Gimme an Hand..or an Arm

This week has been another challenge, as always is in the mission. Monday, we headed to Gamarra in Lima Central to buya heapload of skirts and other womenly items that were desperately needed. We did not take any pictures though, because we would have beenb robbed blind. But it was the bomb dot.com once we passed by all of the skimpy stores and found the place where they make real skirts. The kind that they send to the little mamitas in the Sierra and Chiclayo. 

There the mountain winds dens a breeze right through your loins if you are not careful. So I bought these beautiful and slightly heavy skirts that have 2 hidden pockets, and a reinforcing line just in case you gain weight. And they only costed like 18 soles! A steal I might say. Then we headed out of the city and had a really good contact with a cab driver named Alfonzo. 

So anyway, all went well until Hermana Jiminez began to get sick on Thursday. She ran a super high fever, and we headed back to our room to get some rest. I helped her get a little better, but there really was a limited amount of things I could do with my arm in a sling. The funniest part was when we tried to lower the top mattress from the bunk bed so that she could sleep below. And I balanced that thing with two other ladies like a handicapped Atlas. But all is well now, and we have a determination to become our healthiest these last 3 weeks of the transfer! 

Really, Satan tried his hardest to destroy us through all kinds of terrible health situations, dis-motivation, and whatever other hard thing he can think of. But he really has just made us a little bit stronger. So thanks a mountain, Satan! 

All of these things that happen in the mission really are funny stories eventually, and you just have to laugh and put your trust in your talents and God. He is the only one that can life you out of your own grave, because he created you. I believe that strongly. Now if all our recent converts, Mauricio, the Lopez family, and Jesus Pantoja can realize that, they will all be a little bit more motivated to push on and make it to the temple! 

Everyone study Alma 36 and 38 this week. Its really good. 

Love, your one and a half armed friend, 

Hermana Hannah Addington

This is Emma Morocho, the stake President"s wife. She is super cool, a mama, an RM, and a fantastic cook. Here she is cookin cachangas, a Peruvian type of hotcake. 

Sooooo good. And her doogie Aisha, being petted by Hermana Jiminez. 

 We learned how to make cachangas last week with Hermana Emma. She is a cooking goddess.

And her puppy Aisha is really cute. Reminds me of Sparky. 

Chasing Pavement

I thought the name of this email was appropriate with what happened this week. When me and Hma. Jiminez were walking back from lunch with our pancionista Thursday, we were kinda hurrying because language study had already started. And lil preoccupied me did not notice one part of the sidewalk that was all busted up. 

And I just tripped and fell like the main character of a lame teen flick. It happened in like 2 seconds, so Hma. Jiminez had no idea I was hurt until I started panting like a puppy. And then this street cleaner come over to me, saying, "Que estas haciendo Senorita? Sabes que es peligrosisimo caminar asi?" (What are you doing lady? Ya know its way dangerous to walk like that?) And I simply said, "Esta bien, gracias." Because that was all I could say to keep in my shame. 

But luckily, no one else saw me. Until we started walking to the street to find a cab. And then like a million members spread the word that I was going to be operated, because he E.R. doctor told me my muscle was like tearing apart, with the tendons all loopy and what not. But the only thing that happened was my right elbow cracked, and I could not straighten out my arm. Thanks to a good orthopedic surgeon in Lima, I know that I can stay in the mission, still proselyte( Thats the word you were looking for megs:)

 And I just have to ask the amazing Hma. Jiminez and other relief society ladies to help me carry my bags. Really, I feel blessed, because I know I am supposed to stay in this mission, work with Hma. Jiminez, and see people enter the temple. Thank you Mama and Dad for letting me stay. I PROMISE  i will not fall anymore, unless it is into my bed with exhaustion at the end of the day. I could not help making a joke, it is the nature of my father in me.

Thanks for your help Megs, and your sweet letter Sean. And everybody that has kept me in their prayers and thoughts. People like ya"ll make serving this mission worthwhile.

Now I know what Nephi meant when he said. "I will not trust in the arm of the flesh soley, but in the God who gave me life. " True dat, Nephi, true dat.
Also read D &C 123:17, and 2 Nephi 25:17

Its just funny to read scriptures about extending arms now.)

Sincerely,
elbowey Hermana Addington

Don't Go Breaking My Heart, OR ELBOW, OR ARM, OR ANYTHING FOR THAT MATTER

Hey Family! This is a pic of my with my arm all bundled up in a cast. And these lil things are Peruvian dolls in representation of all of you: Amy, Abby, Megs, Mama, and Dad.

Dry Old Endings, New Humid Beginnings

When and where in this country will I ever find a good internet like I had in Chincha? Seriously, I feel like the guy in that apple wheel spoof, trying to send an email to his friend for 45 mins. Heh, oh wheel. 

This mission has taught me to have a mountain of patience. I think I am going to change my second name to Patience. Sorry Mama, i know you gave me the middle name Joan, and I love it, but really. 


So this week went by really fast and slow at the same time. I am enjoying being closer to Lima and seeing all the sight and sounds and new crazy dogs, but now I am also trying to remember a new area. But it really is not that hard. Everything in the map of Lima is in the shape of a square, so it really is not that hard to find houses. 
And we are like 40 from the temple now! We have a trip next week, if everything goes well. I am so excited i WANNA PEE MY PANTS. 


But in all seriousness, the mission is beautiful, as always. Things are getting a little better and better with every transfer. I know a little bit more Spanish, I can teach a little better, and now I am living in the stake president"s house, so we have actual hot water! 

We have 2 newbie Elders in our district, Americans. And it really is funny seeing how I used to have the same struggles as them. With feeling confident, taking everything in, having a feeling that I can actually work with all the members and other missionaries. now I can pass my little words of wisdom to them.

And we had a baptism this past week! An investigator named Mauricio, who really is great. I only had like 2 lessons with him before so I really did not know him well before his baptism, but me and Hma. Jiminez had a fast beforehand to make sure everything went okay. 


I am sending the packet this week, with letters and all kinds of goodies! 
And also tell Amy Laura she should be expecting a letter. 


I love you all! Sorry this message was short. Thank you for all of your support and prayers I really feel protected at night. When you all need a pick me up, read The Living Christ, Alma 7, and also your patriarchal blessings. Super motivating stuff. And just eat peanut butter, and cry. And listen to the Mo Tab choir. And other mormony things I can suggest, because I am a missionary and that is what I do. 


Sincerely, your slightly more round, 
Hermana Addington

This is Mauricio (recent convert), his friend Segundo, Hmas. Nielsen, Munoz, Jiminez, and me. This is just to show you all that we as Peruvians, Americans, Mexicans, and Chileans have fun too!

When It's Time To Change, It's Time To Rearrange

Remember that song from the Brady Bunch? I really don"t remember all of it either. Just the chorus was stuck in my head when I was packing. 

I got changed out of Chincha! Now I am in Villa El Salvador with Hermana Jimenez, right outside of Lima.

It really is interesting to be so close to the office now. I feel the influence of President Douglas looming over me like a pretty but very large cloud. 

But really, I am excited to have this transfer. I loved Chincha with all my heart and stomach, but I know that it will be left in the good and tight grip of Hermana Mendoza. 

AMY LAURA GOT HER MISSION CALLL TO LATVIA. (Our cousin in the states). That is one of the most wicked coolest things I have heard all day, and I just heard that Justin Bieber got deported from the U.S.

Tell Amy Laura congrats, and I will send her an email next week. 
Thanks Meg for typing my pat. blessing. Much appreciated. (No Prob, Han!)

Thats all for today folks. I gotta pass the baton to Hermana Jimenez! 

Until Next Week,
Hermana Banana Addington

Here is my new companera! Her name is Hermana Jimenz, but she really is Catherina Zeta Jones in disguise. She"s from Mexico, and she is really funny. We are gonna have a fiesta together in Villa El Salvador. 

I am also gonna miss my wonderful investigator Juana and her super hyperactive daughter. Here is just a sample of how much patience we all had when I taught them how to bake cookies and crepes. By the way the crepes were fantastic, thank you very much. 

Tearing down walls for a service project

We Built This Schmitty on Tootsie Rolls

Awwhhh, what should I write this week? 
Well, first I should thank everyone who is reading this blog thing. Really it is kinda funny to hear that other people besides my family and friends are interested in the silly happenings of me and my companions here in Chincha. I hope this is giving you a breath of fresh air into mission life. And if not, well I really don"t have time to extend more because I only hve 20 minutes left to send out this email. But really, if you actually want to have the same experiences, or know a little bit more, accompány the missionaries in your own home! They are gonna have stories for miles, and you will be laughing all the way home like the 3 lil pigs. 


   We had a baptism this week! Our lovely Emma was baptized by our bishop Cordova in freezing cold water. Me and Hma. Mendoza slaved all afternoon to clean and heat the font, but to no avail. At least she felt warm with the spirit. Right after that her daughter Juana and her daughter Camilla had to head off to the hospital because she is like super pregnant and is sure to have that baby any day now, but they are still waiting until the doctor says everything is good. I just really want to see that baby before transfers! Is that too much to ask for? I taught her everything she knows!
Also, I think Hma. Mendoza is eventually going to be able to take them all to the temple with her future companion, because I am pretty sure I am going to a different area. But still, I am really happy for all of them, because I know they really will be loyal in the church. We set the foundation for which they can build their lil gospel house. 


Speaking of houses, we totally destroyed a wall this week for service! It was kinda the best thing ever, cuz I got to use an axe to chop a piece of wood,( safely lumberjack Grandpa  Clayton),and Hma. Mendoza had this hug pick that she used to break down the barriers. All the Elderes were pretty much surprised by our womanly strength.(shoutout to all my feminist ladies out there. Not really I still shave my legs when I can.Mostly.) But yeah it really was great to help other people. Many families in Peru are still in need of besic necessities like hot water and clean clothes, and people to help construct a proper house that doesn"t fall over with every terremomo( earth quake). It is sad, but it sure does motive us to work hard and help them establish the church here.
 
   I am so proud of all my family and friends sharing the gospel! Amy, ya did good with that taxi driver. But ya"ll really can ask your missionaries for phamplets! That have like a million of them that you could pass out during the day. (Just not the Law of Chastity or Word of Wisdom.) Also, if you copy someone"s addresss, phone number, and their agenda and just give it to the missionaries in your ward, they know what to do with it. 
But really, do not be afraid to share your testimonies! I felt really bad for not doing that more at home. But now I am repenting for it. 


   By the way, I am sending ya"ll a copy of my patriarchal blessing, because I left the copy of the first page at home like a dingus, and need it for guidance. If you could just send it to my email next week that would be great. i love you all! Have a good safe week! 


Hermana Hannah Banana Addington

Baby Shower Bonanza

So this week passed by quicker than Mama can rearrange a house.( Shoutout to my mama.) We hald a bab shower for one of our investigators Juana, her fiance Diego and their mother Emma and their daughter Camilla. In the U.S. baby showers are like a time for women to just eat sweet treats, talk about their husbands and share cute little clothes. In Peru however, pretty much everybody and their dog attends.  (Literally there was a dog there named Lucas.) We bagan with a prayer, ate cake and catapulcra( basically Peruvian sphagetti), and yucca, the best thing ever. And we danced the night away, or at least me and Mendoza watched everyone dance until 9, when we had to leave, because yeah we are missionaries. I was super stressfull because I have no idea how to plan a baby shower, but it ended up being a really good experience for Juana anad Diego and Emma. And Camilla, their daughter, had alot of cake. Now they are all at home i the ward, which is how we want them to feel. They really are like our family now, and we have changes in 2 weeks! At least I am going to get top see Emma get baptized and maybe get a glance of Juana"s baby. 
O am super proud of all the progress that my whole family and group of friends are making. Keep remembering to read your scriptures and enjoy your time at home. And have fun! Life is way too short. A package is coming your way this week. 
Hermana Addington

Setting Chinca on Fire: Missionary style

 First off, this email will not have photos because this internet pace is a little old, and I do not want a virus in my memory. So, just imagine these things in your minds until next week!
We have been setting Chincha on fire this week, WITH CHANGES! No but really, it was time for a change in this área. I have already been here for 3 months, and really we needed to be receiving more references, have more lessons, and find more new people. So, first we had an activity with all the relief society proeslyting in the main park, iwth plaques and everything. At first they had the same looks on their faces that I had the first time we cntacted in Lima Norte, my ol CCM days. But eventually they learned how to be relaxed and share their phamplets. They are alot more willing to be present in the lessons now, just because its easier than street contacting! Still we need to train a couple of them to share less, because one hermana spread the Word to a couple that we as members are condemned if we use Facebook, and that he could receie the priesthood and bless people in the street.  lol  Then we had alot of less actives proselyting with us too, sharing their testimonies and whatnot. One part of a lesson went a little risky when one member started interlacing the law of chastity with the Word of Wisdom,sharing his experiences in rehab, (I told her, "Hermana, you said that you husband has not had a drink for 20 years, but did you know that he is cheating on you?") But eventually me and Mendoza pulled the reigns back in. That is one thing I have learned now, how to be more direct and motivating, and how to control time.

And we had 2 services helping Ignacio build his house! We lifted about 50 bags of cement in the Street, and then filled a foundation. And it was great to get attention from the people in the Street, especially those thinking me and Mendoza were training for the navy, because we were the only sisters among 20 elders.
Teaching Ignacio has been really interesting. Because he cannot really speak full words or hear well, we have been using all the photos and phamphlets we can find to explain stuff. Today we are teaching tithing, heaven help us. But he really is Smart, and remembers things really well. We just need to learn a few different signs together because he was not taught sign language officially. But it really is fun. Hma. Mendoza studied acting before so she can explain things a little more easily, but I am gonna learn! The gift o" signs, people, it is real.
Also we have been preparing Juana, Emma and Diego for their baptisma and marraige. Juana is also going to have a joint baby shower with the Bishop"s wife. The theme is " We threw this together becaues we are still 20 something misioneras and do not know all adult things yet." But it will be great, I am excited.

¡Chao! Hermana Addington