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