This week was a roller coaster of emotions...and WEATHER! 

We had the hottest day so far! (41 degrees Celsius...HUMID) That day Hermana Willis and I walked 6 miles up this HUGE hill to get to one of our members house to do service. We worked in the BLAZING sun for 2 hours! On the walk home we kept having to stop in the shade and rest just to not be under the SUN! We almost passed out in SIGHT of our house  (a few feet away from our door) because it was so blasted HOT! . . . Then a half hour later we had the biggest storm so far! CrAzY Paraguay! The wind was fierce and blew down trees and gates in town (we are fine). 

This is about how my week went as well. Ups and downs! But I like it because it stays interesting. On Friday we went to Pedro Juan(2 hour bus ride) for a Zone Conference and I got my first bundle of LETTERS! (For SURE an UP!) We found we have yet another mouse (a DOWN). And many more in between. We had the most inspiring lesson with the best investigator and the strongest spirit... and then the next house we visit we´ll get stuck on something silly (como el semptimo dia) and end up talking in circles and wasting time.... I don’t like that. 

We ended the week with stake conference. The Ward rented a bus. Hermana Willis and I woke up at 4:00 am and walked around (at 4:30) to our members houses to get them up and ready sunday morning to leave at 5. . .  I won’t say it went off without a hitch, but finally we were all on and then we were off to Pedro Juan (for the 2nd time that week). It was a GREAT conference and I was really happy to be in a big ol´ ward and remember what it’s like when 4 kids from foreign countries aren´t running the show. 

My favorite part of the week and every day is Personal Study, when I get to read The Book of Mormon. 

I love everything about that Book. I love the joy it has brought me. I love the unity and happiness it has brought my family. I love the love my parents showed to me by raising me with a knowledge of who I am. That knowledge and more of God´s plan for us comes from that book. I love the stories inside of it and what I can learn from the people and prophets of old. I love the story of how, by the power of God, it was translated and brought forth for US to have today! I love that, to me, it means God LIVES! He is real. He is ACTIVELY guiding and helping his children (us), RIGHT NOW! TODAY!! 

We are finding (throughout the whole mission, not just my area) that the members who are becoming inactive or falling away have never read it. I invite all (those with firm testimonies, those dwindling in doubts and unbelief, and those who are searching to know the truth alike) to read it "tapa a tapa" (Cover to cover). Don´t just read FROM it. Don´t rely on an old past memory of reading it. Don´t count the time you read it in Seminary or with your family, but YOU, personally to READ IT. Read the WHOLE thing. Starting with the Introduction, the testimonies of the 3 witnesses, the 8 witnesses and the testimony of Joseph Smith, Through Nephi and his goodly parents, READ PAST the ¨hard Isaiah¨ parts, ALL the way to Moroni´s Promise. Finish the Book.

The Whole Book.

And after that, I invite you, echoing Moroni´s invitation, to Pray. Pray with ALL your heart. Pray with faith that your prayer will be answered by a loving Father in Heaven, if the book is true.

"You can´t diss it till you try it".

 You cant know its true until you´ve read it.

 ALL. 

and pray with ALL of your ALL! 

(its kind of an ALL or nothing deal)

But thats my invitation to anyone reading this blog, most likely a billion miles away from me. 

The answers to all of life’s questions and the truthfulness of the Gospel balance on that small-ish, often blue, book. 

I invite you all to read it because I know it will "pass the test". 

I know its true. 

That is why I am these many miles away writing you once a week about my ups and downs and going through these crazy things, because I know its true and I can´t wait to share the warmth it brings with the people in Paraguay. 

Not that they need more HEAT. hahaha!

-Sister Lib

The locker in the MTC where my money was stolen from.

My group in the MTC was group "AARON"

My favorite Elder from the MTC

The three languages of The Book Of Mormon in my mission

There is a matching blister on the other foot

One of our rodent roomies... captured!

Mba'e Cheipa familiakuiera!
Well I did it again! Another week has passed. Sister Willis is great and we're working really hard. This week we've been super focused on what our goal is for our feeble little ward here. We want to get the members to recognize that this is THEIR ward, not the missionaries'. We're really trying to get them involved and excited about the Gospel in their lives. We are also trying to build and strengthen testimonies of investigators and the menos activos, not just get them to church, but REALLY help them feel the converting power of the Holy Spirit.
THAT'S the other thing we've been working on. Feeling, recognizing, and acting on the Spirit. I know I have felt the Spirit loads of times, but it's still like a foreign language when it comes to deciding what it's SAYING. I have been praying and will continue to pray for help with that. That's 3 languages I'm trying to tackle, Guarani, Espanol and the language of ANGELS! One language for each MOUSE we have caught in the past 4 days. YUCK. Hahaha. It's always an adventure. . . but this adventure has more rodents then I would like. 

Glad to hear you´re carrying my onion-legacy. Hermana Willis thinks I'm an onion vacuum because I eat like a whole onion every lunch time. The taste of my home tastes like garlic, onion and black pepper. The reason I haven't really answered the "whats the food like" question is because I haven't really experienced it yet. Members are few(we had 5 adults in sacrament meeting this week) and they don't feed us. On the bright side I haven't yet faced the problem of being SO full and having 3 more dinner appointments lined up. Also, we´re not really supposed to go out to eat. I'm on a sugar fast so I haven't had any treats... We just make sandwiches and scrambled eggs. That's not Paraguay food, thats the Hermanas apartment food.

Last night we were walking home after a HARD day of WORK with no visible "rewards" and we were feeling kinda bummed or disheartened ... not a ton but just like.... this day was weird. We walked by the paneria and they were playing MY SONG! I dont think it was Jose Luis Peralez. . . but I am sure it was an answer to a prayer in someones heart for me and the whole night was better after that.

Im doing well here. I'm kinda getting the hang. I have a REALLY hard time waking up because my body feels like it's been through several meat grinders and needs to heal. The prospect of getting up to work out is as inviting as an appointment to get my fingernails removed with pliers... but I try, and Hermana Willis is patient and tries to help, too. 

It's also hell when in the middle of the day (after the fist meatgrinder)

 I KNOW there is no option of a nap (sob)

BUT that being my biggest problem I'd say I'm pretty lucky. 

I am loving my mission. Where else could I obtain crazy stories of German Jehovah witnesses following us home, meeting a man who claimed he was God and the details of the capturing of our family of mice all whilst soaking wet, whether it be in sweat or rain. 

As for my packages.... I don´t really know. I sent some ideas to Harminee. No, I don't need those yellow boots for winter, but Hermana Willis predicts my shoes won't last so I may need other shoes for walking... durable and maybe water shoes so they dry fast when the unexpected rain comes...

More little sock things maybe? Any yummy food is always welcome. This morning I was wanting some of Moms pumpkin pancakes with that creamy sauce, so eat some for me. Maybe some CDS with awesome mission appropriate jams. Otherwise just send me notes and pictures and things that will make me wanna die and live forever at the same time since I love you guys too much. Hahaha.

I still miss you guys and I bet I will forever. 

So much love to all my people. 

I think of you all all day forever. 

I'm so excited to (after 17 months) be with you all forever and ever. 

XOXO

Hermana Valenzuela

In the MTC

He's laughing so hard because I'm really funny.

I love to see the temple

Hermana Valenzuela y Hermana Willis

I'm getting eaten alive by bugs

This is hard, but worth it. I love my family.

WOOT WOOT FAMILIA!!!

I still love you writing everything because it makes me feel like I can live in two places at once. I don’t wanna miss a thing. Not one nap, Zumba class, Dagnee hair... NADA! I love it! 

I could use some of those Hydro beds here. I wake up with leg cramps and have to rub my legs until they relax.

 My best advice for anyone going on a mission is to get in shape, seriously. I thought I was doing alright, but this is still kicking my butt. 

Mom, thanks for bathing Dagnee. Kiss her squishy face for me.... or tell Dad to because that’s not something I really see you doing. 

Thanks for packing up my stuff. If you know where the box of candy I have from China is.... I really don’t know what to do with that stuff, go ahead and eat the chicken feet. I won’t be sad. 

In your last letter (or one of them) you said you wondered what I am doing. The answer is :sweating. I packed a lot of red clothes so all my Gs have red sweat stains. Sexy. When it’s not hot here, it’s POURING rain. Those boots we bought were the best investment. The first time it caught me off guard, but now I got  it down. I know how to keep me, my clothes, and my books dry as I swim on land. 

Its’ so cool when it rains and it’s not hot- so I really love it. Although, it does make it harder to contact anyone and people cancel appointments. Every rose has it’s thorns. EVERYONE will invite you in when it’s raining so.. plus plus! 

You said you missed me cause the microwave is dirty and I’m the best at cleaning it. Well, when I get home I’m going to be the best at cleaning everything. I’m going OCD cleaning CRAZY here. It’s a great distraction for homesick days and I’ll literally NEVER run out of things to clean. 

Sorry you guys have midnight mass, just be glad you have a ward. It’s weird having a whole ward on the backs of the testimony of 4 missionaries. Elder Muñoz is Branch President and Bishop and Elder Billings his assistant. Hermana  Willis and I are the Primary and YW and Relief Society Presidents. 

We’ve got  a whole mess to clean up. I can’t believe I didn’t know about it until  2 days ago! Anyway, he and his AWESOME family  are just scared it will happen again and they will have to pay the price. He said until we can promise security and heal his wounds he will NEVER come back. I was crying. I can’t imagine that happening. Someone coming to tell you this awesome news of the Gospel and then having it ripped away. I tried to explain the Church is true, people aren’t. 

That family (Familia Vergada) fed us that night..... WOW I spent the rest of the week trying to CHEW THE MEAT. It was tough! During the closing prayer I checked to see if everyones eyes were closed, grabbed a chunk of meat off my plate and threw it in my backpack. 

Hahahahahaha! Sister Willis said I had to eat it all but I COULD NOT! I had swallowed CHUNKS and chunks WHOLE! 

Later that night a dog attacked me for my meaty smell. It was funny.

Man, I’ve got so many funny stories! I can’t wait to come home and tell them all! 

We went to a house and the dad kept telling us he didn’t speak English and that we should really learn Spanish. WE WERE SPEAKING TO HIM IN SPANISH! Hahaha- he said it like 9 times. We taught him a whole lesson. He understood it all and said “wow you guys have a beautiful work etc”.... and then right before leaving he said, “ You guys need to learn Spanish. “ Hahahahah I kept saying-

“ I KNOW, THAT’S WHY WE’RE SPEAKING TO YOU INN SPANISH!”

It was great.

OH Mom! You said you don’t love Fringe and need a different show.... I know someone WHO has just what the DOCTOR ordered... ehhh? ehh?! 

(WATCH DOCTOR WHO!)

Pray for me to prefect my Spanish so I can start on my GUARANI. This is the area that speaks the most Guarani and I am really lost. I am learning some though  AND it hasn’t even been that long. Ill get it. I know it! 

The other day I was thinking about that ‘I AM YOUR GRANDMA’ video and I just started crying because even in my head it’s the funniest thing I’ve ever seen. Please watch it for me. 

I printed out your letters last week and it was the best! I even highlighted and replied to things so I’d remember all the stuff I have to tell you guys, but there’s just not enough tiempo! 

Recap of my Week

SWEAT.

RAIN.

HARD MEAT.

CRAZY WARD DRAMA.

I SHOULD LEARN SPANISH.

Sometimes teaching Primary gives me war flashbacks from China. That and missing my favorite people EVER (you guys) are my biggest challenges. Prayer is powerful. My own, and yours for me. Thank you. I have to pray daily to be able to do this one more day, but day by day he hears my prayers and in a couple days a whole month will have gone by. 

We can do this.

Then the circle of our love can extend beyond the reach of time beyond the span of days and years.... etc.... AKA we can all just hang out together forever. 

Miss me:) 

I miss you

I love you

XOXO Hermana SAAAHHH SAAWW (Libertee phonetically spelled,by me, in Guarani. I still can’t spell in Gurani)

Packages!

I would be so happy to receive any letters or packages from you fine folks.

When sending packages to me, these are the tips I've learned.

- Put photos of Jesus and Mary on the outside of the package, 

this will minimize the chances of them getting ripped open

by the mail carriers, etc.

- Never put "worth of package" to be over $100.

I will have to pay extra to receive it and it will

take much longer to get to me.

I love you all!

Lib