Watermelon and feasting on the Words of Christ

Tip for future missionaries. Wear your watch backwards

like this so that when you're in a lesson and need to check the time

you can do it in a non-offensive, casual way. I learned this from my

trainer. So works!

 The Zone Leaders (I later found out), Elder Eaton and Elder Schneider dropped this off at our apartment. They said they found this on the 'side of the road' and they knew I was playing

and practicing for a piece for Zone Conference so they thought I could

use it. How awesome are they!? Nice surprise.

 So I know this sign means "Children at Play" but passing this the

other day had Sister Rivas and I giggling. Seriously people...watch

out for all those teeter-totters. Dangerous stuff.

 Old map. Enough said here.

 We FINALLY gave up this week. We had 10 referrals to contact and could

not possibly figure out where they all lived with our terribly old

worn and torn map. So we bought ourselves a nice and new pretty one. 
(Tip* Honestly though a GPS is something to invest into as a missionary. I use Garmin.) 

 Sister Rivas swears this is an alien-sighting. I don't know about you

but it definitely looks like an extra-terrestrial airplane.

 Branch activity...making homemade tamales con pollo y puerco. Mmmmmm..

 Sister Rivas felt like making cookies. But uhh haha...I've never seen cookies so

stuck to a pan before.

 Here in New Mexico it seems like everybody has these hanging from

their doors or porches. It's kind of a unique thing here that I'm kind

of fond of now. Old, shriveled chilli peppers... I mean, why not?

  D&C 6:2..."Behold I am God; give heed

unto my word, which is powerful. Sharper than a two-edged sword, to

the dividing asunder of of both joints and marrow (and cacti);

therefore give heed unto my words." :) 

 They call these mountains the Sandias because when the sun sets and

rises it looks pink (like a watermelon). Got a picture the other day

as the sun was setting of why they say this.

Yep. Awesome. So close! 

 Sunday morning right above our complex. Great way to start our morning!

 Can I just say I hate Memorial Day weekend as a missionary because NO

ONE IS HOME. But...I love it because I am grateful to those who have

served our country and it was a good day to remember my dear friends

and family, especially my sweet Grandpa Jones, who have gone before me. So

beyond grateful for the Plan of Happiness and knowing I will be able

to see them again!

 Perfect treat for a hot Memorial weekend.

 Montano Ward Memorial Day Pulled Pork Luncheon.

Going home Sunset. What a week.

Quotes from Alvarado Park North

• "What's the difference between Texas and Wyoming?"
• "My daughter-in-law looked at it and said...yep. feces."
• "I had an epiphany about cleaning"..."what's that?"..."we need to do it."
• "I feel like I'm a lot like President Miller"
• "Your U-turns bring me comfort"
• "Is July 9th Harry Potter's Birthday?"
• "I love how my new Book of Mormon doesn't smell like churros yet"
• "Ah! Cremes and cheese."
• "The other side of Heaven-but lizard style."
• "I feel like I'm ironing a camel..."
• "$5 she'll come on Sunday..if not, well I just lost $5"
• "You guys...I'm starting to believe Willy Wonka is a real person"
• "Look! Those eyebrow tweezers-it even comes with a comb!"
• "I just want these people to come to church already! Do I have to put M&M's on the floor to lead them there?"
• "Umm yeah- we don't believe babies and Gandhi are in Hell"
• "I try and be in bed by 10:30 every night but these crest white strips-if you wait to put it in by 10:15 on accident, then you at least have to stay up till 10:45. So- what does an Elder do?"
• "Okay let's talk about something more cheerful shall we?...So did you see those clowns last week?"
• "People look at us eating in our car and say 'why are they not working? They should be feasting on the words of Christ.' -Hey. We're human too. It's like that one time I saw President Uchtdorf at Costco in shorts."

Sunny Albuquerque

 Sunny Albuquerque

 This is the calendar on a member's fridge. M=Dinner with the

Missionaries. Her calendar is completely dedicated to us eh? ;)

 Driving by the temple...don't you just love how there's a Christian church

right across the street?

 Jocelyn came and helped us with member presence this week for some of

our appointments. She is someone I will definitely miss after being

transferred from this area...ok there's a lot of people but Jocelyn is

one of my favorites!

 Apparently the rumor around here is that this is "Luigi's Tire Shop"

from Route 66, the same one Pixar modeled theirs from the movie Cars.

 We pass this restaurant all the time...and say it in a Mexican accent.

Good times :)

 Introducing you to my home away from home. La Familia Mendoza has

become my New little Mexican family here. We had a Noche de Hogar con ellos la

noche pasado and had a lesson about preparing for a mission with their

kids. I haven't laughed and joked so much before and in such a long

time. They are hilarious. Strong family in the gospel and the spirit

in their home is tan fuerte.

 Y Hermana Mendoza...si puede ver este, muchisimas gracias por dejarnos

usar su bano, como todo al tiempo cuando estamos pasando en el area.

"El mejor bano en todo el mundo."

Le queremos Hermana! jajaja ;)

umm and FYI, Hno. Mendoza is taking a trip to visit some friends in

BURLEY, IDAHO!

Un poco celoso...no voy a mentir.

If he stops in...Mom, Dad...give him a nice home cooked meal. He and

his family have fed me many times and take such good care of me.
Sure love them!

Alli, I'm forwarding this email I got from one of the Elders who's serving in Puebla, Mexico right now who was in the MTC with me. Apparently, his planner is quite similar to mine. :) Glad to know we are both working hard, Elder Hamm! Good luck out there!

The Work

This is the BEST CD! It's dedicated to missionaries and is exactly what I need to hear sometimes. It expresses my feelings exactly. As a missionary and expresses of family members back home. I heard some of the songs before my mission but it means so much more in the midst of the work. When feeling discouraged, this CD always inspires me to be better and to work harder.

My hectic, wonderful, exhausting, busy, lovely week!

 Oh my little Julianna. May I introduce you yet again to this adorable

child. She is so fun. I love having lessons with the Orozco family.

 *Besitos!*

 I'm telling you...every morning. These critters drive me nuts!

 And YES...HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY! I got to talk to my precious family this

week. I love you all so much. Only teared up like what...3 times?

That's it. Setting a new record. ;) So good to hear their voices and

it was such a treat to have my grandma there (who is such an example

of strength to me right now...well always has been) and to have

Chazzer and Alli there too. Glad Alli is taking my place as the

"adopted daughter" in the family haha. See you all at Christmas!

 During P-day shopping I couldn't help but smile when I saw this. Thank

you to all my dear Idaho farmer neighbors and friends who work so hard

to bring the world the best of potatoes. As missionaries we bring the

gospel to feed the souls of the children of God...farmers bring good

food. Good luck this planting season!

Our vacuum broke and so we got a new one from Sister Hoopes so I had

my companion take the old one to the trash. I couldn't help but take a

picture...she looks hilarious walking down the street like this. ;)

This is a video Hermana Silva sent me just barely...apparently it is her favorite! Her MTC district decided to do a "Hershey Kiss Race". Fun times in the MTC:)

Happy Mother's Day

FELIZ DIA DE LOS MADRES, MADRE.

Reasons I miss my mom:

-Her red hair and freckles

-Her cooking

-Her constant emails and letters

-Because when she thinks somethings funny...she can never hold it in

-Because she is full of goodness and kindness

-Because she loves everyone around her

-Because she protects and loves her children like a momma bear

-Because she taught me the gospel from day one

-Because she dressed me up my first Easter and helped me hunt eggs

(before I could barely hold my head up)

-Because she's learned to be more witty and sarcastic than even Dad now

-Because she still makes sure I'm flossing my teeth and brushing

-Because she still asks how my allergies are doing (once a mom, always a mom)

-Because she is so much like the Savior

-Because she puts up with dad :)

-Because she endured 9 months of me inside of her and almost 21 years

of me outside

-Because she is a daughter of God.

-Because she is going to be such an awesome grandmother!

-Because she will forever, throughout all time and eternity be my MOTHER.

Ok here it goesss. Crazed-filled week. Sister Rivas and I have turned out to be quite the team. So grateful that President Miller knows what he's doing and listens to Heavenly Father to know who should be put with who. We set some pretty high goals for the week and decided to work super extra hard. 

The Lord sure worked in His vineyard right alongside us this week. Thank heavens. This Sunday almost ALL of our less-active families came to church.

 Had lunch with Sister Hoopes and Sister Marble at Olive Garden the other day before transfers. Sister Marble left us last week ...sure gonna miss her!

 La Familia Loya's dog. How. adorable. Am I right?...Yes, I am. :)

 Fresh Mango. Oh yeah.

 Our Spanish Elders!

Elder Montgomery on the left and Elder Matheson on the right.

 The Elders took over our car!!!!!! Not really...we just 'let' them drive.

 The Mendoza's little girl Brittany  She is becoming my little pal. We have Noche de Hogar (FHE) with them this week. I have such a special place for the Mendoza family in my heart. Hermana Mendoza totally reminds me of one of the Mother's of the two-thousand stripling warriors. She is a powerful, faith-driven mother. But I know a lot of faith driven mothers...my own for starters. 

 Last transfer picture before Sister Allen left us this week to head to Rio Rancho.

 I did not come up with these names..

 P-Day activities :D

 Haha...bought a new car this week.

Thoughts??

 What happens when you put your phone down during a dinner appointment.

 Sea of white shirts on our way to lunch after Zone Training this week.

GOTTA love this. Makes me smile.

 Got myself another road sign here. 

 We are staying here in the area for the next transfer and have set some high goals in our companionship. We are working hard. A little exhausted but we are starting to get the hang of this! I couldn't appreciate my companion more right now. I have such a testimony how your companion and you are put together by inspiration. Sister Rivas I feel like makes up for my weaknesses. So grateful to have this awesome Sister with me! Even if she IS crazy :) 

 There's a tradition in the mission to decorate your planners.

This is mine for transfer 2. Thanks to Alli...I've got some cute stuff

to decorate with. Thanks bestie!

 Crazy weekly planning. Takes at least 3 hours a week. Get ready future

missionaries! 

Daily craze. I LOVE having my planner full. Every missionary's dream.
Love those appointments!

I want you to know I believe like I have never believed before. This is all so true. I've received a special witness as a missionary that this work is of the Lord. I feel like that witness is added upon each and every single day.

Love, 

(a very happy) Hermana Silva