hmmm (April 14th)

Well, we didn't get hit again this week, although we could've. So remember when I said that we felt kinda demoted when we got a retired car? Well the next day the zone leaders called us and said that our carola, which was pretty nice for being old, was going to be sold. so they took it, and drove it back to McAllen, and they were gonna bring back another car for us. . . .  and they brought back a malibu. The ULTIMATE demotion. I will never voluntarily drive a malibu. They can don't turn very well and there are all kinds of blind spots. The back window, my companion can see me backing her up (with the mirrors), but not any cars that may be coming. So because of this, we named the car Mushu from Mulan. ("what say ye oh demoted one?" the head ancestor talking to the lizard.)

And, well, I got sunburned. Nope I didn't put on sunscreen because I didn't think about it. But I did remember when my face and arms started to itch and feel a little sensitive.

Well, the other day we got a text from Juan. He said goodnight. Kinda funny cause he said it at about 8:00. And he'd actually sent similar texts a couple of times, just to remind us that he still exists. We met him a while ago, and he was interested in listening and had lots of questions, but he wasn't always there for the appointments etc. he was just super busy and he wouldn't commit to be baptised so we just kinda dropped him. so in response to his text I reminded him to pray and read the Book of Mormon. he said okay and then a little later he sent another text asking when we could come see him. So we went to see him the next day, saturday. He hadn't been reading, cause he had just had a big test that he'd been studying for etc. But now he was done so he could have more time to read. we invited him to church but he ended up sleeping in.

Then there's another guy that knows he can find us every thursday at the methodist church helping with the food bank and he asks why we haven't come to see him. The honest reason is because he's always drunk and really only wants to talk to us cause it makes him feel good. But we agreed to stop by and see him an hopefully set firm expectation that we couldn't visit him unless he was willing to change, and well it didn't go like we'd planned it. He said he wanted to go to church but he was not willing to stop drinking or smoking. He says Jesus drank wine, and he didn't smoke cause they didn't make cigarettes back then. He didn't end up going to church either, because he couldn't hardly move and couldn't walk sunday morning so we canceled his ride.

And Christina was suposed to get confirmed yesterday, but George had to work, pulling a double shift and they weren't able to come to church. But Hector got confirmed!

And with George and Christina, they had to move, haven't found a place yet, but likely won't be in our area anymore, still in the ward, but not in our area. Right now they're staying with family.

And. . . .  well everything is great! toda via. Regardless of everything. I feel like the people who want to talk to us don't want to do anything but the people I think would act don't want to talk to us. :P

But anyway. We're still trying to find solid people. Not sure where to go, but we're working on it.

and we're still trying to get a branch here. I'm really not sure how to go about it. We got a list of people who would be likely to go and sent it to President Maluenda so he can take it to the stake president. But I'm not sure what else to do. There's about 30+ people on that list, and of course there's more less actives that we haven't really met yet, and people who would be more likely to go if there was a church near by. But there should be a solid 30. Is that enough for a branch do you think? I know we're lacking on priesthood holders, but I feel like if we get a branch started here then there will be growth in the strength of the members and the strength of numbers. It's great to hear from you. please don't cut back on how much you talk to me. The last two weeks we had less time because of issues with the car.

I love you all!

Hermana NJ Nielson