June 21, 2016
HOLA FAMILIA!!!
So as you can tell, P-day got moved to Tuesday for this week
due to transfers.... and as you have probably guessed by my email title.... I’M
GOING TO BE A MOM!!!!!!! AHHHH!!! Today, I head to Bahía Blanca to pick
up MY HIJA!!!!! Oh boy... let's be honest, I'm freaking out. :) But at the same time I'm oh so excited!! That being said, to any and every returned
missionary out there that has had to train a newbie - any and every piece of
advice you can give will be much appreciated!! THANKS.
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| Getting the house all ready for my new companion. [The sign says "Little daughter, welcome to the best mission in the world Bahia Blanca Argentina with much love, your mom Hermana Bartholomew] |
On the down side of this change, my dear Hermanita Cardenas is
leaving me a devastating 10 days before her birthday. :( We were so excited to celebrate together, but I
suppose the Lord has got bigger and better plans for us right now. I'm so,
so, grateful for the time I had with her though. She really is the
greatest and I'm super excited to go visit my little Mexicana someday. :)
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| Packing up Hermana Cardenas |
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| The last time playing with my comp's beautiful hair :) |
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| At the bus terminal in Olavarria |
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| Saying goodbye is never easy |
We had super good luck this week because there was a
leadership meeting in Bahia, so our zone leaders had to go into the mission
office…and the package you sent with the doctor from New York was already there! THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!!!!!! Literally the best surprise ever!!! I
love it all!!!!!!!! You guys rock!!!!!
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| Package from home |
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| Missionary Master Chef!!! |
So yeah, with transfers, this week has been a bit crazy. But before I go I want to tell you about one
of our investigators named Angelica.
Angelica is the girlfriend of one of the recent converts
here in our area named Alberto. Alberto
got baptized the weekend before I got transferred here to Olavarría, and ever
since he's been very faithful in coming to church every week with his noviacita
[girlfriend] Angelica. She's Catholic,
and at first was super closed off to us and the Church. She only came just came to accompany
Alberto. However, over these past few months, she's started having more
and more interest in the Church. Little by little we have helped her
learn how to pray; we gave her her own Book of Mormon (she always was very
curious and wanting to read Alberto's but he didn't want her to lose his place
haha); and now she's participating in the lessons and in Gospel Principles
class at church every week. On Sunday, she shared her feelings with the
class about how good she feels every time she comes to our church and that she
knows that this is the right path to take and that Alberto is going to baptize
her! :) The only problem is that they have been living together and need
to get married first. After we take care
of that little detail, Alberto can receive the priesthood, and then he can baptize
Angelica so she can become a member too! :)
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| At church with Alberto y Angelica |
It has been so amazing to see the change that the gospel has
made slowly but surely in Angelica’s life.
I know this Church is true and that it brings a happiness and peace that
cannot be found anywhere else.
President Hinckley said, "It will be a great day when
our people not only pray for the missionaries throughout the world, but ask the
Lord to help them to assist the missionaries who are laboring in their own
[area]."
I am beyond grateful for all the prayers and support you all
constantly are sending my way! But this week, I want to challenge you all
to not only pray for the safety and protection of the missionaries in the
world, but also pray to be able to help the missionary work in your own city or
town!! I never understood the true importance of helping the missionaries
before my mission but now I know that the work is 100 times easier and more
efficient when the member and missionaries work together. Please take the
time to prayerfully consider all the people in your life and ask your Heavenly
Father for help and guidance to know which of His children YOU can help bring
back to him.
Wishing you all a fantastic week!
Con mucho amor,
(a very nervous and excited)
Hermana Bartholomew
Pictures from this week:
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| Fun winter time animal socks! |
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| Olavarria at night from the balcony of Familia Garcia's Apartment |
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| Olavarria, Argentina |
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| I'm going to miss my little Mexicana |
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| La Familia Garcia |
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| Princess Sofia Garcia |
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