Hola Familia! So I bring good tightings of new beginnings and happy news this week!

First off I we had transfers on Tuesday! I am still here in Concepcion with a new companion.  She's actually one of my best friends in the mission and when they told me I was so excited. She's from Honduras and I love her! She speaks really differently, and uses lots of different words. I sometimes wonder how she understood anyone when she got here because it's so different. If I finish my mission with her I will speak like a Honduranian and say things in vos. They call Honduranians catrachas so she is my catracha. She seems to have all the strengths for my weaknesses. And she is hilarious because she is very direct. She definitely doesn't let people walk all over her.  We have already decided that I am going to visit her when she gets home. Her home sounds beautiful, it's hot (and we are freezing) and there are Mayan ruins there. She has taught me a lot about the Book of Mormon from actual central American history. Anyone else want to go?

This is my companion! I love her she is my favorite catracha!

Saying goodbye to my other companion always sad.

When I said we are freezing I meant it. It hailed this week. And its been raining a bit too so sometimes we are wet. My poor companion came from the jungle and is freezing. But we just bundle up and have seen so many miracles.

It was hailing outside yesterday and she was freaking out because that never happens where she is from.

We have had such a busy week. Everyone was working so hard because we had a special ward conference Sunday. They had it in a local place near the plaza because they were trying to make it a big deal and if that was the case not everyone would fit in the little casa capilla. All the members were out in the streets with us Saturday inviting everyone to it. The conference went amazing! We had a total of 180 people there! The stake members spoke and at the end made a huge announcement! They have bought the land to build our church here in Concepcion! It's huge too! The third hour of the meetings we all went to look at it and had a little program there. We all sang the Spirit of God and some of the families that first joined the church and started it all here 30 years ago bore their testimonies. The Spirit was really strong, and their was definitely lots of excitement. Even though I won't be here to see the church finished it meant a lot to me. The church is growing, and the Spirit of God like a fire is really burning.

We were helping this man sort the sticks and leaves out of his abbas. He uses this tequnique  that only works if their is wind.

This is my favorite recent convert. 10 years old, only member in her family, lives 20 minute drive from church and travels alone to be there every week! Future missionary for sure.

This is a less active member that we have been reactivating! Shes came to church twice after many years of not coming. I really just took this picture because her baby girl Sofia is so cute. All women here carry their children on their backs like this. I was talking to her about how to do it and they told me I need to practice with a bag of stuff first and then I will be able to do it. They showed me how to tie the manta and everything. I guess I just need to practice. Watch me carry my babies around Walmart like that someday....just kidding.

My area is huge!

I learned a lot from studying about the relationship between our hearts and our understanding of the things of the Lord this week. Ezra prepared his heart to seek the law of the Lord and do it. In third Nephi after Christ had finished speaking he told the people to prepare themselves for the next day, and they must have done it because in the next chapter they were taught and baptized and received the Holy Ghost. In a latter verse it says that their hearts were open and they understood. I am thoroughly convinced that they understood because they had prepared to seek out what they were supposed to do and did it. It really is true that we only receive a testimony after the trial of our faith. I have seen this so many times in my mission. Those who decide to act and be obedient receive such great testimonies, as will we when we prepare ourselves to always do the will of the Lord.

Hope you all have a happy week! 

Hermana Rhoten 1