New Companion Hermana Rivera

Hermana Rivera and Hermana Royal

Sent: Mon, June 13, 2011 1:38:57 PM

Subject: Buenos Tardes!

Hola mis queridos!

Espero que todos son felices en los estados unidos! I sure am happy here in La Serena! Good news for you all... I LOVE my new companion Hermana Rivera! Haha We get along so well. haha its actually funny because we are extremely different, but I think she is going to make my list of favorite companions. haha I think we are going to be companions for a long time! and we both feel like the Lord has something special for us here in La Serena. And what is even better, we are both here to WORK! And trust me, we are working hard here! This week alone, 4 Investigators accepted a baptismal invitation! We are definitively seeing lots of miracles here during this change! Es tan Bakan! (a Chilean word for cool)...

I had a very special experience this week! I don't remember if i told you about a month and a half ago about an experience that I had, It was late in the night and we were walking towards the house of an investigator and a man on a bike was bothering us, following us and telling us how beautiful we were (The Chileans have an obsession with gringos). So I grabbed the hand of Hermana Jones and said we have to turn down this street, chao. So we pretended like we were supposed to be in this random street to get away from him, but after laughing with Hermana Jones about the experience, I felt VERY strongly that we were supposed to be in that street. The spirit was so strong that I couldn't hold back tears. We offered a quick prayer and started knocking on the doors. It is a small side street with about 10 houses and we knocked on every door, but only one woman answered. We took her direction, but she didn't show very much interest. We decided to try visiting a past investigator that lived in the street but the house was vacant with a for sale sign. I left the street feeling a little confused and unsatisfied because I felt SO strongly that we were supposed to be in the street. Over the next 5 or so weeks we passed by the woman's house, but she was never there. This week with Hermana Rivera, we passed by for the last time and the woman basically told us not to come back. I felt a little down-hearted, but I remember the vacant house and saw that there was a light in the window. Hermana Rivera and I decided to see if any one was home. Immediately, a man Angelo (about 25 years old) came out and started talking to us. We told him we were missionaries and he said he too was a member, but he hadnt been to church in about 7 years. We entered his house began teaching him and his girlfriend Gabriela. During the opening song, both me and Hermana Rivera felt the spirit confirm to us that they were the reason why a month ago, I felt so Strong about this street. We found out that they had moved into the house about 5 days ago. It was such a cool experience.

Oh also, this Sunday, there was a family at church from Arizona! They didn't speak a word of Spanishso it was very very fun to talk to them! They were visiting their grandma who is in our ward! They are from St. Johns Arizona or something like that. But the Dad took a photo of me with his Iphone and said he was going to send it to you! I hope you get it. It was kind of surprising/crazy to see how hard it was for me to speak in English with them. Really, I was struggling, my grammar was terrible and I think I had an occasional Spanish word slipped in there. Yesterday I turned 6 months in the Mission! One Year left! can you believe it? Also, The other night, my companion told me I was speaking in Spanish in my sleep. Pretty cool huh?

To answer some questions, my sector is probably the poorest part of La Serena. I am going to take a photo in front of a typical house for you to see. Most of the men here work in the mines in the North. Most people work 7 days in the mines and seven days in the house. Pero (but) many people work 14 for 14 also. Also, I haven't heard anything about a volcano... But I am about 7 hours away from Vina del mar, so maybe they are affected there. Also, I heard a missionary in Chile passed away this week. Is this true?

I can't believe that Amy has a calling in the primary! It is so perfect for her! I also can't believe Lisa is going to be an EFY councilor! So exciting! What else is new?

We have a conference this week with President Gillespe and all of the missionaries in the North. I am excited to learn.. and also to get mail haha I hope my package is here! I love you all so much!

Thanks for all your support and Love!

Hasta Luego!

Hermanita Royal