HUMP DAY

¡ Hola mi familia y amigos !

Wow I can't believe another week has already come and gone! Feels like
I was just emailing! Also thank you to everyone who wished me a happy
birthday, it was such a good day! But before I get to that...I think
I'll talk about Thursday and Friday first.

So Thursday we checked our media referrals during weekly planning as
usual... (we never get ANY. Pretty typical of the Spanish program) BUT
this week we got THREE. I mean it's actually really exciting...so none
of them have responded quite yet but we'll be trying to stop by
tonight and deliver their bibles so that's fun. Also on Thursday
Alexandra (one of the members we visit) taught us how to make a kale,
pineapple, Granny Smith Apple smoothie. Haha we haven't tried it yet
but I'll keep you posted, she also gave us a bag of chia seeds. Gotta
love the healthiness. Oh also Thursday at our dinner appointment with
the Lyon's I got to blow out adorable balloon candles in ice cream
(they even sang happy birthday in Spanish. Too fun) Friday ended up
being a super busy day and we were able to see a lot of the less
actives we have been needed to get in with and it was just a packed
lesson day which is is always the best as a missionary perfect day to
lead into my BIRTHDAY.

So I was so incredibly loved and blessed on my birthday. The weather
all day was amazing. We wore short sleeves all day and the sun was
shining and so warm...We even got to run in actually shorts in the
morning! Also the English sisters spoiled me with all these adorable
little presents...they even made cookies shaped like a 20 (I'll send a
picture). We did have to go clean the church but then we got a call
from Gladys wishing me a happy birthday!! (I guess she saw it on
Facebook) and she was so nice. We ended up going over there later for
a lesson and she even made me a cake! (And coconut bread stuff
too....I need to learn how to cook from here it was delicious). It was
the best to spend the majority of my birthday with Gladys and Patricia
and the girls, I love them so much. It was a member present lesson too
since Larry came! (He brought me cupcakes too, the nicest). Gladys
even called on Monday making sure I had a good birthday, i love them!!
We also got to have an amazing dinner appointment too with Sis
Doxford, and Daniel. Anyway that was kind of a scrambled summary of my
birthday but it seriously was the best day. Everyone was so kind and
loving and I was so blessed!!

Sunday Maria came to church and got her visiting teaching assignment
and was SO EXCITED!! It was so amazing, and we had a "linger-longer"
too which was great.

Anyway I'm running out of time a little bit again. We got to go to the
temple today - THE BEST. We almost even had to watch the whole session
in Mandarin too...luckily they ended up just giving a few people
headsets. But it was so cool because one of the Chinese members was
going through for the first time, there were so many missionaries in
the session it was incredible.

It's been such a good week. It's been raining a ton (April showers are
real). We've contacted so many incredible people of the train lately.
Just the other day we were able to talk to this lady from Paraguay!
Our mission has been putting a huge focus on finding and just this
week as a mission we have a new standard of doing 3 hours a day of
finding....which is actually kind of a lot! But just starting
yesterday we've already seen so many blessings. Tracting last night we
found TWO Spanish families. One told us to come back, but one we were
able to go in right then and have a lesson with them. I just love when
you find the little blessings from all the hard work we put in every
day.

Well tomorrow officially marks 9 months that I have been a missionary.
It's so crazy how quickly time flies. It definitely a reflecting
moment to be halfway (what better time for us to go to the temple too)
I've learned SO MUCH already, And looking back I am noticing that all
the "little by little" changes have evolved into so much more. I love
my mission with all my heart and I'm so excited to see what the next 9
months will bring!!

I love you all so much and am so grateful for each one of you. Have an
amazing week and enjoy the beauty of Spring!

Con Amor,
Hermana Smart