I have to let you all know that my habit of chronic procrastination has not gone away on a mission. I was asked about 2 weeks ago if I would be willing to give a 5 minute "talk" at a ward noche de hogar on Saturday about my favorite memory with my family and my testimony. So I definitely used my lunch on Saturday to look up the Spanish words I didn't know and then just kind of winged it.
From this experience I learned that there is not verb for "Snowboard" in Spanish. Like it isn't a common thing in Latin America or something. I thought all week about my favorite memories with my family and just kept thinking about all the little things we would do together. Car trips were always a story. haha. And I love the times when we would all just end up in the kitchen or living room, laughing and joking. Those are definitely my favorite memories. I told the ward that and then talked about when Carter tried to teach me how to snowboard last winter and how I ended up just sitting on the bunny hill wet, cold, and ready to go home. Carter came up and sat next to me and told me that he had never seen me give up, and that I just had to try again. Then he stood up and went down the mountain like a pro. Carter, I want you to know how much I think about the short conversation out here and how much your example means to me. I am so grateful that I was able to grow up in a family that supported each other. Also I described snowboarding by saying it was like surfing down a mountain. They got it. I think. So no worries. #gringaspanglish
Also, this week we started teaching Lorenzo. He is a 68 Cuban man. He has survived 7 strokes and 4 open heart surgeries. He spent almost 2 years bed ridden but worked hard in therapy and now lives alone and takes care of himself. It is sooooo fascinating to talk to him. It has also convinced me that if someone is really ready for the gospel, everything clicks into place easily. We taught him the restoration and when we were talking about the apostasy he said "So...the world needed another prophet. I knew I was right to wait until I felt something." We talk about what makes us different from all the other religions that he has talked to and he says "With this one, I just feel it. I have peace." He told us all week he was going to come to church and then Saturday he got a call from the mother of his daughter in Cuba that he hasn't seen in over 30 years. They were talking until 11 at night and then he had to drive back to his home so he didn't get home until 1. Then his car broke down on the way to church...and then his "back up car" wouldn't start. So, understandably, he almost didn't come to church. He walked in his house to call us when he saw the Book of Mormon on his table. Instead of calling us, he called his friend and borrowed a car and came to church. He loved it! He has a date for the 29th.
Also, the coolest thing happened on Friday. I got a text from Jennifer back in West Palm: "Sister Scadden! I want to tell you that my brother is 21 years old and is getting baptized on the 23rd. I am so happy! Have a good day!" I am SOOOOOOO happy. Jennifer's brother lives in New York. Recent Converts that love missionary work are the bomb!
My title this week is in honor of my aunt Kristin, who is having twins!!!! It's what she gets! Congrats Kristin and Seth! I'm so excited for my grandparents who will now have 2 sets of twin grands.
Love you all! Have a good week!
-Sister Bren Scadden