7 May 2013

¡Hola familia! I am once again reduced to a computer that doesn't have as much functionality. So bear with the lack of paragraphing. Last Tuesday we left the MTC again after missionaries left for the field. This time we went to see a relief map of Guatemala. It was finished in 1905, so they did the surveying without the aid of satellite--good old survey equipment and trig. The tallest parts of the map come to maybe my waist, and the whole things is laid out over a fairly large area. We got on an overlook tower and President Nicolaysen talked about how this could be the geography where much of the Book of Mormon took place. No one really knows, but it was interesting to think about. We got our cameras back that morning. I got a couple good pictures of me and my district but I won't be able to send until I get to Honduras. Which reminds me, I'm leaving next week! Hooray! I am soooo ready to leave classrooms and get out where I'm going. I just have to make it a few more days. (new paragraph) Also I should address a few things: 1. It's official...we're not calling home on Mothers' Day. Sad. But what can you do? But, Mom, even though I don't get to call and talk to you, I still love you lots and lots! And I love all the rest of you too! Also, this is probably my last time writing from the CCM. Because I'm moving next week, I'm not entirely sure when I'll get to write again. So don't worry if you don't get an email next week. I'm sure Press Veirs will let you know if I don't get there, and he'll probably even tell you if I do :) By the way, from this point out all letters and Dear Elders should be sent to Honduras. (New Paragraph) Now back to p-day. After the relief map, we went to the market. We browsed through all the different crafts, clothes, etc., but I didn't buy anything. I was already thinking that I shouldn't acquire more stuff here, and President N matched my thoughts when he told those of us flying to our mission to avoid buying what we didn't need. We also walked through the food area. The food looked really interesting, but I couldn't try it because I'd probably get sick. It wasn't hard to see the germs everywhere and Pres N told us not to as well. (paragraph) After the market we went to the park. The first time I heard about the Mall in DC I thought it was a building, but it proved to be grass. When I heard about the park, I thought there would be grass, but it proved to be mostly concrete and sidewalk with a fountain in the middle. Pres N had challenged us to try to give away a Book of Mormon, so I made the attempt. The first person I talked to just didn't want it. The second accepted albeit reluctantly. If he actually reads with real intent, I'll count it as a miracle. The main benefit of the endeavor was probably for me. Then we came back, ate lunch, and went to the temple. I love that we get to go every week in the CCM. Tomorrow will be my last time for a long time. I'll miss it! (paragraph) Wednesday morning the new missionaries arrived. At breakfast, we found out that we needed to move rooms, so instead of doing personal study that morning, I packed up my stuff and moved downstairs. In my home on the second floor, I had my own little closet, and we had a couple community bathrooms. Now we have a bathroom in our room, which in nice. However we have two closets and a chest of drawers unit with six small drawers among six hermanas. Needless to say I'm also living out of my suitcase some. But it's really not that bad. The biggest thing is that we don't have washers, so now we give our laundry to one of the workers at the CCM, Hna. Griselda. Then later that day you have to dig through all the laundry to find your clothes. Or in my case, I gave my laundry yesterday, but didn't have an opportunity to get it until this morning. Everything is in transit at the CCM right now because they are doing a lot of remodeling. For my first four weeks here we had most of our classes in Comedor 3, which is the over flow for the Cafeteria (comedor 1 y 2). Usually we got kicked out a couple times a day because other missionaries needed to eat. As of last Wednesday, we now go to the capilla (chapel). Every morning after personal and lang study we assemble as a district and walk with our teacher to the capilla where we have church on Sunday. That means we get to leave the CCM, walk across the temple grounds and then to the chapel. We come back for lunch, and then return to the chapel. We come back for dinner and then stay at the CCM for the rest of the night. It's not at all efficient, but I love the chance to walk instead of just sitting in a classroom. Apparently after the CCM is remodeled, more of the space will be used for housing missionaries and a lot of the districts will have class at the chapel. Normal here is that everything always changes, always. (new para) Joseph wanted to know about my companion. Her name is Hermana Pocock. She's from Ohio. She didn't really know much Spanish before she came, so I try to help her with that. I also have no idea what part of my mission I'll be in first. Um...I can't think of anything else to write. I hope you guys are all doing great. I love you so much! Happy Mothers' day, Mom! Love, Hermana Davis