Because Elder Smith (from my group) and I were the first people ready, we got to do all the initiatories for the missionaries in our zone. That was pretty cool! It was good to remember all the promises that you receive.
The session itself was (as always) beautiful. We got to see the new movie (which I LOVED). The temple here only has 40 seats. With 22 missionaries (and a few random women), we filled it to the brim.
For me the best part was entering the Celestial room. I don´t know what I was expecting, but I think I thought to have some incredible spiritual experience. Instead, I just felt peace. I mean pure peace. For me it was spiritual because as a missionary I have been tan preocupado (REALLY worried) and stressed. Training as well gave me more stress, and I feel like I was on the stress train for the last few months. To enter the room and feel like all of that was taken away was marvelous. It convinced me that the first thing I want to do when I get home (yes I know, that's a long ways away) is to go to the temple (Probably Salt Lake, it would be cool to see a live session). I could really feel the presence of the Lord and I felt a whole lot better leaving. I still can remember that peace, and it really helps.
Afterward, I passed by the distribution center to pick up a copy of the Joseph Smith movie. I also bought a small Predicad mi Evangelio because I was tired of carrying the Grande. I took a LOT of pictures, and we took a Zone picture (I will get someone to forward me that, I decided I didn´t want to add my camera to the 20 already in the mix).
On Friday I passed another milestone in the mission, I went to immigration to receive my residency! I don´t have pictures, but don´t worry, its extremly boring. You basically sit and wait in a large DMV, until one of the 2 (yes TWO) booths is open. Then you run to try to be the first one there. While we were there, one of the ladies decided to LEAVE (apparently that's totally ok during normal hours), so we were down to 1 booth for a bit. It was a bit racking on the nerves.
What made it better was that everyone from my group was there. We told our worst stories, our best stories, and made predictions on who will be the first ZL (Zone Leader). We also just talked, which was one of the best parts. It was a good day.
Sunday we had one of the 2 investigators return to church. We probably won´t baptize her this week because we still need to complete all of the lessons. But she seems pretty Pilas (literally translated, this means fonts. In the mission language, it means ready to be babtized. We say this to describe a golden investigator).
Training is good.
Thank you for your prayers! I love you!
Adios!
Elder Henrie
I think this is pretty typical for where they walk everyday.
Questions (These are the things us mothers worry about...)
Q. You mentioned you are moving from the "palace" and then I saw pictures on dropbox of what looks like a cement house with a sheet metal roof with a big tall fence with a locked gate. Is that where you are moving?
A. Yes. That is actually a very nice house. And technically even our palace is a cement house with a ceramic roof with a big tall fence and a locked gate. Everything is made of cement here.
A. We will not be using those bed frames. The mission provides very nice beds. I will send a picture of the Blankets next week.
Q. Does your new house have running water? or a kitchen?
A. Running water is (thankfully) one of the requirements for a house for missionaries. You might not have a shower, but you can at least turn on the sink!
It does have a room that I will call the kitchen, but sadly, I´m losing the oven. Back to the little burners that normal missionaries have :(
The kitchen in the "palace" Looks like he made lasagna with ketchup :)
Q. Is your new house up in the mountains? Will you be cold at night? Do you need to buy a (some) blanket(s)?
A. So our new house is higher up, but not quite on the mountains. I would call it in them though.
Yes, I will be cold, thankfully. I like the Honduras cold, its very fresco (fresh).
About a year ago the mission mandó (sent) special blankets for our area. This is what we call our Wolf pelts (I believe I have mentioned them before).
Q. Are you sick?
A. I have a very slight cold, I am however very much on the mend.
Q. What have you been doing for service lately?
A. I climbed an orange tree yesterday to collect a bag of oranges for an investigator.
Q. How are your feet? If they are well, what advice do you have for other missionaries for keeping them that way?
A. Really good. I don´t know if I have good luck or I have a nasty surprise coming, but my feet are good. I would highly recommend making sure the shoes you buy are meant for walking, more than just looking nice. Wash your feet specifically every time you shower.
Q. Are you using your shoe dryer? Your sensi sandals?
A. Here not much, because we are on a hill, the rain runs down and I don´t get my feet wet. It sounds like its Choluteca that you get the rain up to your knees. I will probably eventually experience that. I use my sensi sandals every day. I usually get home, pull off my shoes and socks, and put those guys on. They are really comfortable. I also use them in the shower.
