Things I Never Knew I Never Knew

Hola

 

We were supposed to go to the University last Friday to talk to the students on campus. However, there have been riots going on at the University but they said it’s only dangerous if you don’t join in with the rioters. And for some reason they didn’t want us to do that. Instead we went to a park to practice. Everyone I spoke with was so kind and patient with my Spanish. I may have mixed up 'where are you from' and 'where are we' because everyone I asked pointed to the ground and said “El parquet." I hope I wasn’t getting that wrong because 1) that would have been a really silly question and 2) I learned how to ask that on day one. Perhaps they were all just park residents.

 

One of my teachers said not to worry when we get things wrong. One of her companions was giving a talk in sacrament meeting and was trying to say she was embarrassed up there and it was the bishops fault but. But she used the word "émbarazada"' for embarrassed, which incidentally means pregnant.

 

The following are the highlights of the week... We have weekly doctrine classes with President Freestone. He is so wise and my understanding of the gospel is growing more than ever. To quote the wise words of Pocahontas: “I’m learning things I never knew I never knew.” Thursday mornings we are able to go to the temple which we all look forward to. Another highlight is the daily volleyball games we have during fitness. Almost all the missionaries participate. The phrase "'en tu cara'" (in your face), has caught on and at least one person says it after every point scored.

 

The Spanish learning has hit a bit of a plateau. I have to remind myself it’s ok to be progressing at a slower rate as long as I am growing. I am amazed at the capacity our minds do have. I am still working on utilizing my mind more and expanding my rate of retention.

 

Something I have found to be tricky is learning to simplify the gospel. With all its complexities and depth, it’s challenging to know how deeply to dive in. But there is also a beautiful simplicity about the gospel of Jesus Christ. The key principles being, God loves his children and wants us to progress. We can’t stress that enough when teaching. A scripture that was shared with me this week was Romans 8: 35, 38-39:

 

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?... For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come. Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

 

Te amo,

Meg