How it Feels to be a Sister Missionary

Feb 15, 2010

Well Well Well... After 2 and a half months of surgery, recovery, and boredom, Im back!!! It feels good to be back here in Chile, even if it is hot as infierno down here. FIrst of all, I wanted to thank everyone for rooting me on, and telling me that I will be able to get back out there, even when it seemed much easier to just let go and decide not to go back. Now I know that it was worth it, even enduring the plane ride, which was a complete nightmare.
Right when I got back here, I realized it was going to be a challenge. I dont know the language again, and I am back to nodding politly at innappropriate times and laughing at jokes I didnt understand, even when they are at my expense. However, things are getting better and I am relearning very quickly. Hopefully by the end of this week, I will get back to my old Spanish prowess once more. The other new thing here is that it is HOT!!! So hot.... Mom and Dad, Im glad you packed that sunscreen... I might need more... I am really glad I missed most of it. I thought about it though and I realized: I only have one more Summer left! Holy Cow! things go by quick. I just have to get through this first one.
So when I got back I discovered that I would not be working in the office, (your always right, mom!), but in a place called La Trinidad, which is actually right by my old sector, El Parque! So things are pretty familiar to me for the most part. It is a lot of suburbia, except it is much bigger. Which brings me to the mom worrying portion of this email. My knee is a little sore right now because our pension is a half hour away from our sector and our sector in and of itself is very large. And whats even more, I have been whitewashed! Whitewashing is when you take two elders out of a sector and put two brand new ones in who have no idea where they should be. So we are basically knocking doors all day. Not fun. But Im pulling through okay. Wherever I need to be.
My new companion´s name is Elder Wassom. He is a pretty cool guy who really wants to get stuff done, but he definately is a different personality from mine. He is a lot more serious and I dont think he gets any of my jokes. It was an awkward experience wearing my wolf shirt the first night in the pension, and him just looking at me like i was the biggest redneck ever. and that was AFTER I explained why it was funny. I dont care. I have worn it every night since and ust recently wore it to our zone activity. I thought it was important to have a good first impression. :)
Well, I hope all is well at home. I miss you all and am praying for you guys constantly! Be good and be sure to drink your ovaltine
Con Amor,
Elder Westover