Letter #19: May 28, 2012

Hello Family!


Things are good here. Today is sunny, but the past three days it´s been non-stop rainy and cold! It gets soooo freezing here in the night!! Our houses aren´t heated and the humidity makes it impossible to be warm. One of the members gave me some long sleeve turtle-neck sweaters, which are huge and not cute, but I don´t care because it gets so cold. This is just the beginning too. Ha! Ha!  Oh well, I just need to buy some warmer clothes. 


So this week was really good, but also sad and kind of hard...

Good news first! We had a baptism on Saturday for Hellen! Woot.  It was really cool to see her get baptized! She seemed really happy and the spirit was really strong at the service. Another good thing that happened was that we placed two more baptismal dates! This lady named May and her daughter, Carla. I was the one to ask them to get baptized too, so that was cool :)  Now for the bad news... We lost two investigators.. Remember the lady I told you about while we were skype-ing, how her daughter prayed and was like "oh señor, te gracias señor, oh señor, señor, señor, señor!" Well anyway, their names are Elia and Onetta. So we were teaching Onetta (the daughter) the restoration and it was going really well. the spirit was really strong and she was understanding everything... but then Elia came home.  She´s kind of crazy... and she started going off about how the bible talks about false prophets and blah blah and then Onetta said she didn´t want to be more confused with religion and agreed with her mom. They haven´t been reading the Book of Mormon.  It kind of turned into an argument a little.  Not really, but the mom is just nuts.  We were super nice and humble and explained that we weren´t trying to change their religion, just teach them and invite them to come unto Christ, but they refused.  She asked us not to come back anymore... Bleh.... and then after that on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday we could not place any appointments and no one was home when we´d go to their houses... it was frustrating....but oh well.. Hopefully, we have more luck this week... Also on the bad news side, the glue on my retainer fell off... So I have a loose wire again and my tooth is already starting to turn... I might need braces again when I get home... 

Oh, while we were eating lunch one day this week this lady just pulled down her shirt and started nursing her baby!! I think I may have made a face, but no one else was even phased by it... Ha! Ha! Welcome to Latin America.

Also, I´ve forgotten to tell you about the earthquakes! We´ve had three so far! They are really small and everything just shakes for a bit and then they´re over. There was supposed to be a huge one last Sunday at 10 pm, but it never came.  I guess earthquake predictions like that are really common. They predict them and they never come. Well that´s it for this week! Hopefully this week is better... I love you all and I miss you a lot sometimes!!

Love, Hermana Hermansen

P.S. Tell Bailey HAPPY BIRTHDAY for me tomorrow!! I sent her a card, but it will take about two weeks for it to get there.

Letter #18: May 21, 2012

Hey Family!!! (Why didn´t anyone write me this week? No biggie.)

So this week was kind of crazy!

We had interviews with the mission president and his wife. It was good to sit down and talk with him! He is a really cool guy and you can tell just being with him that he is called of God. His wife is super sweet too! I’m a little sad that I only get one month with him.  We also had our district meeting in Lingua (another area of our zone, it was about an hour bus ride) this week. It was super pretty there!!  While we were on the bus this man sitting next to me saw my bible and starting asking about it. Turns out he speaks English! Ha! He taught English classes for a long time, but didn´t get paid enough so now he´s working with some business. He was super friendly! He was asking me all sorts of questions about our church and being a missionary and stuff. He was some other religion, which I can´t remember, but has talked to missionaries before a lot. I wanted to ask if we could come to his house and teach him, but I´m still learning the ways of being a missionary and thought my companion would ask him. She didn´t and I really regret not saying anything... I hope we run into him again someday...

While we were in Lingua, we were at the chapel and this crazy guy came in asking for money. You could tell he was really poor… and crazy... It was sad. When we told him we didn´t have anything he asked if he
could at least kiss our bibles... so he did. Ha! Just my companion’s though... Ha! Ha! And it was actually the triple combination.... poor guy. Also we had interchanges this week. I went to Villa Alemana and was
with Hermana Ortega´s companion, Hermana Demille, for the day. It was really different being with a North American... I learned a lot though!

Hermana Ortega is from a town called Taylor, which is close to Ogden. It´s a really tiny town and from the sounds of it, it´s pretty spread out and kind of country-ish.  Guess what!! We have a baptism this Saturday!!! Woot. Her name is Hellen and she is 16. She´s the bishop´s niece and has been living with to go to school. She is super cute and I´m way excited for her!!! My companion had been teaching her for a couple weeks before I got here and we´ve been teaching her since I came. She´s way ready to be
baptized! I can´t wait!! That is it for a while, I believe!!! Thanks so much for everything!! I was an idiot for sending all my clothes home from the MTC... I´m really wishing I had them now but it´s fine! I´m making due. I love you all A LOT!!! I miss you a lot sometimes and pray for you every day. I´m learning and lot and still trying to figure out missionary life. It´s a challenge sometimes, but I love it!!

Have a great week!!!

Love, Hermana Hermansen

P.S. I can´t figure out how to send pictures.  I think I need a cord from home. Look in my room for a cord to plug my camera into a computer, if you have time... I´ll keep trying though!

Letter #17: May 14, 2012 (first e-mail from Chile)

Mama,

It was fun to talk to you and everyone yesterday!!! I´m glad I was able to do that right after getting here so I could just tell you all about everything instead of writing it down. Writing letters takes sooo long. Ha! Ha! I couldn´t see anyone clearly at all, but it was still fun!! Could you get on my Facebook again and add ´Carlos Villalobos´? He is the ward mission leader here and we work with him a lot. He´s super funny!! He wanted to see me sing in General Conference and I told him it was on my FB so he added me.  Anyway, if you could send me a package next week by the 26th that would be SUPER great and MUCH appreciated!!!! You are so great!!

I also would like recipes!!! (We don´t have an oven so I want recipes for things like no bake cookies, muddy buddies, and other treats that are super American) J  My companion and the girls that I live with are going to make an exchange!  Ha! Ha!  They are going to teach me how to cook their food and I will teach them how to cook my food. J 

I have heard from both Taylor and Spencer. We e-mail every week. They are both doing really well!!!! :)  I´m just about out of time so I will take pictures and send them next week!!!  I’m super happy to be here!!! I love it!! You would love it too!! The people are soooooo friendly!!! Seeing the people interact makes me miss you because they are so loving and they remind me of you, in that way.  It makes me wish that I could interact with my loving mommy.  Ha! Ha!  If you and dad don´t come pick me up (which I am totally not planning on) we should come here on a vacation the summer after I get home!!!)

Thank you so much for everything!! You are the best!!!!!!

I love you mucho!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Love,
Hermana Hermansen

P.S. Could you get me the following addresses if possible: Tiffany Weber (Weber house), Alyssa Benson (Benson house), Colton Hanks (house), and Colton Henderson. Thanks!!

Highlights from our Skype Session

·        Hermana Hermansen arrived in Chile on Tuesday, May 8.  She wasn't able to sleep very much on the plane, so she had a lot of jet-lag.  

·        President and Hermana Gillespie took many pictures and updated the mission blog with all of the new missionaries coming into the field.

·        Hermana Hermansen has a new companion and trainer.  Her name is Hermana Flores, she is from Argentina, she speaks very little English, and she has been on her mission for just over 3 months. 

·        Hermana Flores is absolutely darling and told us that our sweet Hermana Hermansen is so beautiful!

·        Both Hermanas tried to call their families via Skype, but Hermana Flores’ family had a hard time Skype-ing, so they just talked on the phone.  They were able to use a member’s Internet and computer.  The member that was so gracious is Dangella Gonzalez del Pino and she lived in Utah County for about 6 years before moving back to Chile. She has 2 small children, who are both so adorable!! 

·        Hermana Hermansen lives in an apartment with her companion and one other companionship.  One Hermana is from Mexico and she speaks very little English.  The other Hermana is from Chile and she speaks some English (better English than Hermana Hermansen’s Spanish).  Hermana Hermansen will hopefully learn the language faster since she is living with all native Spanish speakers.

·        Hermana Hermansen has loved the food since they arrived.  They eat avocado with almost every meal!  She has already tried empanadas and LOVED them.  She also mentioned that Chileans love mayonnaise!  They even put mayo on potatoes.

·        Many people in Chile are fascinated by Hermana Hermansen’s bright blue eyes and curly blonde hair.  She frequently gets asked where she is from. 

·        Hermana Hermansen helped teach her first lesson only 2 days after she landed in Chile.  The lesson was supposed to last 20 minutes, but the investigator had so many questions, that they talked for almost 2 hours about the restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 

·        Hermana Hermansen was asked by the bishop in their ward to bare her testimony in Spanish the first Sunday that she visited.  She was nervous, but all went well! 

·        Hermana Hermansen looked so happy to finally be in Chile!  She is excited to serve the Lord and do his work among the people of Chile!!!

Letter #16: May 6, 2012

Dear Rachel,

Hola, mi hermana! How's life?  Sorry I haven't written for awhile...It's been crazy this week getting everything ready to go.  But I wanted to write you one last time from the States because I will probably just stick to sending a group e-mail once I get to Chile.  I leave so soon!!  Can you believe that? And can you believe that I've used a community bathroom and lived at the MTC for 2 months?!?! Ha! Ha!  That one is weird for me to think about. So, anyway, let me respond to your letters and then I will tell you of my missionary tales. :)

We will be able to phone for Mother's Day.  If I was still in the MTC during el dia de madres, I definitely wouldn't be able to, but since I'll be in the field, I'm pretty sure I can. :)  I've seen Ruby Spencer before.  I saw her at our ward Christmas party.  I like the name Ruby!  Maybe you and Brett could get some kids a cookin' during next year's summer and then when I get home, they'll be just about ready to pop out!!  Eh?  Eh? Oh, by the way, I'm glad Rachel J./F. graduated.  Tell her congrats for me!

So, sometimes I think how much easier life would be if I'd just stayed home instead of coming on a mission.  It's one of those things that you cannot, in any way, understand until you experience it for yourself (going on a mission that is).  Being on a mission is a constant, ongoing endeavor.  You NEVER get a break.  Even P-day is crazy because you have to do laundry and write letters and there is never enough time.  The thought sometimes crosses my mind that "I don't have to be here".  But it is what I NEED! :)  I know that I am here for a reason (several actually) and I'm learning and growing so much!  I love this experience and I love being a missionary!!  It will help me sooooooo much in life once I've accomplished my mission.  Plus, I am having a lot of fun, it gets really hard sometimes.  It's the highest of highs and the lowest of lows.

Anyway, I did get your package!!  Thanks you so much!!  It was AWESOME!!! :)  The pic idea is fine, I guess.  I will probably try to e-mail pics once I'm in the field, though.  I'm a little weary to send my memory card in case it got lost and also when I get home from my mission, all of my pics will be out of order...maybe we could just try e-mailing pics first and if you don't like it, then we can do the memory card exchange.

When is your Ragnar race?  Are you getting pumped and training hard? How far do you have to run?  I MISS RUNNING!!!  Well, Rachie-Pants, I need to get packing!!  I'm sending mom a letter on Monday, so tell her not to freak out if you get this before she gets hers.

I LOVE YOU SO MUCH, RACHEL!!! I miss you a lot and I love how much you write me!  You probably write the most. :)  You and mom that is.  Thank you for being an awesome big sister and setting a good example for me!  Keep an eye out for Bailey for me!!  Cody tells me that Austin is doing scouts!!  That is so awesome!  Little by little, I know they will become converted to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. :) Just keep being a good influence and example for them!

I know that this is Christ's true church restored to the earth!!!  I know that He is my Savior and Redeemer!  I love the Lord with all my heart.  I love this gospel, too!!  I'm so grateful for this opportunity to serve. :)  Always remember Him, follow the promptings of the Holy Spirit, devour the scriptures, and pray with all your heart!  I LOVE YOU!!!

Love,
Hermana Hermansen

P.S.  Wish me luck in Chile!!!

Letter #15: May 6, 2012

Dearest Mama and Papa,

Well, this is it.  My last letter written from the states...I'm not exactly sure how I'm feeling right now...I'm WAY ready to leave the MTC, but I'm pretty nervous for Chile.  Mostly just because of the language, but new things are always scary.  I've also been super stressed with packing.  I'm sending A LOT of stuff home, but you already know all about this since I will be able to call you from the airport tomorrow.  My bags are RIGHT exactly where they have to be weight wise.  I'm super nervous they are going to be over and then I'll have to pay a ton of money.  I'm trying to avoid that so I've packed and re-packed like 3 times and I probably will again 2 more times.  Ugh!  It's just stressful.  But, I'm happy I get to talk to you tomorrow!

Being a missionary is super great!!  It is also really hard at times, too.  I'm not exactly sure why though...I'll let you know when I figure that one out. :)  How are things back home?  Is it weird that I've already been gone for two months?!?!  It's weird for me to thin about...it time going by fast or slow for you both, with me gone?  Or is it normal speed?  I'm excited for a change.  Everyday is a new challenge and a new adventure.  I am learning and growing so much!!  But I'm still the same me. :)

The gospel is really cool!!  It hurts my brain to think about sometimes how great it really is...but for us, in this life, it's simple.  Follow Jesus Christ and receive eternal life.  Bam!  Ha! Ha! Ok. Ok.  So it's not that easy, but it is that simple. :)

Thank you for the package, mom!!  It was great!  You are very good at picking out things that I like!  With all of the packages you have sent. :)  And thanks for the stamps, dad!!!  They were VERY helpful! :)  That's way cool about Cody Peterson!!  Has he said anything else?  Like has he put his papers in or have his call yet or anything?  He's from Hurricane and I met him through Courtney while I was going to SUU.  We would all go snowboarding together!  He's a way nice kid and I'm really glad that he's finally going to go on a mission!  I asked him about doing it last year, but he didn't seem too interested...If you ever FB chat with him again, you can tell him that I'm SUPER happy for him and it will be the best decision he'll ever make!!

I need to get to bed now, but I love you both very much!!  I am so grateful for this opportunity I have to serve!  It's going by fast and I kind of hope it continues to...Ha! Ha!  Because it's hard...But I love it!!!  Thank you for taking care of me and providing for me!!!  You are the best!!!

I know that my Savior lives and that He is always there for me.  I that He is always there for you, too!!  Stay close to the Spirit and ALWAYS follow His promptings!!  Remember that you affect those around you and as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, you are representing Him.  Look for people who need the gospel in their lives and never be afraid to invite them to come unto Christ!!  I love you both so so much!!!  You're in my thoughts and prayers, always!  Thank you again for everything and wish me luck in Chile!!!

Love,
Hermana Hermansen

First Pics from Chile

Hermana Hermansen with President and Hermana Gillespie

Hermana Ortega, Hermana Hermansen, and Hermana Sargent 

being picked up at the airport

Picking up the Elders from the MTC in Chile

Hermana Hermansen meeting her trainer, Hermana Flores

All of the new missionaries!

All of the new missionaries with their trainers!  

Hermana Hermansen's companion is from Argentina.  

We were able to speak to her briefly while Skype-ing 

on Mother's Day and she is absolutely darling!!  

We know Hermana Flores will take great care 

of her daughter (our sweet Hermana Hermansen)!!!

Letter #14: April 23, 2012

Dear Mama,

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

Dear mother you are so beautiful!!!  And...it's your birthday!!  (Well, technically it's your birthday tomorrow, but I'm guessing you will get this tomorrow, which is now today for you, therefore it's your birthday!  Get it? Ha!)

I hope you have a wonderful, fantastic, terrific, great, super duper, bakan (Spanish word for "cool") extremely awesome, stupendous BIRTHDAY!!!!!!  I love you!  I love as deep as the sea, as blue as the sky, as green as the grass, as high as the sky, as big as the universe, as much as the starts and the sands, and as long as forever! :)

I wish I had some sort of cool gift to send you, but I only have money from you and that seems somewhat counter productive....but, Rachie told me what they got you and it sounds awesome!!  So, I wrote you a poem instead!  Here it goes:

My mother, I love you.
My mother, you're great.
I love you because you're my mother
And you love me even when I break a plate.

You always make me smile,
You always make me laugh.
You're always there to listen,
And you tell me when I need to take a bath
(Get it?  Because I stink sometimes and you tell me. Ha! Ha!)

You love to act silly with me
You go along with my jokes.
You're the first to hug me better,
When i get hurt by my bike spokes.

Even though we're far away, I think of you everyday
(Although at the dentist, you I've been able to see)
I'll like you forever, I'll love you for always
As long as you love me, my mama you'll be!

Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! I hope you enjoyed that!

Anyway, I love you lots and I hope you have a great birthday!!  Thanks for all you do for me!  You are THE BEST mother in the world!!! En serio (seriously) I love you!!!

Love,
Hermana Hermansen

Letter #13: April 21, 2012

Dearest Mother,

Thank you for your letters and the suitcase!!  You are amazing!  All of the skirts will be fantastic!!  The blue one is my favorite, it's super cute.  I have some to send home, too.  You are such a cute mommy!

Sorry I have a hard time thinking what to write right now.  I'm not very good at speaking Spanish, but because I'm trying so hard and focusing so much on it, I have a hard time speaking and writing in English now.  It gets super confusing...

You've probably notices my spelling and grammar going downhill over the past (almost) two months.  Isn't it weird that I've been gone that long???  It's weird for me to think about...

I miss the simple and mundane things from normal life like being able to sit outside in the hammock on sunny days, watching chick flicks with you, going for drives, and being able to just think...things like that.  It's all good though!  I will be able to do those things for the rest of my life starting in 17 months. :)

You said in a letter once that you wish you would have gone on a mission.  Did you ever seriously consider going when you were old enough?

I'm grateful every single day that I'm out here!!  It's super hard and frustrating sometimes, but it's really fun and awesome, too!  Time is already going by really fast and at the same time, it feels like I'll be here forever! Ha! Ha!

Anyway, thank you for making it possible for me to be here!  Thank you for being supportive and loving, too!  I could not be here without you and dad!!  This experience is truly incredible and it's only just begun.  I'm learning thins in such a concentrated way.  It would take a person 5x as long to learn the things I'm learning.  I never thought serving a mission would be so crucial in life lessons, but it totally is.  I never fully understood until I got here.

I am having lots of fun, too, though!  It really is the best of times and the worst of times.  Such an emotional, spiritual, and physical roller-coaster.  I think I said something like that after the first week, but it keeps proving true everyday.

Anyway, I made a final list of all the things and I need and a list of thins I will be needing to send home. I love you, I love you, I love you!!!  I'm getting nervous to get to the field (aka Chile), but I'm also getting very excited!!

How is the time going by with me gone?  Slow?  Fast?  Medium?  It's going bay fast as I look back on it, but slow as I'm living it...Ha! Ha! We are getting new schedules tomorrow, so my p-day is on Thursdays now.  It will be weird to have a new schedule, but a change will be nice I guess.

I love you, you're great, don't forget me, eat chocolate in my honor, spread the gospel whenever you can, bear testimony at every chance, smile, and remember that laughter is a tiny vacation.

Love,
Hermana Hermansen