After Christmas is Here

It's now after Christmas and we're all just waiting for the new year to come! Woo!! It was fun to be able to have Christmas here, but definitely not the same. The people don't really do anything to celebrate. They just have a dinner and hang out at home (most of them at least). Some don't even do that. So I felt a little sad to miss out on all of the Christmas festivities, but also I'm a lot more excited for next Christmas. I've learned the importance and how I've really taken for granted the things that we do and such. It was really a good experience to be here though. It's fun to see the people and have those that are more willing to listen because it's Christmas time.

Also with Christmas and new year's that means that it's party time. Our house is behind the house of the owners where we live and they had a party going on - mostly yesterday. It was weird because we've had people in front of our house for the last three days and they've just been having a good time and we're just there watching.. a little weird, but we got food from it and got to see what a Mexican party is like. Which isn't much different.

So pretty much we see a million parties going on everywhere and it's a little difficult to find people home, but it's fun to see all the excitement in the people and such. And even with all of that going on, we still found a great family. That's really what is important. We found a family that is so great! They really want to learn and change their lives. They aren't really religious so it's easier.. and harder at the same time. They weren't able to go to church yesterday, but we'll keep on working with them and I think within too long they'll be super excited, coming to church and right on their way.

Amongst all of this from the week I had some great studies. One of which was focused on Christ. I studied titles He has and focused on what that really means for us. I've learned that He is Savior, Redeemer, Brother, Friend, Teacher, Christ, Creator, and many more. And what does that mean for us? It means we have someone who loves us, knows us, wants the best for us and understands us. Every one.. He knows what we feel and wants for us to accept Him in our lives. And as we do, we'll be able to have a change in our lives, have the help we need in every time of trial, and we'll be able to come unto God. Remember him always.. not only at Christmas. I know He lives and I know He came here to save and help us. We have someone who cares always.

Hermana Humphrey

Bugs I ate

Bug sandwich

Hna. Humphrey and Hna. Oliphant

Feliz Navidad

Dear everyone,

First I would like to inform you that the exclamation point isn't working today.. So if I seem sad or something like that, well it's not the case. It's just that I can't express myself in my normal way. Sorry if it seems a little sad compared to usual.

This week has been pretty fun. We had a week with lots of work and fulfilled lots of our goals for the week. Yay. And also on Thursday we went to Arriaga to have a multi-zone conference and lunch. It was with one other zone. And the cool thing is is that it's the zone where Hna. Bate is. So I got see her. It was a fun activity and such that we did. Other than at first when we got there, they shot us all. Flu shot.. woo. But after that, we had our conference where president and a few assistants talked to us. Then we had a play about Christmas that some missionaries did on the spot.. well they had their parts to read before, but hadn't ever acted it out together. So that was fun. And we also had a talent show. And we had a lunch together. And at the end a testimony meeting. It was so great to be able to be there with all the other missionaries and be a part of that all. It's really great to hear testimonies from so many other missionaries too.

We had one day that we were just feeling so exhausted and tired and at the point where we almost went home. We said okay we'll go to these few people to see if they're home and if not we'll go to our house. Then as we were heading to our house remembered one more and decided even though we were just done that we would go. And it's an investigator that has been coming to church for a long time. He just has never accepted to be baptized. So it was in hope that we could have him accept. And we got there, taught him.. and this time his wife actually listened and was interested. And even though he talks a bit scientifically and not direct, we were able to invite him and he told us that he does want to be baptized. It was so great and happy for us. And then on Sunday they both ended up coming to church. The wife had come once or twice before but never was really interested much, but this one lesson changed so much. Really it's something we could see the fruit of our work. Even when you get tired and don't want to keep going, always work. That's how you'll find the opportunities most important that are so special and great.

I know that Satan was just trying to distract us a lot that day with our not feeling well. But even with that all, we worked and had a lot more success than I thought we would. Many lessons and a good end to the day. It was lovely. And it just requires work and the Spirit.

I hope you all have a great Christmas and do lots of good things.. Love you all and be happy.
Hermana Humphrey

And if you haven't seen the video yet, watch "He is the Gift"... I think that's what it is called in English. It's great. the end.

I'm a Small Town Girl?

Well here I am in Zanatepec. And it's so weird because it's definitely a small town. A lot of the people know each other and most of the people we talk to already have met with the missionaries. (at least in a contact in the street, but usually for lessons in their house too). So it's really quite strange and I like it at the same time. It is a bit harder to find people to contact, but it's a fun thing to be in a small town. I'm not really all about the small town thing in Utah, but it's a cool experience for a time in the mission. It's funny too because some of the members already know me because I'm in pictures that Hna. Carrera and Hna. Bate have shown to them. So a few have told me that they already have seen me. It's weird.. But cool at the same time!

This transfer is the first time I'm with another American for my companion. All of the others have been Latins until now. And it's very strange to have this difference though. And surprisingly we're doing very well talking in just Spanish (until today because it's kind of like lazy day). Every once in a while the people say things and we just look at them because we're both a little confused, but that's an experience that just helps us learn more! Woo!

It's a little difficult and weird getting to know everything and everyone new from the beginning again, but I feel like I'm connecting with the people here more than I was in San Cristobal. It's a good experience and I'm happy to be here. I'm working and having a good time helping the people.

Yesterday we got to church and had passed by about five houses for people but no one answered. So we were a little disappointed because none of our investigators came, but then about half way through the first hour we saw two of the people we had talked to during the week outside. They came.. and we haven't even taught them yet. It was so great! And then an eternal investigator came from our area. So it was so nice because we had more success than we thought at the beginning. God always does help us out and we just need to always have faith in Him. I know it's true and it's a great thing to share it!

Go and do something special today and have a great Christmas time week!

Hermana Humphrey

News Flash

Hey hey hey!

How are you all? I hope all is well in Utah Christmas town! My news for the week is that I'm off to a new state.. maybe state of mind, but more specifically a new state of Mexico - Oaxaca! I'm going to the little bit of the mission that's not here in Chiapas. From what I hear it's a little tiny village and that it's great there. I've heard a lot of great things about Zanatepec. So I'm happy. Even though I've had very little time here in San Cristobal, I think it will be a great time in my new area. I still don't know who I'll be with or any of that fun stuff, but it's a new experience! And it looks like I'll be having a hot Christmas after all! :)

Besides that.. well it's been a good week. Not anything super crazy or weird, but it's been good. We had a nice zone conference. And we had a few days full of first lessons. We found some new investigators and have had a good time with that. It's great to see the work progressing and see how things are going here. It's a bit sad to be leaving, but I don't feel super tight with this ward still, so it won't be so hard. I still miss my Tapachula ward, but it's also great to move on to new places and have new experiences and the whole bit. What's been cool this week is that in some of these first lessons, the people told us that it's weird that we found them. One of the sisters told us that the day we talked with her in the street was a day that her son ran out of the house and she went chasing after him. And that's when we came up and talked to her. Another person told us that they were having problems that day and went to sit outside on the curb, but that it's weird because they never do that. And that's when the missionaries came up and talked to her. She was able to feel a peace in the short time of talking to her in the street and it was a great opportunity for her and us. I know that this is definitely the hand of the Lord in the work.

It's great to see all that God does for us to help us find the people who are waiting for the Gospel and that we can help them come closer to him. It's such a great work! Definitely not our work - it's the work of the Lord. I know it's true and that this Gospel really changes people's lives!

Hermana Humphrey

A wooden house

A fried bug - eaten today

San Cristóbal

The building with lights downtown

December week!

It's December!! What?? And because of that I have suddenly become a sentimental person. (I think that's the word). I now am just thinking about all our traditions and the things I love to do and feeling sad but yet excited about Christmas. It's weird to think that I won't be home for it all this year, but I'll be having a great new experience though. They have a huge tree up here in downtown San Cristóbal and it just makes me so excited! I love seeing all of the Christmas decorations and the things here around. It's going to be a great time, just very different.

Thanksgiving was also a lot different this year.. I didn't even see a turkey. It's weird because they don't celebrate it here, so I missed out, but that's going to make next year the coolest Thanksgiving in quite some time for me!

And also another weird things is that I have become scarf girl. I didn't want to wear the scarf I brought for anything, but then I decided well cool. I can do it. And now I just feel like I want to find more scarves and be weird scarf girl.They sure help keep me warm when I go walking around in cold town. It has been pretty cold here this week. I don't know how cold. But we had some hard days this week. I'm sure it's nothing compared to Utah weather, but after Tapachula weather, it's a big change. And I love it!! I just need to do a bit more buying if I stick around here.

It's been a good week all in all. We had four people with a baptismal date set, but then.. no one (of them) came to church. It's the big challenge we seem to have here, but it's a work that we have to do and I'm so excited to be here and do the work! I hope you all have a super great week and enjoy the Christmas time things and the SNOW!!! I'd love pictures from you all in your Christmas festivities!

Hermana Humphrey

Weird Week

As I was saying a bit last week, Monday was a weird day. We were running to and from each place so we could go move in with the other hermanas. We got there around nine and got all set up. We had to find a plumber to come check our house and all that fun stuff. And it was weird because let's be real.. what missionary knows the plumbers in their area? Few. But we found one we got it all worked out and the person who came and checked and fixed the toilet had it fixed in 15 minutes. We moved for 15 minutes of work (and lost a lot of time traveling from area to area during these few days). And it only cost 20 pesos (less than 2 dollars). What??

We ended up being with the hermanas until Friday morning, but it was good. It was interesting and weird, but I really liked having time with another American (someone who understands my language and culture and the whole bit). Anyway it's been weird, but now we're back.

It's been a good week with all the rest too. We found someone who is so great and really wants to learn and progress. And she came to church yesterday. It's been good with the people we're teaching We're having a good time teaching and all that fun stuff. I hope you are all doing great and have been enjoying the snow and such! Have a great Thanksgiving!! :)

Lots of love
Hermana Humphrey

Hola on a Very Loco Day

Today has been super weird. We woke up in the morning and had a lovely problem in the bathroom and the landlady says that we will need to have it all fixed and will take about a week. So good news.. We're going to go live with other missionaries for the week. Hermana Guevara (past companion) and a newbie, Hermana Baker. We'll see how that all goes, but I'm sure it will be a lot more stress and craziness. It's all good though. So we have been trying to work out all of this all day.

Besides that it's been a good week. We had intercambios on Thursday that went for a day and a half. It was super great and I had a great time! It was fun to be with Hermana Rodriguez (not my past companion - different one). She's a great missionary and we worked super hard and what's cool is that their area is in downtown San Cristobal. This week was a cool week with a bunch of stuff going on so it was a fun experience. I have some great pictures of a man dressed as an Indian dancing around. Pretty funny. :)

Besides the long, but fun, intercambios, it was a good week too. We had great experiences finding new people, talking with a sister in the ward who was living in West Valley for a few months, and having lots of other good things to do. So it's been a good time.

I hope you all have a fun week and are happy and enjoy the cold (and snow?... I've heard it was supposed to snow this week, but I am not sure because I've just heard it from people who looked it up who live down here on the other side). Either way.. enjoy the day!!

Hermana Humphrey

Hola Utah (and a few other states, maybe)

Hey everyone. Here I am in San Cristóbal. Woo!! It's so lovely here. The mountains and the palm trees (not quite as many as in Tapachula though) and all the other cool things. It's really great and the weather is pretty fun. We get cold in the morning. Hot when we go out to work for a few hours and then cold again. Sometimes I walk outside and think.. where's the snow? But that supposedly doesn't exist here.

It hasn't been a super eventful week, a little bit, but mostly regular. We did have one weird day though. We left to go teach the people and as we were on our way my companion hurt her toe enough that she could hardly walk. So we went home and rested for a while. She still couldn't walk later on in the day, so we were at home the whole time. We did go nearby to a restaurant because we were told that the member who was going to give us food gave money to the RS president and didn't tell us that we would be having someone else give us food. Later (after almost finishing eating) we were told that we had a member who would give us food. She brought it to our house though because we couldn't really walk there very easily. It was all just an interesting day.

Besides that we have had a lot of walking, teaching, talking, stuff such like that. It's really great to see the people who actually care to learn and are progressing bit by bit. I hope you all have a fun week and maybe next week will be a little more eventful to tell you all about.

Other news, I saw a bunch of people dressed like Indians or something like that dancing and singing and playing weird instruments. San Cristóbal is really a pretty cool place. We'll have to come back here all together to see it. :)

Hermana Humphrey

Very Short on Time

Today I'm very short on time, but here's a bit for you all.

This week has been very weird for me. It's strange suddenly being in a place that is cold. I feel so weird. It's good I didn't send ALL my cold weather stuff home after the MTC. I'll see how it goes for me this week. At night is the hardest because it's about 60 degrees in our house at night. But I have lots of blankets and such. I'm thankful we have furnaces at home! It's really hard getting to know a new area. The last time it took me about 2 months to really feel good about where I was and find my way around. And this area is a lot bigger.. It's a process and also getting to know all new people is difficult, but I'm learning.

I sure miss my ward in Tapachula. My companion. The great members. My area that I know. All that stuff. After nine months it's hard to leave knowing I may not be coming back. (But I do plan to one day). I do really like that we have cold weather and that it actually feels like winter!! But the drastic change is hard sometimes.

It's really a cool place here in San Cristobal. It's smaller than Tapachula (but not way small). It's a bit of a tourist area. So in downtown part (not in our area, but we went today for our P-day) there are a ton of people from all over the world. It's cool to see them all. And the markets are great! For Dia de los muertos the market by our house was fulllllll of flowers. Tons and tons and tons! It was really pretty cool to see. I'm excited for the Christmas stuff that they'll put out in not too long. :)

Anyway I hope you all have a fun week and I'll talk to you all later!!
Hermana Humphrey

No, I Didn't Forget About You

Dearest people,

Today I'm writing very late because today we had transfers. They told us all where we're off to last night and I left at 9 or so in the morning for the other side. I'm now here in Canada...or was it San Cristóbal? Yep. I am in San Cristóbal. When I got my call I was hoping to come here and even more since then. So it's pretty exciting. Maybe I will actually have a cold Christmas!! It's actually cold here as weird as it may seem. So I'll be going shopping next Monday for another coat/jacket thing a little thicker than what I have now. This will be okay for now, but as the colder months come, it might not be. :)

My companion is Sister Lion (Hermana Leon) and she really seems like she'll be a good companion. Different, but in a great way from what I can tell. More on that later and have a fun week!

Anyway. I really don't have any time to tell you much more, but I'll write more next week!

Hermana Humphrey

Hola Amigos

Hey hey hey!! How're you all?? I hope everyone is doing super! This week has been quite an interesting week. We've improved in a lot of things this week. It's always up and down and we're making it back up right now. :) I would love to tell you all about all that happened in the week, but I'll just tell you the most important of the week. We've been working hard and having a bit more success. No baptisms this week, but that's not all there is to success. We have goals in the mission and we finally got to the majority of them for the week... but missed it by that much. The contacts are what kills us, but we're working on it. Some weeks are great and others not so much. We found new people in different ways (like references from members for a change!), but the best is Octavio. He's an investigator that other Hermanas were teaching, but he moved to a new house. He's super interested in learning more and he came to church yesterday too! Woo!! It was funny because we had a lesson with him and the other hermanas to pass him off to us and he seemed so sad to have to change, but afterward they said he could leave with us and so we started heading towards our next lesson and he decided to come with us. We were also with another member. So we all went to the next lesson together and it went well. And the last hour we just went from one house to another of our investigators that weren't home. Usually the people who aren't members don't come with us to the other lessons, but it was good and now he's more okay with the fact that he had to switch missionaries.

We had a few members with us for the lessons this week, not just once or twice. That was pretty nice! It's just been good and yesterday we actually had more than just one person come to church of our investigators!! Woo!!

Anyway. It's been good and I am hoping this next week will be too!! Have a cool week (probably literally up there in October means fall land). :)

Hermana Humphrey

More rain!!

A bag of churros

Clothes borrowed from a member after being soaked (even though it's normal to be soaked)

Hawaiian themed ward missionary activity (actividad misional del barrio)

Hna Humphrey and Hna Agustin

Huge tree that's not so huge anymore since it was struck by lightning a few months ago

Quake Number Who Knows

Well... today at 3:30 in the morning I was rapidly awakened with another earthquake. It was the fourth one I've felt and known for sure is an earthquake, but they all say that it's almost always quaking down here. Supposedly Chiapas is winning in seismic activity in Mexico right now. It was quite a freak out moment when I felt the earthquake this time because I was lost in sleep and woke up suddenly. It only lasted about 5 seconds this time, but it was a big one. I felt like it was still quaking for about ten minutes with how loco my heart was going!! What an experience! (Note from Holli's mom: this earthquake was 4.7 - the one in July was 6.9)

Anyway.. This week has really been quite great! We've worked hard and had a good time. We also took a trip to Hawaii! It was our missionary activity in the ward. It went really well! And also we were able to go to the baptism of Keke (I have no idea how you spell that). He's the brother of Hanny (who was baptized in August). It was so great! Even though it doesn't count as one of the baptisms in our numbers as missionaries, it sure does count as a baptism up in Heaven! And it was great because we were the reason why they started coming to church again. :) It's great to see lives change like that!

Thursday we had a great zone conference and during the week we've found new people to teach who are really excited and ready to learn. I hope we can keep teaching and helping them and that they'll come to church pronto! That's the best way for them to really see what blessings come from the Gospel. I know it's true and that the church is what keeps me going. Without the Gospel in my life I'd be a lost cause... But look at me. I'm not completely lost.

I hope you all have a lovely week!
Hermana Humphrey

A Conference Week

This weekend was quite nice because we were able to see general conference! Definitely a nice thing to be able to do! Again I watched in Spanish, but it was a lot easier to understand this time. And it was cool to be able to listen to a few of the people give their talks in Spanish - from their actual mouth. Two of the speakers spoke in Spanish and Richard G. Scott also has his talk pre-recorded that comes from his own mouth too. So that was pretty nice. I am looking forward to when I get to watch conference in English again. And I would love to see conference in the conference center. Everyone asked me if I've been their for the conference and I can only tell them no. But one day I will get to I hope!

It hasn't been a super eventful week, but it's been good though. It was really hot this week and my body wanted to fall over and die, but no worries. I'm alive!! We did take a minute to sit and rest though so we wouldn't have any incidents in the middle of the street. It's so weird having such a hot October. I feel like it's still July with the weather how it is here, but then I remember that it's not.

We have had some great lessons. On Friday when I was just about to die and my head was pounding, we went for a lesson at 5 and Roberto told us that the day we contacted him, he saw us talking to someone and crossed the street so that maybe we would talk to him too. And if we didn't then whatever. So really he was prompted to talk to us, but didn't want to make the first effort. It's good that we made the effort to talk to him.

Also on Wednesday, we stopped by house of a girl who is reactivating in the church so we could go the the RS activity. And her cousin wanted to go too. So we all went and since then she has shown a lot of interest in the church. We're going to keep teaching them both and the others this week and hopefully we see more progress soon!! It is a great thing to see how the Lord works in different ways we sometimes don't expect. And when we make an effort to see the miracles He sends, life is just that much better!!

Have a really great week!
Hermana Humphrey

Sunset

Intercambios (splits)

Hna. Agustin's birthday (hooray for chocolate cake!)

A Birthday Week

We had a birthday week this week because Saturday was the 23rd birthday of my companion!! WOOO!!! After the baptism of the other hermanas of our ward, they surprised her with a cake, and some other little snacks. It was so cool. We had almost all of our district there for a little celebration. We had a cake that was chocolate (that was pretty special for me, since I haven't had a chocolate one since I've gotten here). Then we continued with our various things for the day. It was nice to have a little change in the rhythm of things.

*side note for everyone.. I really do realize that my English is not completely English, but it's all cool. I hope you are patient with me because it's a lot more work to think through the way to write things normal.*

On Friday, we had a conference with the two zones in Tapachula. It was pretty nice to be able to see a few people from my MTC district and others who I haven't seen in a while. And the president came which was really great too. We don't see him and his wife much down here.

The only other news for the week is the intercambios that we had. I went to the area of the other hermanas... waaaayyyy far away (the other half of our ward). It was nice to be able to be in another area for a little bit of time after so much time in one place it gets to be a little repetitive. But I'm glad to be back here in my normal area having a good time and teaching the investigators that I know. It's great to be able to know the people and help them learn about Christ and all the things of the Gospel. It's really great being here and to be a missionary in this time and it's going to be even greater that we can have conference this weekend!!

I hope every one of you has a great week and that you just keep on smiling and doing good things. Also enjoy conference, folks. :)

Hermana Humphrey

I Learned the Name of My Ward

Well, to start I will tell you that I now know what the name of my ward means - at least more or less. It means herbs. Weird, right? I learned that about two or three weeks ago, but I just remembered now and thought I'd share.

This week has been pretty good. Sometimes it's not super easy and we don't have lots of lessons and such, but we still have other good things. We had an activity on Saturday that was nice. We were part of a choir as all the missionaries of this stake and we sang 5 hymns and there were also a few videos in between. As we started, they showed a few videos before we sang our first one, but as we were sitting there all of a sudden we all felt weird (at least all of us missionaries who were sitting still and not watching the videos because we had our back to the screen). It was another earthquake (third one that I've felt so far). It wasn't very big, but it was another one. It's so weird how many there are here. I still don't feel like I'll be prepared when the big one comes in Utah. They scare me a little, but it's all good. It's always a new experience!

After the activity, there was a baptism in our ward which was great! Jose was baptized and he's super excited to be part of the ward and the church! But the funny thing was that the curtain to the baptismal font was locked and so he was baptized with it closed and everyone watched from the doors. Anyway, it's so great to see when people are so dedicated and excited to be baptized and even greater when you see that they are going to keep going as members and help out as much as they can.

It's also cool to be a part of ward council and see how everyone works together. We're seeing a lot of progress as a ward and also are seeing things that we need to improve and we'll do that by working all together!

As a close for the week, I wish you all a happy week and that you do fun things! Also I hope you all can watch conference in two weeks because it will be so great and important! I realize more and more the importance of the things each day and it's just great! The end.

Hermana Humphrey

The current district

Thought this fruit was a rock at first - it's not!

September 15/16 Equals 4th of July

Well.. Today is transfer day, BUT I'm still sticking around here in Tapachula with my trainee Hermana Agustin. :) Our district is going to change a lot though. They're whitewashing an area - taking out both who were there and putting in new people. And the other two companionships are having a transfer. So it'll be weird, but it'll be good though too.

Anyway.. today is independence day. Also tomorrow which is weird, but I'm sure you all can look up on the internet why, because I only know a bit of why. So far it's pretty tame, but I'm sure tonight I'll be hearing a lot of "viva Mexico!" It's fun to be here in it all. Also, Thursday we had a Mexican night in our ward. It was fun to be a part of it. The young women, the youth together, the YSA, primary, and a few other people did their dances. It was a cool thing to be able to watch and I want to be able to be here for a Mexican night stake level like my companion tells me about. It sounds like fun! And we had an investigator come too! It was really good that he came because he was able to see that we're not super weird and we do listen to music, dance, and have fun. He has a baptismal date, and we're working with him so that he can go to church and keep on progressing. It's always difficult for the people to go for the first time, but I'm sure with a little time, he'll be more comfortable with it all and have a great time!

Also it was really cool one of the lessons we had. We have a couple who are investigators. We invited a member family to come with us for the lesson and they all got along really well. It is amazing what the difference is to have lessons with the members and I hope all of you who are members are willing always to do your part, because the work is not just of the missionaries, but of everyone together! I'm so happy to be here working and have experiences every day and I know that it is so worth it. I know that this Gospel can bring so much happiness to the lives of everyone and I hope you all recognize that as well.

Much love,
Hermana Humphrey

The hermanas: Agustín, Humphrey, Zuñiga, and Aldas at the Mexican night

8 MONTHS of MISSIONARY

Today marks my 8 months as a missionary. It´s pretty weird to think that I have already been out that long, but it´s also really cool. I've had a great time and I am happy to be here! This week was a good one. As all of the missionaries here in our stake (28 in total I think - unlike the 2 in Utah stakes) we are doing a choir thing that we will perform as an activity for the people here. It will be really nice I think. Doing our little choir does take time away from the work - on Saturdays sometimes, which is our best day usually, but it´s all good. I´m still just working and walking everywhere and it´s just great!

This week we had a wonderful week fun of mice. Monday we found one and then caught it that night. Then two others we caught this week. We know just the way to do it. With sticky mouse traps. The getting it out of the house part is the challenge, but it´s another trial of our faith and a learning experience. It´s definitely a little eww though.

We had a good week and we´re working hard with a few of our investigators who really are interested and learning. It´s not always easy because the people feel nervous to go to church and don't go or other things similar, but when we just keep working with them, it makes it so they feel better. It's a great experience to see the change in these people and I know that if we just keep at it, they will eventually go and they´ll be able to recognize the importance of the things we teach here as missionaries. It´s not a fast process, but it is wonderful and so worth it!

Anyway I hope that everyone has a cool and lovely week! And always keep me updated on your lives. It makes me happy! :)

Hermana Humphrey

September Already

This week was a little less exciting and a little more tiring than most. We had a few days where all of our lessons fell through and we had an activity that really didn't seem worth our time, but Saturday and Sunday went a bit better and now we're so ready to get back out there and work! Yesterday (and many days this week) we had a good fair share of rain. It was really quite nice, but also very wet and a little dangerous. Only dangerous because I'm really good at slipping everywhere. And by "good at slipping" I mean that I slip frequently, but in a great manner! I haven't fallen from the rain!! What a blessing that is!

Anyway.. Today we had another friend join our house. Well we've had this friend for a while and we just got to see it today. Another mouse. EWW!! But we're going to kill it tonight. We bought traps and hope that it finds one of them tonight!

Funny story of the week. You have to continue reading to know it's funny though. Once upon a time we were waiting outside of someone's door waiting for them to answer - and never did. But as we waited all of a sudden we hear tires screeching and a mini crash!! I saw it all. And then they pulled over as most do. And I thought it was about to be big and bad when the one person got out of the car and yelled that he was so sorry. But they worked it all out really fast and it was all good. The only damage is that the license plate went flying in the mini crash. The funny part is that in the middle of it all the two men turned to us and smiled and waved then went back to their talking. And as they left they both were sure to wave to us as they left. I have no idea why they made such an effort to wave to us, but we got a kick out of it the way it happened. That might not be so funny to you all, but it was a good old time!

Anyway I hope you all have a funny experience this week and a very happy week too!

Hermana Humphrey

Pants Day

Well as my pal says it, today is "Pants day". My very first pants day. I'm sitting here in an internet cafe in pants. And it's really weird. But it's cool.. in a warm way. This week has been fairly normal (other than today). I will explain. Today we had our activity - like the activity I had the first Monday I was here. And since I'm still here in Tapachula, we went to Izapa again. It was nice. The best part of it was seeing the people from my MTC district (well three of them) and also other people. It was lovely, but the same-ish. And we were told we could wear our regular pants for the rest of the day (well until we teach again). And other than that today is a normal p-day.

The rest of the week has been fairly normal. We have been contacting, teaching, eating food (even though we have had a bit of miscommunication in the food situation and almost didn't eat a few times, but did end up eating - just a little later than usual), and all that stuff. We did have something really cool happen. We got to a lesson with an investigator (Octavio). And we were verifying if he read the Book of Mormon since the last time we saw him and he said well yeah, but I haven't finished yet. So we asked what he did read because we didn't leave a whole lot to read. And he showed us he's already read 75 pages. What?? That was pretty cool. Now what he needs is to go to church and all the other fun stuff! It'll be great!

We also had quite a lesson with another person. We went to teach a new person that we contacted and when we got there someone we taught once but who supposedly used to go to church for about a year but never got baptised, showed up. And he has so many things to say. We hardly could get a word in during the whole time we were there. It was a bit difficult, but this is where I'm certainly learning patience. It was weird and he's full of many words and things to say, but it was funny too. So there you have it. My week and all that fun stuff.

The end.
Hermana Humphrey

Hermanas Humphrey and Agustin

Pants Day in Izapa

 The Book of Mormon is true. It's written in stone. :) Well this is Lehi's Dream.

Feliz Dia

Once upon a time it was Saturday and guess what happened? Well... a baptism!! Hanny got baptized. I don't know if I have told you all about her much, but she's a little ten year old and her parents are inactive members but said they want her to be baptized (she also wanted to be so it wasn't just the parents). We've been trying to work out this baptism for quite some time, but her mom has been working in Tuxtla a lot until now. So we finally put a date about three weeks ago and she got baptized on Saturday. It was a bit stressful because her mom wasn't able to come and I felt really bad. Also there weren't any members there besides family and the bishop, but it was a great baptism and she's just so happy so that is what is really important!

Anyway. This whole week went well. Hermana Agustin and I are working well together. We are having a fun time and contacting all of Tapachula. It's really crazy. But it's good though. I'm still cooking a bit down here, but that's just the way it goes. Friday we had intercambios and I was with Hna. Aldas again. (two transfers ago I was with her, but they haven't been changed since then). And it was a grand old time just like always. I want to be able to go to the other area for a change and not be the one left in my area, but one day it will happen. Nah.. I like my area a lot, it just seems like fun to get to know another.

Our lessons have been great this week and we're working hard and strong - at least trying as much as we can. It is a fun time here in the land of tortilla and I sure hope all of you are having a joyful time in the land without much rain.. in comparison to what it's supposed to be like here.

Have a great week!
Hermana Humphrey

Cooking over a fire

Current district

A sunset picture

Hello Friends!

Yola! How are all of you? I hope you are all great! I am too! This week has been a pretty lovely week. As I said last week, I am now training. That's right, I am still in my first area and I am going to be here longer! I am happy about that. The only sad thing is that it is still a little chilly here.. and by chilly I mean hot. :) Anyway.. I went to Tuxtla on Monday with three other Hermanas and Elder Atkinson (from my MTC district) as trainers to be. And the ride there (and back) were not exactly my favorite because I didn't feel super. When we got there I had a fever and just felt bad, but for the record I'm all good now.

I met all five of the new sisters that night, but we didn't get assigned until Tuesday. In the morning we hung out in the mission home which I love. And we got our companions a little bit later and I'm with Hermana Agustin! She's so great! She's 22 years old, from Hidalgo, Mexico. And she's great! I think I don't have a picture of her yet.. oops. I keep forgetting.

Anyway. This week has gone really well. We are getting along and are happy little campers. Camping amongst the mosquitoes (her more than me because the mosquitoes like new meat more). And we're just working on along having a grand old time. The members are all weirded out that I have already been here almost 6 months. They thought I would go and not my companion who had only 3 weeks here. But we go where the Lord sends us. I really like this ward though and I know that He has a reason for me to be working here in this area in this time! Yay missionary work! :)

Hermana Humphrey

Short on Time

Hola rapido!

Today is transfer day! I'm off to Tuxtla again! For the same reason as before.. I'll be training and I sure hope it goes better this time. ;) So I'll still be here in my same area and it will be a fun time. Anyway, my bus leaves at 2 or 3 and I have to be outahere soon for that! I had a good week. We had more rain luckily. I love it! And we've just been working like crazy! I will let you all know more things next week and I hope you all have a happy day and week!

Hermana Humphrey

Very HOT Days

This week we had a few days of really hot... I felt like it cooked my insides, but well, I'm alive still. That's what really counts. ;) This week has been a pretty good one. We had a fun little activity that we, as the missionaries of our ward, did. It was like Lehi's dream and we did the rope path and the fun stuff. I was the Holy Ghost and we had two tempters. It was quite interesting to see the people who refused to listen to me and were super willing with the others (they didn't know who was which before the activity). It was a fun little thing to do and we had a success with it as well! YAY!! I think we may do this in a future area.. who knows!

The week wasn't super eventful besides that. Well, a little. We had a Relief Society activity that we brought an investigator to (Elsa - she is super great and excited for it all) and we made popoosas (something like that). It was tasty and fun. It was nice just talking to all the sisters there and finally feeling like it's way fun to be in Relief Society activities! I'm learning every day!

I also learned how to make tamales. Don't ask me to make them when I get back because they didn't turn out very well (just the ones my companion and I made). It's not as easy as you would think, but it was cool to learn. Maybe with my time in the mission to come, I will learn more and be able to make them when I return! :)

Anyway that's pretty much my week. It's been good. We also had an investigator tell us he tried to come to church a few weeks ago, but got lost. It was funny, but sad and like.. well good try - at least a bit of a start! It's fun to see everyone change and progress, and I'm certainly learning many things! It's a great time! :)

Hermana Humphrey

Another Week as a Missionary!!

Hey everyone! I hope all is going well for you all!

This week has been quite hot almost every day, but hey that's nothing new right? As of about an hour ago it's been raining. Finally!! We've gone sadly without rain for a few weeks and it's beginning to freak some people out and also causes a very hot climate, but it's finally rainy!! YAY!

We've been very busy. We're contacting a lot (not quite as much as the few weeks previous, but still lots) and we're always finding people to teach. There are days I just feel like there are too many and we don't have the time to go to all of them. Mostly I feel that way because I miss being able to visit with the members frequently. :( But at least sometimes we still go with them. We are always working hard and like crazy people sometimes, but that's good though right? Yes!

Not a whole lot of super weirdness or crazy things happened this week. We had an activity with the relief society and had two investigators come. We made donuts. Mmmmm tasty! So that was pretty cool. Also I had another experience of an earthquake. Yesterday in the middle of the night (Sunday about 4:30 a.m.) I woke up feeling super weird like my whole body was shaking and then I realized it was another earthquake, but it was really short so we didn't do anything about it. Just waited a sec and laid back down, but it was a little hard to sleep after that. We'll just see how many other earthquake experiences I have as a missionary. I'll know just what to do in an earthquake by the end of my time here!!

Anyway.. I hope you all have a super great week!! :)

Hermana Humphrey

Changes in the Wind

Once upon a time, I was a trainer and all that fun stuff.. well slightly stressful and difficult stuff, but still fun and great though. But then all of a sudden it isn't so anymore. My companion was having a bit of trouble and we talked to the president over the phone about 200 times then finally he came here to Tapachula and we had 3 interviews with him. He gave us transfers with another companionship about an hour from here. I'm now with Hna. Guevara (from Mexico) and things are really going well. It's just weird and random having transfers in the middle of a transfer cycle, but she is really great and I'm certainly learning a lot!

So Monday we had interviews, Tuesday too, and Wednesday. Then Thursday we transferred and have been working a lot. I feel a bit exhausted for some reason, but it's all good. All the more reason to work hard! Anyway.. I don't really have a lot of other news. It was a fairly crazy week with all of this, but it was good though. The new president is really great!! So that's good news. :) And the people we're teaching are really starting to progress! YAY!

In other news, we had a lovely experience.. well maybe not lovely. We were walking home and a boy (maybe 18 years old) contacted us. It was weird, but we did a regular contact and just invited to have a lesson with him, and he accepted. From there things were just a little weird he was all up close and personal and that just isn't okay as missionaries. And we found out he lives two doors down from us. So we're doing what we can do avoid him because he's a bit of a weird obsessive like person. I don't think it will be any problem, but it's just weird.

And there's my news for the week. Nothing special. Just weirdness and life.

Have a lovely week!!
Hermana Humphrey

Hna Rodriguez and Hna Humphrey

Hna Rodriguez, Hna George (mission president's wife), and Hna Humphrey

Hna Humphrey and new companion Hna Guevara drinking gross electrolyte drink

Strange fruit - papausa

Pineapple growing

Weekly Update

This week was quite a week as well. First I'll start with the exciting, not necessarily good, but cool though, news. We had an earthquake this morning. I was already awake (I woke up at about 6:25 today) and then about two minutes later I felt really weird-like shaking, and heard my bed making noises and the lamina (metal roof) shaking. It was weird. I realized it was an earthquake and sat there for a second thinking, "What should I do?" Right.... Doorframe. So I went there. I also didn't know what to do (wake up my companion or no?) I didn't need to. She woke up after a few seconds of me not knowing what to do. And we just waited. I was a little shocked and all, but it wasn't so bad. So there's the special news for the week! Cool, eh? Yes, I'm totally fine. It was a bit of a shock for me, but that's about it.

This week we had the experience of a day at the doctor. My companion wasn't feeling well all of last week, and Tuesday it was bad enough that we went to the doctor to have her made better. We didn't know, though, that he was going to keep us there. We were there from about 5 on Tuesday until 9 the next morning. It was definitely boring, but an experience! She's all better now, so no worries, friends! :)

Also, we had a good solid zone conference where they taught us to really contact people. We are all a lot more dedicated to contacting now! So that's good.

And on Friday, we had intercambios (splits?) with the other hermanas, and it was good. Then we talked with President, and since my companion still isn't super happy, he had us stay in intercambios another day. It was fun to have a second day with Hna. Zuñiga, but weird though too.

And I'm learning the various ways that God helps us each day. We found people we didn't know we were looking for. One was a reference that we have searched for many times, and in the process of trying to visit an inactive member, found him. God really helps us out and it is so great! Have a lovely week, friends!

Hermana Humphrey

Found this freaky animal

First day together Hna. Rodriguez and Hna. Humphrey

Bored face while waiting at the doctor

What a Week!

Hola to everyone! I hope you are all doing well. Sorry because last week was not much of anything that I wrote. But as I recall I did mention that I would be training. It's true. I'm a trainer. Only one other person from my "generation" is training. The others all have more time here, so it's weird. I am definitely learning a lot as a trainer. My new companion is Hna. Rodriguez and she is from Ecuador. Things have been really rough for her since she's been in Mexico (3 weeks ago now with MTC). We have received many calls because she hasn't been so happy (calls from the zone leaders, district leader, sister training leaders) and all the time too. It has been hard for me too because I just want to help her and there isn't much of anything I can do, but I'm trying with each day and all I can do.

It's weird not having my past companion, but I'm learning many things. First is that I do know a lot of Spanish - not necessarily entirely fluent. There are still things I don't understand or know how to say to be easy for others to understand, but now I will really progress because my companion doesn't speak English. Also I feel weird because I'm a senior companion. I have to know more things and be in charge. It's weird, but it's good though.

Anyway it's been quite a week, but we've also been working as hard as we can. It's been a more successful week than I expected even though it hasn't been super awesome or successful. We're doing what we can! I'm still a happy camper here in Mexico and hope my companion will become one too in not too long. :)

That's about it.
Have a wonderful and happy week!
Hna. Humphrey

Hola Rapido

Hey I just wanted to be sure to give you this time rapido so that I could tell you all that I'm doing great! We recieved transfer calls last night and I'm staying in my area (training!!!) It's crazy, but I'm excited and very nervous. I'll definitely learn many things and I may be super stressed this next week, but it will be good for me. I find out in about an hour who my companion is and here goes with this new experience!!

I hope you all have a wonderful week and that everyone is happy. I'll do my best to answer all of your emails next week, but it'll probably be many to answer, so no guarantees!

Also I saw three people from my district today!! Happy day!! I'm off to receive my companion in just a few!

Talk to you all next week!
Hermana Humphrey

Week of 10-year-old

What happened this week? That's a lovely question that I would like to answer. Not a whole ton, but something that DID happen is the baptism of a cute little 10 year old. We had a bit of cramming during this week to be sure she was completely set for baptism. We were able to teach all the necessary things and have the interview and baptism. It was so great! She was so happy and just beaming with excitement for her baptism. Her mom was there too which was really great because even though her husband person (they're not married like many of the people here) and all of his family are members, she has never been to church. (He is very inactive so there's some reason). She came though and it was great!

Something funny that I learned while we were giving prep interview was that the Sabbath day is Sunday because Jesus died on a Thursday and was resurrected on a Sunday to go to church. So now we go on Sunday too. I think she misunderstood a bit, but we got it all clarified. It's so funny to hear the things she says because she's ten and that always leads to funny things. Anyway I'm really happy about that and I don't have a whole lot more that happened this week. It wasn't super eventful, but fairly full - not as much as the past few weeks, but still good though, so no worries. :)

Also I learned how to clean and fill the baptismal font. It was quite a process because usually someone else does it and we never have, so we had to learn how on our own and just do it. But it's all good. It worked out (after a bit of work and calling and such). So there's my week. Have a good one friends!

Hermana Humphrey

Another Week in the Land of Rain and Tortillas

This week was kind of really long, but yet also very quick. Time here is just weird and abstract. Supposedly there was a storm in Guatemala not far from us so we had some solid rain for a few days (with some time without rain too). It wasn't quite as much as I expected from what people were saying, but it was a lot too.

I'm teaching piano again which is pretty fun! I'm teaching a member who is pretty much my same age and it's really weird because I have no idea where to start really, but it's actually going well, so that's all that really counts. :) I had the lovely experience of trying a very strange foreign fruit. It's quite tasty too! It just looks so weird. We had another zone meeting this week and it was lovely.

Saturday the other missionaries in our ward had a baptism so we went and it was lovely. It kind of threw off our day though we were about an hour behind for everything and then we had stake conference that night (and Sunday morning). So it was a crazy day, but good though. And at conference we had a couple who are new-ish investigators come and it was just great because even though they don't understand super lots they are just great and have a desire to learn so that is what is important!

Yesterday we had quite an experience too. We learned what it feels like when there is a bad spirit with you. We felt it in the house of a new investigator and brought it with us to a member's house. Luckily the Priesthood exists so we were able to receive a blessing and also we sang so that we could have the bad spirit leave the house. It's all good now and we feel great! So that's important. It was definitely a learning experience! (One that I don't want to have again.)

That's pretty much my week. Nothing super exciting or strange, but it was a good week though!
Hna Humphrey



Here I have three pictures of the fruit we ate. We bought a bag of 20 or so this morning for 10 pesos (less than a dollar). That's pretty cool. They are fun fruit and I'll certainly miss all these strange fruits that exist here. Supposedly these are very unique to here. They don't exist in Mazatlan. Only a few other places have them, so that's fun! (Note from Holli's mom - I think these are rambutan. We tried some last summer, and they were delicious. I can only imagine how yummy they must be when they are really fresh!)

Happy June!!

Once upon a time I looked at the calander and poof! it was June. It's like magic, but not. Anyway.. this week was a week - mostly good, but also had some not so good, rather sad things. I'll start with the sad so I can end this happily because I really am happy, there were just some sad things. The sad things were that we had an investigator who we (at least I) really loved. She's 18 and super ready to have the Gospel. She accepted a baptism date and everything, but then she told us one day that her uncle won't let her go to church or continue listening to us. So we lost her just like that. Also we had another who was super great who told us that she talked to someone from another church and agrees more with them and so we lost her too. There have been a lot this week that have just been falling, so we're down to few investigators. So we have a lot of contacting to do, but that's supposed to always happen. Yay!

On to the more happy stuff. I'm basking in the loveliness of this day. Why? because it's raining (yes right now). Usually it doesn't rain much in the day time but today it's been raining since we got up. So I'm not even cooking or anything. It's rather nice, except for my wrinkled toes and feet. We've had a pretty decent amount of rain this week and I've certainly gotten a bit wet a few times.

Other than that I really don't have a whole lot to tell. We had a lovely district meeting. I used to be the only American, but now we have four. That's a change. (This was our first district meeting with the new district because of our weirdness of our meetings so far). And we're having a pretty decent amount of lessons, even though they aren't all super ones (like with people who are falling). Fifteen of those were with less actives and recent converts though. What a week!

Have a fun June!!

Hermana Humphrey

We Brought the Primary

Hola to all!

This week was nice and full of things! I am now very tired from it all, but it was great! It started with Monday. We had two lessons (which could have been better, but it was still pretty decent). But right before we were able to go into the house of one of our appointments a creepy man came and started to talk to us (mostly me). I felt very unsure of what to do, so I just pretended like I didn't speak Spanish (sometimes being very white comes in handy). And I just kept trying to not do anything, but it's hard and finally the people opened the door and we were free from the creepy (and I think drunk) man! I'm safe, so no worries my friends (or family).

Tuesday we had splits and to be honest they were super great!!! I was with Hna. Aldas from Ecuador. She is super nice and a really great missionary. And she's new as a sister training leader. I was the first split she had as Sister Training Leader. I actually had things to do all day (we had 6 lessons, found new people, and I was happy all day)! So that was really good! The sad result of this split was that I got a bit sick (just with a cold though). It's not really from splits, it's just the day I was lucky enough to get sick. Everyone here thinks they are a doctor though and I'm beginning to go insane from that. Also everyone tells me that I need to call the doctor. But it's just a cold. I'm not dying or anything. Geez!

Wednesday we had another zone meeting. I'm not sure when the next one will be because we have had a weird month as far as meetings go. But it was good. We discussed the conference from last week and all that fun stuff. Ever since the day of splits we have had a lot of great work. We've been doing better with contacts, invitations, and everything. We had a lot of lessons too!

And yesterday we had 5 people come to church (four of which were children). We went to pick up all the children for church and everyone looked at us a little weird, but it's all good. We just brought the primary. It felt so odd walking with all of us.

There's my week for you!

Hna. Humphrey

Eating peppers

Big rain with splash

:)

Hola everyone! I'm still  here out in the land of tortilla. We're doing so awesome! This week we've really seen improvement and progress. We've had more members coming to church. We had some solid lessons and a fairly full schedule. Everything is really great!! It's nice to be with one companion for extended time because the members get to know both very well and everything ends up being great! So that has been nice this week. It's been ever since the first day of this new transfer. I'm hoping that the whole 6 weeks will go this well!

We had a conference on Wednesday that was really great. Elder Johnson (I think of the area 70) came to speak to us and he had some great things to say. He raised our excitement for the work and it was a great conference. It was fairly long though (five hours in the church for it - four of which were the actual conference). It was nice to be all together (two zones). And I saw the trainer of two Hermanas from my MTC district and also and Elder from my district. So that was pretty cool. There's actually quite a few American Hermanas in this mission now. It's pretty fun! 

This week I actually ate something spicy. It wasn't ridiculously spicy, but enough to loosen my tounge so I can speak Spanish. :) Pretty much that is my week. A good solid week. Every day is super if you make it super! Just remember that! And I'm just going to keep on pushing on and working because that's how we can help others come unto Christ! 

Have a great week everyone!!!

Hermana Humphrey