Transfers: The Week After

HI. HOLY CANOLI I miss Eagle Mountain SO MUCH. Like, it's heartwrenching just thinking about the people there being taught by other missionaries, and other missionaries spending time with MY missionaries in the family history center. Hermana Cordova called me today to spill her guts about things that are going on in the area and she said people are always like "Hermana Willis this..." "Remember when Hermana Willis..." "I wonder about Hermana Willis..." Bahahaha IS IT DUMB THAT THAT MAKES ME HAPPY?! Because by golly it does :)

So at the transfer meeting, I WAS A BABY. All that day I was crying. Then, the trainers meeting was about to end and we were about to meet in the chapel and find out where we were going. So I sat next to Elder Straub (Elder Stevenson's trainee from last transfer---> basically my little brother/best friend in the whole world). We were in there singing Christmas carols as we waited for President and the trainers/trainees to come in aaaand I got REALLY NERVOUS. I was shaking like CRAZY. So Elder Straub was trying to make me feel better, which made it worse... hahaha I started BAWLING. And Elder Straub being right there wasn't helping because we were BOTH being transferred, which was like tearing my whole heart out. HE'S LIKE MY BABY BROTHER!! We were planning a big birthday thing for him, AND he had a baptism coming up. SO WE WERE ALL DEVASTATED.

Soooo they start with the Eastern Utah zone, which is Vernal (which basically means you are never coming back to mainland Utah until you get transferred here later on). So Elder Stevenson turns around and looks at Elder Straub like "This is you!" Which makes me cry even worse, then they freaking say Elder Straub's name, MEANING HE REALLY IS GOING TO VERNAL. So I about died of crying. And the way transfers are now, once your zone is done you LEAVE. So I didn't even get to say goodbye to him or Elder Stevenson, and they're like my best friends in the whole world so... I was crying all day. I got to say goodbye to Hermana Cordova... which was really just me crying all over her shoulders while the rest of my old zone was trying to leave. It was probably the hardest thing I've ever done. Ever. And I still miss them. Every. Single. Day. But I live on...

So I'm sitting there in the chapel with a couple other sisters I know, and I was one of the VERY LAST ONES to get my transfer information. So I was just sitting there, heart dropping with every name that's called... Then I realize there's only two more Spanish sisters waiting on their companion. Myself... and HERMANA ANA MORLA. She's from Miami and she knows all of my Miami friends, and I love her so much. So I'm in Spanish Fork with Hna. Morla.

I know y'all keep telling me Heavenly Father's trying to prepare me for companions I won't get along with, but I'm going on 6 months and I've loved every companion... But He REALLY DOES know my needs. I needed to come to Spanish Fork, and He KNEW I would not be able to FUNCTION leaving my first area without Hna Morla as my companion. So I'm doing ok. I still get really really sad and nostalgic... daily... and I may have cried a little bit writing about the transfer... but we stay busy so I don't think about it TOO often. I only cried myself to sleep the first two nights, and I was only on and off with tears for three days :) I think I'll be ok :)

I went to a DOCTOR TODAY! Hermana Morla was like "Yo, if you're dying, call Sister McCune... right now..." So the mission doctor was doing a little clinic at the mission office today and sister McCune askedme to come. We just did a little physical and he said I was ok, but he wants to check my glucose levels. So I'm going back to Provo tomorrow night to do a blood test. Worst case scenario, I'm actually diagnosed with hypoglycemia. So I'm ok and will live on. Hoorah! :) They just said I have to eat... ALL THE TIME. Which makes me want to die, because you know how I DESPISE eating. So I don't know what I'm going to do since I'm broke (because I spent all of my money the first week buying healthy food... xD)

P.s. I do have a cold, so I'm being a baby about that... Hahaha I keep sneezing! I NEVER SNEEZE! This is like a whole new me...

What else is there... Hmmm... WE GOT STUCK IN THE SNOW! Well... We kind of drove into a snow-filled ditch... We were trying to do a U-turn and... what looked like snow covered solid ground was actually 3 FEET OF SNOW. Oops. I'm not driving, so we're all good :) Hahah So we called our zone leaders (who are THE BOMB) and they helped us dig the snow and push it out. Also there were a couple good Samaritans who helped :)

Some guy asked us where we were from this morning and when I said Jacksonville FL he said "So are you a Gator or a Seminole?" So I proudly stated "Seminole!" and he started talking about how they're like 100% the best team in the world right now, undefeated, going to win the World Cup (<----just kidding), and his wife was like "You can''t be telling her things like that..." But it made me really happy :)

Did I tell you about my cat blanket? Well, there was a blanket at Walmart that had an eagle, a mountain, and water on it (<---in picture form) so I wanted it real bad. My first area was Eagle Mountain, and our zone was Mountain Springs zone... SO I BOUGHT IT... I got into the car and was SO excited and cold, so I tore it open and opened it up... IT'S CATS. The wrapper on the outside had the eagle picture, but it was... in fact... 4 cats. So I thought it was the funniest thing in the world so I kept it. I named the cats Jay Z, Beyonce, Sasha Fierce, and Blue Ivy... Don't mock me.

OH YEAH, I lost my camera! We went sledding last P-day. It was my first time :) I took a lot of pictures, and I was super excited about it and whatnot. Then Hno Arcia (the one who called dad) took us all (my district) out for hot chocolate <----He's the bomb! Then we left. I KNEW I had my camera when we left, but after that I couldn't remember where it was. Then I got a picture with Sister Johnson (the one whose parents were introduced to the gospel by grandma and grandpa!) and I still didn't know where it was. So I gave up. I went to Spanish Fork relying solely on my iPad for picture taking purposes... aaand I got an email from some random guy in Eagle Mountain telling me he found my camera! How he figured out my email is beyond me, but boy I'm glad he did! So my camera is on it's way back to meeee! :) If it was me I would be taking a ton of selfies on it before I gave it back to the owner... so they always remember me :)

I think that's about it... I'm finally writing normally now <---A NOVEL... I get it from Courtney... ;)

So I love you all a whole lot! The story about Tanner literally made me laugh out loud like... 6 times... I MISS YOU ALL SO MUCH!!!

Anyway, loves and hearts to the max!

Hermana Willis :)

Sister Johnson! I love how small the world is in the church :)

This puppy was IN LOVE with me. Did you know that German shepherds were my favorite dogs ever? Other than Boston terriers? <3

The Arcia family. I LOVE THEM SO MUCH!!

Jessica Epperson sent me another letter ALL decked out in One Direction. She knows me :)

Elder Stevenson and Elder Straub. We bought them $1 singing Christmas ties at the Dollar Store. BAH, I just love this They were pretending to be all GQ... Hahahahaha! xD

Don't mind how AWFULLY tearful I look... This is the branch president's family, and I LOVE THEM TO DEATH. So much. I cried the hardest when I said goodbye to them. Those kids are like my heart and soul.

Me, creeping with the Barney kids. I LOVE THEM :)

The Johnson's! My landlord's son's family. I LOVE THEM SO MUCH! This picture is missing a baby, btw.

My landlord's daughter's family, the Barney's. And BY GOLLY, do I love them! So much. I'm going to miss them all! ESPECIALLY YOU, STEVEN! <---it's funny because his name isn't Steven, it's Spencer... I just call him Steven sometimes :)

At the transfer meeting, being stupid so I don't cry. They were doing the Barney Stinson look. Hahahaha!

A Tardis door... Who almost died? I DID! <3

Studying with Sasha Fierce :)

Transfers

So hi. I'm in a terrible mood. Guess what is happening. I'm being transferred. Aaaand I'm seriously dying about it. Seriously. I knew I'd be leaving, but I was literally praying I'd stay at least for Christmas. I know I need change so I can progress (because I've kind of fallen into a rut where Spanish is concerned). But I REALLY wanted to stay. My landlords are on a cruise, so I won't get to say goodbye to them x( I'm going to be crying for days... Literally.

It's been snowing a whole lot. The other day the high was 25 degrees and I thought "Wow, it's going to be nice and warm today!" I love the snow. I can't feel my fingers or toes most of the time. I'm going to go sledding, make snow angels, and snow fight, and whatnot. Aaaaaand we're going with the Arcia family. The guy that called dad the day before Thanksgiving. I love them. A lot.

I have a million things to say, but my mind is blocked by the transfer call. I can't really think of anything else... So I'm going to send pictures and let them do the talking.

So I love you all. A lot. As much as I love this area and these people. Leaving here is going to be harder than leaving home. So please pray that my tear ducts run out of liquids soon.

Hermana Willis

This is snow. Everything is white.

Sara's package came back to me x(

Snow balls :)

It was -17 degrees outside... :)

Elder Stevenson gave my companion and me penguin ornaments, and they're the SAME ones Adam and Morganne have :)

Santa! :)

7 Swans a-swimmin!

My favorite Barney family. We watched the Christmas Devotional with them. LOVE.

HAPPY DECEMBER!!!!!!

So hi... I'm going to share with you a fun fact: I LOVE THE HOLIDAYS. Dad, Hermano Arcia called you the day before Thanksgiving, right? And then Adam? ALSO, MAX ARCIA'S SON, AMMON, SERVED WITH ADAM. It's such a tiny world!! I love that family. They're the best. We helped them put their Christmas lights up. Then we went in for pie. It was so fun :)

So we're going to English wards, and it was fast and testimony meeting. GUESS WHAT THIS KID SAID. This tiny little boy went up to the pulpit, adjusted it like he owned the place, and said "So, I got a little bit from Genesis... soooo you might want to listen..." I ALMOST DIED. Oh my gosh. It was so funny. xD

Another fun fact: You know the guy who translates Spanish for the church, like for General Conference and whatnot? HE'S IN OUR BRANCH. And he's our gospel principles teacher, and I just feel like I'm around a celebrity. He sounds so cool!! Haha :)

Umm... Other than that, we went to the temple and I got Chick-Fil-A :) That always makes for a good day :)

OH YEAH! Our AMAZING landlord's got us a tiny Christmas tree, AND a nativity scene! Pictures to coooome! :)

I missed you all a whole lot on Thanksgiving. And on Wednesday, I was thinking "WHO'S HELPING MOM?!" I felt so bad... hahaha But it all turned out ok, so that's good :)

Loves and hearts!!

Hermana Willis

Me and my favorite hair stylist ever! I love her :)

I never knew how much I LOVED raking :)

Little baby Jesus :D

Our Christmas things, all beautiful :)

Me and our WML's kids. LOVE THEM.

Mmmmm.

JAMBA! Tradition :}

Elder Straub colored on my CFA cup. I told him I would never throw it away, buuuut after taking pictures, i threw it away. OOPS :) Hahaha

Straub is awesome. Right. xD

This is the beautiful work we did. I love it! :)

We found these glasses in the FHC, and I couldn't help but share :) :)

Happy Thanksgiving!

HI EVERYBODY! :)

This week was gooood :)

Ummm, we went to our relief society president's house for dinner on Thursday... aaaand she and her husband are from Cordova :) :) :) Soooooo I was in heaven. We had empanadas, aaaand guess what the desert was!! EMPANADAS! Pero guess what they were filled with... DULCE DE BATATA! I WAS OH, SO HAPPY. I was in heaven, because they were speaking to us in VOS. Oh my lanta, I was dying. I LOVE that family. They're so so so cool :)

So there's been this guy at church who we don't know, and so we finally went up to talk to him. It turns out, he's a less active that we've been meaning to contact, buuuut he did the work for us! Haha So he guessed Hna. Cordova was from California, then he gets to me... "Es de Canada?" "... -_- ...
No, soy de Florida... hahaha" Then he's all Naw, she looks JUST like a Canadian... Waaaaat? Why? DO I LOOK LIKE A CANADIAN?! I never thought so... People have thought I was Mexican before! I personally think I look more like an Argentine, but there are really white Mexicans, so whatever... Hahahah

We've been going to English wards in the morning (to be more involved with the members and get our names out there so people will tell us when they know Spanish speaking people) but really... I don't know how much more I can take. THERE ARE SO MANY BABIES. Literally, I can't handle it. I miss babies so so so much. Like, real bad. And all of the young couples? I die. But I learn more, so I guess it's ok :)

SO THANKSGIVING IS THIS WEEK! :) We're spending it with our landlords mostly (like my 2nd family, so I'm stoked :D), also one of our fellowshippers, which I'm also incredibly excited about! I'm so excited for it. I love Thanksgiving. Have fun camping for me! Smell the camp fire a lot for me! Be real cold in the tent! Stay up way late talking about skin walkers!! Lay down in the middle of the road and look at the stars! I miss youuuu!!!!

Also... what do I do if I spend $60 to send Sara a package and she still hasn't received it? I still have the customs form, but the receipt no. Sooo, I don't know.

Dear mom, thank you for teaching me to sew, because I've mended Elders' pants, sewed tears in their coats, fixed buttons (some of these poor kids don't even know how to sew a button...) hahaha So thank you for making me so prepared :) Hahaha

We're teaching more, being more focused, and I'm just real excited about it all :) Although I'm happy now, my body isn't getting that memo. I'm nauseous all the time, and I hate eating again... I've re-started the bad habit of not eating breakfast, because well... I hate it. And I feel so sick, I don't want to eat anything. I'm using my oils, taking a B complex, and a fish oil supplement (NuSkin Optimum Omega, if you want to look into what it is) but I just always feel sick. Hopefully it will pass like it did last time, but it is more severe and frequent than last time. I'm not exhausted like I have been, but I could probably sleep all day. My body just isn't liking this at all.

Well, I LOFF YOU ALL! A lot. I was talking to my comp about her little brother and we were just like "YEAH, ME TOO!" Because she has a little brother the age of Kaleb. Dang, I miss that little bugger! A bunch. But I also just miss you all in general :) And love you all a whole lot :)

Loves and hearts,

Hermana Willis

SNOW! It was snowing ALL DAY that day :)

All over our car. Or... just this side, because the wind was crazy!

Wavy hair, and A HAT! Oh yeah, don't forget, I'm dying my hair RED today :) :) :) :)

Dulce de batata :} Mmmmm!!

Empanadaaaas! They're so good. The meat is cooked with limon (cooked by acid, basically) then they baked them a little bit just for the bread part. LOVE THEM. Delish. Luke, YOU WILL HAVE THESE in Cordoba. Empanadas made asi are like a Cordoba thing. You lucky dog! :)

FESTIVA DE LAS NACIONES!

Did I die? I sure did! Golly McGee, I was in heaven!! Let me show you pictures. Also, we had a booth and my BRILLIANT companion decided we were going to do a Mormon.org ad. LET ME SHOW YOU A PICTURE OF THAT, TOO. Because it's amazing.

We went to our landlord's church meetings yesterday, and it turned out to be the PRIMARY PROGRAM. So I was DYING. It was THE best primary program I've ever been to, hands down. I got reaaaallly baby sick, but that's ok. I'll have babies one day. Now, the best part. The kids were singing, and when the boys part came, the kids stopped and PRESIDENT JOHNSON (my landlord) hopped up out of the congregation and started singing it. I started bawling because it was just SO SWEET. So he went up, still singing, and did the accompaniment with the kids singing the other part. My heart almost exploded with how much I love that man and his family. I literally feel like I've been adopted into their family. I know all of their (7) kids, most of their grandkids, and I just love them all. I can't wait to come back and visit them. They're like home away from home.

Now, on to a SERIOUS note... Our landlord's daughter in law is a cosmetologist... aaaaand I love their family, so when we were over there for dinner (having SUSHI. Darn, I love them!) I asked her what she thought about me going red (dark dark brown red), and she said SHE WOULD DO IT FOR ME. She was going to do it today, but she had to order the color, so next week. BAH! I love them! Aaand I'm going to have red hair :) :) :) DON'T JUDGE ME! :)

It snowed again the other day! But it wasn't cold enough to stick, THANK GOODNESS. My companion is driving, but I'm still kind of afraid of the snow.

Also, my old ward mission leader saw me at the naciones thing, and he said "Hermana Willis! Estas mas delgada??" And then he proceeded to tell me that if the branch isn't feeding me (which they are), we can come to their house and he'll feed us. Hahahaha Yaaaayyy!!

I love all of youuuu! And I got an email from Luke, which made me DIE.

Also, Courtney and Sara make me so happy. I got a letter from Sara. A real life letter! Yaaaayyy!! :D

Not much happened this week, but... MORE EXCITING THINGS TO COME THOUGH :)

I LOFF YOU ALL! Pray that I stay here for Christmas!! :) I don't ever want to leave this area. It's still real slow, but I want to see it grooowww!! So pray with me :) Hahah

So love love love, and thanks for everything, y'all are the best in the world :)

At the thing, with our thing :)

Me with Argentina :) :)

Me and Leo, the cutest Argentine I've ever seen :)

With a snaaake :)

A HAT! I'm wearing hats because it's cold :) :)

Christmas song pet peeve...

"And so I'm offering this simple phrase to kids from 1 to 92..."

WAIT HOLD UP. What about the kids that haven't quite reached 1, and the 93 year olds?! NOT FAIR. Granted, babies won't know the difference, and 93 year olds probably won't either, but still... Can't we sing Christmas songs to people of ALL ages? Let's be real.

Anyway, sorry about that. This week has been weird. Oops, I meant good! Tehehe... Well all weeks are weird, because they all feel the same, but they're actually so different!!

MIRACLE! Or really... well, Heavenly Father had to tell us we were being real dumb. And He was VERY clear. We had had a meeting with our branch mission leader, and all of us agreed that we should focus on the less actives. So we decided to go out to the sheep farms (45 minutes away, down a long dirt road), and so we stopped to look at the horses and take some pictures (you know me). Then we get in and drive off and guess what! LOW TIRE PRESSURE! So I get out and see that the tire is a little flat. So we turn around and try to get to a paved road to change the tire (which, I'm ashamed to say, I didn't remember how to do :() but as we inched slowly to moderate-civilization, my companion said the wheel felt like it was tugging, so I went out to check the tire again, aaaand we were freaking riding the rim. OOPS. So, we had a tiny little baby jack that hardly did anything, we bent the side of the car because of this jack, and we ALMOST got the car up, then it fell of the jack. Oops... Then when we were trying to put it up again, this super kind old farmer man came to help us with the big huge jack that can hold 3 tons. So then we went to Lehi to get the tire repaired, but they GAVE US A NEW ONE. I love Utah :) And when I tried to go out there with Sister Hernandez, it was hailing and storming A LOT, and for fear of not getting stuck in the mud, couldn't go all the way. So, for now we're not going to try again :) Hahaha

Also... We went to Provo for a baptism (my companion's), and THERE ARE SO MANY ARGENTINES. I was in HEAVEN. I spoke to a guy who appeared to be straight American, but he was Argentine, and grew up in Rosario :) :) :) I love it.

Ummmm.... We're making some hefty, but inspired goals! And we're going to light this area on fire before Christmas. IT. WILL. HAPPEN.

We went to the temple, and my GOSH it was awesome. I sat with my companion, and she basically told me things that she'd learned and my brain was just like "Wow, where have you been this whole time? Sleeping?!" I love the temple.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JACOB!!! I freaking love you, little brother!! :)

Umm.... We had a big mix-em-up with money last week. Our mission cards are going crazy and I didn't have money for groceries (I'd only had like $15), so Elder Stevenson paid for me, and I'm going to pay him back today. Sooo, I may not have enough money for winter shopping, because I have to pay him back, and buy groceries... But I'll be ok. NO worries :)

My companion and I have been running, and I am HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY about it. I miss running. And it may be 20 degrees and my chest kills me because of the cold air, but by golly, I love it :)

We also made a web of everything and everyone we're working with on the wall. I'll send you pictures :)

Soooooo, other than me still trying to get over the district split, I'm doing good. I'm really happy now :) We were at the house of our landlord's daughter and we were talking and we started talking about being sent where the Lord needs you, and Becky (Pres. Johnson's daughter ---> I LOVE HER) said "I'm so glad you were sent here. Whatever reason you came here for, I'm so glad you came here because I just love you." This family is like my family away from home. I love them so much. I'm so glad Heavenly Father thinks I'm strong enough to work in this area. Or rather... that He knows He can make me strong enough. Because me? BAH. I'm a baby. But I'm soooo in love with this place, and these people are like my heart and soul.

Anyhow, I love you all a whole lot. A LOT A LOT.

Now, I will bombard you all with pictures... LOVE YOU!! :)

Hermana Willis

SNOWING on Monday :)

Wall web :)

HORSES :)

Our tire :}

Sitting outside of Big O' Tires, playing in leaves :)

Elder Stevenson drew himself on our car in dry erase marker... Sometimes we have dry erase marker wars. Hahaha

On our way to Provo for the baptism :)

A horse. We were walking home from church, and we went a different way, aaaaand HORSE. Always good :)

I'm cold.

Remember that one time when I got a new companion?! I do! Everybody has told me they've had a companion they loved, then a companion they hated. Weeelll I was terrified that it would happen. And it turns out, someone took my personality and put it in a Cali-Salvadorian girl. WE'RE TWINS. Every day we find some other weird quirk that we have in common. Enserio, it's been a little bit creepy how alike we are. But I love the crap out of her! I'm SO glad I don't have a companion I hate yet, because I don't know if I can handle it.

I went running in 30 degree weather this morning. I WAS IN HEAVEN. My prior companion wanted to run, but I didn't have my running shoes, then when I got them, it was too cold for her. Soooo, my companion now went to BYU-I and can handle the cold, and we're going RUNNING NOW :) I'm so excited. I'm going to kill my left knee (it's giving me grief) but I'm getting a joint supplement from NuSkin, and I'll probably buy one of those knee brace/wrap things for when I run.

Also! Are you ready for the scare of my mission?! Courtney, please read. I woke up one morning, and my hip/leg/lower back was killing me, but it was a different kind of a pain. It was more like a NERVE pain. I do Courtney's stretches every morning, so I was freaking out. It hurt really bad when I walked, other than that I didn't notice it that much. So I continued to stretch, and I got a heating pad from our landlords and I've been on that almost every second that we're home. Hahaha So it's bugged me for about 3-4 days, then today (when we were DETERMINED to start running), I woke up and felt fine! So I don't know what was going on, and I hope it doesn't happen again. But just in case, Courtney, prease send me all of the stretches you've ever done, ever.

OH YEAH I GOT THAT PACKAGE!! I don't know how you know, but you KNOW. I've been hoping you'd send me herbal tea, because I KNOW somebody would flip a cow if they saw a missionary buying herbal TEA at the store. Remember now, I'm in Utah. (But I still love Utah, and I think I always will!) How about mom... you wrote on the package "Bless your beautiful hide, wherever you may be..." I ALMOST DIED OF HAPPINESS AND JOY. Seriously? And the moment I saw Michael Buble, I died. I love you all do darn much. You're the best best best!

Remember when I forgot my camera last week? Well... it turns out, I didn't have any pictures to send you anyhow... Hahahah But I've got a good few this time! :)

HEY, MY COMPANION KNOWS WHO OLAN ROGERS IS. I just thought I;d throw that out there. So that makes for 10x the bonding. We quote the CRAP out of good ol' Olan. I love that man.

So our district split... I was DEVASTATED. I really didn't want to serve with other sisters, and I thought for sure I'd be miserable the whole transfer, but my awesome companion is going to keep me going. The Lord works in mysterious ways! He takes away my companion, half my district, adds more sisters, then gives me the EXACT companion the area, and I needed. So I am all good. In fact, I don't think I've ever been better! She's a super hard worker, and we're doing really good (for only being here 4 full days together).

She was serving in Provo, so being in the middle of nowhere is a change for her. When we were on our way to Eagle Mountain, she was like "So is this our area?" like 5 times. Finally, we rounded a hill and she saw a big empty land and said "That was our area, right? Because there's NOTHING over here..." So I told her "Give it 10 minutes, we'll get there." Because it's about the size of Bay Circle to the end of Gano, where population is concerned. But we're finding a lot of work to do! :)

I'm learning a lot! And I can't think of anything else... except PEOPLE ARE PUTTING UP CHRISTMAS LIGHTS. My heart is like exploding every time I see them. I cannot stand it. I love it.

Anyway, Merry Christmas!

I love you all a ton!

Hermana Willis

JAMBA JUICE! So happy... Few things make me happy like Jamba Juice...

MY MOM IS SO CUTE!

Happy toes :)

Choco-flan. OH MY GOSH. Heaven.

We were on our way to the transfer building, and we had to get a picture with this pirate ship. AWESOME.

The day before Jonathan left. I love this family! He's going to be a great missionary!

Elder Stephens (new ZL), me, and Elder Hernandez ---> about to go home :(

My MTC companion, Hna. Lopez and I at the transfer meeting. I love this girl to death.

Me and Elder Hernandez. Yes, I do realize I'm standing way too close to him. It was cold though... Hahahaha

CHRISTMAS LIGHTS! :D