This week we found out that we have been living with a visitor!

This week I learned a whole lot. To be honest it was really tough emotionally. We lost 3 solid investigators who we have been preparing for baptism. For reasons that we aren't even very sure about, these people decided to tell us that they didn't want to continue with our lessons and the church in general. The first 2 were really rough and the 3rd one broke me. Those were people that I had spent many days with and poured my heart into teaching. I fought tears as we continued throughout our day. Other than those few rejections, it felt like we had a really hard time finding new investigators in general. Each person seemed to have some type of an excuse for why they didn't want to listen or why our commitments were too difficult. I was really shocked because so far in my mission we have been able to find the right people. Apparently, this situation was the case for the majority of my zone. It was really weird. Luckily, I have an amazing companion who told me not to worry! She said that we will continue to pray, listen to the spirit and move forward. No one can stop the work of the Lord! If anything, I am more motivated and determined than ever. I want to find the people prepared for us. I know they are there!! Yesterday after church, we finally found 3 new investigators and I feel so good about them. I think it is a sign that things are going to be okay!

Now on to the fun random things of the week! This week I got a new mattress!! The one that I had been sleeping on was awful. It had obviously been used by many people and the cushion was completely gone. I was sleeping on springs! I'm so grateful for the new mattresses that the office sent Hermana Perez and I. They are amazing!

One morning while we were studying we were visited by a missionary...a Jehovah's witness missionary. Boy was that something!! Luckily Hermana Mungea and Hermana Perez have experiences with Jehovah's Witnesses and they knew exactly what to say to this woman when she started to attack us. I was in awe. The Jehovah's Witness missionary went from 0-100 really fast! That's something that I really love about this work and our church, we never have a reason to be angry if the people don't accept us. There are tons of different religions in this world and we respect all of them!! Our inviation is simple...Listen, read and pray. We can't know this is true for you but you CAN know its true for yourself. That's exactly what we invited the Jehovahs Witness to do. It was a great learning experience for me.

Luckily, during the week I am usually able to forget the silly little things that I miss about home. However, when I am in a home and their music or TV is on, I am instantly reminded. Its awful! This week we were teaching parents of 2 little girls outside of their house. The girls were inside and they decided to turn on Disney Channel right as we began the lesson. Now I could hear everything and the minute that I heard the theme song to Girl Meets World, I lost it hahaha! No I dont have any shame in saying that I miss Girl Meets World...c'mon it's Cory and Topanga! It was an intersting experience to say the least and Shawn Hunter's voice is a lot different in Spanish.

This week we found out that we have been living with a visitor!When we returned to our apartment one night, I went into the kitchen and a baby rat scattered across our counter! We lost in until Friday night while we were sleeping. We heard something in the kitchen and Hermana Perez and I both ran to go catch it. We then watched as the rat escaped out the window! It had been living in a small space behind our fridge and could come in and out as it pleased through a part of our window. We now have it permanently blocked. No more little chef! haha (Ratitoulle reference.)

More random thoughts:)

Thank you for sending the acne Clearasil, eek...holy heck it works!!
My hair is so weird, everyone thinks that I dyed it blonde...no its the sun! Truth is I dyed it dark brown before I left on my mission, but it's still turning light again, ugh!
My patriarchal blessing is my life! I read it when I need to be reminded of why I'm here. It's incredibly inspiring!
My heart hurts thinking about Star Wars and how I'm going to be missing it.
I get to Skype on Christmas but apparently its like 45 minutes:( Ahhh...I really just want Christmas to be over because this is sooo hard for me...I want to be with family during this part of the year.
Oh and I'm bawling because of those pictures of the Dean Family's baptisms. I wish I could have been there, miracles are everywhere.
As far as exercise, I seriously just want to go for a run but I can't (not allowed). I loveee the workout DVDs so much! I already feel so much stronger but the problem is the calories of everything I eat here! 30 minutes of exercise is little when it comes to the food people give us. I seriously need my exercise though, it's when I think about home and my emotional weakness haha.
Things are sooo expensive here it's insane! I basically take the prices and double it to compare it to American dollars. Our money goes quick, especially right now.
Pleaseeee give Trevor a giant congrats for me! I am so glad he is staying with the family business, LOL, he is going to love working at the Blue Oaks Theater. I love hearing that all my old co-worker think we look alike hahaha...everyone here says it too! They are all going to absolutely love him! Now you can all go see Star Wars a million times and email me about it hahaha...
Sister qualls wrote me and I don't have enough time to reply. Please thank her for me...it was so good too!

Well thats my week! My time here has been and continues to be incredible. I know this is where I'm supposed to be. This church is true. God is our loving Heavenly Father. Our Savior Jesus Christ lives. The Book of Mormon is the Word of God. If you have doubts about anything, pray! You will receive your answer. I love you all more than words. You are always in my prayers.

I cant go through Christmas without something...hahaha the music is already happening! Thanksgiving doesn't exist!

Apparently missionaries don't normally have Christmas decorations in their apartments. that's just not okay with me! we are starting little by little...literally hahaha:)