Week 34

July 22nd, 2015

Colonia!!

Family and Friends,

This week was great! I can´t believe this transfer cycle is already coming to an end! We had some really great experiences this week!

This week we were looking for someone´s house, a woman that I met while I was in divisions with Hermana Leon, and she told us the block that she lived in but she forgot her house number, so she told me there was a tree in front of her house and a "monticulo" (a made-up word for small mountain) of dirt in front of her house. We were looking for her house with a member and they were both teasing me because I had silly instructions, when all of the sudden, we found the monticulo!!! And the Hermana too, her name is Carmen and she has a really contagious laugh. She lives a humble life, but has a lot of faith, and as we taught her the restoration I really felt God´s love for her--she has definitely been prepared by the Lord!

This week we also had interviews with President Smith! He came to Colonia! As missionaries we learned more about the House of Israel and family history work. One of the Sister Training Leaders asked me if I could share an experience or story out of my family history booklet. It really surprised me that she asked me, and I was kind of embarrassed because it was all filled out in English, but I translated the story about my dad for the zone. It touched me more than I thought it would to share the things I remember about my dad´s life, and how I have faith that one day we´ll be an eternal family.

I had a short interview with the president, and it was great! He gave me some teaching advice and helped me set some goals to be the best that I can. He and his family really care for all us missionaries! After the conference we all got on a bus to head back to Juan Lacaze and most of the seats were filled. I sat down next to a woman and my ex-companion, Hermana Olson, sat nearby and we chatted a little bit, but I felt impressed to talk to the woman sitting next to me. So I talked to the woman next to me for a while, her name is Romina and she´s amazing! She asked me about the church and I taught her about the restoration! It was so amazing,I really hope that this little seed in her heart grows! Hermana Olson stayed on the bus after I got off and she told me that Romina was reading the pamphlet I left her when I left the bus. The Lord always puts people in our paths!

Time is really starting to fly here in the mission! Today I was really touched by an email I got from Dayana Santos, a recent convert from my first area. She told me that she has decided to serve a mission after her older brother comes back! She has such a missionary spirit and always wants to help out the missionaries in the ward. I love her and her siblings so much!

Thank you for all the letters and prayers and support! I love you all so much! Everyday is a battle against the good and the evil, but God is on our side,and he helps us be stronger than we are by ourselves. With Him, we are never alone!

--Hermana Autery

(With the monticulo of dirt)

With our mom, Hermana Teresa!

My face... heh... I look wierd. but it´s a pretty place!

With Hermana Alba who lives really close to the river!

A fruit called membrillo.

We used a face mask the night before interviews.

Interviews with my companions!

Hermana Guzmán singing her country´s hymn when she saw her soccer team on tv.

She made us her favorite food, peanut soup!

Us trying to stay warm during studies, haha

Wall art in Colonia, Uruguay!

Sight seeing in Colonia!