 

I love you guys a lot. I´ll talk to you in a week it seems like...kinda weird that Mother´s day is already here. I guess that´s why I don´t have much to say. Talk to you soon.

Love,

Hermana Wright

PS Nate, I will improve my letter writing next week. Thanks for the suggestions :)

Baptismos, servicio, y calor

Familia,

Busy week. But good. 

Wednesday we had the baptism of Victor and Moises. Although they look like they are about 6 years old for how small they are, they are actually 10 and 12 years old. They have been attending church for almost over a year with a member family and LOVE it. And I just got lucky and got the chance to teach them and be a part of their baptism. 

Saturday we had a service project for the national service day. In El Salvador, we have pilas, kinda like large sinks filled with water to use for washing dishes, bathing, etc. Well the rainy season is about to start any day now. (I´ve heard rumors that it´s quite the adventure). As a result, the mosquitos are about to be flourishing and as a result dengue is much more present. So with the unidad de salud, we basically walked around houses and put these little bags of pesticide type stuff in all the pilas, checked for larva of mosquitos, and helped to keep the mosquitos away. 

 Then Saturday night the Familia Pimentel was baptized. It was absolutely beautiful. I have basically 6 months in the mission. The rule in the mision is that you can go to the temple with familias if you are part of their baptism. This means that in one year, hopefully my going away gift will be able to go to the temple with the Familia Pimentel, that they can be sealed. I´m praying for them and for this. But I know it will happen. This familia is amazing. They have felt the truth of this Gospel and they are really, truly converted. After their baptism they gave each other a huge hug and had the biggest smile on their face. They both told us that they are very grateful to their Padre Celestial por nosotros. But the truth is, I´m super grateful to be a part of their lives. If I only come back to El Salvador for one reason, it it for this family. 

Wish I had time to write more, but I have to go to a meeting with President with the Hermanas. 

Excerpt from the journal

I am just grateful to be a part of this amazing work moving forward. As I was sitting there in the end of the baptism I just paused and looked around and I was touched with the Spirit and I knew that yes, this is the Lord´s work. It´s not mine, nor yours, nor anyone else´s. It´s definitely the Lord´s work. And it´s amazing to watch it move forward and I´m ever so grateful to be a member, to be a part of this work, and to be able to serve a mission and really work and learn and grow. I know this will make me a better member of the church, a better mom, a better wife, and a better child of God. God truly is amazing. He lives and He loves and knows each of us. He has a plan and it´s in process. And I am grateful that I can participate in that plan. 

  

Thanks for your love! 

Love you lots!

Danika

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter!! I hope you all had a glorious feast with delicious turkey or ham, maybe some sweet potatoes, a nice spinach salad, and some sort of delicious dessert to finish it off. I ate a grilled cheese and a tomato. Epic, I know. 

Friday was our excursion to the temple with investigadors. It was super neat. We had different stations in the chapel to have a little tour type thing where they got to learn about the auxiliary organizations, the plan of salvacion, baptism, the temple, and the angel moroni. Then they all got to walk around the temple and learn about it and feel the spirit. My comp and I got chosen to teach about the auxiliary organizations of the church...so that was an adventure. 

 Overall, it was a beautiful day. The familia Pimentel came and they loved it. They are getting baptized this saturday, and they couldn´t be more ready or excited. 

 Quote from the week is from an old lady that we´ve taught a couple times named Ana. 

Ana: "De donde vinieron?" "Where did you guys come from?" (referring to our previous appointments)

Us: "Vinimos de arriba", "We came from up there"

Ana: "Del cielo?", "From heaven?" 

And then she immediately busted up laughing at her own joke...which in turn made us bust up laughing. 

Overall it was a good week. 

I love Easter. Even though we didn´t do anything special for Easter...besides eat some more chocolate...it was a great time for me to think more about the Savior, His sacrifice for me and what that means and what I can do to show my gratitude to Him. Nothing profound to share, just a little reflection from the week. This whole week here in El Salvador is la semana santa and everyone is on vacation and celebrating and the catholic church has a lot of stuff going on with processions everynight and such in the street, so it was eventful. 

Oh...and did yáll read Elder Ballard´s talk from the Conference? Are you reading Preach my gospel? Do it. That´s all. 

Love yáll lots and lots. Thanks for your love and support.

Love,

Me

This picture is for you mom!

5 Companeras en una Semana...Go... Fight...Win!

Familia,

Biggest...hamburgers and fries...expensive...but delicious

 This week was craziness. Tuesday morning the assistants to President called us and told us that they were worried about the hermanas (sisters) that we're over and that our sisters needed help and so that this week we needed to do intercambios cada dia (exchanges every day) and that we couldn't be together. Adventures! 

Interchanges in another area...bridge?

So Tuesday I went to Orquideas to work with Hermana Lopez (my old area!!). Wednesday I was in my area with Hermana Mayorga. Thursday I went to Juayua otra vez (once again) to work with Hermana Murray. And Friday Hermana DeLeon came to my area to work with me. Saturday we got to work together because we had a baptism. 5 companions in one week...that's pretty good. 

So it was pretty nuts. We would meet up in the mornings to change comps and go meet another companionship to change with. We would plan about 30 min. in the morning when we met up again so that I knew what Hermana Dominguez did in my area the day before so we could still help our area grow and improve. It consisted of a lot of traveling by bus. Consisted of a lot less sleep. But as always, consisted of adventures. 

Aide and Hermana Mayorga, mi companera por un dia

Baptism!

Saturday Jorge and Johanna were baptized. It was super sweet. They are adorable. See pics.

That's about it fam. My body feels tired this week. But I´m good. Love you. Thanks for your love and support. Praying for you always. 

Love,

Hermana Wright

La familia pimentel, love this family...they are getting baptized 26 abril

Angel's Diligence

Familia!

I forgot to tell y'all thanks for the pictures. I loved them. That was a great part of the package!

Hermanas en my zone

I love General Conference. It was a great weekend to be able to listen to the voice of the prophet and apostles. It just strengthens my testimonio every time and helps me to be better and stronger spiritually. What parts did y'all like the best? Favorite talks? Quotes? I would love to hear your thoughts.

There is a member in our ward who's name is Angel. He's 82 years old. He's almost completely blind, can see a little bit, but very limited. He lives about 15 min drive away from the church in a humble home and by himself. He was baptized 7 years ago. Before that he attended 4 or so iglesias (churches) and always wondered which was true. Walking it probably takes him about an hour to walk from his house to the church. But without fail, every sunday he walks from his humble home along the dirt and rocky roads with his cane in hand, to the church to attend. And then this Saturday was General Conference and so it was in the stake center. He walked from his house to the stake center...which took at least 2 hours I would imagine, so that he could sit and listen to the Prophet and Apostles of the Lord. Why does he do this? Because he´s converted. He knows that this church is true. He knows that by obeying commandments he will receive blessings. He knows that he´s a son of God and that God will bless him. He understands. And his example touches my heart. I wish I could describe it all perfectly so y'all could understand, really understand...but it's just hard to put into words. But his example of faithfulness and devotion will be in my mind forever.

Classic cliche jumping pic. 

Today we went on a hike to a Laguna (lake). Super pretty and super fun! Loved it. Pics attached. 

Comps..yep...we're matching

Short message today (didn´t have time to type my email before...sorry) But just know I love you all lots. I´m praying for you constantly and grateful for your love and support. It helps me every day. 

The church is true. Just remember that. 

Love,

Me

Our whole zone on a hike.