Hola everybody! I am now emailing from the beautiful Island of PUERTO RICO! And may I say. IT is absolutely beautiful. There are these beautiful rolling hills and mountains and the most wonderful sunsets you will ever see in your life. On this island, I am serving in this little farmy country town called Cabo Rojo where chickens and dogs and cats run around to their hearts content, and it POURS every day. (It's called aguacero). And everyone sits on their porches to enjoy the beautiful summer sun. I have only been here for 6 days and I already love this area with all my heart.
My first companion here in Puerto Rico is Hermana Davila. Basically, she's awesome. She has been out on her mission for 14 months and has been in this area for 6 months. She knows the members and the people in this town, so we are going to work really hard to let the Lord bless their lives. There are so many people who's hearts are being prepared.
When I first got to Puerto Rico we left SUPER early in the morning (like I woke up at 3:30 and only got a few hours of sleep), got to Puerto Rico, and met the President. Now, I don't think I told you all this, but we have a new President. Our original President's wife got sick, so he was released from his calling, and now we have a member of the 70 who is taking place of President until an official one can be called. He and his wife will arrive in July. But, our President right now is President Zwick. If that doesn't ring a bell, think of general conference. Now, think of that story about that man who's wife jumped out of the truck. Yup, that's my mission president. He is awesome. He has great plans for this mission. On Thursday we had an all mission meeting so the missionaries could meet the President and we could receive training. This is the first time that EVERY missionary in the whole San Juan Puerto Rico mission has come together. Ususally they have to break it up because they can't get the missionaries on the other islands to come because it's so far. But, they did it and we were united for one day.
There are so many great people here in Cabo Rojo. I have met a lot of people who's hearts are prepared to receive the gospel. I am learning a lot of Spanish every day. My companion is american so I have to make her speak to me in Spanish, but I get better and better every day.
I love you all. I can't wait to tell you all about the amazing experiences I have with these people. One miracle. There is a man who has been investigating the church for many many many years (we call them eternal investigators). His wife is a member and they have both been coming to church very regularly now. When we first went to their house to visit them, she just started to cry and tell us how she has been receiving many blessings since coming to church. One of them was that she was finally this week able to contact her son who she hadn't been able to find for 2 years. It was beautiful to hear the blessings that she has recieved just since she has been going to church. The gospel blesses lives. Church is SO important. When you follow the commandments from the Lord like keeping the Sabbath day holy, or going to church, you will see the blessings in your life. The Lord has promised us these blessings if we keep his commandments.
Keep up your strong testimonies. Remember how much the Lord loves you!
Love,
Hermana VanKammen
My first companion here in Puerto Rico is Hermana Davila. Basically, she's awesome. She has been out on her mission for 14 months and has been in this area for 6 months. She knows the members and the people in this town, so we are going to work really hard to let the Lord bless their lives. There are so many people who's hearts are being prepared.
When I first got to Puerto Rico we left SUPER early in the morning (like I woke up at 3:30 and only got a few hours of sleep), got to Puerto Rico, and met the President. Now, I don't think I told you all this, but we have a new President. Our original President's wife got sick, so he was released from his calling, and now we have a member of the 70 who is taking place of President until an official one can be called. He and his wife will arrive in July. But, our President right now is President Zwick. If that doesn't ring a bell, think of general conference. Now, think of that story about that man who's wife jumped out of the truck. Yup, that's my mission president. He is awesome. He has great plans for this mission. On Thursday we had an all mission meeting so the missionaries could meet the President and we could receive training. This is the first time that EVERY missionary in the whole San Juan Puerto Rico mission has come together. Ususally they have to break it up because they can't get the missionaries on the other islands to come because it's so far. But, they did it and we were united for one day.
There are so many great people here in Cabo Rojo. I have met a lot of people who's hearts are prepared to receive the gospel. I am learning a lot of Spanish every day. My companion is american so I have to make her speak to me in Spanish, but I get better and better every day.
I love you all. I can't wait to tell you all about the amazing experiences I have with these people. One miracle. There is a man who has been investigating the church for many many many years (we call them eternal investigators). His wife is a member and they have both been coming to church very regularly now. When we first went to their house to visit them, she just started to cry and tell us how she has been receiving many blessings since coming to church. One of them was that she was finally this week able to contact her son who she hadn't been able to find for 2 years. It was beautiful to hear the blessings that she has recieved just since she has been going to church. The gospel blesses lives. Church is SO important. When you follow the commandments from the Lord like keeping the Sabbath day holy, or going to church, you will see the blessings in your life. The Lord has promised us these blessings if we keep his commandments.
Keep up your strong testimonies. Remember how much the Lord loves you!
Love,
Hermana VanKammen