Hey Everyone,
Guess what!?!? Don Chepe FINALLY got baptized this past Saturday night! Yay! And I got to go to the south and see it. We showed up late, but we made it in time for the ordinance. I can't tell you the joy I felt as I saw him in white, then as he was baptized! I felt SO happy! I feel like I've been waiting for that practically since I got here in November! I'm so happy! His son wasn't able to be there, but I'm so glad that he's baptized!
Also, Miguel was confirmed this past Sunday! And he was wearing a white shirt, tie, and slacks! He looked so nice! And he was smiling and glowing all day! He used to come to church in jeans and a shirt, but he's making the change! And it's so cool to watch someone learn and grow in the church. Especially when we start teaching someone and invite them to church. We tell them to come as they are, even if they don't have a skirt or a white shirt and tie. But then to see someone change! It's so rewarding!
MORE good news! I just found out from Sister Tucker on Saturday that Maria Pena has a baptismal date for June 25! I don't have time to remind you of who she is in full detail, but she was the one we went to contact and was like, no I'm not interested, then like 5 minutes later asked if we could come back the next day! I'm SO excited! I love her, and I am SO excited that she will be getting baptized!
So I'm sure some of you have heard about the flooding/rain here in Oklahoma. It's true, but we haven't been completely flooded. It started raining and thundering after I went to bed Sunday night, and it continued all night long until like 11am yesterday morning. And the rain was coming down HARD! It wouldn't stop! Then it was off and on all day yesterday. We got a call that the cars were grounded because 3 freeways had been shut down due to flooding! I told Hermana Xiques that this would NEVER happen in Cali because we are prepared for when it rains this hard. Here, the drainage system isn't that great. In fact, Elder Bell and Elder Whipple said that at their apt complex it was flooded up to Elder Whipple's knees!
We decided to walk to our appt with Ligia yesterday. (She's the one we biked to a few weeks ago. She's a less active.) On our way there, we saw two streets. One completely flooded with a car sunk/flooded, and another that was just partially flooded. We also saw a dead turtle. Which when we came upon it, Hermana Xiques screamed so loud and grabbed my arm. It was funny! It was dead, but it looked like something had started nibbling on it, so it wasn't the prettiest thing. And it was a medium sized turtle!
Luckily, Adriana showed up while we were visiting with her mom and she gave us a ride home. We were both so dead from the walk. In fact, today my body feels so weak! I feel so pathetic and out of shape! We also walked to church on Sunday and back, which it's only 2 miles one way. So we walked about 4 or 5 miles on Sunday and 3 or 4 yesterday, and my body isn't too happy. But I'll be good in a couple days!
So, I'm just barely past my halfway mark, and it's so weird to me! I can't believe I've been gone 9 months! I'm excited that I still have 9 months left to continue to learn, grow, change, and progress. But I can't believe how fast time has gone! And it continues to fly! I can't believe June is halfway over already! I've had such awesome experiences being here in Oklahoma! I still wake up sometimes feeling like I'm living a dream, like it's not real that I'm a missionary. But I know that I won't be a missionary forever. One day my tag will have to come off, so I am trying to enjoy every moment!
President and Sister Gee go home soon! That is also unbelievable to me! I wish they could stay, and I will miss them so much! But I'm grateful that I've been able to know them so well!
I'm enjoying my new district! It's so weird to have Elder Mortensen back. He has definitely changed a lot, but in good ways! He's so funny! And Elder Bell, our district leader, is awesome! He plays the piano, which means I won't have to play at district meeting. I love playing, but I'm just not very good because I haven't really practiced. I think I've played the piano more on the mission than I have in years! He also likes to cook, and he's from Apple Valley, CA. He served in my area before sisters were put here. Actually, he and Elder Carpenter were the ones who tracted into Miguel last August. Anyway, this is his third time serving in this branch, and he thinks he'll probably die here, seeing as he goes home in two transfers.
I love you all so much! Keep being missionaries and sharing the gospel! I know that there are people around us who are ready to receive. Pray and talk with everyone, and I promise you will know what to say and how to say it!
I didn't hear from Corey this week. He has transfers next week I believe. And the Hiroshima Mission will close at the end of the month.
Love,
Hermana Christina Hogewoning
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