Email chat (sort of) – 5/25/11

Hey, I just had transfers, we just left the church it was a crazy day and I am a complete lobster.  LOL. (it’s 12 noon Utah time, so 2 pm in PR)..... so I am now in Ponce with Hermana Garcia of the DR (Dominican Republic). Super cute girl.  I'm excited to work with her.... I don't know if I can talk and explain much today, but next time I can..... crazy stuff this week and another Indiana Jones trip.  LOL.

Also quick question..... can you send my SD card?.....okay we have another address but Hermana Jimenez doesn't know it. We will be rooming together with Hermana Curl. (remember Hermana Curl from the MTC?)

I was asking her about being a lobster, which meant she spent too much time in the sun uncovered……

okay sorry, it's because we had to wait like 5 hours in the parking lot for everything, we are doing a whitewashing in my area which means we have to start completely fresh in the area..... and so I was outside waiting first for my comp(anion), then the car, and then a cell phone, it's been a long stressful day LOL.... and yeah Hermana Jimemez and Curl are together... and we are all living together. I haven't used my sweat guards yet cuz I haven't been in an area hot hot yet. LOL (We bought her these things called sweat guards which are supposed to last for weeks and stop you from sweating.   Everyone told us how hot it would be in PR.   She’s been in the cool mountains, but now she’s going to live in a SUPER HOT city….I think she’ll be giving those sweat guards a real test).... also I don't have the address yet because Hermana Jimenez can't remember. LOL…. and hey random note they have a Sam's Club so we can buy things there yah.... I just read some of your letter that was funny about the dentist. LOL (I was telling her my numbed up, drooling and spitting out of the side of my mouth stories)..... probracita mommy..... and I had another generous gift receiving experience.... Hermana Peterson, so cute, serving with Hermana Jimenez who is sick has this cute collection of different things from this brand called Vera Bradley... she got me hooked, and I explained how I thought it was adorable and maybe if I sent money to her mom, her mom could pick one up for me because her family gets discounts through a friend. So I asked her to ask her mom how much I should give or how much would it possibly be.... then she had an extra small notebook and generously gave it to me, so I'm using it for a nice assignment I have from a Psych doctor (did I share that story about the doctor visit and the wrong doctor. LOL)? Anyways all of a sudden she says I have a surprise and I receive this box from her family and they bought me an adorable Vera Bradley backpack, extremely thoughtful and cute!!!!

Thanks for that last part of the letter I feel so grateful and warm and fuzzy right now. LOL (just telling her how much she is loved.)

Oh I feeel the love hehehe..... she doesn't have it for today (asked her to have Hermana Jimenez wrack her brain to remember the mailing address) and we get our letters often from the elders.... our district leader will be serving in Adjuntas., I do have my (Sam’s Club) card and Vera Bradley is a designer a brand... look online

For right now because I don't have the address.... and Hermana J. has been there already 7 months. (and she can’t remember the address?   REALLY?????   LOL) .... Beltran is with Moltavo in an area that both had been in before - not at the same time... they'll be good together... Hermana Peterson is still sick and they don't know what it is, not looking great, we have almost a missionary in the hospital once a week it seems. And yeah I did see the nurse for my physical help. LOL

Next week I will definitely try to explain everything, I'm super sorry I can't explain everything

1. Indiana Jones: just trying to find sweet old dona maria, and almost drove down a cliff with rolling waters

2. Transfers: Ponce 2/4 with Hermana Garcia of DR

3. More back and forth trips to Ponce

4. Hermana Christianson staying with us for a night and worked in Utuado, learned a lot from her.

5. Made Restauration brownies (comparing the story of J.S with brownie mix) (I think she meant Restoration)

6. At church a million surprises of lost long menos activos and investigators.... have no idea what happened because some of these people we haven't talked to and we must have not received the memo. LOL. WAY COOL

7. Pouring drenching rain everyday

8. Sent you and Kyle a package

9. Have conference Ensign

10. at Nestor's ate something that had ants all over it and going up my arms not cool

11. investigator we had for a baptismal date, found out is 90 years old. LOL.  yeah we'll see how that flies

Asked for a few clarifications…………

*2/4 is the area numbers, LOL, of the wards, and I agree I think I could blindfolded as well, (I was saying how she’s been back and forth between Adjuntas and Ponce so much that I think she could drive it blindfolded), and more news with driving - my comp again doesn't drive, and our area is 11 miles away from where we are going to live.... I will be a pro driver.

*Hermana Christianson trains all the sisters and she is so cute, I hope we can spend a transfer together. It was her first time in Utuado

*there will be 4 new sisters arriving to PR mission and there is a rumor that I will be a trainer

*yeah it’s a cool brownie analogy

*yep 90 and doesn't look it or move like it. LOL. We met a man in Adjuntas who was 108 and still living it up

* yes I ate it (the food with the ants……yuck!!!)

All the kids are done here with school.... school is really weird here, Kyle should come here. I swear they don't do any work. LOL.... and the sisters are from Idaho, New York, and Mexico (not sure who she’s talking about – probably the new sisters coming in)

They will be arriving in Aug. and Sept (the new sisters) and it's been almost a year since I've received my call.

Nutz hey mom sorry need to leave I love you a ton and thanks for everything....... xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxxo

mucho amor

ME

Email 5/18/11

So today I had auditions at work while Jessie was online.    To add to that, the library she was in kicked them out after a relatively short amount of time.   So, by the time I got back to my desk she was gone.   Phooey!  

Not too much has happened since the last time we talked.... things are pretty rainy and wet here, LOL, and well I'm just going to say I am grateful for companion inventory. LOL.... we had a rough night on Wednesday, but things got better………………….. Thank you so much for the glasses, she really liked them and was very grateful for them. (Hermana Beltran needed reading glasses so I picked a few pair up at the dollar store and sent them to her.)   Also heads up, I know you won't be super happy with this but that is why I'm letting you know. So this transfer has been really insane for the both of us and we have been super stressed, sick, and annoyed so we decided we actually wanted to do something fun for PDay. So we got prepared earlier so we could have more time and there isn’t much to do here, but I asked Hermana Beltran what she would want to do for fun (cuz we need it bad, LOL. I don’t know how Tricia can wear normal clothes and play on her days) but anyways I asked Hma, Beltran and she said she wanted to take pictures and do our nails, so I'm going to get my nails done, so I'm just letting you know why I spent money. We are allowed on our mission, so we are not breaking rules.

What a huge blessing for the Glods to do that for us, wow I'll definitely write them a letter......

Mom thanks for supporting the nail thing.... I know it’s not necessary but it gives us a chance to just breathe and not stress because this has been a super hard transfer…………... also I found a great necklace that will work for my Samoan outfits. I'm going to send you and Kyle a package so I'll put it in there.  The glasses she used are 1.00 the smallest mag(nification). I'm going to keep them (the other pairs) for people who need them ;)  (I told her I tried a pair of the reading glasses on and was amazed at how much better I could read with them.)   Heheheh that is so funny that you need glasses.  I hope I can wait until 50!!!!! Glad they helped. Also sad news again sorry.... Nestor is not going to church because something happened between a member and he is offended super sad mom...

(We were talking about our friends, the Glods)   Talk about inspired. It’s so interesting how we learn something and we don't really do anything at the moment about it until we encounter something that relates to that topic, then we are inspired to remember it and take action. I love that, I have seen that in my mission a lot of times with my studies, ways of how the Holy Ghost helps prepare us for things to come so we can help others or grow ourselves for the right time.

(Jessie’s friend, Lou, came home from his mission because of illness)

Lou sent me a great lengthy letter and in it he mentioned how much he loved talking to you on the phone, and how he could have kept going. I thought that was funny, his mom thinks I sound like you, funny that she can remember my voice, it’s been 1.5 (years). 

Also can I just say I love my personal study, I have learned so much about the scriptures and the gospel. Finally I can think of deep good gospel questions and it really is great to study. I definitely want to keep up my exercise and studies when I come back, because I have seen the difference it has made for my spiritual and mental growth.

Hey Mom I have to go, sorry we couldn't talk much, I'm sure next week will be more juicy once we know about transfers. I have to go cuz they are kicking us out again. This is a new thing. LOL..... but know I LOVE YOU TONS and MISS YOU SO MUCH!!!!!!!

 Get some sleep and talk to you later.

 xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox

 LOVE YOU!!!!

Me

Email 5/11/11

As you’ll see, Jessie didn’t get to ‘chat’ much this day.  

Sorry once again I don't have a Pday because the doctor of the Caribbean missions is here to evaluate all the missionaries who need to see him.... so I have been in San Juan since 8 am and we are still waiting. This has been an interesting transfer. Also it was funny because I wanted to see the doctor because it's a free opportunity to ask questions and I was here anyways. I wanted to ask why I am always so tired, I always feel drained, even if I rest and sleep at night.  I'm always exhausted and it’s not the whole mission thing because it was before as well. Also I wanted them to make sure my back was fine (aligned) regarding to my dance injuries. So I entered in and there was a sister missionary (older) and she started talking to me a little. I explained that my questions were super lame, but this was a chance to ask. Then we said a prayer and then she started asking me weird questions that didn't relate to physical health. Then she started asking questions about my companion and then stress with the language and mission. Then she was like "Oh before we really talk I want to explain that as a career I worked 30 years in Psychology".... I was like WHAT??!!! LOL ..... then she was like what were your questions.... well I explained that I am always exhausted and that I wanted to have my back checked. She was like ummmmm..... well, not sure if I can help you with that. Yeah Awkward. LOL. But it was good, we chatted a bit, and then I left. I don't know if I am going to actually get those other things checked out that I signed up for. LOL.

right now I am writing from the office. ....

I talked to her about anemia and low iron………

yeah I thought about iron as well, but the one pysch lady said that she could tell in the color of my eyes that it’s not a lack of iron. I sleep at night, so I don't know.  You've always known that I'm always exhausted, my body always wants to crash.   (like mother, like daughter!)

And I have no pain whatsoever in my back, but I figured that if something happens in the future we can know that my back is aligned or if there is something up now to make the situation easier in the future.

I don't know if you already sent my SD card back, but if not can you send it pretty soon?  That would be awesome. Also if you talk to Lou again can you explain that I want to write him, but seriously there is no time ..... I basically don't have Pdays.

I was asking why she was in a hurry for the SD card to be returned.  She should have another one……

okay because Hermana Jimenez wanted the photos on her flash drive that is why and I couldn't do it when I had the SD with me.... then I accidently sent it before I was able to put in her flash drive.

Thank you so much for the lotions. They were great and smell so good. Definitely a fun treat... I love bath and body

Both Hermana Beltran (Jessie’s companion) and Hermana Peterson (in Ponce) have been violently ill with vomiting, diarrhea, and so forth……….

Hermana Peterson crashed again. She was doing great and bang came back. They believe it's Dengue and Hermana Jimenez has been fighting headaches. We're just a great bunch in the Ponce zone. LOL....

It's something that is transmitted from mosquitos.  It’s a disease. Nasty one too.   (Dengue fever is a virus-based disease spread by mosquitoes.   It’s totally curable and not usually serious……just yucky!)

I have to go..... I LOVE YOU MUCHO AND I WILL TRY TO TALK TO YOU NEXT TIME. I'm sure there will be a new story....

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox

ME

Our Mother’s Day phone call (on May 8, 2011)

We were all excited for the chance to talk on the phone this past Sunday.   It seemed like it would never come and then poof, it was gone in a blink.   I kept thinking that Jessie would call us some time during the week to tell us when and where to call her on Sunday.  But alas, no contact……..no information.    So, being the ever diligent mother I am (maybe I’m just stalker-ish) I went to church in the morning and then ran home as soon as the three hours were done.   (Sorry folks!   Relief Society duties had to wait…..no meetings that afternoon!)   

            I waited.   Ate.   Waited.   Slept.   Waited.   All the while the phone was right next to me (yes, even in the bathroom…..gross!) and still………no call…….no Jessie.   The day was quickly waning and I was afraid I wouldn’t get to talk to her.   Finally at around 4:30 pm she called!   Yahoo!   But wait!   She called to say she couldn’t talk just then.   They had to go to someone’s house so her companion, Hermana Beltran, could call HER mother in El Salvador.   Okay, then when can we talk?   Jessie gave me the phone number and we agreed I would call her at 8 pm Puerto Rico time.  

            So at 6 pm mountain time, on the dot (of course!), I called the number she gave me.   It turns out no one was home at Hermana Beltran’s house so she didn’t get to talk to her mother.   (The poor thing.  L   I felt bad for her.)  

            But, finally Jessie and I were able to talk.   First she explained what had been happening that day, then she went on to explain the weeks previous.   Apparently Hermana Beltran has been very ill for a while.   To add to it, she contracted a virus (or something) which has caused vomiting and diarrhea.   Yuck!   When Jessie’s email chat with me ended abruptly the Wednesday before, it was because Hermana Beltran passed out at the library.   They had to wake her up and get her back to the apartment.   And, Hermana Beltran isn’t the only one who is sick.   Hermana Peterson, who is Hermana Jiminez’s companion, in Ponce has the same illness.   They’re both extremely ill.

            Jessie tells me that Hermana Peterson was stuck in the apartment for two weeks, so of course, Hermana Jiminez was stuck too.   In order to keep working Jessie was driving to Ponce (40 minutes away) from Adjuntas to get Peterson and Jiminez, and then driving back to Adjuntas.   The two sick sisters were staying in the Adjuntas apartment during the day (2 bathrooms – thank goodness!) while the two healthy sisters went tracting.   Poor Jessie never got any rest at all during this whole thing.  

            By the way…….apparently Ponce is VERY hot and uncomfortable, while Adjuntas (in the mountains) is cool and comfortable.   Another good reason for the sick girls to take refuge in Adjuntas.

            While Jessie and I were talking (37 minutes into our allotted 1 hour talk time) she was beeped with an incoming call from President Alvarado.   It seems, prior to my call, the girls had called the mission president to tell him that Hermana Beltran never got to speak to her mother.   I think they were hoping she’d get to call the next day.   So, since the incoming call was from the mission president, I told Jessie I’d call back in a few minutes and I hung up.  

            Well, I did call back……..again and again and again.   Boy, that’s a long talk with the president!   When I finally got through about 40 minutes later I found out that President Alvarado had patched Hermana Beltran through to her mother through his phone.   How great is that?!?   She got to talk to her mother after all.   I felt bad I had been beeping in over and over.   And to add to it………..she definitely didn’t talk for her allotted hour.   I hope it wasn’t my fault!!!

            Finally, Jessie and I reconnected.   We talked for a few minutes and then Kyle got on the phone and talked with her for a short while.   (Cody, the dog, even had a minute with her…….he was snuffling the phone and shaking………he misses his girl, Jessie.)    After she and Kyle spoke her time was up, so I was ready to say goodbye when she asked if we could have family prayer together in Spanish.   Heck, yes!!!   (Of course, neither Kyle nor I speak Spanish…..still…….)    So, I put the phone on speaker and Kyle, Cody, and I kneeled at the couch for prayer.    About halfway through the prayer the phone disconnected.   Really?!?   While I was dialing her back, she called in to us.   She started over and we finished the prayer.   Then it was goodbye until Christmas.  

            Jessie and I could’ve easily talked for hours.   Hardly anything was covered during our interrupted conversation and I felt a little gipped.   Still, it was most wonderful to hear her voice and know that she is well.   I suspect there will weeks of non-stop conversation when she gets home from her mission.   Jessie is a talker and she’s not been able to share everything with me through our interrupted emails and then this call.    At least I know she’ll want to share when she comes home, so I can wait.  

            Jessie wants everyone to know how much she LOVES getting your letters.   Although she doesn’t have time to write back, she wants you to know she appreciates you and your loving support.   So do I.   Knowing she’s getting more than a letter from me each week is very comforting for this mother.   Hey, her brother hasn’t even written her yet!   Thank heaven for all of you!!!!!

            Although she still feels inadequate in her grasp of the Spanish language, she’s functioning well and doing the work.   She’s still struggling with adapting to the Puerto Rican culture and the ways of the people, but she’s trying and I’m sure it will become second nature to her soon.   She’s been out long enough that there’s a chance she’ll soon be a trainer for one of the new sisters expected to arrive in Puerto Rico.   To be honest, the thought of it scares her because she says there’s so much Spanish vocabulary she still doesn’t know.   Regardless, she’ll make a great trainer whenever it happens and those under her tutelage will be blessed.  

            Please keep praying for her.   She feels your faith and support and it keeps her going during the challenging times.    Love to all of you!

May 4, 2011

I'm back I don't have a ton of time to talk it has been a crazy week. My companion is very sick and so is the sister in Ponce, so i have been drving back and forth for the last 3 days.

Yeah I'm reading it now (my letter to her this week) and president is serious about me staying lol, but we can really talk more about what has happened on Sunday cuz i get to talk to you and Kyle woot woot.

That's all I got from her this week...........sad, but true.

I've been trying to download the videos of her dancing at the mission conference luau, but I'm not having any luck. 

She FINALLY sent her camera's SD card!!!! Here are a few shots:

in front of the Dominican Republic Temple

LOOK how tall Jessie looks!   Remember.....she's less than 4'10"!!!!

It must've been a very wet day.

All the PR sisters performing service as part of their April mission conference.

Her new companion, Hermana Beltran.   She's from El Salvador.

Hermana Beltran.

A luau was part of the mission conference.

Jessie and Hermana Beltran at the luau.

The couple on the right are President and Sister Alvarado.

Jessie got to dance at the luau.   Be sure to watch the videos posted.

What a cutie!