It's so good to be able to write to you all! HI!
So last time I wrote to you, I was in Fajardo, and that evening I went to Trujillo Alto to work with the 2 sisters over there, one of which just so happened to be one of my daughters, Hermana S! I was super excited to be able to work with her and catch up with her. We were giggling late into the night because we were just so excited to be reunited. Her companion is from Panama and is super great, too. We laughed a lot during the two days I was there. Every single person we visited in Trujillo gave us Coca-Cola, and I still can't say I'm a huge fan of it, but I can drink it without any problems. A lady we contacted fed us some weird vegetable soup and I have NO idea what was in it. But I haven't died yet, so apparently its contents were okay. I just feel like we met so many crazy people there because one lady said that she knew the Catholic church wasn't true but had had visions of "the Virgin Mary with a dead Christ in her arms with a BIG heart above them, all floating in the air." Sometimes, I just feel awkward because they share these "spiritual" experiences with me and I have no idea if they're lying or not, but I feel like they are but I don't want to be rude, so I just kinda sit there. What would you do in a situation such as this? How do you react? What's the appropriate response? I just don't know yet.
I went back to Cidra on Friday morning and worked with Hermana S's companion, Hermana A. (from Bolivia) until Sunday. It was just kind of awkward being back when I'd told everyone goodbye just a week ago. But I love Cidra and I love the weather there, so I didn't complain. We met a young man named Luis who decided to quit smoking weed. He is really really cool and super intelligent, regardless of the fact that he is destroying his body. I hope he accepts the Gospel and turns his life around. He just really needs help.
Since I was back in Cidra, I got to teach W__ again! It made me really happy. We taught him about tithing and fast offerings. It was a good lesson. We always talk about the deepest doctrine with him and I love our lessons with him.
We had the Caguas Stake Conference Saturday evening and Sunday morning. It was good. It was all about furthering the work of salvation. Woot woot! But oh my. We had a funny experience yesterday morning because when our ride came to get us to take us to the stake center, we ran out the door, and Hermana A. didn't realize that she was still wearing her "at home" shoes (a pair of really ugly, super dorky-looking NO OFFENSE neon, speckled crocs). We got down the mountain, about 3/4 of the way there, when she looked down and realized what she was wearing. I DIED laughing at the thought of the Mission President, his wife, and the presiding Area Seventy all seeing her like that. Luckily for her, though, we turned back and got her a pair of appropriate shoes. Man. Greenies. Gotta love 'em.
I'm at the Mission Home right now. I spent the night here, and I"ll be going out to Ponce this evening to work with HERMANA G. and give her companion a break. Not sure how I feel about it, but I'll go where the Lord needs me to go. She doesn't know I'm coming yet, but when she finds out, I know she'll be really happy. She calls me often and when she heard about my new calling, she said she couldn't wait for me to come down there. (Little does she know, though, that a visit from me isn't necessarily a good thing...) But I'm excited! It'll be a fun experience. And on Thursday, if all goes as planned, I'll be back in Fajardo with Hermana D. for a day.
But back to the here and now, I'm pretty much living here when I don't have anywhere to go. I'd been lugging all my junk around this past week, and it's nice because I get to leave it all here. I have my own room and bathroom! It's like I'm back home!! I found a dead lizard in my closet, even. :)
So now I'll answer all your questions.
- Do I have a companion? No. Will I get one? Probably, but I have no idea when, who, or where I'll be serving. From what he was saying last night in a meeting we had, the President will probably have me train in a new area again after all this craziness is over. But I kinda really like it, so I hope it doesn't end. :)
- Do I have a car? Yes. With a GPS, too! But I only use it toget to where I need to go. I drive by myself. I've done it twice so far, and I really love it. It's nice being alone sometimes, and I forgot about that. But I will admit that last night was SUPER weird sleeping in a room by myself.
 |
| A view of St. Croix |
- Do I get to visit the islands? Apart from the visit I made to St. Croix last week, no. The islands are the other sister trainers' responsibilities. I'm glad, too, because I don't like flying that often.
- Am I like one of the Three Nephites? (Kyle's humor) Haha, no. I wish I could go anywhere, but I can't. I get my assignments as needed. I'm in an area for a few days, and then I get a text from the President that lets me know where I'm needed the next day. It's kinda cool because my life is like an adventure. :) I just feel so weird sometimes because I have no idea what I'm supposed to do when it comes to reporting the Key Indicators each week (number of lessons taught, etc) because I don't work in a specific area like normal missionaries do, so there's really no way to track the work I'm doing. But we'll figure it out I guess. I'm just excited to be doing this and happy that the Lord trusts me enough to work with his special daughters here in the mission.
- How many "Sister Missionary Trainers" are there in the mission? There are 5: two live in Rincon, and the other two live in Old San Juan, and me, obviously. I could have "lived" in either house (technically, just left my stuff there), or come here, and I decided (obviously) to come here. I feel like I'm at home! Kinda. Just without you guys. Last night was like my first real Sunday I've had in almost a year, where you just sit at home and don't really do anything. I felt super uncomfortable, like I was neglecting some important task. :) And this morning, at breakfast time, I felt awkward too, cuz none of the food that's here is what I bought, and I felt like I was stealing. :) But whatever. I'm over it. Last night for dinner, we had grilled chicken, and it made me think of Dad's Korean chicken. Good stuff.
Well anyway, I hope I answered all your questions sufficiently. I have NO idea what I'm supposed to do here all day, I'm by myself in a huge house, and I'm waiting for my laundry to finish. NORMAL LIFE IS SO BORING. Hahahaa.
I love you and hope you all have a good week! :)
-Hermana Erickson
(A day later due to Zone Conf./ Pres. Day)
Okay wow. I don't even know where to begin, but this week has been CRAZY and I'm living out of a suitcase! (Even more than I was before!) Wanna know why!?
Tuesday morning (transfer day) I got a phone call from President saying that instead of staying in Cidra, I'd be moved from the area. I've been given a new responsibility/ calling in the mission. I'm a Sister Trainer! What happened was that one of the sisters that was supposed to come to the mission never showed up, and so he had to make some last-minute changes. He wasn't planning on doing this until I had trained at least one last sister so that I'd be able to leave Cidra in the hands of someone who is familiar with the area and the people, but changes had to be made, and I've been moved.
Two new sisters came back with me that evening to Cidra, and I showed them around the area for a few days. It was really hard leaving because I hadn't mentally prepared myself to go, nor did I get to say goodbye to everyone I'd hoped to say goodbye to, but that's okay. I know all the people will understand and the two sisters taking my place are great.
I was in St. Croix on Valentine's Day (Friday morning through Saturday afternoon). And when I came back, I went to Fajardo to work with two sisters here. They're opening up a new area, and since I've had experience doing that, President gave me the chance to help them out for the past few days. So I went to Church here and will be here until tomorrow. I honestly don't know, though.
President hasn't given me too many details about what it is I'll be doing, but I am aware that a lot of sisters here aren't doing okay, and President doesn't have time to visit with them all, and especially now that we don't have cars, it's even more difficult. So I have been given that responsibility and I feel very lucky to be doing it.
So I don't have a place to currently call home, nor do I have a companion. All I know is, I'll be doing this for at least a month, jumping from one end of the island to another. And so far, I really like it; A LOT. So I won't get to tell you about everything I'm DOING, per se, but I can tell you where I am and the experiences I'm having.
When he first told me, I was really scared to be honest because I've never liked Sister Trainers. So I didn't necessarily want to BE one of them... And I was really nervous that I wouldn't be able to help the other sisters like I'm supposed to. I've always loved listening to others and offering them advice, and as a missionary, we're technically not allowed to do that with anyone but our companions. But for the past few days, I've been giving the two sister missionaries the advice I wish I could've received in the beginning of my mission, and it's been helping me a lot to remember the times when I really did struggle, and see how I got over it, too. I've realized how much I have grown in the past 11 months and it's amazing because I am so thankful for the decision I made to serve a mission! This calling/ responsibility has been the PERFECT motivator for me, and it's stretching me in ways I never thought I could be. It's making me see these girls in a different way. It's a really cool experience and I wish I could describe it, but I can't. But I like it a lot and I feel it's making a difference. (For me, anyway). I can mention one thing, though: I put my cosmetology knowledge to good use and give all of them hair and makeup advice. :) So if they still don't like me as a sister trainer, at least they'll appreciate me for making them look and feel a little better. Ton and Vik would be so proud!!
We had Zone Conference all day yesterday (that's why I didn't write to you) and President Smartt taught about repentance using the story of Adam and Eve. It was super super awesome. Man, I just wish you all could have been there to learn everything I learned and understand it all! I love learning new things about the Gospel: it's so much deeper than we think, but it's also so much simpler than we make it out to be.
Thanks for filling me in on everything you're doing. I love hearing from you and I hope that you had a wonderful Valentine's Day this past week.
I still haven't met this incognito Elder Clark you've been talking about all this time, but I imagine he's on the island somewhere. I doubt I'll ever meet him to be honest. Tell Mrs. Crampton hi.
I'm proud of you, Mom and Dad, for going walking! That's an awesome way to live the Word of Wisdom!! :) Hehehe. I invite you to keep doing so! (<--DO I SOUND LIKE A MISSIONARY YET!?!)
I finished my 2nd big journal. :) I LOVE MY MISSION JOURNALS!! It's so great to go back through and read my first one and see how little I was! But I haven't lost my personality I don't think... But you'll have to be the judge on that one when I get home. :)
I'm proud of Josh and Dad for completing their goal on having 100% home teaching at least every other month! That's great news!! :) I'm so proud to call you my family!! You're the greatest!
I figured that since Dad mentioned it, he wants to know about the letter I wrote to Shaylee. I basically asked her questions. It's nothing personal, just trying to get to know the girl. :) Mostly like, 10 questions, I think. I don't even remember. Hopefully she rewrites the question and responds so I know what she's talking about... :)
Well anywho, thanks for supporting me. I miss you and love you a lot even though I can't say I think about you that often.
Also, a retraction is necessary about the reception of my mail: send it to the office. I'll get it someday.
I LOVE YOU!!
-Hermana Erickson
Staying in Cidra!
This was a successful last week with Hermana Archila; we taught a TON of people and I felt like we accomplished a lot. I'm exited about transfers and staying in Cidra for another 12 weeks. I am also very, very humbled to know I get another shot at training and can't wait to meet my new comp! :) I hope I can live up to her expectations. BABY #5!! Woot woot! Hermana Archila will be going to Antigua!! SPEAKING ENGLISH! I'm such a proud mother!! :) She's going to rock it. She speaks English very well even though she doesn't believe me when I tell her.
On Thursday, the President's wife came to Cidra to work with us and that was a lot of fun.
A__ L__ informed us this past week that his sister (who has been bed-ridden for the past two years) has breast cancer. A__ L__ is already pretty depressed as it is since he's the only one who really takes care of her and so the fact that he will lose her makes him even more distraught. It's really sad to see him suffer, especially because M__ (his sister) doesn't want to fight it or anything. I'm really worried about him but I know that whatever happens, the Lord will provide.
An investigator we met a week or so ago is really interested in the Book of Mormon. His name is J__ and he came to Church yesterday for the first time. After Church he was reading the Book of Mormon and got to the part in Nephi when it refers to a "great and abominable church," and he asked about that, thinking it referred to a specific church, but we told him it referred to all the churches that are not the Church of God. It's cool to watch people read the Book of Mormon and develop a testimony of its truthfulness.
W__, another investigator, just has to give up drinking coffee in order to be baptized. He knows the Church is true and loves it a lot. He wants to keep all the commandments and is excited to be making this step in his life. It's been a blessing for Hermana Archila and I being able to teach him. We watched The Testaments last night and all cried because the Spirit was strong. I love that movie!! And I just love the Book of Mormon!!
G__ is doing really well. He's the most recent convert, and it's been absolutely INCREDIBLE seeing the changes in him! He's SO much happier nowadays, and it was amazing because he mentioned that after living in Puerto Rico for 45 years, he's finally learning Spanish! And it's because he has the Gift of the Holy Ghost! It was really cool to see a spiritual gift in action in someone else. It strengthened my testimony a lot, and his. He's learning so so much. His wife, who would always leave and go into the back room whenever we'd come, was actually present the last time we went and listened, so hopefully her heart will soften and will be open to listening to the lessons soon. She's such a sweet lady and reminds me of Grandma Farley a lot.
Well anyway, that's really all I have to say. I'm excited to be training again. I do love training and feel like there really is nothing else I'd rather do. I'm thankful the Lord knows that, even though I'm not perfect at it. Rumor has it that I'll be training a GRINGA! So I hope so, because I feel like having someone that doesn't know the language will compel me to work even harder and be better. And there are so many things I need to change about myself that are difficult to identify with a Latina companion; the cultural barrier makes it hard. But we'll see what happens! :) I'm just happy to be staying here!! I can't get enough of this great weather!
I'm going to be lame and not reply to your email this week because I'm out of time.
Tori, I hope you had a good birthday.
I LOVE YOU!
-Hermana Erickson
Dear family!!
It's been a good week! In my personal studies, I've been learning about commitment and faithfulness to our covenants. It's been a really great spiritual experience for me and I've loved reading all the books I've read so far! I've read more than 15 books in the past ten months!! NERD!! :) (And proud of it!) It's cool to be a bookworm.
We are excited about our investigator, W__, because he's progressing rapidly. His baptismal date is for next Sunday, but he couldn't make it to Church yesterday so I doubt that if I get transferred this next week I'll be seeing his ordinance. But oh well, I'm happy to know that I got to teach him! He's super cool.
G__ received the Holy Ghost yesterday and it was really great. He mentions an "inner peace" a lot and I love how he can recognize the peace that has come to his life because of the covenants he's made with God. This gospel is amazing! It changes lives!!
O__, our landlord (and the Baptist pastor), came to Church yesterday. I don't know how much he liked it because he had to leave after church, so we didn't get to talk to him. But I know the members liked having him there! They felt pretty important having a pastor there. (Even though they already have one, V__ F__ used to be one until he converted.)
So I got an interesting phone call last Monday. David Low's mom called me! She had called the office asking for my address, but the ladies in the office just gave her my number. It was nice talking to her for a minute. They sent me a Zwahlen's package! With caramel apples!! It was SO yummy! Hermana Archila said it was the best apple she'd had in her whole life. They're such great people!! :) I'm blessed to know so many kind human beings.
I had a funny/spiritual experience this past week in one of our lessons. We were teaching a guy named J__ in the basketball court and we were reading a few scriptures. I asked Hermana Archila to turn to one in advance, Jacob 2:18. She thought I'd said Jacob 2:28, so when she read it out loud, it wasn't the one I'd thought of reading, obviously. But the crazy thing is, it went perfectly with what we were teaching, and even better than the one I'd initially thought of. It just goes to show you that – 1. God has our back even when we don't think we need Him to and – 2. THE BOOK OF MORMON IS TRUE AND IS APPLICABLE TO OUR LIVES IN EVERY SITUATION! I already knew that, but it was just a cool reconfirmation. I laughed when Hermana Archila was reading the scripture because I knew it wasn't a coincidence. When I told her after, it made sense. I LOVE THIS WORK and I LOVE THE SCRIPTURES! :)
Okay anyway. I'll reply real quick to your email; it sounds like you all had an eventful week!
I still haven't gotten around to writing the ward back. But I will probably do that when I get home today if I have time.
I'm excited to hear that you guys found a lot of names to do genealogy work for. That's really awesome! I can't wait to do that when I get back; I feel like there's so much work to do! It's exciting! Save some work for me!
I had interviews with President Smartt this week; it went well. I've decided I'm not coming home early. So if there are any special events in the near future, postpone them until the 2nd week of September, please!!
Annie W and Jacob C's wedding invitation is beautiful! I'm so happy for them!! It's exciting to see people who knew each other in High School get married!!:) I always knew they'd work out!
Well anyway, I love you all, but I'm out of time. No pictures to send this week, so sorry. I'll let you know where I'm going next Monday! (If I'm going anywhere new at all!)
Oh, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, TORI WARE! (on Friday!)
I LOVE EVERYONE!!!!
-Hermana Erickson
