26: One Third

Merry Christmas!

 

 

I hope yall are safe and warm and fully enjoying this time with your family and friends! I hope you're not reading this email on Christmas, and if you are, put down your phone and watch Polar Express.  

 

 

For me, it doesn't really feel too much like Christmas. Maybe it's because it's 90⁰ and muggy, maybe it's because there are no Christmas lights, maybe it's because I haven't heard Mariah Carey on the radio. Who knows. However, I have still been part of a ton of fun Navidad Fiestas, so I'm not complaining. (All of those stories will be told next week).

 

 

This week has been good! I think my favorite part of this week was going on exchanges with Hermana Judd. And the reason for that is the experience we had with the GIFT OF TONGUES! The gift of tongues is one of those gifts talked about in the scriptures that allows people to learn and speak a foreign language. As a missionary, I am super blessed to see it working in my life to help me learn Spanish faster than I ever learned it before. 

 

 

I was really worried about spending the day with another American girl since I still have problems with the language sometimes. Basically, if it's an old person who lost all their teeth and wearing a mask trying to talk to me about why my church is wrong, I'm lost. But you guys! We went to visit so many people and I understood everything and I talked so much! Being with a non native companion forced me to be a lot more attentive to the people because I couldn't rely on someone else to cover for me. 

 

 

The people we are teaching are amazing. They are some of the kindest people I have ever met and they  have so much potential, they just won't come to church and flake on our lessons. It's frustrating to have so much love for people and know what can bless their lives in unimaginable ways... but they just won't listen to you. (And now I understand what I put my own Mom through as a kid).

 

 

In other news, I hit 6 months as a missionary! The time is flying by but it also feels like each day is the longest one yet. I wish it would slow down so I could appreciate it just a little more and also learn the language before I have to get on a plane back home. 

 

 

One thing I've learned in the last 6 months is how bad I am at being perfect. It sounds silly to say, but it's true! However, more than that, I've learned how grace plays a role in my life. I need to use Jesus Christ's gift every single day to find comfort and be forgiven of my shortcomings. Through Him, I can become the person that God knows I can become!

 

 

That's why I love Christmas. I get to spend so much time reflecting on my Savior and the way my life has been changed because He came to the earth. I hope y'all have gotten to focus on Him too this season! If not, it's never too late to start ;)

 

 

Love y'all to Argentina and back!

Hermana Thrasher 

 

 

PICS!!

1. A little flooding in the streets never hurt nobody

2. I found a mate cup that says Live, Laugh, Love in spanish. It was the most white mom Argentine thing ever. 

3. My comp wrote me a letter and gave me a candy for each month I've been out!

4-5. Exchangessssss

6. My sweet Ilse. This week, we sang Silent Night and talked about Christmas music

7. La capilla acá en Venado

8. Fav stray dog of the week

9. This is the center of town, the most bopping and commercial area. The stores only take cash to avoid taxes and the ice cream will make you sick. But it's fun!