Merry Christmas Eve!!

Since yesterday we had our big party in Resistencia, one of our Christmas presents is being able to email today! Thank you to the moms who e mailed and complained :) I am still in Bella Vista.... But now instead of Bella Vista 1, I AM IN BELLA VISTA 2. Seriously I thought it was a cruel joke. But no, I am still here, but now I am taking over Hermana Johansen and Hermana Lund´s area. With.... A DAUGHTER. That´s right. Your baby has a baby. She is really nice! Her name is Hermana Petersen and she is from Idaho! She has about 7 months on her mission and she was serving in Washington this whole time!!! (Vancouver Washington Kate, I know I was hoping Tacoma as well) She is wonderful and brilliant and already knows everything so it is really nice! She is just having a hard time at getting used to the hot... and not the beautiful winter snow she was in about 3 days ago. haha We are now living in a new pension so that´s weird. It´s a lot smaller and there are all of these things that I want to fix... Like the bathroom door pretty much doesn´t exist so that´s exciting. But I will take care of it. ha We haven´t been able to work in our area together yet but we will today! So far I know that there is 2 investigators. So it´s better than nothing!!! I was serving with Hermana Allred and Johansen in my old area all last week and that was just plain torture. I miss Vanesa and her family and all of our investigators. Oh well, I´m going on an adventure! -Bilbo Baggins Everyone keeps telling me happy holidays and I keep forgetting tomorrow is Christmas.. that is so sad. One of the days when I was working with Hermana Jo and Hermana Allred we went on a "tour" of my new area. We went out and visited the Familia Vargas. The mom is Betti, and she and her man have 7 kids. And they aren´t married. But two of the 7 just got baptized and literally Betti is more active then the members in our church. She wants to be baptized so bad bur her man... (I don´t really know what to call him) doesn´t want to get married... shoot me in the face. It´s really so sad. But we´ll find a way. I refuse to leave here with out baptizing Betti. So yes, my Lundy Lou is gone! She is in Santa Fe right now. But it was so great to see her yesterday and hermana Elton and all of our friends! Yesterday was really great. Fine, I will play along, it´s Christmas. I hope that everyone has a wonderful Christmas Eve and Christmas day!!! Our Savior loves us so much and this is the day when we can remember Him and what Christmas really is all about. I love you all and I hope you spend lots of time with the ones you love! Merry Christmas! Love Hermana Healey

Gobble Gobble

Happy Turkey Week! (Sorry I am late with this one - my bad!) I don´t even think turkey exists here, and if I so, I don´t know if I would want it. But that just means you all better have a wonderful Thanksgiving Feast. Let me take you back to last Tuesday. So last Monday it was hotter than heck. I swear. I died. I´m dead right now. But that night, it rained so hard. The other Hermanas slept over in our pension because we all had to catch our bus at 3 in the morning. So we were sleeping and I just kept feeling something fall on my head and I, being freaked out because of Argentina, was so sure it was falling cockroaches. I kept touching my head and feeling nothing. But it was enough to wake me up at 12:50. Awesome. And the storm was going insane! Our house was being lit up by the lightning outside and the thunder was so loud. It felt like I was in a carwash it was so loud. So I try to go back to sleep and it happens again! This time more than once! I look up... IT WAS RAINING ON MY HEAD. Yep. WE have a leak. Right above my bed. I freaked out and woke up Hermana Allred and then we couldn´t fall back asleep. We got on our bus and all of the missionaries from Goya and Bella Vista were put together so that was nice. But it was 3 a.m. so we were all sleeping. Then all of a sudden I wake up and Hermana Lund is sleeping in front of us with her umbrella covering her head because there was a leak on the bus as well. haha So we all got rained on this week. Thought I would share that with you all because I was so mad. We had the opportunity to do service this week! We were pulling weeds and raking and cleaning up around the capilla. The church grounds are so big because they might expand the building if we keep getting more to come. So we were cleaning that out and I got to wear jeans. I know. Weird for me too. We were with the other hermanas, the elders, and the Pte of the district Pte Gimenez. AND HE KEPT FINDING COCKROACHES AND THROWING THEM AT ME! I´m not lying he is a child. A six year old boy. I screamed and ran and wanted to die. I had one on my back. ON MY BACK. But it was really great to be able to do service here. We haven´t been able to do service here because no one ever lets us do it. haha But it was so nice to be able to clean up the grounds for the Lords church! Vanessa didn´t come to church on Sunday. It was really disappointing. We were really counting on her and we thought she really meant it this time. But she didn´t. It´s hard when they don´t come. BUT! Adriana came! All on her own! We called her that morning and she said she would try and she did! She really is progressing and we think she is genuine in her desire to be baptized. The only problem is she is not married and she is living with her boyfriend right now. She really wants to get married but we don´t know if he does. We went over chastity to her and like 20 of her family members, which was the most intimidating moment of my life, but they all took it well! It made sense to all of them! She said she wants to talk to him about getting hitched sometime soon. We hope it happens sooner than later! But she loved church! She is so awesome. Speaking of the Sabbath, So I gave a talk in sacrament on Sunday about the importance of Every Member a Missionary. I tried my best. haha I told them the story about how before we were members we went to look at the temple lights and that same night was when Steve was talking about our family in stake conference, then the next day Steve, the bishopric, and the missionaries came to our house! I talked about how the ward was always so willing to help our family and it helped a lot with our conversion. Now imagine this with me if you will. I am talking and I reach for my scriptures, and I look down. A HUGE SPIDER IS ON MY BOOK OF MORMON. I can´t freak out! Everyone is looking at me! So my mouth drops and my eyes widen and I am screaming inside. The spider then JUMPS on my talk, and I don´t even remember if I was still talking or if I was laughing. I think I was being inappropriate and laughing, and I kept trying to get Elder Fiabanes attention to kill it for me. He finally got why I was panicked and killed it. But then I finished my talk with poise. Afterward everyone laughed. Oh well. I guess that´s what I get for being terrified of the creepy crawlies. Pamela didn´t come to church with us on Sunday. It´s hard because she is the only one in her huge family who ever wants to go! So I´m sure she gets sad and then doesn´t go because her family isn´t there. But I hope that she can go next week and keeps going after her baptism! It´s still planned for the 7th! So everyone pray that this happens. I didn´t get to write yesterday because it was a holiday here in Argentina. And they pretty much closed the entire city down! It´s like this, Hey Salt Lake City! It´s Martin Luther King Jr Day so we´re closing everything. Have a good time in your homes bored out of your mind! For any reason, any holiday, they close everything in the world. But whatever! I´m definitely missing home around this time of the year! Hermana Lunds mom sent her spice cookie mix so we made some pumpkin spice cookies yesterday! They tasted just like home! There is so much I am thankful for and I hope that you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving! Love always, Hermana Healey

IT'S BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE CHRISTMAS!

Not!!! So it sounds like everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner! I´m so happy to hear that. We had training in Goya on Wednesday and we are the luckiest zone in the mission to have the only senior couple! We had a wonderful feast! We had some chicken, so at least it was still a bird, gravy, corn, rolls, and chips and salsa. And because Hermana McCoy knows how much I love salsa, she pulled me aside before we ate and told me she made me an extra batch to take home! It was a Thanksgiving miracle! I was so happy! It´s gone now so that´s sad. We also got t-shirts for the zone! My nickname is Happy Healey. You better believe I´m the happiest person here! Paul Walker died? In a car accident? Ironic. We saw Gisella and Sergio again this week. Remember them? We haven´t seen them for a few weeks but we felt like we should drop in so we did! Luckily they were home! It was really great to see them! I really love them so much. She said she would get baptized on the 28 of December if she knows that is what Heavenly Father wants. It´s hard because I swear everyone is expecting these big signs that light up and spin and say "Gisella! Be baptized! Okay?" I guess that is what I have to work on more is to help people to realize that we just don´t get those types of answers sometimes. haha But she really is so sweet. Our sweet Pamela came to church with us again on Sunday! She had a good time too! It was pouring rain and we were scared that no one would be at the chapel. But we had a lot of people there actually! And it was a really good testimony meeting! A lot more people bore their testimony than the usual 6 of us missionaries. haha But Pamela had a good day. And everything is going good for her baptism on Saturday! We have to go clean out the font today. So that´ll be disgusting. It hasn´t been used in a while. And the most recent convert is Enzo! And he is going to baptize her! We are all really excited. He is so nice. I know that Pamela is going to be so strong for her family. She already is such a strong member and has so much love for this gospel. I hope she keeps being an example for them. I love her so much. We were walking and all of a sudden she says something that sounds close enough to the real words... "You´re insecure, don´t know what for" Then we all joined in and sang You Don´t Know You´re Beautiful in front of the chapel yesterday. English music is the best. Thank you One Direction. Well we are just really excited for our Pamela’s baptism this week! I love you all and hope that you all have a wonderful week!! xoxo Love Hermana Healey

SCORPION

Yep. The day has come. I killed a scorpion. The other night Hermana Allred was brushing her teeth and I was writing in my journal already in bed, when out of nowhere I hear her yelling. I instantly reach for something to kill a spider. I run in there and she is so mad. She is furious, and our hand towel is in the sink. That´s right. When she was about to wipe off her mouth after brushing her teeth she looked at the towel and saw a pink thing with legs. IT WAS A SCORPION. Granted it isn´t black and huge like I imagined, but stil, I killed a scorpion. I first tried drowning it in this bowl thing. That didn´t work. Then we drowned it with Clorox. And then flushed it. And yes of course I still am so terrified that it will come back alive and crawl out of that toilet and sting me one day. So we have been visiting a less active family, the Farias family. They have been less active for quite a while. The dad sometimes goes and his daughter Pamela who is 8. NO ONE KNEW SHE WASNT BAPTIZED. That´s right. She isn´t. And she wants to really bad. But her parents really haven´t done anything about it so it´s weird. But we have been visiting her and teaching her all the lessons because she turns 9 in like 6 days. And her baptism date is planned for the 30. So let’s all pray that her parents don’t go crazy and that this actually happens! She is such a handful but adorable at the same time. We walked to church with her because her dad didn´t want to go this week and she sang with us One Direction the entire way. She´s wonderful. But we are hoping that everything goes well for her baptism on the 30th. Right now her parents are okay with it but we feel like we are walking on egg shells with them. Tomorrow we have a multi zone conference with the missionaries from here in Corrientes and another place! I´m really excited to spend the day in Resistencia tomorrow and learn more. We have a really awesome investigator named Vanesa, she really is so great. She didn´t come to church again on Sunday which is so heart breaking but she is still progressing and doing so well. She has amazing questions and everything just clicks and makes sense to her! She just NEEDS TO GO TO CHURCH. Carlos and Graciela are really awesome as well! They aren´t married, just live together and no desire to get married soon because she thinks she is too young. Their situation is really difficult but they are so great. They are both Catholic and everything we teach they are understanding and saying how it makes so much more sense than the ways in the Catholic Church. They both are teachers, and Carlos is so intelligent. Every time he opens his mouth he says "Una pregunta" And I swear we both catch our breath and expect the worst. But then when we answer his questions he talks about how much it makes sense and of course Heavenly Father would do things this way! It´s really great when they catch on and truly listen and understand; we just have to get them married first. Ha! No pressure. Next week is Thanksgiving? No way. Love Hermana Healey

"As if I´m not already a freak, let´s add a sombrero!"‏

Princess Diaries, with a twist of my life. It has been getting so hot here! And my tan lines are RIDICULOUS. And everyone has told us to get some sombreros. I immediately think of a huge hat from like La Casita or something. haha But no. An investigator (who has so much money it´s insane) just gave us two of her hats! They are really nice because it blocks the sun from my quickly aging face. But it draws so much more attention to me. I´ll send a picture one day... maybe. Transfers.... I stayed! I think it´s my calling in life to stay in places for very long periods of time. I swear, it´s really really unusual here in this mission to stay in an area with the same companion for 3 transfers. But there must be a reason for it right? Right! This week, not a lot happened really. We were flipping out about transfers for a very long time and then afterward we were in shock. haha Yesterday we called Mirta to see if she was going to be able to go to church and she told us "Impossible" And we thought she meant because of her son who has a lot of problems... No. It was because her other son hates us pretty much and forbids his mom to ever let us in again. First of all, who forbids their parents to do anything? Crazy. It is really sad because I know that this gospel could have helped her so much. During our consejo with our branch president Pte. Diaz, he is just so sweet and little and old! He just listens to us talk about all of our investigators and doesn´t talk much. So that´s where our elders takes charge of the meetings and Pte is just there just because pretty much. But he is this skinny little adorable man. Do you want to picture him? He is literally the little old man that fixes Woody in Toy Story 2. Anyways we are sitting there listening and I look over at Presidente and he is trying to get my attention and then rolls up his sleeve and shows off his cute little muscle. I DIED LAUGHING. It was the most adorable thing I had ever seen. We were laughing so hard and the elders were mad because we were goofing off. But who cares? Presidente Diaz showed off his guns in our meeting. I don´t think I have ever described The Siesta to you good folks yet. A missionary does a lot of walking around in a place like this being guided by the spirit and finding those who are prepared. To be able to do our job, we need the prepared... to be awake. The Siesta here in Argentina is this basically, everyone here wakes up at 8 and opens their shops. They work very very very hard until 12. Then they CLOSE EVERYTHING FOR THEIR NAP TIME UNTIL 4 OR 5! And everyone literally sleeps. We walk through the city and it´s as if we have landed into the movie I Am Legend. I feel like I need Will Smith and a trusty pup by my side. NO ONE EXISTS FOR 5 HOURS of the day. It´s really the most ridiculous thing of my life. And everyone gets mad if you clap at their door because it´s their nap time. Lazy. And the worst part is that they think it´s that way everywhere!!!!! I love seeing their faces when I explain to them that people from my country actually work 9 to 5 shifts, that 8 to 10 hour shifts aren´t that crazy. It´s literally so ridiculous. I would also like to announce that I am finally in the same country as Justin Bieber again. He did a show in Buenos Aires Sunday night and everyone has had Bieber fever this week. I have heard the song Baby more than I have ever heard before. But! This knowledge and love that I have for this pop star singer (don´t judge me) has helped us more than ever in our work here in BV. Saturday day we clapped at a door and this girl Vanessa opened the door and asked us to come in right before we had a chance to introduce ourselves. She had said she had met with missionaries before and liked what she had heard. She said that that morning one of her best friends died in a moto accident and she needed help and comfort. We knew then we were led there by the spirit to help her. We taught her Plan of Salvation- love this lesson so much- and she said "I have something from your church is there somewhere I can read?" and we were thinking it was the Bible or just a little booklet thing, she came out with The Book of Mormon! We were really excited because she said she was for sure coming to church Sunday. We talked to her in the morning and she said she was getting ready, but she never came. It´s so hard when they don´t come to church! But her little sister didn´t really think we were cool until we told her that we love Justin Bieber. Now she wants to take the lessons as well! Thanks JB. Anyways she was our little miracle of the week! We hope that we can get her to church for sure on Sunday! Well I love you all and I love my mission. I´m still here in BV for a reason! Let´s hope that we find out why soon! I hope you all have a wonderful week and get ready for the wonderful holidays that are coming up! xoxo Hermana Healey

RAIN

That´s right, it rained. And not anything cute like oh hey it rained! IT RAINED. It really wasn´t even that bad but you better believe I looked like a mop running around outside. So on Friday, it was about 90 something degrees. I was on divisions with Hermana Johansen, we were working in her area and had a lot of set visits so it was pretty exciting. We are teaching this woman, and all of a sudden winds pick up and it´s freezing. We are in the forest part so trees and branches are swaying and I feel like it´s a tornado. So we cut the lesson short because everyone is starting to go inside their houses. Hermana and I are starting to walk back home; INSTANT RAINFALL. Literally I thought I was being followed around by a man with a bucket of never ending cold water. I was drenched; and cold; and gross. But the work must go on! The power went out all over Bella Vista so that was fun. No one would let us in either but oh well. So yeah - RAIN! That morning we had a lunch with a less active family. We are eating outside and this man comes up to their house and wants to get a fridge from Hermano Rojas. Yeah a fridge. I don´t know I just kept eating. They have two adorable boys. Maximus he is 4 and Simon who is 2. We are sitting and talking to Hermana Rojas and all of a sudden she interrupts the spiritual thought and starts yelling at Maximus, we look over. THE CHILD IS HOLDING THE HEAD OF A GOAT! That´s right; the head of a goat, by its horns. Now I want you all to picture Bam Bam from the Flinstones before he has his haircut. Blonde curly long hair=Maximus. So picture Bam Bam holding a goats head because he thinks it´s funny. I almost screamed – I was terrified. That night when we switched back we had a Noche de Hogar with the familia Duarte. They are such an amazing strong family. We were there and they made us BROWNIES. Do you know the last time I had a brownie? I don’t even know! It was delicious. And perfect for such a cold and stormy day. It´s come to me that every day is a miracle here on the mission. Yeah it´s hard, but every hard day we are reminded why we are here. This week was filled with heartbreak, tears, frustration, but also, pure joy, hope and peace. We finally found Gisela and Sergio. They had been traveling and we haven’t been able to see them since they went to church and our mission president called everyone to repentance. (Which was great!) It really was important to be done in our branch, and we have seen such a difference with our members. But unfortunately Gisela explained to us that it scared them. They are scared to go to our church, immediate heartbreak. She said that she is content with her religion, she´s comfortable. I hate that. But she said that maybe with time there will be a change. Right then I had a stab of discouragement because I thought it was over with this beautiful family. I didn´t know how to react what to say. So we just testified. She told us that Sergio, who hardly ever does commitments, and is always leaving during our lessons, is reading the Book of Mormon. Pure joy. Right there I knew that there was hope. I knew that that tender mercy from the Lord was telling us to not give up, just work a bit harder. We have a new investigator named Mirta. When Mirta was 11 years old her father passed away. Her mom hit the liquor pretty hard after that. Mirta raised herself, and her 6 brothers and sisters. One of whom is deaf and can´t speak. When she was 14 she met a man and they loved each other. They had 3 children. Their youngest is Gabriel who is 25. Gabriel can´t walk, can´t speak, can´t see. He is 25, but is about 1 years old. 20 days ago her abusive husband left her to raise Gabriel alone. Right now it´s not my point to sound dramatic or be a downer on the day, it´s more of a ‘Hey!, our lives are hard. But you gotta keep your head up.’ Last night we had a lesson with Mirta and taught her about The Plan of Salvation. When we got to resurrection she leaned over and held Gabriel and cried because she knows he will be perfect. The spirit was so strong and I love Mirta so much. Her patience and love is so Christ-like, you know that she is a choice spirit. She is a strong daughter chosen to take care of this angel. Yeah days are hard. I get it. I am so grateful though that I have the knowledge of why this life is worth living. I love you all and I know that with faith comes hope for better days. xoxo Hermana Healey P.s. Transfers are this week. I have a huge feeling I´m leaving but my DL thinks he is psychic and says I´m not so we will see. I´ll let you know what happens next week.

Tarantulas and Scorpions

Last Monday after I had a jolly good time writing you lovely people, Hermana Allred and I were out preaching the gospel. On our way home we walked by this cute little shop that was selling sheets! I peeped my head in by the window to see if there were any cheap cute ones.. because I would like some new sheets of course.. and Hermana Allred is standing by the wall. All of a sudden I hear a gasp and she jumps into my arms. Ladies and gents. A huge, the ugliest, tarantula. That is right. That doesn´t even look like the word but the biggest hairiest tarantula I have ever seen. That night they also told us the scorpions will be out and about sooner than later. Ask me how many times I have to drop a weight on a cockroach, how am I supposed to kill a scorpion in my house? Sunday was a lot better luckily this week. I think the smack down from President really made everyone think about their behavior and want to be better. Church was better and I actually left spiritually uplifted this week! Something that I haven´t felt in a long time. Today, our new Pres. and the Elders went through training on how to run the ward pretty much. So Hermana Allred was in charge of teaching the Sunday school for adults and guess who taught the teenagers? That´s right. This girl. It really wasn´t bad they were all participating and were really nice to me so I think it went well. They all guessed that I was 19. Thank you children. Friday I went on divisions with Hermana Johansen again. This time we worked in my area. It was a long hot day but we had a lot of success! We were practically run down by a less active a few weeks ago and she wanted us to come see her on Friday so we went with a member! haha We brought Mara, who is getting ready for her own mission! We are so blessed to have her. We walk up and clap at her gate and her daughter comes and lets us in and we go into her house and she leads us to the bedroom..yikes!.. This Hermana is laying in her bed with a deathly illness! JK but she really wouldn´t even sit up or anything. She just kept begging for help from the scriptures. uhhh. Okay. So I pop out a scripture, I don´t remember which one really. It was great she loved it. I bore my testimony about how much of an impact my mom has made on me and about how there would be no way I would be able to do this without my mom. She was kind of surprised but after Mara bore her testimony as well we knew that we had done all that Heavenly Father wanted us to do. She wasn´t at church again this week but hopefully something changes. I was just happy I felt the spirit talk through me and that I had done what Heavenly Father wanted me to do. It´s crazy how many situations we go through where we have no idea what the word is or where that is in the scriptures and the answer just comes! I know that I am an instrument for the Lord and I only have this time to do what I can for him. Kylee Healey, Happy birthday my sweetheart. Your day landed on my 200 day! So we had chocolate milk and grilled cheese in yours and my honor. haha Well the church is true. And I miss you all with all my heart. Love always, Hermana Healey

Dear Diary: Today Pte Heyman called the whole ward to repentance...

You bet. Just another day out here doing the work. First of all. Someone tell Lor and Justin I said Happy late anniversary! Their letter is in the mail. Or in their hands I´m not sure. Secondly, Guess who will plan on getting a job in real estate when she gets home? This girl. WE FOUND ANOTHER PENSION AND ALL THE FURNITURE FOR IT IN 24 HOURS AGAIN. We got a call Monday night and the office asked us if everything was set up for the elders yet. Our reply? "say whaaaa???" That´s right. So off we went bright and early to go out and knock doors and say "Hi! do you know of any places that are for rent?" worst thing ever. People are surprisingly really nice when you are talking them about a place to live instead of their salvation. Go figure. Anyways after a few people we found a BEAUTIFUL place. And it was perfect because we heard President Heyman would be coming Saturday so we sealed the deal. Friday we went on divisiones! I went with Hna Johansen again. I really am grateful for her. She loves this work so much and it´s admirable. We walked up to a couple families outside sippin their mate and shared with them The Restoration. They were all so surprised we were so far from home without our moms. Trust me lady if I could I would have my mom with me. Thanks. But then they wanted to see our moms and I whipped out my little photo album and it has pictures of me with my friends in it and they looked at THE WHOLE THING: Ask me how I explained Six Flags because I have no idea. Hermana Fala and Hermano Francisco got married today :) We all got together for some delicious cake and I kept saying his name like Elf. It was grand. Saturday our dear Elders came. Elder Leon and Elder Fiabonie. They are really great! It´s real nice to be able to have them here so we can have more priesthood in the rama. Pte. Heyman came today and we had a few meetings with him. And then we went with him all over Bella Vista to sign contracts and stuff. That´s right. I rode in an actual car that day that smelled like "New Car Smell" It was weird. We got stuck waiting with him at an appointment and he whipped out his Ipad and showed us all of the pictures from when his wife had her accident. The way he talks about her is seriously true love. It´s beautiful. He´s really great. That was pretty much my day. Driving with President. SUNDAY. Are you ready? So Gisela and Sergio have been a wonderful family. They are the ones who watched all of conference by themselves. So awesome. THEY CAME TO CHURCH TODAY! They left after sacrament because it was Mother’s day here.(Happy Mother’s day mom from Argentina) But they came! When Pte Heyman was in our ward! What luck. It was a blessing. Here is the bombshell. So we have a lot of problems with a lot of the ward not respecting Pte. in the rama. Turns out there are a lot of people here who just are not that cool. whatevs. But Pte got called to be the stake president and FRANCISCO IS OUR NEW PRESIDENT! Francisco married Fala on Friday. They have been "dating" for a while now but he lived in Corrientes Capital. Now he is here, married, and Branch president in a matter of 3 days. What a life. He is the sweetest little man. A lot of people had a problem with that too. So then.. (Here comes the big guns). Pte. Heyman got up to speak to us and spoke about pretty much how everyone needs to grow up and respect their leaders because if not, they are not respecting the prophet himself. He laid it out. It was very stern and strict, but with love. ha-ha It was really great. Just not really what we wanted to be the inspired topic for the first week Gisela and Sergio came. But we´ll take it. I was playing the piano after sacrament and Pte. Heyman came up behind me and said "Dear diary, today Pte Heyman called the whole branch to repentance. The end" He said that if Hermana Heyman called looking for him in a few hours, tell her that some people just didn´t like what he had to say. It was seriously so funny but I´m glad he did it. It really is so true though. If we aren´t respecting the leaders of our church we are not respecting the revelation from the Lord. The gospel is very black and white. Then good old Relief Society. Somehow this lady literally went off about how going on missions isn´t a sacrifice like how it was in the pioneer times. And how sister missionaries don´t do as much work as elders do because they are scared of the dark. Thankfully we had Viki Duarte there who pretty much said, "That was the stupidest thing you have ever said, you try serving a mission" (she served a mission as well) But it was literally a huge attack on the sister missionaries and I just sat there wanting to die. But luckily afterward I was able to do some studies and I got some spiritual up-lifted from that. ha-ha I´m hoping that with this week that there will be changes in our ward. We really need their help and I know that the changes will be good. I am so grateful for the leaders we have in our church and I know that they are all called of God. Last night was a huge storm and our power went out and I woke up melting because it was over 90 degrees in our room! Yay! Also the sky was on fire because of all the lightning. I thought we were going to die. No worry. Power came on a few hours ago. I also killed a huge cockroach again with a weight. Watch out bugs. I love you all. The Church is TRUE. Love Hermana Healey

"Well I don't personally eat blood"

That´s right. That is the line of my week, but I will get to that in a moment. 

This week was pretty difficult to say the least. But there were a lot of firsts that is for sure! 

Starting out with Monday, We had a day of miracles. It´s true. Hermana Allred and Johansen had a conference in Resistencia, so I stayed with Hermana Lund. We both knew that Heavenly Father knew we needed a day of happiness, and that is what he gave us. We had 4 lessons right in a row! All just clapping. Nothing else! We felt like we needed to clap at 4 doors and they all let us in for lessons. THAT NEVER HAPPENS HERE. They were all very nice but the nicest was Diana. We shared the Restoration with her and she loved it. She is dying to be baptized. Only problem is she lives in Resistencia. Awesome. There you go Hermanas in Resistencia, here is an angel. But we were grateful for that night of milagros. 

Tuesday we had our meeting in Goya. For some reason the meetings after consejo always go for like 4 or 5 hours I swear. And they are supposed to be only like 2. But whatever. So we missed the bus again. But we were also doing divisiones with the hermanas there. So I left my sweet Hermana Allred there and Hermana Johansen came home with Hermana Froerer. Which means another lovely day with Hermana Lund! The bus rides home are always the best for story time. I just sit there and laugh the whole way home all the time. I would rather be working in BV, but laughing is always good too. 

Wednesday. Happy birthday my sweet Ridster! Your card is late but I love you bud! We had lunch with a woman in our ward who is almost in her 70´s. She fences, and sings opera. Enough said. She told us SHE IS GETTING MARRIED. In like a week. No big deal. We are all so happy for her because she has been praying and fasting so that she could meet someone but it didn´t happen until now. But it´s happening! She is happy and I just know that this marriage is going to make some changes here in BV. I know it. But I´ll tell you more when I know for sure. But it gives me hope that love does find a way. Even if you fence and sing opera. Not judging, she´s wicked awesome. 

Anyways we go out to work and literally I felt like I was going to die. I would look at a tree and see 3 of them. And I felt like I was having contractions or whatever those baby pains are. Haven´t had them yet but I was positive those were them! Anyways this day sucked. The only thing that kept me moving was Hermana Lund quoting Gilmore Girls for me the entire day. 

Thursday. That´s right, Hermana Healey is sicker than a dog. I was given the liquid only diet for 12 hours and then the BRAT diet. And yeah. I thought I was going to die. To make it worse, it was my SIXTH MONTH MARK! And I was miserable. 

Friday. Entrevistas with President and Hermana Heyman! I was still wanting to die but it was good to be able to talk to them and learn. I asked President probably 8 questions. And the questions I have that will torture me until I die were answered like this "Well Hermana Healey I want you to study in D&C and then let me know." But Pte. is so wise. He answered my questions and helped me so much. I am so grateful for them I love them so much. 

Saturday. HAPPY BIRTHDAY KYLEE!!!! You are so great. Your card is super late. Today we went out and it was better. I felt really weak but I was able to eat a burger. That´s right. My first real Argentine Burger. With an egg on it. Not sure why but it was delicious. We also saw the Argentine Joseph Gordon Levitt. Robin. 

We are also doing a t shirt for our zone here in Goya. And they want us to make up nicknames. Which we all know I rock at. Here are some of my favs... 

Johansen= Johandsdrawpictures.... she´s an artist so it´s perfect.

Muentes= Miniminutemuentes.... she´s like 5 feet tall.

Froerer= it is pronounced as such (froher) so I said froereroverthebridge... It is of course a joke but I couldn´t pass it up.

Ulloa= pronounced (ooshowa) so I said ulloagoodtime. 

I know I am a genius. 

Sunday we had like stake conference in Goya. But it´s District conference here. Pte. and Hermana Heyman were there and both gave beautiful talks. There was a family of at least 9 kids there and they got up and sang a song and I named them the Vantrap family. 

And now here is the moment you have all been waiting for.. 

So we went and saw Luciano. He is the kid who speaks perfect english and loves that we are from the US. Anyways, we went back and he had so many questions about where in the Book of Mormon does it talk about Christs birth, or his crucifiction, and stuff like that. So we are telling him and it´s really funny because he´ll ask us stuff in english and we teach him in Spanish. But when Hermana Allred talks to him in English she literally yells at him and talks really slow like he is dumb. She doesn´t mean to at all! She literally talks 30 words a minute so it´s hard for her. It´s hilarious. But here is our convo with him...

Luciano: I have a question about your foooot.

Us: Huh?

Luciano: Fooot?

H.Allred: OUR FEET?

Luciano: stuff...you...eat...

Me: Oh! FooD! 

Luciano: Yes, can you...eat...whatever...you..want?

Us: Yeah! 

L: pig?

Us: yes.

L: blood?

H. Allred: WELL PERSONALLY I DON¨T EAT BLOOD.

I laughed so hard. It was probably really innapropriate. But I lost it. It was probably the highlight of my week. He has the best questions ever. 

Anyways I love you all. I am really grateful to serve here in BV. And one day things will make sense here :) 

All my love,
Hermana Healeywhodoesn´teatblood.

How does it feel knowing that a representative of Jesus Christ is e-mailing you right now‏

This week was one of the longest weeks of my life.

Transfer news! Still in Bella Vista; still with Hermana Allred; I´m really so grateful for that. I know that we are still starting out and trying to build it up here so I´m glad that we are here together. 

Hermana Hernandez and Hermana Johansen left the nest. So Hermana Allred and I have the pension all to ourselves! It is so weird only the two of us there. But we are making it homier :)

We went to get a girl F*** for church on Sunday. She´s so cute and so great and the last time we were with her she was telling us all this crazy stuff. She went off about how she doesn´t smoke or drink or party (cha-ching!) but then she was rambling for like thirty minutes and ended her spat with ¨well it´s okay because God is only a spirit¨ okay. Let´s start from the very beginning (a very nice place to start!) So we went to get her for church on Sunday and her family was outside and F*** never came home that night! They were in a panic. We didn´t know what to do. We went back later and found out she had been with a friend. So don´t worry she´s safe. But still, she might not be able to talk to us for awhile because she is probably grounded for life. 

                                                                                     

Friday we had lunch with a family here who tells everyone they’re fat so… that was awesome.  Later we went out with a member and she took us to see her friends and they sat and talked about how terrible America is and in my head I kept singing “I´m proud to be an American” there is plenty I can say about here but I don’t. It is always quite the challenge for me.

We went to visit a lady on the less active list named E***  S***. She is really the sweetest thing. And she has beautiful teeth. Her daughter died a couple years ago and she started to raise her granddaughter. She now has serious depression and can´t leave her house. But she loves getting visits. She said that morning she was praying to get a visit from the missionaries because it had been about 5 years since her last visit. She feels so alone and it´s really a good topic for a missionary to study because hello! But we were able to share some scriptures in D&C from when Joseph was in the jail. She is the most loving person here. 

We had a conference for the missionaries who are new to the mission yesterday. It was really good to be able to see Hermana Elton and Hermana Phillips and all those great missionaries. I went with Hermana Lund! She just got here and she is so sweet. Hermana Hernandez left for Resistencia and we got this cute girl from SLC. Love it. I learned so much at this conference though. There is a lot that I know I need to do better as a missionary, I was really grateful to hear this conference! 

I love that General Conference is coming up! I can´t wait to see beautiful Salt Lake! I know that we can all receive answers in conference this week if we look for them! 

I love you all and I know one day I´ll have cooler e-mails. But until that time thanks for the love :)

Love Hermana Healey 

Dead or Alive?

We play this game called Dead or Alive when we pass dogs lying down in the middle of nowhere every day. And most of them are alive. we hope.. 

This week was a week of STRESS! Listen here and ask me if this is usual.. 

Monday: Hermanas Conference. In Resistencia all day! It was a long day. We woke up for our bus at around 3 and then we didn´t get home until 9 at night. But it´s okay because I got a rose and a salad.

Tuesday: District meeting in Goya, left for the bus at about noon. Had district meeting and then MISSED OUR BUS. Yay! The bus for BV was at 4 and someone said there would be another one at 4 30 but no. The next bus for BV was at 6 30. That´s right! Spent the day in Goya with the Hermanas there. We got home at 9. 

Wednesday: Going so well! We are out finding people and working hard. At 4 we get a phone call from the mission office telling us that we had to find a new place to live for missionaries by tomorrow morning. And find all of the stuff for a place to live, fridge, stove, shelves, plates, the whole shibang. Because Pte. doesn´t like that there are 4 people to one pension. I don´t understand why not either so don´t ask me. So we have no idea how to do that! We called some of the members and Pte Gimenez knew of one. So we went with him to this whole in the wall place where this lady is doing a radio station talk show thing. We go in there not knowing what is about to happen and she literally sits us down and puts us on the radio. THATS RIGHT. I WAS ON THE RADIO. It´s also online and she gave us the address so I´ll find that for you mom. But we literally had no idea what was happening and I wanted to die. Turns out this lady owns a place. We looked at it and it was literally smaller than a box. So no. We went home empty.

Thursday: We needed a house by 1. So we woke up and literally just found apartments and knocked on random doors to find out if they know anything. We were so lost and had no idea what to do. We then went and found out prices for fridges and all that jazz. We found one finally! Ask me how because I have no idea. It was in the price range and it is perfect. We called and bought it right on the spot. That´s right. We bought and furnished a house in less than 24 hours. 

And then everything else really I have no idea. But it was really hard because we literally had 4 days where we didnt have time to work in our areas. It was really hard to have to move appointments around and try to get back into the swing of things. And I mean I´m famous now because I was on the radio so feel my pain. 

Anyways this week was really hard but I am hoping that everything will be back to normal this week! 

Friday I went on exchanges with Hermana Hernandez. We met the cutest little old man. His wife had passed away 3 years ago and the day before, someone had broken into his house and stole almost everything he had. He was devestated. We were able to share with him the plan of salvation. He started to cry when we said that we knew that he would be able to be with her again. I love teaching the plan of salvation because everytime I do my testimony of it grows. I know that Heavenly Father has a plan for every single one of us. And that we will be together forever. I´m so grateful for that knowledge. 

We had a missionary activity! And the kids came out with us to invite people to church to be like missionaries! People loved it. We need our own portable children to help us teach. it really helps. 

Love you all, 

Love Hermana Healey 

I have arrived. it´s true! I´m in Bella vista so you´ll have to tell me where that is because i have no idea! haha i don´t have much time I wish i did! but for now i will just tell you a few highlights of my week! 

My companion is hermana allred! another utahn from salt lake! she is super awesome. she went to the U and every time she says something about school I always say ¨my friend Sami is on crimson line´ She´s probably like... yeah...got it. haha anyways she is a sister trainer leader here and is really good. and is suuuuuppppppeeeeerrrr good at castellano. so that´s good. i´ll learn a lot from her i just know it. 

I think I was super duper spoiled going to Kentucky first and having a full time car and just being super cool. we´re here pretty much opening this area. we live with two other hermanas they are pretty cool. our pension was super uber gross. we have been cleaning hard core for like 4 days straight. I also killed the biggest cockroach i have ever seen in my entire life. remember the ones we saw in Kentucky Sister Rich? yeah those were cute compared to this honker. I screamed and cried. Anyways we usually walk 3,000 miles a day I swear. our area is huge. our branch is a branch of 90 and only 30 are active. slap me in the face. so we are doing more ¨rescue¨which is good I know we will find the best investigators with members. 

Also, on the longest plane ride here guess what played on the tv? that´s right The Great Gatsby. Hermana Elton had to comfort me and wipe away my tears.

Mom thank you so much for putting me in piano even though I hated my life. seriously. I love being able to say "I can play the new piano that they bought when they dedicated the building but couldn´t play it ever so it was put away because no one plays piano!" Needless to say I was called as pianist in our baby rama. But no... Hermana Healey needs another calling... How about second counselor for the Relief Society?? sounds good to me. It´ll force me to learn more castellano fast. so I´m terrified...but happy.

Last night we were in that awkward 20 minutes before we had to be back so we were walking around like zombies and my feet were super mad at me and hate me and I was miserable- but we clapped at this house (you don´t knock doors here) and this 17 year old boy opened the door and let us in because he LOVES missionaries. and Americans. haha he is learning english but we taught him the restoration and he would like to hear more. his name is Luciano and is pretty awesome. His mom cuts hair and I trust her with my life already hence, I´ll trust her with my hair. hair cut for me palease. But Luciano is super cool. he also wanted a picture with us before we left and added us on FB so mom...take care of that. haha 

I´m in the beautiful Bella Vista and I´m surviving now. haha I know I´m just a big baby but I do know that the Lord will take care of me! I am so excited to be able to be here and share this message that I love all day erry day. 

I love you all and know that God will take care of you because I´m asking Him to :)

Love Hermana Healey

Sunday night Larry and I received a text from Sister Brown in Kentucky, she is a sister who was one of the wonderful angels watching over my sweet Courteney. The text said "Sister H received her VISA. She leaves tomorrow, expect a phone call. I will miss her! She sure loves her family!" The emotional rollercoaster started again! I was glad that she was in the States and "close" and safe. But I know that she was called to Argentina for a purpose. I know that she will be amazing and she will bless the lives of all those that she serves in Resistencia Argentina. It doesn't make it any easier to let her go.
She called home today from the Mission Home in Tennessee.  She sounded wonderful. So mature and so happy. Thankfully she will be meeting up with Hermana Elton who was her first missionary companion in the MTC. She flew from Nashville to Atlanta Georgia. Then boarded the 9 pm flight from Atlanta to Buenos Aires. She should arrive there at 8:30 am on 8/27/2013.
She is on her way! Oh the places she will go...

The Week Where Nothing Happened

Oh yeah! 

Let's start this off by introducing the newest elder in our little old Hopkinsville Kentucky. Elder Steinekert and Elder Perry were the english elders here and serve right next to hermana and I. Elder Perry was transferred on Monday and we were able to talk to the new Elder Monday night! 

The conversation went as follows: 

"Elder! Where are you from?"

-"Hawaii! But I was born in West Valley Utah!"

*we look at each other like what the?*

"Awesome! That's where I'm from!"

--"What high school did you go to?"

"T-Ville what what! What about you?"

(I actually really don't remember where he went)

"Aweosme!! Wait...what's your name?"

--"Elder Thorup"

*I stop dead in my tracks*

"wait, Elder Thorup as in Colton and Katee Balmforths cousin, whose brother is serving in England and said brother is pretty much engaged to Caitlin Brown?"

(He's probably thinking I'm insane)

--"Exactly!"

"Welcome to Kentucky Elder. Glad to have you here."

It's a Small World after all. It's a small. small. world. 

This morning they put hair gel on the handles to our car. Good thing we have been suspicious of them the entire time so we inspected our car. Nice try elders. 

This week has been pretty non eventful to say the least. You probably all should just skim this e-mail and carry on with your lives. haha I'll try to put some humor to this nothingness...

Monday: FHE with the Acred family. She was born a member and he is not a member. (we dibs him even though he is english.) But Sister Acred is preparing to take out her endowments. And she is prego! Anyways he had a lot of questions about garments. So we talked about the temple a lot. That day we also played Clue, not once, but twice, and I won! Not once, but twice! Pretty sure I need to be a detective or a psychic or something. I'm just that good. 

Tuesday: We went out with one of our Ward missionaries Hermana Dorvil. She is originally from The Bahamas and is super cool. She pretty much just taught our investigators and Hermana and I watched Barney. Jk. But really we hardly said 2 words... And the investigators probably said 1 word. Yeah. She's a chatty cathy but we are really grateful for her. 

Wednesday: We had dinner with Bro. Carroll. Sister carroll had to work so Brother carroll told us that he was going to sit outside on the porch while we sat inside and ate and then we would have a lesson outside. WHAT THE?! He's the nicest man ever. We set it up so we sat on this couch by the front door and he sat outside and we talked through the screen door. Pretty cray cray but it was really sweet of him to serve us. 

JAZMIN AND JESUS CAME TO OUR FHE. that's right. Both of them. Jazmin started school so she called us and said she had so much homework already. I was like NO! SHE HAS TO COME. So I told her to come for a half hour and to bring it and I'd do it for her while she learned about the word of wisdom. She did just that. I love doing other peoples homework.

Thursday: literally nothing happened except we went to see The Browns because Brother Brown just got back from deployment. I love that family. 

Sometimes their daughter Harper is sitting there and I'm feeding her and she starts leaning back and almost hits her head and I catch her like how Edward caught Bella when she had the vamp baby. That's right. Quick. 

Friday: We went and saw our sweet Sister Carlisle. We could spend everyday with her I swear. She told us more about her books and all of her trips and we just sat there like we were watching a documentary of her life.

Saturday: The good stuff. We went to see Maggie (returning member) her two daughters live by her and she told us to go visit because one of them just had a baby. They both live there with their fiances and have no furniture at all. They have very little and it's really sad. Gabbie was baptized awhile ago but Jackie never was! Jackie accepted a Book of Mormon and said we could come teach her! And her fiance! They'll have to get this marriage thing going on quick if you know what I'm sayin. ;)

We also saw Jesus tonight. He is just, Jesus. I guess. Hah I don't know. We taught the Plan of Salvation and it was hard to get through. He is a very faithful man and I know that he will be baptized. I just have to be patient and let Heavenly Father do the rest! 

Well this week should be more exciting hopefully! I love you all and I hope that you all are having a wonderful week! 

Love Hermana Healey

P.s. I lead the music in sacrament yesterday because Sister Poulter isn't feeling well and afterward Sister Fears told me that I reminded her of Snow White. That's right. She's the best. I almost cried. 

Thanks mom and aunt lisa! 

The Spirit told their Hearts my Words were TRUE!

My dear loved ones, 

I am staying here in lovely Hopkinsville Kentucky, with the lovely Hermana Rich for at least one more transfer. Oh yeah! Squid cannon. 

So much has happened this week that I just feel so overwhelmed with love for my Savior. 

So listen up. 

We saw Larry again. Even though he was like "I don't wanna do this anymore" "I'm giving up" blah blah. We both felt really impressed to at least share with him The Restoration. We saw him and I know that if Hermana Rich wasn't there he would have just told me to go away. But thankfully she dragged him out of his apartment so we could sit and share this message. I have no idea what Larry needs. He couldn't stay on topic, we had a hard time going through the lessons and I just sat there and asked him question after question to try and understand where he was coming from. He thinks that everyone in the world is out to get him and he is some "fallen angel" from God to scare the people to repent and I just sat there so lost.

Once upon a time we met a man Ciro, we started to teach him the lessons and he would sit and listen, but never kept commitments. He really wanted us to meet his "woman" though. At the time she was in Puerto Rico taking care of her mom. One day he told us that Carmen (his "woman") is a member of our church! And we were like “No way!”

Lo and Behold, Wednesday night we were leaving our FHE and had a missed call from Ciro. What the cray cray? We called him and Carmen answers and says "Hermanas! When are you coming to see me??" We thought for sure it was a trap. We were going to be attacked.

She answered the door, embraced us and kissed us on the cheek and asked us where we were from and about our families. CARMEN WAS BAPTIZED AS A MEMBER OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER DAY SAINTS 30 YEARS AGO. She was really active for about 4 years and then moved and then just didn't go back?  We shared The Restoration and after I said the First Vision we just sat there and waited for the spirit to prompt her to say something. There was no dry eye there. The spirit was so strong. She just kept saying that this is the true church. What a testimony. Seriously. She is awesome.

Unfortunately Ciro looked bored out of his mind. Also they aren't married! Ha that's another trial. But we asked Ciro to be baptized and Carmen said yes for him so we'll take it. haha jk We are still praying for him. But Carmen. She's a miracle.

Jesus is praying for a date. He knows that Joseph Smith was a prophet and that we share a message of truth. But he doesn't believe that there needs to be a church, that the church is in your heart. He is another brick wall we come across. I sit there and try and try and try. And he talks over us all the time we never get to teach. And I try to listen. I try everything. But I honestly just have no idea where to go with him either. I was sharing my testimony and mid-sentence he cut me off! I mean I am used to being interrupted. haha happens all the time. But at that moment I held up my finger and told him to wait. I probably shouldn't have done that haha but still, it’s difficult to teach him.

There are so many investigators who I immediately love. And can't help but to love them. But then there are some who I honestly sit there and just not talk because I feel so lost. I get frustrated and then I know that I can't feel the spirit when I have that feeling. My district leader said that there was an elder once who was so amazing and was sent to the hardest of areas and built them up and then was moved again to other hard areas and still made success and the president asked him how he did it and the missionary says that he always pictures that person in all white. 

I know that these people are Gods children. Charity is the pure love of Christ. I know that Christ is our perfect example and I need to be more charitable to others; literally, WWJD for reals?

Letty is still progressing amazingly. Every time we come she gets out her study journal and writes down everything. She is truly amazing and she is so powerful. She is still on track to being baptized on Sunday and we are so excited for her and for this decision she has made! 

Maggie Radford is a less active and she came back to church on Sunday! She sat by me in Relief society and all she could say is how much she has missed being home.

I love how the Gospel really is a home. I love seeing these members remember the feelings they had before and want to strive to do better. I am so grateful to have that same home feeling in my life. I hope that when I raise my family in the gospel that it will be a home for them. 

We also helped The Carrolls clean their house this week and half of the time I played with Ashlynn (she's 4)(and drop dead gorgeous) and we were butterflies and I got my wings because I found a butterfly motorcycle and I didn't get any pixie dust but that's okay I'll get it when I'm older. 

I am so grateful to be here in Hopkinsville still! My journey here isn't over yet I suppose! I love y'all and hope you have a wonderful week! 

Love Hermana Healey