For those of you who speak Spanish, no, I am not sick (besides a slight cold). When the dear elders in my district found out that enfermo means sick they decided it would be funny to say that whenever something was really cool (ie, Dude that move was sick!). It doesn't translate well in Spanish, which is what makes it funny. Our teachers just shake their heads at us. Hermano Call made the mistake of teaching them "Qué pasa calabasa?" so we've been hearing that a lot too.
Speaking of my teachers, they are freaking awesome. I am confident the Lord chooses our teachers very carefully and Hermanos Call and Johnston are exactly what our district needs. They teach us Spanish very well, but more importantly, they are very good at teaching us El Evangelio (the Gospel) by the Spirit and reminding us of our purpose as missionaries. So friends at BYU, if you happen to meet a Michael Call or Travis Johnston on campus tell them I really appreciate them and the work they put in to teaching us.
My district is so fantastic. Our elders keep us laughing (sometimes uncontrollably) and our Hermanas are fountains of love and happiness. I couldn't have asked for a more perfect companion. English is Hermana Schaumkel's second language so she is struggling to translate from Spanish to English to Tongan and vice versa. But she works so hard and is starting to get past the wall. Really, I feel like I'm helping her learn Spanish and she's helping me learn to live by the Spirit. Out of the two of us, I think I'm getting the better deal. She is a remarkable person, and has such a strong testimony of the love of God. She is a convert, which is very helpful because in our lessons she is able to testify of how God brought her out of darkness and how there is so much joy and love to be found through the Atonement of Jesus Christ.
We finished teaching our first "investigator" this week. We were so sad when we found out we wouldn't be teaching him any more (but it's ok, because he teaches us in the classroom now). We will start teaching two new "investigators" on Monday (both portrayed by our awesome teachers). I am excited to teach again especially since I'm going to try to do better at using my own words. The problem is, I don't have many words yet... yeah, Spanish is hard. I feel very blessed though because words and phrases I learned in high school sometimes pop into my head out of nowhere so I know the Spirit is helping me out. My teachers have decided that I'm doing well enough (understand most of what they say, but I can't really speak it) and they like to pick on me. I don't mind though because it helps me learn better. I have lots more to say, but not much time, so here are some pictures!!! (worth a couple of thousand words)I love this work! I love the Gospel! I love my God!
Love, Hermana DeFranco
Speaking of my teachers, they are freaking awesome. I am confident the Lord chooses our teachers very carefully and Hermanos Call and Johnston are exactly what our district needs. They teach us Spanish very well, but more importantly, they are very good at teaching us El Evangelio (the Gospel) by the Spirit and reminding us of our purpose as missionaries. So friends at BYU, if you happen to meet a Michael Call or Travis Johnston on campus tell them I really appreciate them and the work they put in to teaching us.
My district is so fantastic. Our elders keep us laughing (sometimes uncontrollably) and our Hermanas are fountains of love and happiness. I couldn't have asked for a more perfect companion. English is Hermana Schaumkel's second language so she is struggling to translate from Spanish to English to Tongan and vice versa. But she works so hard and is starting to get past the wall. Really, I feel like I'm helping her learn Spanish and she's helping me learn to live by the Spirit. Out of the two of us, I think I'm getting the better deal. She is a remarkable person, and has such a strong testimony of the love of God. She is a convert, which is very helpful because in our lessons she is able to testify of how God brought her out of darkness and how there is so much joy and love to be found through the Atonement of Jesus Christ.
We finished teaching our first "investigator" this week. We were so sad when we found out we wouldn't be teaching him any more (but it's ok, because he teaches us in the classroom now). We will start teaching two new "investigators" on Monday (both portrayed by our awesome teachers). I am excited to teach again especially since I'm going to try to do better at using my own words. The problem is, I don't have many words yet... yeah, Spanish is hard. I feel very blessed though because words and phrases I learned in high school sometimes pop into my head out of nowhere so I know the Spirit is helping me out. My teachers have decided that I'm doing well enough (understand most of what they say, but I can't really speak it) and they like to pick on me. I don't mind though because it helps me learn better. I have lots more to say, but not much time, so here are some pictures!!! (worth a couple of thousand words)I love this work! I love the Gospel! I love my God!
Love, Hermana DeFranco