Hopping On The Train To My Mission!

Hola Mi Amigas!

I made it to my mission in Ogden Utah by a train! It was awesome!

This is day 6 and so, so many thigs happened. There are some of the highlights this week:

Rural utah is so pretty and hot. I now know what 100 degree weather feels like now and "dry heat". My Companion, Hermana Arriagada and I are in the only walking area of the mission and it's alright we push through. All of the streets are pretty sketchy so I feel like my mission clothes are too nice and I stick out like a sore thumb.

I was trying really hard to give myself grace about my spanish this week because I don't know everything yet, but it hit really hard on saturday and sunday. I know 60% of what they're saying but I don't have those words in my vocabulary yet to speak. There were many times where my spanish was so broken that they couldn't understand me, and then I couldn't understand them, and because of that they try to start to speak to me in english and think I don't speak spanish and it's so incredibly frustrating for me. So then on Sunday night we had a family home evening at a house, and this father (who is a member) at the end of the activity gave me a handshake and said "thank you. I am so grateful that you are trying to speak Spanish. I love it that you are trying to speak my language" and he was tearing up and then I really had to try and hold back my tears because I really needed to hear that. I came to know that my efforts are actually worth it and someone notices that I am trying really hard to teach the Gospel and help others in Spanish. 

The ward is so small but really amazing people! They love the new investigators very much and are so helpful with referring friends for us to find and help. They go to this catholic building that was bought by the church and the stained glass windows are so pretty! Also we have a Baptism this saturday for a man named Madain and I am so stoked for him! He bore his testimony and I know that he will be an amazing convert. 

Love you guys! Here's the challenge, go and talk to the missionaries assigned to your ward and ask how you can help. If you're busy, then try having a conversation with someone about religion. You got this! I believe in you!

Hermana Vestel

P.S. here's the office address if anyone wants to be old-school and send letters or packages lol

4380 S Orchard Ave

South Ogden UT 84403

United States

Here's a few photos of me with my mission presidents and my companion, and some of the funny things I found on buildings while walking around in the area. The mountains are so pretty!!