The Fun Aunt: Snow-cream

Brrrrrrrrr! It's been a cold few days and today is day two that my cute niblings have had snow days! And today, I was going to be working at Mott College but it closed..., so I have a snow day too! We took the liberty of going out side and having 15-20 minutes of cold fun!

Me and Mariah-pie

Gabby girl

Christian

Yours truly!

I haven't played in the snow in two years since there is no snow in Central America, so this was a huge treat for me. I also had the sweet, sweet surprise of finding out that my snow pants from 7 years ago still fit!

But anyways... moving on to the point of being "The FUN Aunt" how did I manage it? Just taking the kids outside? Nope! I made them some yummy chocolate snow-cream! How in the world do you do that? Easy peasy! I found a fun blog recently called The Kitchen is my Playground and sure enough she had a recipe for it! Now two years ago I used a different one, which I'll also share, but I found Tracey's way a bit more yummy! 

For her recipe she uses:

• Roughly 8 c. of snow
• 14 oz. sweetened condensed milk
• 1 tsp. vanilla 
• 5 tsp. baking cocoa 

Mix up the milk, vanilla and cocoa first then slowly add the snow. You want to mash and mix with a spoon until incorporated well.

She also has Strawberry, vanilla, coconut, and maple flavors... which with all the snow we have I hope to be able to try them all!

Two years ago I made vanilla snow-cream without the sweetened condensed milk and used 1 c. of milk (2% was what I had on hand) and 1/3 c. of sugar instead. I mixed it all together with a tsp. vanilla. Once it was mixed well I added 5 c. of fluffy white snow! So if you don't have sweetened condensed milk, no worries! However I feel the sweetened milk made it even better and creamier so go for that one if you can.

And look at my little Nibblings enjoying it!!! Have fun with this sweet treat!

L has not come back... but oh well. We're working on finding new people to teach and work with. It's still hot here. Everyday I'm sweating like a pig in Texas during the month of July. So yeah.... it's hot.
Well do I have a secret for you mom!!!!!

Bishop Anderson taught me how to drive stick back when me and Jason Anderson were dating! Super long time ago..., but more or less I remember it. I would prefer automatic, but I will work at re-learning stick. I honestly will not be that picky! However the Saturn sounds better!

I LOVED conference. Please listen to Holland's talk again and again. it made me have some deep impressions about you. I think you will feel them too. I really loved Elder Nelson's talk and President Eyrings talk. Elder Durant's talk as well really touched me. His was the ponderize one. To choose a scripture, I just looked through my scriptures and thought, what would help me? and as I was reading random ones i came across Mosiah 7:33, I thought it was beautiful so I just picked that one. i felt impressed to. So just pick them that way. President Nelson's talk on Women was superb, I loved it. 

Yeah I was so sad to see the Tagues leave. :( 

But they needed to. We have some new senior couples already here... but I don't really know them and I'm leaving soon anyways so I don't find any need in getting to know them. Yes it's still really hot here. 

This week was crazy fast. We went to Belmopan to get a visa extension for sister Organista, we went to Belize City for a WONDERFUL multi-zone, and then conference the past two days. We had a really cool experience this last week. There is a brother here in Santa Elena that walks with two canes because he's older and has had problems with his knees. He's a heavier, older man. He fell this week and the Santa Elena Elders (Leslie and Stiles) were in Belize City and so when he called them they couldn't go help him. So they called us. We sped over there as fast as we can. We get to the house and it's up to us to lift him. As we get all positioned, chairs ready to get him on, we say a prayer. He asked me to offer it. My heart was racing as I offered one of the most sincere, inspired prayers I have offered probably since the one that I said when me and you were on the way to the hospital the day dad died. I was almost in tears with the power I felt. I had his arm in my hand and I felt inspired to tell Organista to move behind him to help push. 'One. Two. Three' and with a force outside my own, he was up and on a chair. There were angels helping us lift him, me and my companion both felt that. It was something truly amazing and inspiring. 

But that spiritual high lasted only about 20 minutes then I got proposed to by an old investigator... life of a missionary, right?

So there's a little snap of my week. :)

I LOVE YOU MOM SO MUCH!

I'm doing good. We had a baptism for a young boy, K. L from what I still understand is not back yet... Oh well right? Today will be a super chill p-day. We'll just hang out as a district and then go run some errands and make cupcakes with a member. President Hintze is coming for a FHE at our branch tonight. That'll be super fun. Really spiritual experience this week? Well we had been riding our bikes and no one had really been home... no one had wanted to listen... and I see this guy, so of course I ride up next to him and say hi and start talking with him. I notice he's really cool so I get off my bike and walk beside him. He was interested in what we had to say. We give him a Restoration pamphlet and a run down of it. As we talk me and Sister Organista felt an impression to give him a copy of the Book of Mormon. So we did. We explained to him what it was. he told us he had thought about how the bible couldn't be 100% right/perfect. And as we introduced the Book of Mormon and as I testified I felt the spirit just carrying the truth into his heart. We didn't pray, we didn't sing a hymn, no member was there to testify as well... but it was beautiful. A wonderful experience of sharing the truth. He told us he would read the pamphlet and the introduction because he had a lot of time at work to sit down and relax. I'm really glad I opened my mouth.
Honestly I would love to have Dan speak. He's kind of like a father to me. Also I think Natalie would be great. I also forgot to mention to Rachel I really like the hymn 58 come ye children of the Lord. I know she was asking to help plan. But yeah, I think I would like Dan to speak as well. I would be okay with Kadie talking if she'll be there, jaja. But Jacob is a good idea as well. Just tell Brother Pangrel them and let him pray about it. Any idea what my topic will be?

It sounds like a lot of fun, that you guys went up there. But don't feel bad. That's not something you need to repent of. Just watch it later. I would have taken a trip instead of watch it as well. Don't feel bad about it. I'm glad you guys had fun. It sounds like it was really awesome and good bonding time for you and for the kids. 

I'm okay with when I'm getting in. It'll only be 9:30 for me because I'll still be on Mountain Standard time. :)

This week has been weird, I feel like not too much has happened. But I know this week will be even better... especially because we have a multi-zone conference with Prez. Hintze. Yay! 

I'm doing well. My cold is gone... thank the good Lord we have. 

BLESSINGS! So I had a rough week, but the Lord always blesses those who are patient in Sufferings/afflictions. 

I'm so happy you are doing missionary work. I have thought many times about how awesome of a member M would be if she was interested in the gospel. Never turn down an opportunity to share the gospel. No one will ever be offended from a sincere offer to learn about the gospel. I promise you that. 

About L... man it's so sad... and one of the reasons I've been a little stressed this week. He's down in his home town of Dangriga for a little. He'll hopefully be back soon. We got to be really good friends with him and his brother but they're both gone right now. I freakin' miss them like crazy. Please keep praying for him, he's really an incredible guy. He will do amazing things here in Belize.

Like I said this week has been stressful. Wai? 

-An investigator confessed to liking me

-I'm going home in a month...

-L and his brother left for Dangriga (our two most positive people)

-No one was home on independence day (yesterday)

-I got proposed to twice... 

-Almost had our water cut out because they take forever to deliver the bills.

-I realize I'm going home in less than a month

-Not a lot of people have been accepting us.

But how I said earlier... A lot of blessings come to those who are patient in their struggles. So here are some blessings....

-K, a 14 year old son of a less active who has gone to church more often than half of our members, just got permission to get baptized

-L, although in Dnagriga, is still reading/studying the BOM

-My DL is really cool and encouraging

-President Moody is really trying to help us in the work.

-We got fed yummy nachos yesterday

-I had revelation to go see an investigator yesterday and we had a kick butt lesson with her.

-Today I met Dwayne Wade's cousin. :)

Everything works out. Life goes on and things get better. This week I've learned a lot about prayer. How it works in our lives. I really suggest the Bible Dictionary where it talks about prayer... it's deep. God really cares... about every little detail. I know that for sure. I can't believe hoe much He loves us. 

Things are great this week! I did get sick Tuesday night and had a rough couple of days with out much of a voice but today I am doing a lot better and i barely coughed at all last night. Whoot whoot. New things that include being a STL? Well I have to go to Belmopan and do interchanges with the sisters there and I go to zone meetings earlier to be part of a leaders meeting with the ZLs and the DLs of the Cayo Zone. Also on the 1st Tuesday of cada mes, I go to Consejo de lideres. And we Skype the leaders in El Salvador and get trained by president and talk about what we're doing to have success. I didn't bring it up because of humility (which I'm still working on developing) but out of fear of having even more responsibilities. Ugh, isn't being a missionary enough?

Anywho... about the situation with the lady at work. Believe me, even as a missionary sometimes I fail. Sometimes I get a little impatient and I say something a little rude, or something just a little un-Christlike...  But the thing is to remember we are all human and we all have our weaknesses, however weaknesses are not sins. They just lead us to sin. But the important thing is making our weaknesses become strengths. But be firm in telling her no to picking up days when I come back home. You have not seen me in 18 months... you deserve a week with me. Like I said, we're all human, if that doesn't touch her heart at least a little bit.... she's a robot.

I think your plans for Friday are awesome. I want to do something like that as well when I get back. Just take a weekend with the kids. I miss them at times. Like yesterday during Relief Society I was in there with an investigator of the Elder's and her 4 year old daughter sat on my lap the entire time eating my carrot sticks. I miss things like that. plus her dark skin reminded me a lot of Mariah.

Church yesterday was wonderful! My comp sister Organista gave a wonderful talk about the importance of general conference. As well as our DL elder Leslie gave a good talk about the importance of attending church. He invited everyone to not miss a single Sunday. I look at our friend L and mouthed the words "you hear that?" and he laughed and said "I don't plan on missing any more." I have met few people that have been so prepared for the gospel as he is. I am excited for him to make that step of being baptized. He is going to be such a help to the branch here.

So apart from our awesome lessons with L and just being hecca cool people in general... I got the chance to play Nurse when our DL, Elder Leslie crashed on his bike and I got to clean up his arms and his knee that were all bloody and gross... I have a video of him being a wuss as I cleaned his cuts. I can't wait to show you. long story short... we had to roll up a shirt for him to bite on so he wouldn't scream. jajajaja. 

I did get 2 cards and a letter from you. I got a letter from Natalie and I know there are some I will get today. :)

I love you Mom. I hope you have a good week. get a lot of rest when you can and remember "pray always that you may come off conqueror." (D&C 10:5). Love you!

This week was ROUGH. Monday was nice we went to a ruin. A really cool one that I can't spell correctly, along the lines of xunantunich. I had fun there with the zone. But then Tuesday morning I get a call from the sisters up in Corozal. They informed me that a very wonderful sister that I had the chance to get very close to in my time there died. She had been sick for a lot of my time there and she got worse in the past two months or so. She was young in her mid 30's and has 2 beautiful daughters. I had a rough time for a few days just thinking a lot about her, her daughters, and also just all those that we have lost in the past years. It felt like it kind of opened up some things I thought had long scarred over. Luckily my District Leader Elder Reyes is super awesome and he gave me a blessing Saturday and I felt much better. On that same  Tuesday I went out with Sister Savage on interchanges and as we were singing a song I began to tear up. As we left the house I began to cry and said "I miss Roseta!" Luckily it was Savage that I was on interchanges with or else it would of been a lot worse. But she gave me a hug and we got on our bikes and went back to work. It's weird, I really thought she would have gotten better and I would of saw her again when I came back to visit. The rest of the week went a little better, but Friday was rather terrible. No one wanted us to teach them, everyone was too busy. Also the sun was killer. The best part of that whole day was around 7:20 when I got a nice good Belizean Coke. 

So lessons this week was 46 to non-members and 32 to less-actives and recent converts. We had 62 invitations to baptism. We started teaching yet another family. We're excited to see what lies in store for this area. It surely is growing. The attendance for church has reached to 62, a high in my whole time here. :)

I haven't gotten to try any new foods. We're still waiting on the iguana but I'm sure it will be worth the wait. We don't have a cook in this area but we might have an investigator cook 2 times a week for us. It's Carolina's Sister-in-law. Carolina said she's a really good cook so we're hoping we could do that and also give her a little work since she's without right now. About once a week we get fed, which is pretty normal.. In Corozal I would usually get fed just as often. I'm excited to have the missionaries over for dinner when I get back. I'm sure it's really awesome, plus I want to make sure no missionaries ever starve. jaja.

I think R really just needs to take a small leap of faith. I mean it really will be more of a blessing to be able to pay her tithing. I know she doesn't feel ready for it but if we all waited until we felt we were 100% ready, nothing would ever get done... We would always have that 1% of doubt in our minds keeping us back.

It sounds like you know a lot more than I do about the whole report to the high counsel. Awkward. Let's take this young lady, who's been in three foreign countries for the past 18 months, gained a fear of white people, and only knows how to invite people to baptism and to repentance and put her on display in front of 5 or so old white men... that sounds like an episode of Oz. (guess that movie reference...) But it's cool because President Kaski will be there and President Clough and they are 2 really cool guys. 

Struggles? Well apart from just being tired and what I mentioned in my first paragraph I don't have any. I'm really doing great and I love being a missionary. I actually had a really cool experience. On Wednesday we had like 3 appointments fall through and all of the back ups as well. As we were standing in the middle of the street thinking about what to do I just said "well, I'm going to pray". So I bowed my head and said a small prayer out loud that we would be led to those who needed the gospel and that we would recognize them when we saw them. After which I pointed to an area where we had already contacted quite a bit and said "let's contact there." I had a whole Nefi 4:6 moment "and I was led by the spirit not knowing beforehand..." After turning onto the street we go to a house. I see a man in his hammock and instantly I recognize him as a new investigator we had found our 2nd or 3rd week in the area. We hadn't been able to find him since (Belizean addresses are the worst!). He had read the pamphlet and was super cool. We're excited to go and see him and to meet his girlfriend. 

We also explored a new part of our area. Esperanza is a really cool area. Lots of positive people are there. I'm excited to go back on Wednesday and teach some more out there. Sorry this is so long... almost no one else wrote me this week so lucky you, you get a whole long email. I love you mom! You're the best! Thanks again for the jerky and the candy. I LOVE YOU!

I'm glad you liked my letter. I did cut my hair, but just layers. :) I'm glad you enjoy getting to know my daily life... it's kind of boring to me. Jaja. I'm glad you understand about how people can be fun and obedient. I feel like sometimes missionaries don't understand that's possible. About who I want at the airport... I don't really care. Just as I get my first little bit of time with you guys. :) So whoever you want to invite can be there. 

I will send the package home this week or next. Please do not send me another package. I don't want to worry about it being in Belize and me in El Salva or vice versa. So just leave that stuff home for me. :)

I hated reading the scriptures as well, but now I love it. You know why? because I prayed to love it. And it really helps! :) But it's beautiful this wonderful commandment that God has given us really is for our benefit. I suggest just praying to love reading. It will become something wonderful.

Well, about this week.........

I just got an email from Sister Hintze. I was confused at the title "The fruit of your labor" and it was a picture of a young man I worked with in Miramonte... and he was dressed in white. he had gotten baptized. I thought all that time with him, wasn't wasted exactly, but that it wouldn't of amounted to this... the moment I saw it I tried to recognize his face. I began to cry. It's beautiful how the Lord works in mysterious ways. 

We found 3 new investigator families this week! We're now teaching 7 different families. 

I got "the call" from Elder Lopez asking which airport I would be flying home to... I was terrified. But it's crazy that I'll be home in October... YIKES!

I'm running out of time. But I love you!