June 27- July 3
It’s been an amazing first week in a place I already love. Uruguay is beautiful! There are beautiful coastlines, warm and friendly people, and lots of activity in a fun, bustling city. It has been rainy and a bit cold because it is winter here, but we are all adjusting pretty well! It was so nice to arrive off the airplane and immediately see our new assistants and President and Hermana Escobar waiting for us. They had banners and lots of hands to help us bring out the 31 bags we brought with us and load it into a big van.
These missionaries are amazing! They are confident leaders and know how to keep things moving with the mission. We are being flooded with new information, learning all the missionaries names, figuring out all the zones, what challenges they have with the work here, and what we can do to help the missionaries to be successful and safe here as they serve. We did a leadership council with our zone leaders, assistants, and sister training leaders the first day and I was so amazed by the strength and testimony of these good missionaries. They are obedient and hard working. They have light in their countenances and they feel joy as they work with the Lord to bring others to Christ.
It’s the everyday little things that are kind of exciting in a new place. I love going to new countries and scoping out groceries stores. There is more here than I expected to find! Maybe I have a Beijing context, where I was so excited to find anything American, but I am surprised to find things like chia seeds, almond milk, ricotta cheese, home decor items, clothes hangers- simple things that I often couldn’t find in China. Jackson and Hallie went with me to see our new grocery treasures and particularly loved the yogurt and condiments sold in gushy plastic bags. The stores here have a fun feel and it is a cool mix of European and Latin America wrapped up in one. I love talking to people here and am adjusting to the accent that sounds like Spanish with an Italian accent. The good thing is that they still understand my simple Spanish even though I definitely speak more like a Mexican than a Uruguayan. I have to say though, it is super fun to be here! I already know I’m going to love this place.
The kids set up their rooms and so much was prepared for us so it was pretty easy to get up and running fast. Benjamin and Julia have a Panda Spider-Man room that definitely makes life more awesome. We pulled out a comfort food favorite and had roast and funeral potatoes for our first Sunday dinner together as a family in the mission home.
The highlight of the week was Saturday when Stu and I were able to attend a baptism service. It was held close to the mission home and was so neat to help us get a feel for the church community here. It was so powerful to be uplifted by their friendship and faith. Elder Roosa and Elder Lestina told us about Sofi and how much the gospel has answered her questions and helped her find hope and purpose. The Lord has prepared and guided her and I know even more blessings are in store for her.
The message of the gospel is that Christ is the way we follow to come to know God. His restored church has all the ordinances and power to I know that God is our Father and loves all of His children. He provided a Savior for us to rescue us from the pain and sadness of mortal life. We can all be clean and whole if we choose to obey. We are meant to learn and grow from the hard experiences around us. We are meant to rise above them as we make covenants that bind us to Him. That is the way to real contentment and peace in this life.