So, How are Things, Hermana Magnusson?

thanks to uncle david, sis. patino, sis. mangum, betsy, ma, gee, jmag, rachel, sam, and renee for the emails this week! loved hearing from everyone.

not much to report this week. the work is the same. the weather is the same, the food is the same, the dogs are the same. transfers are this upcoming week. not sure if there will be any changes for my comp and i. if neither of us gets transferred, we´ll be together for 6 months. that´s a long time.

ma and rachel had some questions so i spent all my email time answering them. maybe you can post the pertinent/interesting stuff... i have a few new photos, but can´t download them from my camera on this computer. hopefully next time......

the church is true! thanks for the emails and prayers!

hermana magnusson

Questions and Answers:

Are you getting used to the food?

the food is pretty much the same every day...meat (carne or pollo) and potatoes. occasionally we´ll eat something veggie-ish, like a tomato/onion "salad". there is some variation, of course, but nothing exotic.

Getting adequate fiber?

i try to eat fruit every day. apples, mostly. my new favorite thing is mangos from the fruit stands that we pass. i also sometimes eat oatmeal for breakfast and when we eat lunch not with the members, i eat lentils. i love lentils.

Wearing your sunscreen?

i did at the beginning, but i don´t really use it now. we sweat so much that it just gets sweated-off and i hate it running in my eyes and it makes me feel nasty and greasy. I KNOW THAT MELANOMA IS AWFUL, so maybe i´ll repent and start using it again? but i use my umbrella ALL THE TIME.

Avoiding parasites?

yes.

Finding the right toiletries?

i have successfully purchased shampoo, toothpaste, lotion, mousse, eye makeup remover, and face moisturizer. there is a wide variety here, with lots of brands from the states (dove, tresseme, loreal, etc), but it´s expensive.

Wearing makeup?

mascara and concealer, as needed. i don´t like to wear makeup because it just gets sweated off.

Feeling more comfortable with Spanish?

i´m definitely understanding more and am contributing lots more to lessons. i am most frustrated with sharing personal experiences, or trying to explain scriptures, because mostly those things just pop into my head and i don´t have time to practice and i discover all sorts of words that i don´t know because i have never had to use them before. it´s still hard to make small talk because i don´t know much conversational/household spanish (like, i don´t know the word for sink, or toilet, or broom). if we don´t have enough time to study (which is often), language study goes out the window.

Blister free (I hope)?

yes! thanks for the mole skin!

Also is there anything specific I can pray for to help you? I do mention you by name daily in my prayers - that you’ll learn the language, have good health and a strong body, and do well teaching.

thanks for the prayers. when things are hard/discouraging, the holy ghost helps me remember that my family and friends are praying for me and it really does help....