It got to 100
degrees this week. 100 Texas degrees. And you know what? I still love it. It's
like sitting in a hot tub. All the time. While wearing a backpack. It really is
not as bad as everyone said it would be. I haven't figured out yet if humidity
comes from the air or if the air becomes humid after I begin profusely
sweating, but I LOVE how soft my skin is getting. People STILL try to get me
worried by saying it only gets worse because at least right now we always have
a nice breeze. Debbie Downers.
So Here are some highlights from the week:
1. We got a referral for a guy
named Rodolfo. When we called him, he asked us to meet him at his restaurant
Taqueria Arandas during his break to share our message so he could figure out
if he wants to hear more. When we got there, he looked around for a minute
trying to find a quiet place, and then decided to lead us to the very back of
the bar section of the restaurant. There, with the black lights making his eyes
glow and suave Latino guitars crooning in the background, we taught him the
Restoration of the gospel. And taught him how to give his first prayer. And I'm
not even legally allowed in bars because I'm only 20! But the gospel will go
forward! And all those who have been prepared are seeking it out from us, even
in their 20 minute breaks in the back of their bars.
2. Mom, I just want to thank you for all those years of
music lessons. As soon as this ward found out I could play the piano, I am so
useful to them. It has actually really helped us build more positive
relationships with the members. Also, my voice is pretty run-of-the-mill in
Utah, but man oh man how they love me here. They put me in the middle of the
ward choir, and tell everyone to listen to me, and when we are at lessons
certain families ask me to sing a hymn or a primary song to their kids. I just
think the whole thing is really funny. If only they knew what wonders there are
in the talent-headquarters of Utah.3. We helped the members with a car wash/Carne Asada sale on Saturday morning. Oh MAN was it fun. It started to get really busy, so hermana Villanueva and I jumped in to the taco assembly line. I threw on the cilantro and onions. When I mentioned a few weeks ago that they definitely don't mind getting their hands all over the food, I meant it. We just crammed everything into their little tortillas and handed it to them and everyone ate so happily. My fingers still smell like cilantro and onions, which surprisingly is a really good thing. These tacos were the tacos that we had in Tijuana...little tortillas, amazing chunks of meat, salsa, cilantro, diced onions, avocado, etc. They started calling me "Futura taqueria" (future...taqueria) and complimenting me on how fast I could throw those onions and cilantro on there. The men would say something nice and the women would say (in Spanish) "Well yeah, why do you think we hired her?" I was just really happy that they accepted this tall skinny white girl in their kitchen line-up. that's how you know Hispanics accept you--when they let you help prepare their food.
These past 4 weeks have seemed
pretty long, yet very short. All the days run together. I hope I can become a
good missionary someday, and feel like I know a little bit about what is going
on around me and what my role is here. Everyday I receive a little bit more.
Truly Heavenly Father teaches line upon line, precept upon precept. I will
continue learning until the day I die, so I'm grateful that I am a slow
learner. Here's to a long life!
No comments:
Post a Comment