Hermana Hemmingsen is officially back in the USA! No more CCM!! saying goodbye:
Saturday was chalk full of swee tmemories. We listed to our final lessons of Spanish which was terrifying because subjunctives make no sense, but I'll get it eventually. Then we hung out and took pictures (photo overload actually). we cleaned the comedor and then our favorite chef gave us ice cream because he loves us.
Elder Sok surprised us all with sparkling cider to celebrate the occasion. We received awards from each other, mine being "The mama photographer" Shocker? Haha.
Sunday night our district photo was projected on the screen, we bore our testimonies, and it was over. On to the real world to teach real people!
Since Sister Rupp is going to Houston we had to say goodbye Monday morning at 2am.. not really morning. It was so sad. She was an amazing companion and I will miss her so much (and I will miss her random dance offs with Hermana Marlowe)
I arrived in the humidity of McAllen. They aren't kidding when they say 100% humidity. I met President Maluenda. He is amazing and see a little bit of a similarity of my own father in him. I love him and his wife already.
OK. What you all have been waiting for.
INTRODUCING HERMANA STEVENSON
A Spanish speaking Samoan born in Hawaii, raised in St. George, Utah. When we met for the first time she gave me the biggest hug that it knocked the breath out of me (literally. Before her mission she was a fighter.. don't worry about my safety here! haha)
This is her last month in the mission and my first month. What a great match, right? Just wait, it gets so much better. SHE IS GLUTEN FREE just like me. And also dairy free (not like me). Companionship from heaven? Check.
We are serving in Port Isabel, better known as the arm pit of Texas because it is the most south part of Texas (and maybe the USA). We cover three towns, Port Isabel, Laguna Vista, and Laguna Heights. It is right next to the gulf; I literally wake up every morning and could walk out the door to the beach. South Padre Island is right across the bridge, however we aren't allowed over there unless we are invited (it's the party town.)
We have a total of 6 active families in our area; it's hard. There are a lot of less actives because there is no church in the area, you have to drive all the way to Los Fresnos or Brownsville. A ton of people don't have cars and there isn't enough members to get them to church.
We bike everywhere. Laguna Vista is 7 miles one way and we bike it I swear at the hottest time of the day. We work hard and Hermana Stevenson always looks for ways to keep the day filled with fun. Like every time some slams the door in our face we do the tortilla dance. Seriously, she's the greatest.
A little story to show that miracles are real:
Last night we were walking around in Laguna Heights. There was a whole family practically waiting for us to come and teach them. Sitting on their porch steps, we walked over to them and asked how their day was, introduced ourselves, and then asked their religion. The father, Pablo, said they didn't have a religion but that they were looking for one. (cue my jaw dropping to the ground) We talked about how the gospel blesses families and the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Then the moment came, Hermana Stevenson looked at me and I knew she wanted me to invite them to be baptized. I did my best in Spanish, and the father said YES! I looked at the wife and she said, "I'm sorry, I can't hear you." So Hermana Stevenson asked again, and she still didn't hear.
Practically yelling and waking up the whole neighborhood, Hermana Stevenson said WILL YOU FOLLOW THE EXAMPLE OF JESUS CHRIST AND BE BAPTIZED BY SOMEONE HOLDING THE AUTHORITY OF GOD?
And what did she say? "Donde?"
what!?! This is crazy. Pray for Pablo and Cuca and their family. They are my first investigators and I am so excited.
I love the mission. It is so hard, but so rewarding. I know that this church is true and that the gospel can bring the greatest joy to anyone who is willing to act.
Con mucho amor,
Hermana Hemmingsen
ps: SHOUT OUTS!
happy birhtday to my little sister, Kate! fiesta like theres no manana, babe.
One of MY BEST FRIENDS IS ENGAGED! Camille, I thought we agreed to wait till I got home for you to get hitched.
My new address is 506 Marina Dr. Apt. 3 Port Isabel, TX 78578
Saturday was chalk full of swee tmemories. We listed to our final lessons of Spanish which was terrifying because subjunctives make no sense, but I'll get it eventually. Then we hung out and took pictures (photo overload actually). we cleaned the comedor and then our favorite chef gave us ice cream because he loves us.
Elder Sok surprised us all with sparkling cider to celebrate the occasion. We received awards from each other, mine being "The mama photographer" Shocker? Haha.
Sunday night our district photo was projected on the screen, we bore our testimonies, and it was over. On to the real world to teach real people!
Since Sister Rupp is going to Houston we had to say goodbye Monday morning at 2am.. not really morning. It was so sad. She was an amazing companion and I will miss her so much (and I will miss her random dance offs with Hermana Marlowe)
I arrived in the humidity of McAllen. They aren't kidding when they say 100% humidity. I met President Maluenda. He is amazing and see a little bit of a similarity of my own father in him. I love him and his wife already.
OK. What you all have been waiting for.
INTRODUCING HERMANA STEVENSON
A Spanish speaking Samoan born in Hawaii, raised in St. George, Utah. When we met for the first time she gave me the biggest hug that it knocked the breath out of me (literally. Before her mission she was a fighter.. don't worry about my safety here! haha)
This is her last month in the mission and my first month. What a great match, right? Just wait, it gets so much better. SHE IS GLUTEN FREE just like me. And also dairy free (not like me). Companionship from heaven? Check.
We are serving in Port Isabel, better known as the arm pit of Texas because it is the most south part of Texas (and maybe the USA). We cover three towns, Port Isabel, Laguna Vista, and Laguna Heights. It is right next to the gulf; I literally wake up every morning and could walk out the door to the beach. South Padre Island is right across the bridge, however we aren't allowed over there unless we are invited (it's the party town.)
We have a total of 6 active families in our area; it's hard. There are a lot of less actives because there is no church in the area, you have to drive all the way to Los Fresnos or Brownsville. A ton of people don't have cars and there isn't enough members to get them to church.
We bike everywhere. Laguna Vista is 7 miles one way and we bike it I swear at the hottest time of the day. We work hard and Hermana Stevenson always looks for ways to keep the day filled with fun. Like every time some slams the door in our face we do the tortilla dance. Seriously, she's the greatest.
A little story to show that miracles are real:
Last night we were walking around in Laguna Heights. There was a whole family practically waiting for us to come and teach them. Sitting on their porch steps, we walked over to them and asked how their day was, introduced ourselves, and then asked their religion. The father, Pablo, said they didn't have a religion but that they were looking for one. (cue my jaw dropping to the ground) We talked about how the gospel blesses families and the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Then the moment came, Hermana Stevenson looked at me and I knew she wanted me to invite them to be baptized. I did my best in Spanish, and the father said YES! I looked at the wife and she said, "I'm sorry, I can't hear you." So Hermana Stevenson asked again, and she still didn't hear.
Practically yelling and waking up the whole neighborhood, Hermana Stevenson said WILL YOU FOLLOW THE EXAMPLE OF JESUS CHRIST AND BE BAPTIZED BY SOMEONE HOLDING THE AUTHORITY OF GOD?
And what did she say? "Donde?"
what!?! This is crazy. Pray for Pablo and Cuca and their family. They are my first investigators and I am so excited.
I love the mission. It is so hard, but so rewarding. I know that this church is true and that the gospel can bring the greatest joy to anyone who is willing to act.
Con mucho amor,
Hermana Hemmingsen
ps: SHOUT OUTS!
happy birhtday to my little sister, Kate! fiesta like theres no manana, babe.
One of MY BEST FRIENDS IS ENGAGED! Camille, I thought we agreed to wait till I got home for you to get hitched.
My new address is 506 Marina Dr. Apt. 3 Port Isabel, TX 78578