Pringles Just Got a Lot Bigger

Hey you people!

Ok, I hope you´re all doing well. No time to chat because I'VE GOT LOTS TO TELL. So... let´s get down to the nitty gritty.

1. We had a baptism on Saturday!!! YAHOOOO!
2. I´m in a trio. Still. More on that in a second.

-BAPTISM!!!! YAHOOO! AMANDA GOT BAPTIZED! I know I haven´t said much about her.... whoops, sorry. But, we first met her in April, through Hno Achigar (note future missionaries- THE MEMBERS ARE THE ANSWER!! Gain their trust and they start introducing you to their friends). We dropped her after a bit because she wasn´t progressing. Then we went back at the beginning of June and BAM! Progression. She took a bit to get a testimony of Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon, but when she did, she said, "I´m going to get baptized. I need this change for myself. I need to be better. WOOO!!! Besitos, hugs, feeling the spirit... AHH so happy! She was confirmed yesterday!

- Now the trio deal. Hermana Leguizamón's companion never showed! We don't know why, but we called our DL (*District Leader**) and he said they weren't sending anyone else. At first we were like, ¨THIS ISN'T FUNNY,  ELDER! STOP JOKING!¨ But it's the real deal. All of Pringles! For the three of us! Our investigators, menos activos,(*Less active*) conversos recientes,(*recent converts*) and area have doubled! Now we're all in the same room. We have been running all over Pringles! Literally, running at times. We need bikes!! This week has been WAAAY stressful with the baptism, change and everything.  It's a little different, but I've finally got a Latina companion! It's been a little difficult because Hna Israelsen and I move a little faster than Hna Leguizamón. It doesn't help that she comes to my shoulder! She's kind of short! And when I do missionary work, I get my "Disneyland Walk" on. You all know the "disneyland walk". When the park opens and you make a beeline to Space Mountain or Indiana Jones because the lines get long super fast for those two!!! Poor thing just can´t keep up! So I´ve had to slow down a bit. It´s going to be a challenge to get organized, but once we get in the groove of things it should be better. I hope. Pray for us. 

- HERMANA BROWN IS IN DORREGO! Guess what? That is in MY ZONE! My comp has been sick SO WE GOT TO CALL OUR MISSION NURSE! Yahoo! I got to talk to her! I just love her! Hope we have a zone conference soon.

- I ate ostritch this week. It wasn't too bad. At first we were just eating milanesas and Presidente said, "do you know what you´re eating?"  Um, meat? NOPE, OSTRITCH! What!!! Would I eat it again? Probably. :-)

- I´m really just sooo tired. But still happy!! It´s weird.

- I COMPLETED 5 MONTHS IN THE MISSION YESTERDAY! What the crap!?? Who said time could go by so quickly??

- We have a new theme song... it´s "Behold, A royal Army". In the chorus it says "Victory, victory through Jesus Christ our Lord" (I think) but in Spanish it´s "avencer, avencer por Cristo rey Jesus" but instead of that, in the last verse we sing "ENCONTRAR, ENSEÑAR, BAUTIZARRRR!!!! (find, teach, baptize) POR CRISTO REYYYY JESUSSSS!" I LOVE IT!! I hope you all understand this haha. 

-I read a great talk given by Presidente Uchtorf in the Priesthood session 2010 titled "Continue in Patience". IT WAS GREAT! I REALLY need some patience... especially at this time. Two quotes I loved "Patience means to abide in faith, knowing that sometimes it is in the waiting rather than the receiving that we grow most." And, " Patience is a purifying process that refines understanding, deepens happiness, focuses action, and offers hope for peace". I think in the world today, we could all use a little more patience. Especially when it comes to answers to prayers. We all have to remember that answers and blessings come in the Lord's time and in the Lord's way. And they always come! There's a reason why it's one of the Christlike attibutes in PME. (*Preach My Gospel*)

- SHOUTOUTS: KRISTEN YOU ARE A MARRIED WOMAN! My mom sent me a pic and you looked SO GORGEOUS! And Tay and Paige, you made gorgeous bridesmaids. I miss you three. Aunt LORI!! Thanks for the email. Finally. I don´t have time to read it, but I will print it off! Love ya! 

BENJAMIN SERNA AND JOSHUA SERNA! Happy birthdays! Love you both! 

ADRIENNE! It's about time you sent me an email!! THANK YOU! 

Sandii- I read a talk "Mothers and Daughters"- Russell M Ballard and I thought of you and Izabelle. Read it!

- All right everyone. That's a wrap for this week. Have a great Independence Day... even though it's winter here and Hna Israelsen and I are the only Americans in Pringles, we'll celebrate somehow! I LOVE AMERICA! WOOO! I love you all! Gotta go!

BESITOS! 

Hermana Squire

Feliz Dia De Los Padres

¿Qué pasa?

Well, here we are in the last week of transfers... this one flew by. I honestly don't know if I'll be staying or going, but I'll be happy wherever the Lord wants me. I do feel a change coming on in Pringles though... someone is gonna leave! 
-Divisions were SO GREAT! Hermana Alverez is a complete nut and I love her. She is trying to learn English and her favorite phrases are "That's creepy" "PUNCH IN THE FACE", "Girl, you are CRAZY" and she said once after a lesson, "That lady needs a punch in the face.... WITH THE SPIRIT!" We seriously laughed so much together. I learned so much from her, new ways to teach and contact, and better ways to study. She is so GREAT. We were going to leave Bahía at 12:00 Tuesday afternoon, but they cancelled our collectivo. So we worked in Bahía for the afternoon. MAN, it made me so grateful for my small town of Pringles. The city is so busy. No one wants to listen, EVERYONE has STUPID intercom doorbells, and I felt like I was going to DIE riding the bus. I was happy to get back to my quiet little Pringles. 

- I reeeeealllllly hate how dogs determine if we knock on a door or not. We always go "here doggy..." before we enter, or we slowly aproach if there is one... if there is ANY sign of growling... we back up saying "good boy... atta dog" then quickly flee the scene. Dumb mutts. And they really are mutts.... I've never seen so many weird looking dogs in my life.

 -Belen got confirmed yesterday! She's like, "I'm so happy, just so content. I feel great!" AHHH I LOVE HER! She's stoked about seminary, she got the conference edition and has been reading one a day with Jorge, and LOVES the Liahonas! SHE IS JUST A DREAM! We are working on getting Jorge to go on a mission. He has changed so much. Whether we are bringing sheep into the fold, or helping the lost ones come back, it is the same. I love witnessing this ´mighty change of heart´ in the people I have met.

 - For Fathers day last night, we went over to Hermano Achigar and took him a cake. He really is our dad in Pringles. Always bringing us food and fixing things in our house. We are very blessed to have him in our lives. I'm lucky to have people who are like my family here. Juanita is like my cute little grandma. The other night she said that when we come visit her, "heaven is just at the tips of her fingers." I LOVE HER!!

- We contacted a lady in the street and she told us that Christ was going to come to Argentina and not to feel jealous because Argentina was the chosen country. Try not to smile during THAT one. 
- I got my hair cut for the first time in Argentina. NOT LIKE THE STATES PEOPLE! But it has been 6 months... and it was time.  It turned out ok... but when I asked for 2 fingers worth (length wise) cut off... it really meant 4 here! Good grief. 

- I read a talk in the recent conference edition: Having the Vision to Do by Elder Haleck. He talked about how he passed by the fishermen and called to them to follow Him. Christ saw their potential and what they could become, and he acted on that. And what came of it? His apostles. Christ sees the same in us and sees our potential. Once we get that vision, we need to have the FAITH and COURAGE to ACT. The acting part is the most important. GO READ IT!

- I also read in John the other day when Christ appeared to His apostles after the resurrection while they were fishing. He asked Peter if he loved Him THREE times. When Peter answered yes, Christ responded, Feed my sheep. I put myself in the story "CYDNEE, Do you love me? FEED. MY. SHEEP." Ahh I love this story. I am here in Argentina, feeding the sheep in the fold. I want to work SO HARD to prove to my Savior that I love Him and to show my gratitude for the sacrifice He made on my behalf. This mission really is the SMALLEST TEENIEST way that I can thank Him and show my love for Him.

-SHOUTOUTS! HERMANA BROWN!!! I CAN'T WAIT TILL YOU GET HERE!!!!! AHHH! I'm seriously so excited. We need our mission nurse! I love you!! 

HUGO JR!! AH! Mí madre me dijo sobre su bautismo. Me dijo que era tan lindo. Nunca va a olvidar este día, le promeso. Qué gran y marvilloso paso en su vida, en serio. Y feliz cumpleaños esta semana! 

Also, happy birthday to my AUNTIE LORI this week, or should I say G. Lo. 

HAPPY FATHERS DAY to all the dads out there! I'm so grateful for all the dads in my life... Uncle Ron, Uncle Todd, Uncle Scott, Tio Hector, Troy, my Grandpas, and the best dad of all, MY DAD! I seriously have the best dad. Do ya'll know he writes me a HAND WRITTEN letter EVERY week! How lucky am I to have a dad like him... service oriented, kind, loving, worthy priesthood holder, hard working, dedicated... thanks for everything dad. 

HADDY MAE. You are getting MARRIED this week!! AHHH! I'm so excited and will be thinking of you ALL DAY on Friday!! LOVE YOU!
Everyone! I love you all so much! My mom told me that this email gets sent to 60 plus people and I am just AMAZED and humbled. Amazed at how much you care for me and love me. Thank you all so much. I miss you all so much, but it's a good thing, because it means I've got people in my life who are AMAZING enough to miss so much it hurts my heart. Enjoy your week, and remember to look for the tender mercies... enjoy the little things, and recognize the hand of God in your life. When you start looking for His hand in your life, you will be astounded at how often you find it. Love ya!

Hermana Squire

First Baptism: Belen
Blas, myself, Hermana Israelsen, Belen & Jorge

My chewed up skirt by a dumb mutt; luckily it wasn't my flesh!

Fiama!! So cute!!!

What a DREAM convert Belen is!

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My sweet companions!
Hermanas Israelsen, Linco, Leguizamon

The "River" outside my pension (apartment). SO MUCH RAIN!!

We Be Listening to Christmas Music

HOLA!

Another week has flown by. Two weeks left in this transfer, WHAT! Time is so weird on the mission, last Monday feels like 100 years ago, but then it feels like I was just in the MTC yesterday. It's blowing my mind. Seriously. How's it going? No school? BBQs? Sunshine? Short sleeves? Lucky dogs. 
-So, don't judge me.... because we're listening to Christmas music. Yes, I know it's June. But it feels like November outside. So  SORRY if I wanna bring a little CHRISTMAS CHEER into my cold little life as I sit studying in our little house in my sweats, thermals and scarf. Seriously. You summer people can't judge me right now.

 
- Speaking of cold... IT WAS FREEZING earlier this week. Wednesday was a nightmare. I think my ears almost fell off. My skirt was blowing EVERYWHERE! It was no respecter of persons. Good thing my coat covers things up, or Pringles would have gotten quite the show. But, it was cold in more ways than the weather. It seems everywhere we went, everywhere we knocked, people were very cold hearted. There was so much rejection that day. We had numerous doors slammed in our faces, we got cussed out (not that I know any Spanish cuss words....mom) and we didn't have any success. It was discouraging, but also a learning moment for me. I thought of Christ a lot that day, and how He faced rejection His whole life. While I got yelled at and had doors slammed, He was beat, spit upon and hung on a cross. I felt a lot of comfort from my Savior that day. As if He was right beside me saying "It´s all right, keep going, keep walking. You can do it". It was a disappointing day. But I'm glad for days like these. I'm glad the mission is hard. It really is one of the toughest things I've done in my life. But these tough days make the great days EXTRA great.

- We've been teaching a friend of Hermano Achigar- Amanda. She's come to church the past two weeks. She has a LOT of medical problems, depression, etc. She is really searching for the truth, but really wants to have a strong FEELING before she gets baptized. Please pray for her to receive her answer. She really is amazing. 

- Hermano Achigar is a sweet angel. Our sink was leaking so bad earlier this week and he came with a NEW PIPE and fixed it. Then he came back a few days later with a NEW MIRROR! Why did he bring a new mirror, you ask? Oh, because I broke the old one. Twice. Whoops. This man has a Bill Gates mansion waiting for him in heaven.

- We had an activity with the jóvenes on Saturday... we made EMPANADAS! So fun. WE had a great turn out of youth come... and presidente told us that this month they will be starting up SEMINARY! Woo! This is REALLY going to help get more youth in the church. I'm stoked.

- Tomorrow we'll be doing divisions. I will go with Hermana Israelsen to Bahia, and come back with a new companion for 3 days. Hermana Alvarez will be my comp until Thursday. Usually the Jr. comp goes and stays in another area, but I'm staying in Pringles! I'll be with a Latina companion (she's from El Salvador)! Running Pringles B! Oh good glory. Little nervous!

- Well, I had my first fall as a missionary. We were booking it home because we were late. I jumped up on the curb, but didn't jump high enough and landed right on my knee, my esposo (little box I carry around) went flying, folletos and papers EVERYWHERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What did I say when it happened? "YOUVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME!!!!!". Haha, I'm probably known as the crazy American who shouts weird things in English. (Remember the pigeon story??) ANYWAY. I've got a bruise the size of Texas on my knee now. 

- Zone conference was great. This was probably the last time we would ever see Presidente and Hermana Detlefsen. It was kinda sad. But I learned so much in conference and got really pumped up to work hard. 

- I've been reading a lot about the sacrament this week. We really need to prepare ourselves to take the sacrament, mentally and spiritually. Leave all worldly thoughts behind and focus on the atonement. Focus on the past week and what we need to change and how we can do better. Repent. Resolve to be better in the week to come. Before, I always let my mind wander during the sacrament... but now, it's my sacred time with the Lord, where we talk and decide how I can be a better person and missionary. I will never take this sacred time of the sacrament for granted again!

Shoutouts: MY BEST FRIEND CORBIN IS HOME FROM HIS MISSION!!!!! Haddy, Rachelle, I know he didn't want you to touch him the first night, but you go give him the BIGGEST TIGHTEST SQUEEZE from me!!!!!!! Seriously... almost pop his head off!!!! I miss that kid SO DANG MUCH!!!!! I wanted to cry when I saw the picture of him. 

HUGO JR!!! Felicitaciones por su BAUTISMO!! Estoy TAN Feliz! AHHHH! Estoy animada tambien!! Hay una carta en camino para ustedes. 

Congratulations to ASHTON! Woo! Hope the wedding went well!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ELYZABETH HIATT AND JULIE SERNA!! Grandma and Grandpa Squire: Thank you for the letter! Love you! I miss every single one of you so much. My heart aches to see you sometimes, but I'm very happy and feel at home in Argentina. Have an amazing week everyone. 

Lots of love from Argentina!
Hermana Squire