Baptism!!

Holy crud, summer is ALREADY OVER?!?! But it just started for you guys!!! Holy cow, Momma, time is FLYING. 

IN 3 WEEKS I WILL HAVE BEEN AWAY FROM HOME FOR A FREAKING YEAR. Can you believe that? Sometimes I think about it and it just blows my mind. I ONLY HAVE 6 1/2 MONTHS LEFT!!!!!!!!

OK,  WE FINALLY HAD A BAPTISM!! I told you guys about Carolina, right? Well if not, she is such a sweet lady! She is 39 years old and is a single mom of four kids, the oldest being her daughter Analia who is 20 years old and the youngest being Emmanuel, who is 9. She is actually a bit learning challenged and speaks a LOT of Guarani, so teaching her was a very interesting process. We used a lot of examples and hand signs to remember things like the word "prophet" and "priesthood power". About two years ago she had a stroke leaving the right side of her body paralysed, but the members helped out a lot in bringing her to church and her baptism on Saturday. Also, it made her a bit nervous about how the baptism would go if she couldn't support herself on her leg very well, but Gabriel, the ward mission leader, did a really good job at keeping her calm and helping her under the water. She only had to go down once, but she swallowed a bit of water so came up coughing and spitting. Once she calmed down, she looked at me with these big ol' eyes and half a smile and said, "Can I get out, now?" Everybody got a good laugh out of that.

The best part of all was the confirmation the following day. We usually have to poke and prod the members to reach out and sit with somebody new that we bring, but this time, without even being asked, the members all reached out to her in such a loving way. One sister especially, Hermana Bonifacia, helped her walk from one class to the other, and then helped her walk up to the front for her blessing. After everything was said and done, Carolina looked just so incredibly peaceful and happy. At that moment, I felt a confirmation that I am so blessed to be a part of this, and I really am fulfilling my purpose here to bring souls unto Christ. It was a very humbling and satisfying feeling. On top of that, I think it was really great for my greenie to be able to take part in a baptism so early on, too!

Speaking of greenie, Hna Palombo is doing super great. You can tell that she is still trying adjust to the language and the culture, but she's figuring out a little more every day. Now I just got a get her a little less dependent on me translating for her!

So this was my week. I remembered that I have an extra memory card, so I'm using my other camera again. Please enjoy the pictures of Carolina!!

I love you guys. Enjoy school, and stay safe!!

Su contenta misionera,

Hermana Jeppesen

A Trainer!! Plus pictures!!!!

I'm so glad to hear that you guys are healing up so well!! Celeste is definitely looking a LOT better. And, HOLY COW, the truck got smashed! Once again, I am SO HAPPY that you guys are ok! Also, I know that Heavenly Father is taking care of me over here and keeping me way too busy to think about you guys, BECAUSE....

I'M TRAINING!!!!!!

It took me COMPLETELY by surprise, but I finally have a mission baby! Can you believe it?!?! I still can't.... So about my new daughter:

Name: Hermana Palombo

Age: 20 (HER FIRST DAY HERE WAS HER BIRTHDAY!)

Hair color: Super blonde (sticks out like a sore thumb)

Skin color: Super white (a sore thumb with a bug bite on top)

Eye color: Super blue (the sore thumb had an alergic reaction to the bug bite)

Home town: Spanish Fork, Utah (surprise, surprise)

Language skills: ...yeah, we're working on that. I am fondly reminded of my training days when I didn't understand what the 

crap was going on. Right now we are working on memorizing the first vision in Spanish.

Personality: Hilarious. We're best friends. She is also super excited for the work! I'm kind of amazed at the strong desire she has to just share her testimony of the Gospel with others. 

Current state: Tired. Once again, I am fondly reminded of my training experience. During a lesson yesterday, I built everything up to allow my comp to share her testimony about prayer like we had been practicing, but when I looked over to pass the time to her, her eyes were closed and she was asleep on the couch!!! Luckily I stole the attention back and the investigators didn't notice, but I did have to fight myself not to laugh out loud.  But that's why we have P-day, right?

As for me, I'm pretty ready for P-day, too! I'm literally doing almost all of the talking in the lessons and with the members and when we contact and explaining everything that's happening and... well, needless to say, I've had a sore throat and I'm starting to lose my voice a little bit. It's a little stressful sometimes to think that everything is in my hands right now and I have to be Super Missionary until I can get Hna Palombo to the point were she can understand more of what's going on, but I know that Heavenly Father has called me to train for a reason. Whether that reason is to keep me from worrying about my family, building my confidence in my abilities, or just getting the chance to serve and teach another missionary, who knows? But I am really excited to learn from this experience and to grow alongside my little greenie. These next 2 transfers are gonna rock!

I love you guys, and I am still praying for you everyday! Please keep Hna Palombo and me in your prayers, too. Also, I decided to just start using the camera that Anthony sent me for now, so..... PICTURES!! Or at least a few of the amazing Hna Lino who I miss a ton, all of the new trainers on the way to the office to get our newbs, and my super gorgeous comp!

With so much love,

Hermana Jeppesen

A week of graditude!

My daughter Celeste and I were in a pretty bad car accident and we wrote to Hermana Julia about this.  I have a firm testimony in the blessings of missionaries and their work and the blessings that it brings to the family.  I also have a strong testimony in the power of the Priesthood and the wonderful blessings that can be given to me and my family during times of trouble.

Mom, I hope you know that I love you so much. I will be completely honest, this email kind of scared the crap out of me, just a little bit. But you know what? At the same time, I've never felt so blessed. Every single night, with out fail, I pray that Heavenly Father will protect you guys and keep you safe. Sometimes it can be a little difficult to be so far away from you guys and not know what's going on or if you guys are doing alright or not. But, Mom, I am so so glad to know that you guys are ok. Heavenly Father protected you both, and neither of you were hurt more than what you were, miraculously preventing broken bones or brain damage. He put 2 people close by to help you both until the ambulance came. He provided worthy priesthood holders to come and give you both blessings to help you deal with the aftermath. And if it's any consolation to you, he provided me a companion to give me a hug when I'm sobbing in front of the computer. 

I am so incredibly grateful to my Heavenly Father. I know that you guys are in his hands. I know that he is helping everyone cope, as well. On that note, how is the rest of the family? As freaked out as I am? Please let them know that I love them, too! And give everybody big hugs from me. 

Also, I could care less about the truck.

My week seems really uneventful, now! We did divisions with the sister trainer leaders on Thursday. I got to work with Hna Cevallos from Ecuador. She's kind of super hilarious, and we had a great time. As for me and my comp, this week was a little rough. I tend to talk a lot, and she tends to want me to NOT talk a lot... We are working on a balance. This morning we studied Ch. 6 of PMG, the sections on patience and humility. I'm learning to shut my mouth a little bit more and remember that my companion doesn't hate me, she just wants her space. 

I gave a talk in church yesterday on the importance of the help of the members in missionary work, and read a lot of what I shared with you guys in my last email. I think it went well, but I think some members got offended.... we'll see how that goes. 

Transfers are this week. It is most likely that both Hna Aguilar and I are going to stay in this area for another round.

Not a lot of details, I know, but this is the basic overview of what's going on over here. I love you all so much, and I'm praying for you guys even more now. Please stay safe. Please wear your seatbelts. I want my family in one piece when I get home, thank you very much! And I promise not to worry about you guys too much. 

Your very grateful daughter,

Hermana Jeppesen

Got our package!!!

I GOT YOUR PACKAGE AND I ALMOST CRIED!! Thank you guys soooo much! I'm not sure which I am more happy about: The freakingly amazing Betty Crocker cake mix with HERSHEY SPECIAL DARK CHOCOLATE FROSTING (oh my goodness, you guys know me so well) or the FUN-FREAKING-FETTI!!!!! pancakes with... OH MY GOODNESS!! MAPLE SYRUP!!!!!!!!!!! (Just so you guys have an idea of how excited I was) Needless to say, I celebrated my wonderful countries Independence Day with a lovely American breakfast. USA!! 

So I tried using the SD card reader that you sent me, and it still doesn't work. Sad face. I'm going to see if I can print some up and send them to you in a letter, because I don't know any missionaries going home this transfer to send back my SD card. Wish me luck!

OH MY GOODNESS DANI JUST SENT ME PHOTOS AND HAYDEN HAS A BEARD. Nope. Not allowed. Shave it.

Anywho, on a more spiritual note, I was reading Eld Ballard's talk from this general conference this morning and was reminded of just how incredible it was. My challenge to you guys is to read this talk together for family home evening tonight, and focus on the second half about his missionary challenge. He extends an invitation to all the members to study out of Preach My Gospel and share what they are learning with the missionaries. Together, they can learn more, share ideas, and increase the unity between the members and the missionaries. I LOVED THIS when I read it this morning. Can I start by sharing a section that could be really helpful in your calling as Family History Specialists? In Ch. 9, there is a section for the missionaries to find more investigators and strengthen recent converts through family history work. The story that it includes is really fantastic, too. It would be so awesome if you guys could meet with the missionaries and ask if there is something that you could do to help them out with that! Teach the recent converts to start their family tree, or even invite non-members to start researching. You guys are an incredible tool to the ward and to the missionary work. Over here, we don't have any specialists like that, so we don't really get to take advantage of this blessing of turning the hearts of the children to their fathers. This is just an idea that I had. What do you guys think?

My comp and I are pressing forward. We recieved an AWESOME reference from some members visiting from Argentina yesterday who brought their cousin to sacrament meeting. We are super excited to go visit her and her husband tomorrow and teach the first lesson.

As for health, we're doing alright, but I think my comp has an inner ear infection because it's been hurting her all week. Tonight we are calling the mission president's wife to get a doctors appointment. We are still taking lots of vitamin C and trying to eat lots of fruits and veggies, although it's a little rough when we eat nothing but meat and grease with the members. 

I love you guys a lot, and I'm so glad you guys had such a blast for the 4th! Keep praying for my comp and me, please. You guys are always in my prayers. 

Lots and lots of love,

Hermana Jeppesen

SMILE!!!

The Garden of Eden!

I ALMOST FORGOT ABOUT THE FOURTH OF JULY!!! Holy cow, I'm a terrible American. I must be turning more paraguayan than I thought! I think it's the lack of Dr. Pepper and curly fries. What's something SUPER american that I can cook for my companion? OH! I think I still have a packet of beef jerkey that Anthony sent me!!!

Speaking of american stuff, I met another American this week! His name is Pio Gomez, and is 82 years old. He was born here in Paraguay, but somehow ended up in the USA and served in the Marines. He was in Vietnam for 3 years! He flies planes, speaks 5 different languages, and has lots of pictures of the garden at his house in Texas. His wife died of pancreatic cancer 7-8 years ago, and he says that he's living in Paraguay now to find a girlfriend. On that note, he did ask me out to dinner, and I politely declined ;) I did, however, promise to visit him in Texas after I come back home to the states. For now, we have an appointment to go back on Tuesday and teach the Plan of Salvation.

In other news, it got super cold again this week, BUT I was prepared this time and drank lots of vitamin C suppliments and bundled up like crazy! I may or may not have looked like a marshmellow, but at least I was warm! The biggest challenge was keeping up our spirits in the rain. It's really hard to find new people when nobody wants to leave their house. The biggest blessing, however, is that we found a wonderful family to teach! The mom, Carolina, is paralized on one half of her body, but we were very blessed to have the help of one of the only 3 members in our ward with a car, and she and her 9-year-old son, Manuel, were able to come to church yesterday for the first time, and are very excited to come back next week! Thank you guys so much for your prayers, and keep them coming PLEASE!! I know that your guys' faith and prayers are what guides us and helps us each day find the people who are waiting to hear this message. 

As for the Garden of Eden Pattern: When Adam and Eve were created, they were happy and comfortable in the garden. They knew their way around, everything was provided for them, and they were free from tribulation until they decided to eat the forbidden fruit and were cast out into the world. They had to learn how to find their way around again, provided for themselves, and deal with their tribulations. This sets up the pattern of life. For example, in the mission, I went to the MTC and had to learn my way around, learn how to interact with my companion, be away from you guys, etc, and it was HARD, but after a few weeks I got it down pat and was comfortable. I felt that it was my "Garden of Eden". However, I was eventually "cast out" into the mission field. I had to learn my way around again, meet new people, learn the language, etc, until after a few months when I got comfortable again. Once more, I was "cast out" into a new area to learn and progress, and so it continues until the end of the mission when (I hope) I will be comfortable with all of the missionary responsabilities and way of life, and will be "cast out" of the mission. This proccess continues all of our lives. "Cast out" into parenthood, into a new job, into studying at new school, and so on. The key is trusting in Heavenly Father and learning to progress with each stage. If we stayed in one spot were we are comfortable and knew everything, this progression would be impossible. Heavenly Father provides this pattern to help us grow and become more like him, and as we endure to the end, we will be "cast out" of this life to continue in the next. 

I love you guys! I still want to see pictures of how the bathroom is coming along! I think I'm going to print off some of the pictures I've been taking and send them in a letter. Pray that it actually gets to the house! 

Siempre orando y pensando en ustedes,

Hermana Jeppesen

Still no pics and a rough area!

I'm starting to wonder if my camera got a virus, and because of that I can't open any of the folders when I plug into the computer... That sucks.... Is there anything I can do for that, or is all hope lost?

This week was super crazy with the weather... again. And I got sick... again. BUT! after a few vitamin C suppliments and eucaliptus tea for the last few nights, plus A LOT of decongestant, I'm feeling a lot better! Plus, yesterday one of the members had me swallow a spoonful of honey with lemon and oil from this south american animal that looks a lot like a beaver but without the big tail (I forget what the animal is called...). It's supposed to be good for coughs, but honestly, it didn't seem to do very much. It's starting to get a little rediculous all of the things that I'm consuming here in Paraguay.

To be completely honest with you guys, my comp and I are in a rough spot. We don't have a single investigator who is progressing towards baptism right now. We are super diligent in contacting and teaching new people, but after the first lesson nobody seems to want to let us in again. They either hide in their houses and pretend they aren't home or they have incredibly long lists of excuses for why they just don't have time to meet with us. So this morning, Hna Aguilar and I made goals on how we are going to ask EVERYONE for references of who we can visit, and that way have a better chance of finding people who are interested and willing to progress and keep their committments. Also, we really want to do more to serve the members of the ward, but the people here aren't really that receptive to letting us in their homes and do service with them. Tomorrow we are going to go visit the bishop in his home and ask him for ideas of who and how we can serve. It would be incredibly helpful too if you guys could pray for us to help us find more people and that we can have progressing investigators, and especially that they can come to church on Sunday. Thank you for the prayers that you have already been sending our way, and know that Heavenly Father is listening and constantly helping us.

So how are the missionaries in Elmwood Ward? Do you guys still have Elders there, or Sisters? Do you guys get to help them out much? Please tell everyone in the ward that I say HI! Also, how are Grandma and Grandpa Jeppesen? Please tell them that I say hi too and that I love them very very much.

OH HEY! Were you going to send me a package anytime soon, because... well... I need more socks again. They're just so tiny and they keep getting lost or worn out!!! Also, maple syrup... or maple extract to make syrup... Holy cow, I've had this craving for MONTHS now. 

Ok. I love you guys. I miss you all a lot but I'm trying my best to do you all proud and be the best missionary that I can be for my Heavenly Father. Thank you all for your love and support!

Con amor,

Hermana Jeppesen

Missed it Monday, but got it on Tuesday!

So yesterday was a bit crazy, and I wrote a whole email for you guys, but by the time I tried to send it, the internet in the cyber we were using competely failed us and we couldn't send anything. BUT our leaders love us! and they gave us permission to use the internet today after our district meeting to write our families again. Thanks for the prayers, because it seems like Heavenly Father is listening and let us try again!  Here's the letter that I wrote yesterday:

Hey Momma!

Sounds like you guys had an awesome week! Was How to Train Your Dragon super epic like the previews seemed? Also, you are officially obligated to take me to Georges when I get back....

Yes, there is more available in the city, but only when we actually have time to go look (P-days!). I still can't find maple syrup though *sob*. Also, I was planning on asking you how your new calling is going! That's awesome that you could find 2 more souls to save, and I'm sure you'll find lots more who are waiting. Plus, are you guys working with the missionaries to teach family history to recent converts? Because that would be totally awesome and a great help to them (cough hint cough chough) ;D

Oh my crud I still can't send photos!! Sorry, small moment of frustration. I WILL FIGURE THIS OUT!!!!

Anywho, this week we had a pretty awesome zone conference where we learned all about avoiding paradigms, working more with the members, how to ask people for food, not to flirt with elders, etc. It was pretty legit. We are now taking the ward directory with us when we make contacts to search out ALL of the members in the ward that we don't know. So far, we found out that one person moved away and nobody has ever heard of the other people. But, hey! diligence is a Christlike attribute that we are trying to develop, so the search continues!

The weather, as always, can't make up its mind. One day is warm and we're sweating, and the very next day is cold and we have to bundle up. Yes, we are staying warm, so don't worry about that. We just have to start walking for a bit and we're fine. As for the people, the city seems to be a little bit trickier. People are working a lot more and aren't always home, or they're busy doing something else and don't have time. The good thing is that they don't run and hide in their houses like out in the country! Also, we don't have to go as far to get to all of our appointments. I will admit that I miss the green landscape a lot, but at least here I know that the water is clean and didn't come out of a dirty well.

So I'm starting to think that I might never again be able to email you guys photos. By the time I finally find a computer that will accept my camera, I might spend the entire hour sending pics and not write anything. I hope you guys are ok with that when the day finally comes!

The Book of Mormon challenge that you're doing seems really great! Probably the best advice I've recieved when it comes to reading the scriptures is read for AT LEAST half an hour or more, enough time to get sucked in, to understand, and to not feel rushed, and you'll really start to build up a love for the scriptures. Now I'm at the point where 1 hour of personal study isn't enough and I want to keep reading!

I love you guys, and I hope that everything continues to go well. Enjoy the summer, especially going swimming and the hiking trips, just for me! And thank you for thinking of me in church, Momma. I love being able to share with the people here everyday the things that you and Dad taught me all my life and the examples that you've been for me. I really hope that I'm doing you guys proud out here!

Con todo mi amor,

Hermana Jeppesen