Sunday

Yes, I stood out at church today!!!!! I'm sure people were wondering what this gringo woman was doing there, but it ended up being a wonderful experience. By the end of the 3 hours, I was feeling totally accepted and loved. Not that I understood much, but the spirit was there! It is so wonderful to know that wherever I go in this world there is the church and it is functioning the same everywhere. I'm so grateful!

I can walk to my building in only 5 minutes! I found the missionaries right away and was so excited to speak to them in English. There were two missionaries from South America. And there were 3 North Americans today, all from Utah, because one is leaving for home on Thursday. It's the Elder that plays the piano, so guess what I'll probably be doing next week....LOL! It was Fast Sunday today. This meeting is where after the leader speaks it's opened to anyone that wants to get up and speak of their testimony of Jesus Christ. I decided to take the plunge when the missionary offered to translate for me. Not only is it really good for me to share my testimony, but I thought I might as well let everyone know who I am, why I'm here, and how happy I am to be in Bolivia and in the church. I'm embarrassed to say that after I finished it got really loud. The missionary told me that they are so excited and I'm a celebrity. Oh Wow. Now I really have to be good and make it to all my meetings!

After the 1st meeting lots of people came to say hello. I can't stress enough how I felt so welcomed in! Several people speak really good English. One of the counselor's son came over and asked if I could tutor him in English as he is going to attend BYU in the November. They just got back from Utah. I told him I would if he helped me with Spanish.

I didn't understand Sunday School, so I read scriptures during it. Didn't understand Relief Society either, but everyone kept smiling at me I got through it. They are having the Bolivian equivalent of 4th of July on Wednesday and they are having a party at church. They put me in a group to bring stuff to the party. Ahhh... we will see how that goes. They also told me that Relief Society meets on Thursday at 7 PM, so I'm going to try that.

After church I talked to the missionaries again and told them I was looking for a house keeper, and bang....they found me one. She actually taught the lesson in Relief Society. I'm happy to have a member and to help them out, while they help me out.