8 months come and gone

Time is flying. I seriously cannot believe it is almost October and today I have been a missionary for 8 months. It is a really strange mixture of feelings. This whole week has been a little strange too. We have really on days, and really off days. Either everyone is in their houses and all our plans work or NO ONE is around and everyone stands us up. We are either teaching a TON or nothing. I can see why moderation is good in all things, because these mission mood swings are throwing me off. BUT I know that I need to experience the rough days to REALLY ENJOY the days where everything goes smoothly!

This week, I have also been able to see and feel the blessings of teaching with the Spirit. Being able to feel a little bit of the love that our Heavenly Father has for his children - while I am teaching - is amazing. Sometimes it is difficult to talk because my heart is so full and I just want to hug everyone!!!! Because I can feel this IMMENSE love for Gods children. I cannot really describe it that well, but I love it. I have been REALLY focusing on teaching with my heart, and not just reciting sentences while we are teaching. And I have seen and felt the difference of teaching with my heart! It is a great time to be a missionary

I was reflecting a bit today, since I have now been in the mission for 8 months. Hahahah I remember when I first got to Mexico, and when people talked about Chile Seco, everyone said it was one of the way spicier chiles and that I should be wary of it. This morning we were eating empanadas, and there was some salsa de chile Seco and it basically was not spicy at all hahahah SOOOO my heat tolerance has raised quite a bit. I still stay away from habaneros, I am never gonna be able to eat those comfortably.

Hermano Mora fixed our boiler!!!! TODAY I TOOK MY FIRST SHOWER WITH HOT WATER IN ALMOST 2 MONTHS!!!! IT WAS SO AMAZING!!!!!!! I love hot water. So content!!! Their whole family loves us so much. Hermana Mora told us that they were going to fast and pray so that my companion and I would not be changed in the next transfer...WHICH IS NEXT MONDAY! AH!

My old companion, Hna D, went home because she was sick :(. It reminded me that things in the mission can change so fast, and that I should be more grateful for my health and ability to work all the time!!

I got stranded on a step one night this week when there was an enormous rainstorm. We were walking to an appointment, and I looked 10 feet in front of me and saw this HUGE wave of water tumbling down the stairs....that were actually more like waterfalls. I had 2 seconds to decide what to do, and I hopped onto a step and Hna Q hopped into a store. I should have done the same, because eventually the water swept over my step and my feet were soaked...AGAIN. I should just carry a canoe instead of my water bottle. That might be more efficient.

Yolanda and Rosalba - Yolanda changed houses and now no longer lives in our area, and Rosalba is continuing to avoid us. Ouch. We just want to talk to her! But we feel like she is hiding!

Saul - He went to church by himself, and showed up 5 minutes early!!! SO PROUD OF HIM!!!! When we went to visit him this week, we found him in a state that was less than desirable....we were really disappointed and felt like our hearts broke a bit. But people do not change overnight, and the plan of salvation is all about repentance! We are working really closely with him this week, because he needs a strong foundation to lean on right now.

Norma and Abby - Norma has a new enthusiasm and respect for the Book of Mormon! She is going with us to activities and is always trying to arrange her schedule so we can visit her! Abby is working all day, every day, but does her best to get to her house as fast as she can once we are there! They are sisters BTW. But I have seen a huge change in Norma, and it is so exciting!!!! She is also super small hahah every time I go to hug her, I crouch over like the Hunchback of Notre Dame.

Diana - a new investigator! We talked with her on Friday, and then again on Sunday with her husband. The parents of her husband are members, and Diana listened to missionaries when she was in the US! Her son was actually born in Michigan, so that was kind of cool. ALSO, her and her husband are actually legitimately married!!!!! YAYYYYYY!! For once!!!!!!! When we visited them on Sunday, we invited them both to be baptized, and they both accepted! It feels so good to teach when people are actually paying attention and are asking questions! The lesson with them was so great!!!! Yay for good lessons!!!

Mexico is great! The sights, sounds, smells, I love it all. I love being a missionary and being able to feel an enormous love for the people here!!! I KNOW with my whole heart that Joseph Smith restored the gospel to the earth in final days, and I KNOW that if we do our best to live the principles of the gospel, we can be eternally happy. What more could we want?

Love, Hermana Westergard

learned how to make pastes!!!!

interesting sweetish tortilla maza chip thing...not that great hahaha 

the Mora Beltran familia who are SOSOSO good to us!!! 

Our district with Hna Maria Elena (Elder Wallace from Utah, Elder de la Hoz from Columbia, Elder Ureta from Chile and Elder Pech from Mexico) 

Happy 8 Months from Hna Q!

We went with an hermana to help us with our clothes this morning and she made us this huge banquet of empanadas with fresh orange juice and salsa de chile verde y seco. And it would not be complete without crema!