hopefully this link works:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/2lrfxmnpz62m923/MVI_0248.MOV
Despite the fact that I was not in the greatest country, the United States of America, to celebrate it's independence, my Fourth of July was quite festive. Hermana Rupp and I dressed up in our patriotic garb and wore smiles on our faces. After three hours of my mind battling Spanish all I wanted was to do something American. Our district brought out makeshift bases (aka palm tree leaves) and played baseball with a children's size LA dodgers broken baseball bat and a cracked woffle-ball.-- is that how you spell it? I was proud to be an American. To make the day even better, lunch.
BBQ sanwiches, waffle fries, lemonade, watermelon, corn on the cob, and to top it off, apple pie and ice cream. Can you say merica? Then if that wasn't enough, we all stood up and sang the national anthem. It brought tears to my eyes.
That night we discussed the blessings of a free country. Elder Sok read Alma 12 And it came to pass that he rent his coat; and he took a piece thereof, and wrote upon it—In memory of our God, our religion, and freedom, and our peace, our wives, and our children—and he fastened it upon the end of a pole...and he bowed himself to the earth, and he prayed mightily unto his God for the blessings of liberty to rest upon his brethren.
Moroni was a powerful leader and acknowledged that God was the reason that they had their freedoms. Their army fought for freedom of Religion, peach, and their families, the same reason our founding fathers fought in the Revolutionary War. Although we were the obvious underdog, we fought with faith that God would be on our side. Heavenly Father knew that we needed to have our freedoms in the USA because his church needed a place to be restored. I just think it is the coolest thing. God always wins. SIEMPRE.
Ok. On to Saturday. Compared to Friday it was no bueno. I had my first encounter with gluten. That morning I had a juice box that I thought was pure mango juice, but after finishing the drink I looked at the label. The third ingredient on the back was "trigo" aka "wheat". I dont know who puts wheat in a fruit juice, but I am not very happy with them. Later that day, sitting in class my stomach pains started. I thought I was fine, but my teacher asked me a question and I just started crying. (weird.) I told her what had happened and immediately all the elders offered to give me a blessing. I love them. Then of course, it was raining buckets, thank you Mexico, and we ran to the infirmary (doctor), got meds, and took the rest of the night off to study at home and get ready for the Sabbath.
Can I just say that Sundays are the bomb? I woke up feeling great, and since it was the first Sunday of the month, all the elderes y hermanas were fasting. Testimony meeting in Sacrament meeting was phenomenal. The testimonies were all so simple and pure. We didn't understand everything, but with the spirit we feel the love of God. After we watched a devotional with Jeffrey R. Holland teaching the story of Peter in John 21. He was asked to leave his fishing nets behind and teach the gospel of Jesus Christ. After Christ died, he didn't know what to do so he went back to his nets. Christ returned to Peter after his resurrection and asked Peter if he loved him. After three times of Christ asking, and Peter saying yes, Christ responded, "Feed my sheep." Elder Holland related it to us being called as missionaries. When we finish our time, we can't return to our home and go back to our nets. We must continue his work and feed his sheep by spreading the gospel to everyone we come in contact with.
And then, (yes, there's more! See why Sundays are the best?) That night we watched The Joseph Smith Movie. I was reminded how much I love and appreciate that man and all the sacrifices that he made so that the church could be restored. My favorite part has to be the 10 second clip of Joseph running down the dirt roads with all the kids. He calls our to the adults to say good morning, but keeps on running with the kids. It makes me so happy that a man who is a prophet of God would take the time to be with children. I just love Joseph Smith! I am pretty sure that we were friends before we came to earth.
Well, it has been 3.5 weeks in Mexico City, and I've got 2.5 weeks to go. My Spanish es mas o menos... Sometimes I just have to take a deep breath to keep my head from drowning in direct and indirect pronouns, commands, reflexives, and negations. Pero, esta bien. No occupados! Mi vida esta muy bien.
Con much amor,
Hermana Hemmingsen
PS
shout outs to:
Miss Abigaila for turning 17 this week.
The Webb Family during the reunion last week.
Elder Faldmo who is here at the CCM with me. Every time he spots me walking down the street I hear "HOLA HERMANA NEIGHBOR!" and it brightens my whole day.
Chloe Kandare for entering the Provo MTC last week to serve in Sacramento, California.
My cousin Hilary Webb getting engaged!
Madi Conrad getting her mission call to Buenos Aires North, Argentina mission! woot woot!
and to all of you reading this. You are the best. love you so much.