09.03.11

Hey All! 

This week was good...a lot of sitting in Doctor´s offices again...this time, the neurologist here in Xela (local name for Quetzaltenango). The medical mystery of this week...Bell´s Palsy! I have to admit, I have never seen anyone have that before this week. Mark that off the list. This neurologist did a great assessment but then he tried having us buy about 15 different meds and take a really expensive blood test. We talked to the AMA and nixed pretty much all of that! 

Today technically is our p-day (personal day)...but we really don´t have time except to email and buy some food. We ended up having to put citas (appointments to meet with investigators) today, but...two of them are baptisms! The first is Javier, he is the son of Hermana (sister) Kathy, a member that we visited with a lot in Las Americas (The Americas). He never was even slightly interested when we were there, but he´s changed entirely. Other missionaries started teaching and laid it out for him, and he has made the decision that will change his life! We aren´t in that area anymore, but he asked that we be there for the baptism.

Also, Roxana is getting baptized! We are sooo exctied! We have gone visiting and supporting her every day this week, to help her stay strong. The poor thing! Well about two weeks ago and gashed open her leg horribly. It looks nasty, but is definitely in the healing process. We are going to get that covered for the baptism. She really is such a sweetheart, she has been through a ton in her life, but is making a change. She really has a whole different demeanor since the first time we visited her...so much more positive and faithful. Her baptism is tonight also, so I will let you know how it goes next week. 

 Funny story, I am always fighting to wash the dishes at Roxana´s house. She has a hurt leg and it is a nice way to do a little service. After our lesson she gave us atol (a warm creamy corn beverage) to drink. After, I took Hermana (sister) Redden´s dishes and mine and washed them. Then I went back to get the dishes of Samuel, the ward mission leader. He told me no, so I said very firmly, ¨Hagalo pues!¨ Which is basically yelling, ¨Just do it!¨ Haha! Ohhh I wish there were words to describe his wide eyed shocked expression as he jumped forward to give me his dishes. I guess you don´t mess with a gringa (white woman) missionary that wants to wash the dishes. Lol...maybe you have to be there, but Redden and I surely laughed a lot at that.

That´s all! Stay strong and stay true! Integrity is the bedrock of character...make sure you have it!

Love, Hermana Otto