Miracles and Laughter

TERRY FAM. WADDDUUPPP.:)
WOW WOW WOW WOW WHAT A  TRANSFORMATION!!!! This week was a week full of MIRACLES AND LAUGHING. :)

I wanna start off by saying that our Pday last week was one for the books. :) We decided to ride our bikes to the big sign LIMA thats about two miles away from our pension. The elders had one bike and we had one bike.  HV drove and I sat in the back like a crazy woman and screamed the whole time. BUT IT WAS SO FUN. MINUS THE FACT THAT A SWARM OF MOSQUITOS ATTACKED US. BUT HEY WE GOT A PIC WITH THE LIMA SIGN SO ITS ALL GOOD IN THE HOOD  :)

This week Ive had a HUGE change grow within me. Ive started doubling with my studying and Im talking with my comp in espanol as much as I can. I WANT TO HAVE THIS LANGUAGE PERFECT!! The other day Elder Quiroz told me, ¨¨Hermana Terry, I dont know if its a gift but you PRONOUNCE the words perfectly when you SING.¨¨ HAHAHA How awesome is that. When Im talking my accent is horrrrible, but when Im singing its the bestt. Holaa. Imma be singing for the rest of the mish.

OKay. I had the sweetest spiritual experience on tuesday. Marie Florres, la abuela who is 78 YEARS OLD.. was super sick. She was dying. I was sooo scared. She told us that they had NO MONEY and that she doesnt wanna eat because they don't have enough FOOD. Oh my heavens. My heart broke for this woman. I KNEW WE NEEDED TO DO SOMETHING  We bought tons of food that she could eat and gave the rest of the 600 pesos in an envelope for her. I cant describe HOW GOOD I FELT when I saw her face look at the food and money. She just started crying and thanked us. She kept saying Dios les bendiga... Dios bendiga su familia. :)We walked away and my heart was full of gratitude. I was sooo thankful that we could do that for her. :) AND THEN.... WE WALKED BY THIS HOUSE AND GUESS WHAT SONG IS BLASTING?!!! U2.. ONE LOVE!!!! THAT WAS GOD TALKING TO ME THROUGH DADS FAVORITE BAND. ¨¨ONE LOVE BUT WERE NOT THE SAME WE GOT TO CARRY EACH OTHER.. CARRY EACH OTHER.¨ We sat on the side walk and listened till the song was over. It was the same feeling I felt when we gave money to the people in Walmart on Christmas Eve.  That was the most inspired idea ever Dad- thank you for teaching us to do things like that for others quick and on the down low.  It has really touched my mission and how I do things.Woo. An experience I will never forget. :)

Woooo. GUYS WE MET A GYPSIE THIS WEEK. HOLY CRAP THE MOST ADVENTUROUS DAY OF MY LIFE. 

So in Lima theres a new neighborhood but nobody knows about it. Its hidden in the countryside! But we went there to go find a little old man who wanted to hear more from us! So it took us like 40 minutes to get there.. but whatever.  WE COULD NOT FIND this house. SO as we were walking away we hear this woman screaming.. HERMANAS!! And shes running for us.. she has a long purple skirt.. and her head is wrapped in this golden scarf and has tons of jewelry. You guys remember the gypsie in Hunchback of Notre Dame, so yeah, that was her here in Lima. So then she brings us to where she lives... but she lives in this HUGE truck with like 50 other people! GUYS REMEMBER WHEN WE  WATCHED ON TLC THE TRAVELING GYPSIES?!! YA ITS THOSE PEOPLE. But they were so cool. This woman has a tons of faith. She loved to listen to us.. but didnt want to commit to anything yet. :) Anyways.. I was glad that I had that experience. There are sooo many good and incredible people out in the world. It  amazes me. :) EVen if youre a gypsie that lives in a truck in Lima you still want to know and love God.  Its just who we are people, we love him. :)

QUE MAS?!!! OH YES! WE HAD THE BAPTISMS OF LUDMILA Y FACUNDO!!!!  Theyre super hyper and crazy but I was amazed to see them so calm and happy during the baptism. I felt so proud of them. NONE of their families came except for Maria and Graciela. IT WAS SO PERFECT. YOU KNOW WHY?!!  Because after the baptism we went outside and theres the BIGGEST RAINBOW Ive ever seen and the sunset is like surrounding it.. I cant explain it.. it was soo beautiful. Argentina has some of the most beautiful skies I have ever laid my eyes on.  The words kept running through my head, I like to look for rainbows whenever there is rain. :)  Because even though they can be hard and crazy... we had the special opportunity to teach them and bring them to baptism. :) The ending song was just the cherry on top. Venid a Mi. The last lyrics made me bawl:

Let the children come to me.
With great love he commanded
and in his arms took them
and blessings he gave them.

Its just soooo amazing. It all started from my dream.. seeing Jesus point to these children and now theyre baptized. Im so lucky I get to see the hand of God in these peoples lives. I love my little Ludmila and Facundo. :)

Sooooo. We went over to H Sanchez who is now the presidente de la rama. We were talking about anitguos investigadores. Hermano Sanchez looked at me and asked me whatever happened to the familia ramirez?! (Juan y Cinita y Kimberly) And I thought about it... Wow.. I dont know?! We gave up on them a while ago but Ive always felt like we needed to return and help them. But Ive been waiting for the RIGHT time.  I remember my first week here in Lima I KNEW that I was going to do something with the familia Ramirez.  I felt like we needed to pray right then and there. So I prayed and asked God to guide us and help us know what to do with the familia Ramirez. Right after the prayer... I KNEW that its TIME to find them and bring them to baptism. They have alll the discussions. All they need is someone to invite them to be baptized in the RIGHT WAY. WITH LOVE. :) 

So anyways.. the next day I called them at 7 in the morning.  I felt sooo strong that I needed to call them NOW. They didnt answer. UGGHH. So I decided to wait until I felt like I needed to do something.

AND YESTERDAY I prayed during church that we could find them and that I could just TRUST God that he will put them in our path and everything will work according to his will. 

AND THATS EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED. WOW. Last night as we were walking home.. I saw them in their car and they stopped!! Kimberly yelled TERRY!!! Ahh I wanted to just hug that whole family. Its time. Its time. ITS TIME!!! We talked for a little bit and scheduled a visit with them this Thursday!! I REALLY think its time to just lay it on the table and invite them to be baptized... otra vez. :) Pray. pray. pray friends and family. That we´ll know what to say and their hearts will be opened. 

This family is soo special to me. I see them in the temple. I see Juan as a priesthood holder. I see Cinita loving and teaching her kids about Jesus. I see Kimberly and Isandro as future missionaries. I know its gonna happen. Tengo fe. I BELIEVE I BELIEVE I BELIEVE!

Ive been praying every day this week that I could stay one more transfer in LIMA! Hermana Velasquez is a good person. Shes fragile. And what she mostly needs is LOVE (who doesnt?). Ive learned to love her. And now shes my best friend. We have wayyyy too much fun together. We've been laughing alot, and I think its the spirit helping us to balance laughter with all of the hard  work :) This week.. I dont think Ive ever worked so hard in my life!! LIMA IS ON FIRE!! We have a baptism next week for a  boy named Damian. :) Hes  is soooo prepared. He reads the book of mormon every day and his prayers are the cutest. :) GAHHH.

I really think God needs me in Lima onneee more transfer. Thats the truth. :)

Anyways long letter. But MARIE is all good people. :) Last thing.. Everyone go read the whole book of 1 John. Me encanta. :) CARRY ON CARRY ON CARRY ON..... KBYE. 

ps  I know youre all dying to hear about my ingrown toenails.  Since the doctor pulled them out and I almost died of pain, THEY HAVE BEEN PERFECT!  NO MORE PAIN AND MY FEET DONT HURT!  MIRACLES NEVER CEASE!

Ingrown toenails and love for Lima

WoW. This week was interesting!!!!!!!!

 Funny story. So Ive been ignoring my ingrown toenails forever. I thought that it would just go away.. but  thats not how it rolls. Unreal pain all day Monday and Tuesday.. so HV dragged me to the doctor in... SANTA FE. HAHA thank heavens not the hospital in Zarate. The doctor is the doctor for our mission.. plus like 5 other missions. Hes from Estados Unidos and hes pretty much adorable. Anyways.. when I took off my shoes his face was disgusted. ¨¨Hermana Terry, what happened to your feet?¨ Hahaha he was like, YOUVE WALKED A LOT!!! Haha its TRUE! I have so many ugly calluses and blisters and two ingrown toenails. PLUS MY LEGS ARE INFESTED WITH MOSQUITO BITES. INFESTED. WAR WOUNDS. 

So yaaa.. I didnt think my ingrown toenails were that bad.. but the doc said we needed to  pull the nails out.. asap. So he did a freaking mini surgery on me. WOW. THE MOST PAIN IVE EVER EXPERIENCED IN MY ENTIRE LIFE!! OWW OWW OWWW!!!!! I was literally screaming the whole time. Ouch. I need to do a ton of things to help my toenails grow back NORMAL. And he said if in 6 weeks they dont grow back normal... hes taking both of the toenails off. AHHH. NOO! PRAY FOR HERMANA TERRYS TOENAILS TO GROW BACK NORMAL. So ya that was one of the trials we had this week.

Lumila AND Facundo (HOPEFULLY) are getting baptized this week!!!!!!!!!!! They have an attention span of a rat.. but I really hope they can feel ready and feel the confirmation of the wonderful spirit. I also hope Facundos Mom.. whos a menos activo comes to the baptism and remembers  that sweet spirit she felt for her baptism. Less active families are so special to me. Because I just know that one little kid like Facundo can change his whole family for the better. :)  One person can change everything!

Lumila is the girl that I ALWAYS KNEW from the first time I laid eyes on her that she was gonna get baptized. Shes goin places. I love that little girl with all my heart. PLease pray for these ninos this week!!! :)

Yesterday I was called to be the teacher for YW!!! HV helps with Primary.  Im so sad. I feel like Julie Terry all over again.  But MAN the yw in Lima are incredibile. They remind me soooo much of the amazing yw in the hobble creek 12 th ward. Shout out to maaa sistaass. :) Mommy Marie loves all of you. besos. :)

Its been a little bit of a rough week, with the extreme mind numbing pain of my feet so I wish I sounded a little more upbeat but I want you to know the work is rolling forward in Lima.  Ingrown toenails is not enough to slow down or stop the most important work of loving and finding Dios' children to bring to him.  I hear the call every day we set out walking, find my children, find my children.  I only have three weeks left here, and I want to make sure it is the best three weeks ever.  Facundo is a crazy kid with undiagnosed add and adhd and any and every other behavior disorder a kid could struggle with, BUT when we teach him he holds a Libro de Mormon on his lap and stares at it very still and calm.  It makes me think there is greatness in this young boy that no one knows about yet.  I feel such love for him and have powerful feelings that he is going to bring his whole family into the church.

 I wanna end with my favorite parable of all time thanks to Bro Lindow in Luke 15. I was reading this yesterday during sacrament and it IS like the number one thing that Lima needs to hear. Lima needs to REMEMBER that were not all perfect. I have noticed Limans carry around some kind of weird badge of honor that they are somehow inferior or not as good as other people. Its their excuse for everything.  You see it more in some families than others, but I have been thinking about it alot.  I think its an attitude we have to fight.  Especially one that says, my family or city is more troubled, sad, difficult etc, than other people.  It carries a hopeless depressed spirit about it, that makes Gods hope and light more difficult to pierce through.  Its easy to sink into a poor picked on depressed less fortunate me attitude, but Im seeing those that have a positive aggressive spirit that we are a good family, a good city, good people, do so much better and their overall aura is brighter.   And God has more mercy and love than we can possibly comprehend. The prodigal son ladies and gents:
0 And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had ^acompassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.

 21 And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more ^aworthy to be called thy ^bson.

 22 But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:

23 And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry:  24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. 

I TESTIFY THAT THIS IS OUR PURPOSE AS MISSIONARIES. TO FIND THE LOST SHEEP AND LOVE THEM AND KISS THEM AND TELL THEM THAT WE HAVE A SAVIOR. WE HAVE SOMEONE WHO KNOWS US INSIDE AND OUT. AND HE PERFORMED THE ATONEMENT FOR ALL OF US. IF WE JUST ACCEPT HIS GRACE OUR LIVES WOULD BE SO MUCH EASIER. I LOVE MY SAVIOR. HES THE LOVE OF MY LIFE. HES THE BEST VALENTINE I COULD EVER HAVE. ;) 

Peace be with you all. I love you. God loves you. CARRY ON!

Hermana Terry

The errand of angels

 Hermanas at the beautiful Argentina Temple

The Lima crew right here in one picture

SUPPFELLAS. Its yer main mish marie speakin. I gotta say... MAXS MISSIONARY PICS MADE MY HEART MELT. WOW. Im dying inside!! I cant believe its all happening soooo fast. I really feel like Max... is comin to the gran buenos aires norte mision. VA A PASAR. :):):)

segundo... my heart wants to cry cause i cant open the video of my baby luke shooting hoops.:( Bless that little boy. MARIE IS SOO PROUD OF YOU!! I know youre just dominating everyone. :) 

TEMPLE DAY SHOULD BE EVERY DAY!!!! WOOOOOWWW. I dont know if Ive told you guys this... but every time I go to the temple.. I feel like passing out afterwords cause the spirit is SOOOOOO STRONG. And today was verryyy verrry special. Probably one of the most special days of my life.

This morning we had to wake up at 3:30 in the morning to go to the best place into the whole entire world.. so yaa. I wasnt complaning. :) 

Anyways.. the temple. BUENOS AIRES TEMPLE IS THE BOMB. I was amazed that even though everything was in Spanish I still felt the same spirit that I felt in the Provo temple. 

Before I came to the temple I asked God, to just guide me in this work.I told him Ill do WHATEVER he asks me to do. And man... in the entrance of the temple there was my answer. It was a picture of Jesus with his arm wrapped around a little poor boy. I was instantly reminded through the spirit that God is with the missionaries. God is overjoyed that his two little sweet children Ludmila and Facundo are getting baptized. (Marias little grandchildren!!!) I felt so much relief to know that yes.. Im doing what he wants me to do and he loves allll of his children.. especially his ninos in Lima. :) 

Guys the veil is thin in the temple. Angels. Angels. Angels are watching over us. Tambien, it was the most incredible feeling to see alll the missionaries in the temple. We're one heck of an army. No way Satan is gonna get a hold of us. We got our angels backin us up along the way. 

This week was so great. Miracles happen WHEN YOU LEAST EXPECT IT- Never give up people. Theres always a rainbow after the thunderstorm.

OKay last thing. Im learning a lot on the mish. Theres one lesson that Ive learned that is sooooo beautiful. I learned the more I love people.. the more I love myself. Its the best thing ever to know that when I feel sooo much love for these people.. Im also feeling for myself as well. ITS SOO IMPORTANT to love yourself as a missionary and not get down on yourself. I just KNOW our God is a God of love. Hes never mad at his missionaries because he knows of the sacrifices we make to serve and love him and our best is good enough for him. Si. It is well with my soul. :) 

LASTTT THING. We had a meeting for all the hermanas in the mish! WHATS UP BEST PARTY EVER!! We watched a clip from the Errand of angels. I suggest everyone to watch it. :) LOVE YOUR COMPANION YA'LL. :)  No matter who your companion is in the moment, just love them.

CARRY ON CARRY ON CARRY ON!

KBYE!!!!!!!!!! 

A child of light

HOLA   YA'LL  . :)))) WANDA WAS BAPTIZED THIS WEEK!!! WAHOO!!!!

WOw. Wow. Wow. Wow. WOW!!! MAN WHAT AN AMAZING WEEK. First and foremost. I gotta talk about my comp. Hermana Velazquez. Our first day together was a little shaky. It was like she was taking over everything... and I felt like... UHH NO. THESE ARE MY PEOPLE. Haha. Plus I know where everyone lives (Lima has weirdest road system. The roads are all numeros! Horizantal roads are odd numbers and vertical roads are even numbers. Pretty cool huh?:)) ANYWAYS... That night I was just like..  What am I gonna do with this chick?  She might be as boring as a rock.  Hahaha. So I asked God. And my answer was simple, [Just trust me on this one.}

So the next day....... AWESOME. AWESOME. AWESOME. I can honestly say I love this girl. WE ARE EXACT OPPOSITES. BUT WE ARE THE BEST TEAM! Guys.. I do all the lessons! I never talked soo much in Spanish in my life!! Shes super shy so she relies on me to talk and I LOVE IT!!!!! I feel like a caterpillar coming out of its cocoon right now!! 

HERMANA VELAZ is sooo nice to me. I judged her to harshly the first day before I got to know her.  AND THE BEST THING ABOUT HER... SHES ALWAYS HAPPY AND SMILING AND LAUGHING AT ME!!! WERE SO POSITIVE TOGETHER AND WE HAVE SO MUCH FUN AND ITS JUST A PARTY EVERY DAY. 

HVELZ works her little butt off. Im not used to this kinda work. Its like hardcore finding and teaching people alllll day. We dont waste one minute. And I love it. HV knows what shes doin!! 

OH AND UHH SHES THE BEST COOK EVER. PARAGUAYAN FOOD IS BOMB MAN. BOMB. Plus my stomach has felt better since shes been cooking! 

The familia Florres (Maria and her grandchildren) came to my mind when HV asked me who we should visit this week. I was hesitant to tell her.. because we never got permission from the parents to teach them. BUT THAT DIDNT STOP HER. We IMMEDIATELY marched right up to their little casas and asked the parents for permission right there and then. Shes gotta lot of courage. :) Me encanta. So we have permission! Our first lesson I taught them about how my mom shared this scripture with her whole primary and got them to memorize it. :) D&C 6:36. :) Elevad hacia mi todo pensamiento. NO DUDEIS, NO TEMAIS!! It was seriously the best lesson, I had a lump in my throat the whole time I was teaching them, it was almost a deja vu moment. When we were walking away from their house... all the little ninos screamed NO DUDEIS NO TEMAIS! NO DUDEIS NO TEMAIS(doubt not fear not)!!! I was bawling.  That must be what heaven feels like. 

Sabado fue increible. HV put me down to give a discourso about the espiritu santo (MI FAVORITA) for the baptism de Wanda. So I prayed and asked God a specific question. I really wanted to give a talk that could help Wanda understand how important she was. After my prayer I started listening to my music as I always do. :) And the song Child of Light came on. 

AHA!!!!!! Thats what I needed to share!! So I found a beautfiul scripture in D&C 3, 4, y 7. :) 

 3 Wherefore, I now send upon you another ^aComforter, even upon you my friends, that it may abide in your hearts, even the Holy Spirit of ^bpromise; which other Comforter is the same that I promised unto my disciples, as is recorded in the testimony of John.

 4 This Comforter is the ^apromise which I give unto you of ^beternal life, even the ^cglory of the celestial kingdom;

 7 Which truth shineth. This is the ^alight of Christ. As also he is in the sun, and the light of the sun, and the power thereof by which it was ^bmade.

When I gave this talk I was filled with the spirit. Looking down at this child of light filled me up with so much love. I told her that she is like the sun very bright and full of light and then shared the lyrics from Child of Light. (Nina de Luz:))

You will never ever walk alone.You were never called to bear the burdens on your own. And where there is fear, love will take control and lead you on.

And even in the deepest darkest night.... you were born to keep it burning bright.

YOU WERE MADE TO FLY, YOU WERE MADE TO SHINE! 

CHILD OF LIGHT.

 Guess who was crying to herself in the back of that little chapel? HER MOTHER!!! I felt sooo strong that she needed to hear these words as well. After the baptism I gave her the talk and told her that I truly loved her and her daughters. I know shes gonna come to church someday. I dont know when.. but I know its gonna happen. :) I feel so led to the children of Lima, but as we get the kids coming to church, I realize it is the true path to the parents hearts.  They are watching.  They are listening.  And they come to watch their children be baptized who are the most priceless jewels they own, and they feel somthing beautiful and unique in the process.  They feel Dios, and I have watched the spark of interest light up in them.  Dios is using me as a mother type to love the little ones, as a way of turning the heads of their parents.  A family is the ultimate goal.  Everything is for the purpose of the safety and happiness of the family.  EVERYTHING.  

Anyways... I gotta tell you guys that my spanish is coming. I understand my comp so much more because she talks slower. Haha:) I have my marie spanish and i have the spirit spanish... and Im really trying hard to keep that spirit with me so I can TALK to my peeps in Limmma!! :)

God has really been good to me. I was so scared to have all my hermanas leave me.. but now its my time to get this language down and find and baptize the people that need this gospel. Theyre out there. I know they are. And I also know that they are gonna come from the millions of less active families we have in Lima. My first three months here was to learn and understand the people and to learn how to work as a missionary in Lima. And now I know. Now I know all the ways. :) Like saludos(greetings) are verrrrry important. If I dont salud someone.. its the end of the world. Haha my argentina friends are ssuuuuuper fragile and hard headed at the same time. Ive never met people like these people before. But they have big hearts. And now that Ive been here Ive learned one major important thing: LIMA NEEDS LOVE. Theres no way we can help these people if we dont sincerely love them. And I want to keep loving them and tending them forever. But seriously, talking to HV made me realize that Lima stands out like a sore thumb. Im realizing that alllll the other areas in this mish are super rich and busy. NOOO. I DONT WANT THAT. I WANT POBRE LIMA AND I WANT MY SMALL LITTLE RAMA(branch). I dont care if we had 16 people show up to church yesterday. IM GONNA DO WHATEVER it takes to get these peeps to church and to find people to baptize. EVERYONE pray for HERMANA TERRY that she can stay in Lima for the rest of her mish!!

I seriously love my life. I feel so happy. Life is great in Lima. Loves. :):):) 

CHAU. CARRY ON CARRY ON CARRY ON!!!!

Lima, you're gonna hear me ROAR!

MI FAMILIA!!!!!!!!!!!!! TANTO TIEMPO NO?!!!!!!  I dont have much time but I gotta tell you about transfersssssss.

¿¿¿QUE PASO??? HOLY SMOKES. GOD IS Really FUNNY. He has a greatttt sense of humor. HE DECIDED TO TAKE ALL OF THE HERMANAS OUT OF LIMA AND LEAVE ME HERE ALONE WITH MY NEW COMPANION. And the other hermanas? NOPE. ELDERS!!!! QUE VA A PASAR??!! CAN SOMEBODY TELL ME WHAT THIS MEANS. CAN SOMEBODY TELL ME THAT IM GONNA BE OKAY?!!! Hahahaha! I dont know how I feel about two hermanas and two elders in Lima. But I trust in God. He usually works in mysterious ways!

Speaking of trust, I was really praying this morning to have trust in our Heavenly Father. On the  drive up to San Fernando was heart breaking. I couldnt stop crying. Having Hermana Quintana mi amor leave me was the hardest thing of my life. ITS LIKE A DIVORCE-  IM TELLIN YAAA. She wrote the most heart felt note to you guys in espanol so when I have time I'll translate it and send it to you guys. She is the best gift I couldve ever received in Lima. I will always love her.

Anyways about TRUST. Estaba orando mucho on the way up her and asked Dios POR QUE estoy in Lima with noooo one that knows their way around except for ME. I was soo scared. And then the words from the song Beautiful to Him came into my mind, ¨He´s given me his trust so Ill be strong enough to take take of Lima.¨ Hes given me his trust. In my head I kept hearing, I trust you. I need you. I felt the spirit tan fuerte. Now I dont have fear anymore. God is gonna take care of me. Theres a reason all of this is happening.

MY NEW COMP LADIES AND GENTS!!! HER NAME IS HERMANA VELAZQUEZ!! ELLA ES DE PARAGUAY!!! Hollllla. Dios sabe que yo amooooo mis latinasss. :))) Shes 26 years old! Whats seven years between friends?   SOY UN BEBE EN LA MISION. Pero esta bien. Shes soooo sweet. Not a fireball like my saltania comp.. but a sweeet little snowball of cuddliness. :) HAHA. Shes great. I just know were gonna be good friends. We're the only hermanas in our district so yaa.. were gonna HAVE to rock it.

Driving back to Lima was bittersweet. I couldnt help but feel a little anxiety. Once again I returned back to God and asked him to help me feel at peace. LITERALLY SECONDS LATER... GUESS WHAT SONG COMES ON??? ROARRR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Roar is myyyyyyyyyyy mission song!!!!!. Oh my goodness it was amazing. Whats so awesome is that our bus driver was listening to all castellano music.. and then ROAR IN ENGLISH comes on. 

I got the eye of the tiger, I'm a fighter, dancing through the fire
‘Cause I am a champion and you’re gonna hear me roar
Louder, louder than a lion
‘Cause I am a champion and you’re gonna hear me roar

WOW. God really does answer his childrens prayers.  I felt the deepest desires I have ever felt to ROAR the message of hope and happiness to his precious people in Lima.  And I will do it dancing through the fire, louder than a lion, and Lima you are going to hear Hermana Terry ROAR! I dont know how much more time I have in Lima (I WISH I COULD STAY IN LIMA FOR MY WHOLE MISSION. EN SERIO.) But I have the BEST feeling that things are gonna happen here thats gonna blow my mind. God has a plan. We just gottta trust in his timing. And he doesnt want me to be scared. Hes taking care of me. :) Oh ok WHATS UP LIMA?  Hermana TERRYS BACK WITH NEW PEEPS. HERE WE COMEEE.

So this week was kinda hard. We had planned for a baptism for Wanda who is 10 years old and knows MORE than I do about the church.. but her mom wouldnt let her because she was fighting with her sisters earlier that morning. I WANTED TO SCREAM AND FIGHT and say please dont punish her this way-please- just allow her to be baptized.  I couldnt believe what her mom was saying. It felt soooo unfair. Soo unfair. I felt frustrated that God would let this happen. Wanda was TORN. We dont know if this baptism is gonna even happen anymore because her mom is menos activo and doesnt like the church. I prayed like cray and asked Dios... WHYYYYY IS THIS HAPPENING???????? If I could understand why, maybe I could help.

No answer. I felt soo mad. I felt so broken. But then the next morning I felt like I needed to study la misericordia de Dios(about Gods mercy). I learned a lotttt. I remembered the story of Wandas mom and started to cry. (SHOCKER ) THis woman is divorced and really having a hard time balancing with her job, her new boyfriend and her two little daughters who desperately need love. She told us a while ago that she feels like she cant go to church because shes messed up a lot. My feelings and thoughts about this woman immediately changed. I judged her harshly for being so mean and unfair.. when really I had no idea what was really going on in her life. After reading the wonderful words in the scriptures about the incredible mercy God has for us... I felt so much love and compassion for her. God sees us.. hiding in our skin, broken from within. He knows us inside and out and when we sin and have hard things in our lives.. sometimes we think that God is mad at us and we think he doesnt love us. BUT ITS JUST THE OPPOSITE. He has mercy for us. And if I a 19 year old missionary could feel soooo much love and mercy for this HURTING woman... I CANT EVEN IMAGINE how God feels about her. And its like that for all of his children. Most people would look at her and be like... wow shes a sinner for not going to church. But if we reeeeeaallllyyyyy knew them, if we really knew whats happened in their lives... we would have compassion and mercy for them. GOD KNOWS. Dont worry my friends. Were all sinners, we all mess up. Thats why we have the atonement. 

Mom, I received your dear elder the other day and I cant tell you how much it helped me. :))) IM SOO HAPPY. I really really reaaaallly want you to share your story about red permanant magic markers and air bottles on my blog.  Please please just copy and paste it at the end of my letter EXACTLY DONT CHANGE ANY OF IT from the letter you sent me.  Its something I wanna share with the world because it describes la Expiacion to a t in my mind. Oh mom. I wrote you a letter in my journal. :) Imma try to send the pics of my journal to you through this horrible slow comp. :)  Carry on dear family!  

CHAUUU!!!!

excerpt from letter sent to Marie she wanted on her blog:

So I found the old book I wrote for you kids when you were little.  I wanted to give it to you when you were a mom.  I was thumbing through the pages and found the story called red permanent magic markers and air bottles.  I cried rereading it.  It took me right back to the moment and how very very much I loved you.  I wanted to share the memory with you in the words I wrote at 23 or 24.  I will shorten it......

Last Monday afternoon I had the most profound learning experience.  I was gabbing on the phone eating graham crackers when little fifteen month old Marie walks in looking like shes bleeding to death. Then I have a horrific realization.  RED PERMANENT MAGIC MARKER!  I run into the living room and start to cry.  The major part of my small budget has gone into decorating this little room and it is destroyed.  The worst part is the white couches are now bright red.  I call everyone I ask for advice.  I get bits and pieces I put together.  Hairspray and  mouthwash actually worked.  As I am scrubbing I hear a soft muffled sob. It is Marie who realizes she is the reason for the reaction.  "NONONONONO markers" I say sternly.  I go back to my scrubbing feeling deeply concerned for the welfare of my couch. She throws an empty bottle at me.  She wants me to fill it up so she can comfort herself.  I ignore her.  She picks it up and throws it a me again.  I ignore and go back to scrubbing

 .  I am stubborn in my quest to clean the room.  Finally Marie picks up the empty bottle, lays down, and starts sucking.  I look at her and my heart completely breaks.  I cannot punish this sweet baby for what she couldn't possibly understand.  I leave the flamingo pink couch and scoop up my princess.  I get her a fresh bottle of milk.  I snuggle her tight in the rocking chair.  She didnt really want a bottle come to find out.  She just needed an excuse to wrap her arms around my neck.  Sorrys and I love yous are unspoken but mutually felt.  We both cry a little.  This is an unbreakable love.  By the time Rob came home from work my couch was clean and he gets baby Max and little Marie and holds them on his lap in the rocking chair.  I feel total relief.  I realize I am exactly like my little Marie. I am walking around life with a big red permanent magic marker.  I do alot of dumb stuff without even meaning to, Im just doing my life.  Sometimes I make little mistakes, sometimes I color white couches red.  When I realize Ive made a mess, I crawl into a corner in my mind and try to comfort myself.  Its usually about as good as sucking on a bottle full of air.  Every time, I feel scooped up in Gods arms.  He holds me and tells me its ok he can fix it.  Then I realize I dont need anything else other than an excuse to wrap my arms around his neck and say I love you.  He cleans up messes for me, especially the ones that feel permanent.  He has the most effective tools and knows I am a child.  Today I learned there is nothing that cant be undone, and the messes actually seal our love for each other and God.  I love you forever Marie.

Maries favorite scripture this week-

John 3:30

King James Version (KJV)

30 He must increase, but I must decrease.

"We decrease by giving him our weakness, pain, and hard circumstances.  We make ourselves less, so he can come in and increase his loves and hugs and kisses to us.  We decrease our ability to do it on our own, and then we increase his ability to work through us and be a bigger force in us." 
Hermana Terry

Exodus 23- I will take sickness away from the midst of thee

MI FAMILIA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Holaaaaa como estan?!!! Hows the cold? :) Not gonna lie.. I miss the freezing cold mornings! Hahaa.

So I wanna start out by telling you guys about my dearly beloved investigador.. Silvia. Silvia is about 50 years old and lives alone. When we first taught her about el libro de mormon.. she was fascinated by it! She told us she spent all that night reading it!! Isnt that amazing?? Anyways.. this woman is someone who has been prepared by the Lord to hear this message. As a missionary there are some lessons where Im just like... well that didn't go anywhere! But every lesson with her.. I just feel fire in my soul that she is READY. :) 

Anyways on Monday we planned to teach her the Word of Wisdom. I WAS TERRIFIED because this woman has smoked pretty much her whole life. Ive never taught this lesson and I was so scared for how she was gonna react. As we were walking, ( like 5 miles.) I said a prayer in my heart and asked Padre Celestial that I could share this lesson with the spirit and that she could accept it and have a desire to stop smoking. And then right after my prayer I suddenly remembered the story my amazing Dad told us in FHE one night. Dad, I dont remember exactly but what I do remember it was the spirit I felt what you told this story. How this old man in Korea had been smoking or drinking (cant remember:)) his whole life and when he was taught this lesson he was DETERMINED to stop. Tears filled your eyes when you were telling this story and I felt through the spirit that you truly loved this man and to see the change in him filled your heart with joy. :) 

I was so grateful for that memory the spirit gave to me. BECAUSE OF THAT.. I STOPPED worrying about ME and started to focus on my love for her, and Heavenly Fathers love for her. That lesson was our best lesson yet. The spirit was sooooo strong and when she agreed to live la palabra de sabiduria.. I wanted to jump out of my seat, stand on the table and scream hallelujah because I WAS SO EXCITED FOR HER. I never really payed to much attention to the word of wisdom.. but WOW. Its one of the kindest commandments our God has given us. He loves us soooo much. He cares about every little thing. He wants to make sure that pobre lil Silvia is free from smoking. And her body to be healthy. And Padre Celestial told me to promise her that she WILL overcome this and that Heavenly Father is gonna make it easy for her. HOW INCREDIBLE IS THAT. Those aren't just random promises. Those are specific promise from Padre Celestial to his beloved daughter Siliva. And it gets better.- One of her goals to stop smoking-- IShes gonna keep the bom with her at all times and if she feels the urge to smoke.. she will read a verse out of the bom. SHES SO FREAKING CUTE. SHE SAYS SHE KEEPS THAT BOOK WITH HER AT ALL TIMES!! EVEN WHEN SHES SLEEPING!!! Man. God is SO good to Me and Hermana Quintana. :)

The rest of this week.. Im gonna be honest. HQ had major problems with her foot and I got sick (severe pain under my ribs---severe!). :/ So we went to the doctor in Zarate.

HOLY SMOKES. Let me just tell ya... if inferno was on the earth... it would  be the hospital in Zarate, Argentina. We waited all day from 11-6 because there were so many people with sooo many problems.  I know what your thinking and I thought it too, but I was desperate!

I was in pain, not gonna lie. I just wanted  to find a doctor.. Someone who could heal me. And heres where my AHA MOMENT came to my mind.  I looked around and saw everyone else with their own kinds of pain. I dont have enough fingers on my hands to tell you how many pregnant teens I saw. I saw a man who was blind that had been injured in his leg. I saw a verrrry old woman who had the biggest hunchback Ive ever seen. I saw my comp in so much frustration because she couldnt walk on her foot. I saw a lady who was having a hard time breathing. I saw a baby who stopped breathing and a mother who was screaming(but luckily they got this baby to breathe.. so esta bien ya'lll) 

I was wondering.. WHY. Why are there so many scary and hard things in this world that happen to all of us? And then in my head I saw Jesus. And the words came to my mind, ¨¨There is a balm in Gilead to heal the sinsick soul¨This was very symbolic.  That day I Iearned something that hasnt occured to me before. We ALL need a doctor. We all have problems. We all have times in our lives where we feel scared and we dont know if we're gonna make it. But thats where our Savior comes in. Hes the doctor. Hes the smartest doctor out there. He has bandaid for ever pain. He has the medicine to calm us down from our fears. 

They gave me some medicine to calm my intestines because I got some kind of intestinal bug from the water or food.  If you look closely at the pictures of the food I send you, this may not be all that shocking.

But after four days on the medicine I am completely pain free, I can eat again, and I feel brand new.

Yo testifico con todo de mi corazon que EL VIVE. He lives. He´s there to comfort us when faint. He lives to hear our souls complaint. He lives to smile with us when something  AWESOME happens to me (Like Silvia) and he lives to calm a little norte americana down in a foreign hospital and whispers, Im the doctor. Im gonna take care of you. Be still my soul. 

And he did ladies and gents. My soul is with you.  And I feel my family walking the streets with me.  I love you all so much, it almost makes my ribs hurt....just kidding.  Carry on Family!

Anyways

THANKS FOR TUNING IN.

CHAU.

OUR FIRST BAPTISM

OUR FIRST BAPTISM!!!!!!!!!!!!!

HOLY COW! NO ONE EVER PREPARED ME HOW FREAKING AWESOME A MISSIONARYS FIRST BAPTISM IS!!!!!!!!!!! HOLY HOLY HOLY DULCE DE LECHE!!! IT WAS THE BEST THING OF MY LIFE. 

First of all I just wanna say... IM ACTUALLY GRATEFUL FOR NOT HAVING BAPTISMS MY FIRST TWO MONTHS. Because it made this baptism sooo worth it. It was soooo sweet. All the hard things I go through on this mission IS SO WORTH IT. BECAUSE SEEING MY BABY ANALIA GET BAPTIZED BROUGHT SO MANY TEARS TO MAMA HERMANA TERRYS EYES.

AHhhh. OKay. Imma try to explain how amazing it was. Sooooo... yesterday at approximately 2:00.. Analia comes to la capilla(chapel) to get ready for her baptism. :) When she came out in her white vestido(dress)... my heart exploded with the spirit. She was radiant, GLOWING! I couldnt believe the change I saw in her. She was smiling from ear to ear!! And when she first stepped into the font.. the spirit hit me like crazy!! I kept hearing in my heart and in my mind, ¨Thank you, Thank you, THANK YOU!¨¨ OH YOU´RE WELCOME JESUCRISTO!!! A billion times youre welcome!! And when she came out of the water... I lost it. She was so happy. And of course knowing Analia, she was laughing.  IM SO JEALOUS. I WANNA GO BACK AND RELIVE MY BAPTISM DAY!! I never really thought about how special baptism is. I believe its one of the best things we can do on this earth. To promise Jesus that we´re gonna live our lives for him. And in return he gives us those sweet, beautiful feelings of the Espiritu Santo(Holy Spirit). SO MUCH LOVE. AND THEN.. while Analia was changing, we had a meeting of just singing and rejoicing. The only people in Analias family that came to support was her uncle CARLOS the dude with two fingers. I felt soo bad.. but its all good because the members (actually all of them were less actives) that came.. really brought the spirit. And me and Hermana Zendejas sang Oh mi Padre. I looooved that soo much. I sang with alll my heart. Allllll for Analia. :) And then when she came down the stairs.. everyone just stared at her in awwww. Guys.. this little thirteen year old WAS GLOWING. :)

The end of the meeting we sang Soy un Hijo de Dios. I was the music leader and as I was looking out in the crowd.. I looked to the front row.. and saw my little sweet precious little perfect Analia crying. :) She never cries!! And to see her feel this spirit and to see her understand how important she is to Heavenly Father... made me the happiest missionary in the world. And during the WHOLE DAY I prayed so hard for Analia to feel the spirit and to know that she made the right decision.. and my prayer was definitely answered ten fold!!! And then we were about to end with a prayer.. And Analia stands up and bears her testimony. She first thanks her BEST FRIEND (Rocio) for being an example and sharing the gospel with her (ISNT THAT THE CUTEST THING??) And then she thanked Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ for giving her this opportunity to be baptized. And ended by thanking us, her missionaries for teaching her the gospel. :) I couldnt stop the tears. Nothing brought me more happiness to see  how mature and how much spirit this tiny little rugrat had. :) Im sooooo sooo thankful. I thank my lucky stars for the opportunity God gave me to share the gospel with her. And ya know how it all started? I forgot to tell ya this!! It was my first month here.. and I stunk at Spanish. But there was one time where we were visting with her friend, Rocio. And Analia walks in the room and right off the bat I invited her to church. AND SHE CAME TO CHURCH THAT SUNDAY! So yaaa.. Im kinda happy that even though my castellano was terrible, I invited her to church and eventually invited her to be baptzied. :)  The process really works!

Anyways fam.. yesterday was a good day. :) I wanna end by giving thanks to the Hobble Creek 12th ward. En serio. I WAS SOOO BLESSED TO GROW UP IN THE GREAT WARD THAT WE HAVE. Lima is now..just barely.. beginning to grow.. but theres so much that we can work on. Im grateful for the unity that hb12ward has and all the fun mutuals, activities, trek, girls camp.. ALL OF IT! Theres something beautiful that happens when people in the ward come together, enjoy one another and learn about Jesus Christ and his evangelio. :) THANK YOU 12TH WARD!! KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!! The youth especially are sooo blessed! TAKE ADVANTAGE OF IT!!

I love you so much. Thanks for being the incredible family that you are. :) I feel you with me in Lima all the time. :) My time with HQ is ending sooooon. Two weeks. :/ I feel Heavenly Father preparing me now cause Im pretty positive IM staying in Lima! So ya.. pray for me. Specifically for me to be at peace.

 Sometimes my love for the people can be frustrating cause my problem is that I WANNA HELP EVERYONE.. I WANNA HAVE ACTIVITIES THAT ARE AWESOME.. I WANNA TALK TO EVERYONE ON THE STREET.. I WANNA LEARN THE LANGUAGE PERFECTLY ASAP. Things that just stress me out!! How do I handle that? I need someone to tell me that I cant do everything and what Im doing right now is the thing that God wants me to do. Ya know? Ya get me? :) Other than that... IM SO HAPPY!! But theres just these times where im like.. burdened with worry and anxiety.. I JUST WANNA HELP BUT I DONT KNOW HOW.  So just pray for me family that I can feel peace and trust Dios to lead us.

WANDA AND LUANNA!!! Jorges sobrinas!! Were baptizing Wanda on the 25!! Shes soooo smart! Luanna is 7 and Wanda is 11. :) THEY ARE TOTALLY LIKE LUKE AND PAUL!! I love teaching them. ;) Wanda is soo ready for baptism. :):) 

Tambien.. we're baptizing their babysitter Silivia.. HOPEFULLY on the 2 of February, (she smokes) tambien the friend of Analia.. Milagros!! ITS LIKE A CHAIN REACTION!!!!! MILAGROS LIVES IN THE SAME HOUSE THAT I DROPPED OFF MY MONEY IN FOR CHRISTMAS.

I love you guys. :) I love our mission. I want to tell you that Gladis moved away with her little boys like 1 month and a half ago. We were informed on friday that Gladis died.. and theyre not sure what to do with her boys. Its off our hands now.. but please pray for the family and the little boys, Franco y Emanuel. I cant say anymore.. cause Im gonna start crying. :) Kthanks. :)

 I dont feel so homesick anymore because I know this mission is gonna flash right before my eyes!! WE GOT THIS!! We got this people, lets rock and roll!!!!  Carry on!

CHAU!!!!!!!!!