I can't believe David's braces are off! What a "capo" (That's cape in most places, but in Chile it means stud)! This first week has been a lot of fun, but quite an adjustment. I felt that my first week in the MTC lasted for months. This week has been similar. It feels like it's been a month, but it's been a good month. Today for Pday we are going to 125th to do a bit of shopping. I have two short sleeve shirts, and that is not going to be enough for the summer that is ahead of us... We can wear sandals too! So I'm going to buy a cute pair. After that, we aren't sure but we will find some fun things to do.
Hermana Major was in Inwood for 7 months! And she loved it. She is now in Connecticut and she is going to tear it up. It was really good to see her. I hear stories about her all the time from my companion and from the members of the ward. You can tell she is a good missionary. They all miss her so much!
It was so crazy to see Amanda! And to know that Nikki was talking with her just on the other side of the phone.
(**note..Amanda is Nikki's friend from school who was visiting her brother in NY over spring break. Lo and behold the missionaries knocked on their door...and by missionaries I mean Lindsay and her companion. Amanda notices Lindsay's unusual last name and asks "Do you know Nikki?" ....and she did.**)
I hear Nikki is brunette again. That's cool. Does she like it?
My companion is so great! She works hard and knows what she is doing. Her spanish is so good, and she is willing to help me with mine. We're a good team. She's teaching me a lot.
I got your card. Thank you so much! Yeah, I got it on Tuesday, so about three days. But if the mission president said to send stuff to the mission home, do that. The AP's area is in North Manhattan, so we see them almost everyday. No worries ;) So, let me tell you about my week!
Wednesday night, I met Ramona and her family who are all members. I had Dominican food for the first time. It is really good! But really basic. It's mostly rice, lettuce, and meat. The following night, we met with a recent convert, Griselda. She fed us rice, tostones (fried green plantains) and maduros (fried yellow plantains). Dominicans love to eat "con con", which is really just the burnt rice at the bottom of the pan. So we've had that a few times. It's actually really good.
On Thursdays we get to do service with Elder and Sister Wheelwright at the New York LDS Employment Center. It's at Union Square. It is a huge privilege for us to get to go there! Missionaries aren't allowed past 59th unless it is approved by the President, which brings up another thing we are excited for. On May 5th, we get to help out with the Revlon Walk at Times Square. All the missionaries in Manhattan are going to be volunteering there. It's going to be awesome! We can hardly wait.
On Friday, we ate Peruvian food with a less active member. It was so good. I successfully at chicken with bones in it, which is quite a big deal for me. And we ate the best beans I have ever had. They were unique to Peru and unfortunately, I don't remember what they are called. But wow.... delicious.
We went on the George Washington Bridge and were able to see the New York Skyline from there. Beautiful, beautiful view!
Our relief society had a cocktail party, so we invited everyone that we knew to come. And it came to pass that Maritza, an investigator, was able to come! She was able to make some friends and get to know the people in the ward. She speaks perfect English, but wanted to come to a Spanish ward.
I also met a lot of the sisters in the ward. This ward is incredible and each person is so characteristic. I love Dominicans. They are who they are, at all times.
On Saturday, we went tracting and that's when we ran into Amanda. So crazy! On Manhattan Island, running into my little sister's friend? Yeah. It definitely wasn't a coincidence. In the same building, we met Paola. She invited us back to sing and to talk about God. So, we are excited for that. She also gave us a referral for her daughter.
Sunday was incredible! I was worried about the church meetings. The Dominican accent is really hard to understand, so most of the time I stay quiet and lost. :) It will come with time. But actually at church, I was able to understand a lot. A lot more than I was expecting! It was Elder Hill's birthday on Sunday. We went over to Miguel's house and had a good meal with his family. We watched the Testaments and then bore testimony of Jesus Christ. It was so good, and the Spirit was so strong! Miguel and his family speak English, so we taught in English and that was great for me.
Monday... we worked hard! Our goal this week for new investigators is 4. And Monday, we found 2. One of those investigators is Paola's daughter, Hilda. The other one is Maria. We met her daughter last week, and she invited us back. Her daughter wasn't home, but Maria let us right in and we taught her the Restoration. She soaked it up! She highlighted James 1:5, and even Moroni 10:3-5! We are going to meet with her again soon.
Yesterday, was more relaxing. I took like 3 naps. We worked so hard on Monday... You know when you go running, and if you sprint from the beginning, you won't make it very far. The same principle applies in missionary work. I need to learn to pace myself. I just want to preach and teach! :) I'm so green.
I love this gospel, and I've loved the opportunities that I have had so far. I miss you all so much, but I know that my mission will only be for a short time so I'm trying to focus on the people more.
I know that Joseph Smith saw God and Jesus Christ. I know that the gospel has been restored, and I'm grateful for the blessing to be raised in the church!
Love,
Hermana Kindlespire
Ps. I've included more pictures!
A view of New Jersey and the Hudson river
Yellow rice, and con con
Maduros and Tostones.
George Washington Bridge, the New York Skyline, and my district.
Graffiti on Broadway and Academy, super close to where we live.
My companion is so great! She works hard and knows what she is doing. Her spanish is so good, and she is willing to help me with mine. We're a good team. She's teaching me a lot.
I got your card. Thank you so much! Yeah, I got it on Tuesday, so about three days. But if the mission president said to send stuff to the mission home, do that. The AP's area is in North Manhattan, so we see them almost everyday. No worries ;) So, let me tell you about my week!
Wednesday night, I met Ramona and her family who are all members. I had Dominican food for the first time. It is really good! But really basic. It's mostly rice, lettuce, and meat. The following night, we met with a recent convert, Griselda. She fed us rice, tostones (fried green plantains) and maduros (fried yellow plantains). Dominicans love to eat "con con", which is really just the burnt rice at the bottom of the pan. So we've had that a few times. It's actually really good.
On Thursdays we get to do service with Elder and Sister Wheelwright at the New York LDS Employment Center. It's at Union Square. It is a huge privilege for us to get to go there! Missionaries aren't allowed past 59th unless it is approved by the President, which brings up another thing we are excited for. On May 5th, we get to help out with the Revlon Walk at Times Square. All the missionaries in Manhattan are going to be volunteering there. It's going to be awesome! We can hardly wait.
On Friday, we ate Peruvian food with a less active member. It was so good. I successfully at chicken with bones in it, which is quite a big deal for me. And we ate the best beans I have ever had. They were unique to Peru and unfortunately, I don't remember what they are called. But wow.... delicious.
We went on the George Washington Bridge and were able to see the New York Skyline from there. Beautiful, beautiful view!
Our relief society had a cocktail party, so we invited everyone that we knew to come. And it came to pass that Maritza, an investigator, was able to come! She was able to make some friends and get to know the people in the ward. She speaks perfect English, but wanted to come to a Spanish ward.
I also met a lot of the sisters in the ward. This ward is incredible and each person is so characteristic. I love Dominicans. They are who they are, at all times.
On Saturday, we went tracting and that's when we ran into Amanda. So crazy! On Manhattan Island, running into my little sister's friend? Yeah. It definitely wasn't a coincidence. In the same building, we met Paola. She invited us back to sing and to talk about God. So, we are excited for that. She also gave us a referral for her daughter.
Sunday was incredible! I was worried about the church meetings. The Dominican accent is really hard to understand, so most of the time I stay quiet and lost. :) It will come with time. But actually at church, I was able to understand a lot. A lot more than I was expecting! It was Elder Hill's birthday on Sunday. We went over to Miguel's house and had a good meal with his family. We watched the Testaments and then bore testimony of Jesus Christ. It was so good, and the Spirit was so strong! Miguel and his family speak English, so we taught in English and that was great for me.
Monday... we worked hard! Our goal this week for new investigators is 4. And Monday, we found 2. One of those investigators is Paola's daughter, Hilda. The other one is Maria. We met her daughter last week, and she invited us back. Her daughter wasn't home, but Maria let us right in and we taught her the Restoration. She soaked it up! She highlighted James 1:5, and even Moroni 10:3-5! We are going to meet with her again soon.
Yesterday, was more relaxing. I took like 3 naps. We worked so hard on Monday... You know when you go running, and if you sprint from the beginning, you won't make it very far. The same principle applies in missionary work. I need to learn to pace myself. I just want to preach and teach! :) I'm so green.
I love this gospel, and I've loved the opportunities that I have had so far. I miss you all so much, but I know that my mission will only be for a short time so I'm trying to focus on the people more.
I know that Joseph Smith saw God and Jesus Christ. I know that the gospel has been restored, and I'm grateful for the blessing to be raised in the church!
Love,
Hermana Kindlespire
Ps. I've included more pictures!
A view of New Jersey and the Hudson river
Yellow rice, and con con
Maduros and Tostones.
George Washington Bridge, the New York Skyline, and my district.
Graffiti on Broadway and Academy, super close to where we live.
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