Hola Mis Amigos Amados!

Hi! Are you sick of me yet? Probably.

This week was crazy...just like all of the other weeks!! 

On Tuesday Hermana Ostler and I were left alone to be companions all day long! At first we were nervous. Why? Because we are in a foreign country, speaking a foreign language, we don't know where in the world we are, and we were trainer-less. I found out two things:

1. I know more Spanish than I thought I did. 

2. As long as you smile and say, "Hola, somos misioneros de la iglesia de Jesu Cristo de los santos de los ultimos dias...podemos compartir un mensaje con usted?"  Then,  smile again extra big, they will let you in the door. 

I love the people here.  Hermana Ostler and I found a family contacting, we taught all of lesson three in our broken Spanish and then challenged them.  It was AWESOME!  I love being a missionary! 

On Thursday President Ruiz dropped in at our zone meeting and after he took Hermanas Byington, Ostler, Betancourth and I to McDonald's!  Guys, I have the best mission President!  After lunch Hermana Ruiz came out and taught all day with Hermana Betancourth and I! It was awesome! 

Right now Hermana Betancourth and I are teaching TWELVE families.  At the end of the day I don't even remember my name, but it's more than worth it! This Saturday is the baptism of the Chavez family! My first FAMILY!! I have never felt such joy. If there is one thing I have learned in 3 months it is that...FAMILY IS IMPORTANT. 

Here, I have seen happy families and miserable families. The families that keep the commandments, read in the scriptures, pray together, and spend time with each other are happy and successful. I have also seen broken families. My heart literally tears in half to see the pain and hurt. It is a result of not heeding to the commandments. I love this quote by President Harold B. Lee, "The most important of the Lords work you will ever do will be within the walls of your OWN homes." Family is more important than anything else. Satan is targeting the family. Don't let him in. Make sure that your home is centered in our Savior Jesus Christ!

Whats new with me?

1. I tried to say a prayer in English and I couldn't do it... (I am now an English teacher for my comp) 

2. I am 15 lbs fatter thanks to the bread here.

3. I ate SUBWAY!!!!!!!

4. Today we went to this huge waterfall deep into the jungle and I would like to remind you all that I have the best mission in the world.

Anyways, I have to go preach the gospel! I love all of you! Please don't forget who you are: sons and daughters of the most high Being! 

Have a beautiful day!

Con mucho amor,

Hermana Minnick

P.S. I got all of your dear elders! Thank you!!!!!

Missionaries gone wild!

Reunited and it feels so good!
My roomies from the MTC (missing Hermana Bontempo)
Ostler on the left and Parker on the right.

Beautiful!

Helping this Hermana with her laundry!

Cambios y temblors y espanol OH MY.

So, this week was insane! 

The nuevos:

On Tuesday the nuevos came!!! I got to talk to Hermana Terry for a while...she got sent to the mountains! We were in the office all day as usual so I was able to meet all of the new missionaries! That night we ate at Presidents house and it was HEAVEN! I dream about food...no lie.

Cambios:

I had changes!!! Holy cow my suitcases are so heavy I need to get rid of some stuff. Not to mention.. I now live on the third level of a bonita casa amarillo! My new area is called Mazatenago! I am in the San Fransico area in the foothills below the volcanoes!

  

The view from my roof!

I work out every morning on our roof and watch the volcanoes smoke...its crazy! My new companion is Hermana Betancourth from Honduras! She is seriously incredible. She has six months in the mission. She is the Sister Training Leader! Hondurans are known for speaking really fast...I can attest to that! She is seriously so patient, kind and loving! I am so blessed to be with her. We have a lot of fun! I know that the gift of tongues is real. 

Mi nueva companera, Hermana Betancourth de Honduras!

Also we live with two others Hermanas....HERMANA OSTLER and Hermana Byington (both from Utah)!  When I saw Hermana Ostler I legit cried (one of my MTC roommates y BFF). We hadn't seen each other for 7 weeks!  

Our house is so beautiful. It's on the third level, members live below us. It doesn't have any bugs!!! Also we have a LIFE SIZE FRIDGE. But, we NEVER have water. So that has been super interesting. I haven't done any laundry...To flush the toilet we walk down to the first floor fill up a bucket, and haul it back up. My legs are gonna be ripped!! Gotta love the buckets, right? My area is awesome too! In every single lesson we have a member. Right now we are teaching about 8 families. Yesterday we left the house at 6:30 am to round up the families for church at 9. The Family is where it's at people!!! Strengthen your families!!  

My beautiful room, without bugs or tree branches!

EARRTTHHHQUUAAKKEE: So that was pretty crazy! I survived a 6.5!! We were in the middle of a lesson and BAM everything was shaking!! It's pretty dangerous here because their houses are shacks and you do not want to be in one when it falls...so we booked it out! The family was balling, and I was like THIS IS AWESOME!!  We said a prayer and they calmed down. When we got home everything had fallen! Our fridge moved like 5 feet. Also my toothbrush fell in the toilet, I wasn't very happy about that. Through the night there were mini earthquakes and since we are on the third floor they are exaggerated so I woke up every time. I think I'm going to make a 72 hour kit! haha!

This week has been the best week of my mission. I am so happy and privileged to be here! I love being a missionary!!! Have fun, be happy and say your prayers!!

Con mucho amor,

Hermana Minnick

P.S. rumor has it my area hardly ever gets mail because we are far from the office.... email me :) 

Hello Fellow Americans!

Hello Fellow Americans!

The people stare at me here.

1. Because I am "alta"... tall which I have never been called in my life. 

2. Because I am a white gringita.

3. Because I wear church clothes 24-7.

4. Because I have a big black tag on my shirt.

I love when people stare at me, I smile at them and their jaws drop! I love representing Jesus Christ. I don't think I ever truly understood that I am literally a representative of Him. I have to remind myself everyday that I represent my Savior and my family. It makes all of the difference when I remember that. He loves everyone. I hope that one day I will have the pure love of Christ.

These past 6 weeks have been hard, happy, tiring, fun, and frustrating all in one. I wouldn't have it any other way!! I know that the Lord takes care of His missionaries. I know that as I work hard the Lord will prepare people for me to teach!!

In other news, I have 3 baptisms coming up this Saturday!!! Fatima, Susan, and Moises!!! Technically I won't be there but I'm still counting them! I love the people here! I am praying really hard that I can find a family to teach. I want to get people to the temple!!!

BIG news!!

Drum roll please.....

I'm going to have changes on Wednesday!!!! This past week Hermana Petersen and I LIVED in the office. There were A LOT of sick missionaries. Dengue fever is a beast!! President has decided to have the mission nurses work more in the office. So, he talked to me and we decided that right now I need to focus on the work, learning the language, and on my training! I am almost positive that on Wednesday I will have my first native companion!!!  Pray for me!! I struggle with Spanish but last week I talked on the phone to natives so I can see a little improvement! Whooo Hooooo! I am excited to focus on the work and learn this language. In two or three months I might be the nurse again, but rumor is that they are sending a nurse that will work only in the office.  I am so happy and excited!

Shoutouts...

MOM! I got all 3 packages! WOW! Thanks! The almonds saved my life. Also thanks for the jump rope and TRX thing... The school supplies are perfect for the kids here!

Belgica!!! You are an angel! Thanks for those bars! Good Luck!!! You will love the MTC!

Grandparents...I got all of your letters!! I love and miss you!

I also got letters from Brooklyn and Shanoah!! 

All of you letter writers - I LOVE YOU!

Remember to read your scriptures and pray!!!!

Stay classy,

Hna. Minnick

My mission is beautiful!

Fatima & Susan, getting baptized on Sat. They are teaching me Spanish.  I am on a 3rd grade level!  WASSSSSSUUUUPPPP!

Ali & Fernando, Hijos of recent converts!