Happy Easter

Hola Family!

How are you all doing? Did you have a great Easter? I love passing holidays as a missionary. Its a pretty unique experience to forget about all the material aspects of holidays and focus on the most important things. It was probably my favorite Easter Sunday yet! (Except for that one Easter when we saw bunny foot prints in our house and I really was convinced that that Easter bunny was real haharemember?)

Anyways, let me tell you a little bit about Easter in Chile. Its basically a week of holidays (Semana Santa or Holy Week) Its starts on Friday, no one has school or work for the whole weekend, On Friday, no one one eats red meat, the typical catholic traditions that exist in the US, but here they are just a lot more strict about it. But the whole city smelt like fried fish... mmmm so delicious. haha On Friday,Hermana Garcia and and gathered all the young men and women in our branch and they helped us give out free pictures of Jesus (of the resurrection and the garden of Gethsemane) It was fun to have all the youth working together. We were able to talk with Lots of people and families. In the evening, as we were finishing up our contacts, we heard erie singing coming from around the corner, it soundedlike ghosts. It was a Catholic march of about 2 hundred people. they were holding up a cross and two torches and they Priest and all of the follower were chanting. It was so interesting to see.

Saturday is also a day off, but it doesn't really have any meaning, basically everyone goes to the beach ahah. But No body is in the streets and all of the stores are closed. Sunday was a great day, we went to church and listened to beautiful messages about the savior. Then we went to eat lunch with Karen and Nicolas and Alex ( a recent convert) it was so fun. I love them so much. Karen and Nicolas have recently rescued two pets, one a kitten that is so small it fits in one hand and it cant even stand. I bottle fed it yesterday is was so cute. And also a little puppy that they found in the street that is pretty badly injured. They are so great. I cant wait for you to meet them because they are just my favorite :) Sunday in the evening, we were walking down the street and we heard LOUD music and chanting. We turned the corner and there was a HUGE group of people with a giant stuffed man/scarecrow type thing in the center. We asked what was going on and it turns out it was a Judas burning. haha Its sad to me that almost all the traditions and holidays here are focused of the death, betrayal and Crucifixion of Christ. Its like an obsession. Men, woman and children were shouting and just so happy to see this imaginary Judas go up in flames. I am grateful for the restored gospel that celebrates the resurrection of Christ every weekend and that celebrates a Living Christ!

Hmm more about Hermana Garcia, my awesome companion (i have just been blessed with the BEST companions) She was a DJ before the mission and was studying Civil engineering. I'm pretty sure that she is from a pretty wealthy family in Panama. She brought two GIANT, and I mean GIANT suitcases full of CLOTHES, haha I think she has like 30 skirts. I am helping her learn English because it is her dream to go to BYU and find her self a gringo husband. haha She has been struggling with the hills and steep slopes here in Valparaiso. haha poor girl. I attached a photo of a typical set of stair cases that we have to climb each day. Most of the streets are at a 45 degree angle. I have lots about 6 pounds here in Valpo. Pretty cool huh? haha

Anyways, it has been just a great week. Remember Pricilla, the woman whose car we pushed? Yeah well she is amazing. She is just so so prepared for the restored gospel. I love her! Also, Irma didn't pass her baptismal interview because she has some pretty big doubts about tithing, but we hope to help her understand the principles. Also, we are working to prepare Fernanda a 10 year old girl for her baptism. She finally received permission from her mom who isn't a member to be baptized.

I love you all! I hope you have just a great week!

Hermana Royal