Short letter - going to the zoo!

Como estan? 

My salsa is good. I made lots, as usual. Except it took me like three days to make it because I had to chop everything by hand and I didn't have that much time to begin with. But it was good anyways. 

The weather here has been like perfect. Not hot, not cold. The leaves haven't really started changing yet, but it definitely feels like they will soon. 

We watched women's conference at the church. Unfortunately the satellite was out for the middle half of it. We heard the first talk and the second half of President Monson's talk. I love him, he is so cute.  I've been teaching a lot of "seguir al profeta" lessons and inviting people to conference and such and I am SO excited for it. It is going to be the greatest. 

We're working with the Matamoros lots, we're going to visit them every day this week. They are all doing great, we're super excited for them! the baptism will be between the Saturday afternoon and Priesthood sessions of conference. It's going to be tight, especially with who they want to give the talks, but we definitely don't want to push it back again. 

We were talking about how much of a difference it really makes to have the Gospel in a home. There is a big difference even between when I came and now in the Matamoros. They are doing stuff together as a family more, they don't argue with each other anymore, and they are all clearly happier. The Spirit truly does work wonders; and they haven't even been baptized yet. It is easy to see how much and why God really treasures families when you see the difference there is when people come to Him. 

Well, Have a fantastic day! 

PS we're going to the zoo again today! I'm so excited!

Sandwiches & Investigators...

We enjoyed this.....

Just in case you want to get your pets blessed. 

Hermana Chambers says she wants to have her mom bring her horse up here

 so she can get blessed. But not really. Don't worry. Goodness... 

Hola! (to be pronounced with the "h" sound)

Oh, and that spider was on a web. It wasn't really moving. But I blew on it and it spread it's legs out a little more. I would have taken a picture then, but I didn't have time. And yeah, we do tract pretty often. There are a couple pockets that are mostly Hispanic. And then also some that are like half black, half Hispanic. And then some random ones other places that people tell us about. People are usually not super friendly to us when we try to talk to them (especially Americans. I'm so glad I'm not working with them) But as soon as we tell them we work with the Spanish congregation and ask if they know anyone who speaks Spanish, they lighten right up and point them out. It is funny. 

Thanks tons for your package. I really enjoyed it. I am still enjoying it. The cookies were a little odd, having been re-cooked in the mail truck, but it's a lot cooler here now. Which is GREAT because it means fall is coming. I'm super exciting. (That was supposed to say it is super exciting, or I'm super excited, but I wasn't really paying attention and I thought it was funny, so I'm leaving it.)

So, you may not get the magnitude of this, but yesterday, a Hispanic man made me a sandwich. WHAT. Usually Hispanic men are very machisimo, which just means they let the wife do ALL the cooking and cleaning and stuff. There is this super cute little older Hispanic couple, like in their 50's, named Lilia and Raul. Lilia was baptized back in Columbia back when she was like 12 or 13, but went inactive when she moved her like 10-20 years ago. I'm not really sure how long. But she was super cute and we taught her the restoration and I'm not sure she really quite got it, but she definitely felt something and her friend was there that isn't Mormon and she definitely felt something too. Then afterwards her husband Raul got home and she was like, "I know you sometimes have trouble with Hispanic food, because you aren't used to it. I sometimes have trouble with non-Colombian food. So I'm going to give you girls some sandwiches." <--Miracles do happen! Then Raul came and asked us if we wanted one or two. <--Miracles do happen! Usually they just bring out a massive and heaping plate. Then we talked to Lilia for like half an hour while Raul made us some Paninis. And we ate them and they were delicious and they are super cute! It was great.

Also, we had 8 investigators at church yesterday. And then like three kids that are under 8 years old. But sweet! And the Matamoros are actually going to wait another week to get baptized because they want to get baptized all together as a family and the week before this, Alan didn't come to church and he needed to come three times. He's been struggling a bit, but he's been doing better the last couple times I've seen him. Hermana Chambers made him pinky promise to come to church. We asked him if he would, and he's like "Yeah... I'll come." Then Hermana Chambers was like  "You have to pinky promise!" and you could just see his defeat. You could just see all over his face, like "Aww, man, now I really do have to go!" But I think he liked it. I didn't really get a chance to talk to him at church because I was helping some other investigators. But yeah! He came! They are planning to get baptized on the 4th I think. Or the 5th. We're not sure yet, because it is conference weekend. But yeah.

Well, I'm running out of time. Dad, for your talk I would just talk about being bold. They tell it to us missionaries all the time. Just don't be afraid to say whatever the Spirit tells you. And sometimes, you have to open your mouth and start talking before the Spirit takes over. Just with lots of prayers and a little courage, it is easy. We have the happiest message on earth. We shouldn't be afraid to share it. People respect people that believe in something. And also just sharing the Gospel through example. People don't always ask questions that lead directly into a Gospel principle, but they don't have to. Don't be pushy, but be persistent. I like the quote in the Joseph Smith: Prophet of the Restoration movie (LOVE that movie) when the saints are serving an older woman and she says, "I don't believe in your religion, Mr. Smith, but I do appreciate your kindness." And he stops working for a second, and says, "You might say that is our religion, Ma'am." And so just looking for any opportunity to serve. Like really, anything. People notice and people want to know why. But you basically just have to do it without asking or they will hurry and be like, "No, no, esta bien, voy a hacerlo." Oh well. We try. And it never hurts to ask if there is anything you can do for someone else. People won't always have something for you to do, but if you are sincere when you say it, people can tell and they appreciate it anyways. 

So yeah. Those are my thoughts. 

Love,

Hermana Emily Ann Pratt

EMILY'S RANDOMNESS

This is a picture of a finding activity we did. We set up a table at a flea market and it had 

a bunch of pamphlets and DVD's and Books of Mormon and stuff. The picture is our district 

(Except it might be missing one companionship of Hermana's) and the Zone Leaders came too. 

Zoomed in shot of Emily

So you probably can't tell, but this spider is ridiculously large. 

Like with it's legs spread out, it was at least as big as my palm. Probably bigger. 

We found it tracting, in front of someone's door. That's terrible. 

So this week lots has happened. It has been a week of finding new investigators, according to our mission president. It was like a competition thing. We kind of failed miserably, but it was for good reason. We already had a bunch of appointments with our other investigators and a lot of stuff to do. One day we had sister's meeting, which was pretty fun. I didn't get much in the clothing exchange. Like one shirt and one blazer that I realized afterwards is dry clean only. It is super cute though, so I might keep it anyways.

For the past few weeks our car has been telling us to "service airbag." So last week we took it in and they told us that we had to set up an appointment for that. They also told us that until that light goes off, the airbags won't go off, even if we wreck or anything. So this morning we took the car up to Henrico, which is out of our area - but we had permission. Our District leader Elder Pedraza and his companion Elder Steiner followed us up there and drove us back home and we're spending P day with the sisters we live with. And the Elders will probably drive us back to pick up the car whenever it is done. We don't really know what is happening yet. Oh, speaking of Elder Pedraza, he's Mexican, so we've been learning lots of Spanish from him. Which is good because I need to practice more. 

So we have one family that is set for baptism on the 28th of this month. The Mom, Ana has 3 kids (actually she has a lot but we're only teaching 3), Alan, who is 18, Dina, 17, and Brian, 14. Alan didn't come to church this week, so we have to push his date back again. We've moved them back a couple of times. But Dina and Brian at least are ready to move on, regardless of if Ana or Alan are with them. But Ana is pretty solid right now, so we're hoping it stays that way. 

Also, one of our other Investigators, Elba, we set a date for October 26th. She is super cool and so nice. She has a daughter, Corina, who is 13, who is also great. She hasn't set a date yet, but we're hoping that now that her mom has, she'll follow.

So crazy experience last Wednesday. We were at District Meeting, and as soon as it ended one of our investigators, C calls us and tells us that they have her mother and brother hostage in Guatemala and they are going to kill them if they don't pay them money. We called the bishop and stuff and referred it to him, but there isn't really anything anyone can do. We told it to Elder Pedraza and he's like, "Yeah, that happens all the time in Central America. There isn't really anything you can do. If you pay them, they just take your family another time and ask for more. If not, they just kill your family." He like wasn't even surprised. Man, that is terrible! The second coming should just happen so all that can stop. 

I miss hiking in the mountains. I could go hiking here, if my companion wanted to come with me, and if I wanted a million ticks and Lyme disease and stuff. It is super pretty. I want to sometime, there just isn't really any good time. 

I have to sing a lot on the mission. We start every lesson and companionship study and stuff with a hymn. I've decided I might want to like take voice lessons or something when I get back maybe, and improve my voice. It could definitely use it. Too bad it will be too late. Maybe I will just stand on street corners and sing and attract myself a husband that way. 

So, the other day I made a pun. In Spanish. I was really excited. As you might imagine. I miss puns. No one ever laughs when I make puns. They just look at me like I'm a freak. But it's fine. I'll never stop making puns.

Yesterday I read the story of Saul/Paul being converted and it is super great! I would recommend it. Also, me and Hermana Chambers (who is from Kansas City, Kansas, ps) have started reading a section or two from D&C during our companionship study and I like that a lot because we just get to talk about the Gospel and read stuff and all that goodness. 

P.S. you know what is funny? Saying goodbye to a hispanic. Every time, they try to slip in as many goodbye's as possible. You can't just say goodbye and leave. It's always like, Bye, take care, have a good day, we love you, see you later, bye.  So yeah. Hispanics are hilarious. It doesn't even matter what country they are from, they all do the same things. But anyways. Bye, take care, have a good day, we love you, see you later, bye. Love you!

Hermana Pratt and Hermana Chambers (companions as of last week)

This one is Hermana Pratt, Hermana Williams, Hermana Brown (previous companions), 

with a recent convert named Norma Munoz. She is awesome.

This is humorous because it says "human hair"...

Then there's a picture of that filthy large spider that wasn't really dead. 

That's a quarter next to it.

Hermana Williams (former companion) sitting on "Nessie." 

The Elder's decorated a room for Hermana Brown's birthday 

and we put all the balloons into a Nessie shape. 

So I had an extremely cool experience with prayer the other night. We had just taught the Matamoros about prayer, and how to recognize the Spirit and stuff, and as I went home and prayed, I prayed for something that I've been praying for every night for a long time and I finally got an answer. It was extremely powerful and strong and it was a huge testimony builder. I won't go into specifics now.

Also, the night before, I had a really unfortunate dream and woke up and was really scared for a little while and then suddenly the image of Julie came into my head and I could feel her presence and I know she was there. And I knew no sort of evil could stand up to her wonderful and feisty little spirit. I don't know why she came to me, but she did and comforted me and in the prayer that I mentioned I asked God and thanked him for it, and I got a very strong confirmation that he had sent her to me in that moment. And it was a big confirmation to me that the church is definitely true. Julie is still doing the Lord's work!

I'm so glad I have this time to serve the Lord and do so much to advance his kingdom! Last night before bed I watched the talk "Of Regrets and Resolutions" By Dieter F Uchtdorf. It was a fantastic talk. And it was very good and I want to avoid the three main regrets that people mentioned. My biggest one is that I often anticipate the end more than just living in the moment. Sometimes I feel like I am just doing something with the anticipation of the end in mind. I sometimes get anxious, especially if we have somewhere to be or something to do, and don't enjoy the moment like I should. Especially with my mission. Not that I'm not enjoying the moment, but I feel like I think things like, "Well, when I get home, I'm going to do this..." Or, "After my mission this is going to happen." Not that those are terrible things to do, but sometimes I feel like it draws me away from what is happening now and I just don't enjoy or concentrate on what is happening now. That is definitely something I need to work on. He shared the analogy of him and his wife riding bikes and how you don't go on bike rides just so you can get home or be the fastest or whatever. You go to enjoy the journey and the company of friends. He is funnier than that, but yeah. 

Well, I'm running out of time again. I better wrap it up. But thank you for all the wonderful encouragement and things! You are all the best!

Love, Hermana Pratt

Rain and the Gift of Tongues!

Hola! How is everyone? 

It rains REALLY HARD here. Like I've never seen it rain in Utah like it does here. A week or two ago, we were driving to an appointment in La Mancha (It isn't actually called that, it is just a nickname because it is sort of a dangerous place and has tons of people) and it started POURING. And I don't use the word lightly. For like twenty minutes it was dumping buckets of water everywhere. Like on the way to the door I moved my umbrella for literally about two seconds to step inside the house and was soaked. I felt bad dripping all over her floor. Of course we had to get out of the car and make it to the house. I had my bag on my lap as I prepared to get out and I forced opened my umbrella and stepped out of the car into about 8 inches of water (my poor shoes) and.... My bag strap came undone. And it also fell into the water. I had it out in like one second, but the damage was done. So that was a little of my expenses that you mentioned. Luckily though, my scriptures were somehow protected. I don't know how, because everything else was wet and it's not like the cloth case I have protected it. Everything else got wet except my scriptures and my hymnbook (Actually that got a bit wet too, but not enough to do much damage). And my camera, but that was in a more protected spot. It was cool. But now my bag smells weird. I'm going to try to do something with it, because I like that bag better. 

Yes, I've played the piano a few times since I've been here. Not much, but I have.

I got transferred last week. I am still in the same ward (actually all three of us are) but a different area and with a different companion. Now I am just in a duo. My companion now is called Hermana Chambers. She is awesome She has only been out one transfer longer than me. As you can imagine, the Spanish gets very... Creative. And we don't have a lot of experience with what to do all the time, so we call the other missionaries lots. But it does really help us rely on the Spirit a lot more. I think I'm going to learn lots this transfer.

But my companion is great! She is 20, and we have a lot more in common than my last companionship. I loved them, but we had absolutely nothing in common. There was a 7 year age gap between us all, and Hermana Brown had been married at one point and had had a career going and stuff, and Hermana Williams was very into like extreme sports and had been in college and stuff, but Hermana Chambers and I have much more in common. She's cool.

On Sunday we went to go have a lesson with the Matamoros: Allen, Brian, and Dina, who have a baptismal date set for the 20th of this month, but their older sister Ana was there, and she's never been taught. She also had a friend, Jose, with her. But she was SUPER interested and asking tons of questions and learned lots and Jose was too. So we got 2 awesome new investigators who are both super prepared! It is amazing how much God knows his children. And also in that lesson, Dina, who is 17, asked when she could go on a mission because she thinks it would be an awesome thing to do. and yesterday we saw her again and taught her about missionary work, which was cool, because we actually went to teach their mom (who is also named Ana) but she was in the shower. For like 40 minutes. But Dina was super interested and was getting excited and stuff and it was great!

Oh and my address changed, ps. It is now 8742 Shadymist Dr, Richmond 23235. I think. You should look it up to be sure, maybe, but I think it is in Richmond. We live in a blue house. Remember that one old show that I used to watch, Bear in the Big Blue House? I have thought of that more, since my house has been blue. It is a pretty nice house though. I haven't even found any massive spiders or anything. 

I have definitely been receiving the gift of tongues since I've been in this companionship. It is super crazy to hear these words just like coming out of my mouth. Everyone is always like super shocked by when I tell them I've only been learning Spanish for 3 months. I tell them the truth, that there's no way I could do it without God's help. But it is pretty funny to see the looks on people faces when we are like store contacting or anything and we are speaking Spanish to each other or when we talk to Hispanics we find and they do this like incredulous little double take, like, "What's with these super white girls speaking Spanish?"

We teach the Matamoros kids in English, because they speak better English than we do Spanish, and when we taught Ana (I'm just going to call her Ana the younger from now on) and told her we speak Spanish, she was like, "Oh, that's cool..." and kind of moved on. Then later her mom came in and we were speaking Spanish to her and after she left Ana the younger had this like shocked look on her face and said, "Wow, you really do speak Spanish! I didn't believe you. I haven't really seen any Americans that know Spanish." It was funny.

I'm working on the money thing, but it is difficult with transfers and stuff and now we're in an area where people feed us even less. I haven't had any member dinners in almost two weeks. So I have to buy contact solution and soap and hairspray and laundry stuff and all my food on top of those things which most areas don't have to do. However, it does mean I don't gain as much weight. People in some areas gain like 30 pounds because they get fed twice a day. And there is no such thing as healthy hispanic food. Everything is fried. Even like noodles, I think they cook in oil. And you don't really get any veggies. There are some really... Interesting things we get fed. Well, not really anything way crazy yet, but some things that are just not that good. Like tamales. No me gusta. But we get fed them lots. Ew. But then some things are amazing and you could eat them all day. Like pupusas. They are awesome. If you ever get offered pupusas, especially like real El Salvadorian pupusas, don't turn it down. 

Well, I better go. Have a great day! The church is true! it is the best! I've been reading the Old Testament along with Jesus the Christ and it is SO GOOD. I definitely recommend it. Adios!

Hermana Emily Pratt