Tortilla Turn Up

Hello again!  I don’t know if weeks fly by faster in Argentina or something, but I can’t believe it is almost July!  This past week involved a lot of walking but I couldn’t be happier walking the streets with Hermana Norman!  We are so happy!

CHISTOSO:

·       We were buying tortillas, the norm, and the lady gave us 2 tortillas for the price of one!  Probably because we are her most faithful customers.

·       Talking to two chicos and they asked how old we were and so we told them to guess and they said 30!  THIRTY!!  I’m not even 20 yet but it’s all good.

·       We had a ward activity to celebrate Father’s Day (plus any excuse to eat empanadas – definitely not complaining) and they were playing lots of oldies but goodies in English.  And they had karaoke so Hermana Norman and I almost had our moment of glory but then remembered we were missionaries and decided it wouldn’t be appropriate.

·       Forgot to tell y’all but we found an old investigator and though for sure that she was a GOLDEN INVESTIGATOR until she told us she was already a member.  That could have been real awkward.

·       I was doing a grammar activity on the computer and it asked for my MTC ID number and I’m a nerd – so I knew it.  Hermana Norman was straight judging me!

Bueno, I know that none of y’all laughed at any of my stories that are supposed to be funny but that’s okay.  Most importantly I want y’all to know that I am having fun while learning so much.  I am seriously so happy!  I like to think that I have always been happy and looked for the good in my life but this is a different kind of joy.  This is a special kind of joy that comes when you forget about yourself and think of how you can best help others.  A certain joy that only missions can bring (well, I guess there are other ways but a mission is sure a good one).

MILAGROS:

·       This week I received a video from all my family – cousins, aunts, and uncles, grandma and grandpa – the whole fam.  We had a family reunion last week that I missed out on but they sent me the sweetest video of everyone singing and ending with “Love you Kelly!”  It was really embarrassing because I started crying in front of everyone.  At first I was sad that I was missing out but then I remembered how lucky I am to be in Argentina as a missionary.  I only have 18 months to help families here in Argentina know how they can be with their families for eternity.  In reality, it isn’t a sacrifice to leave my family (doesn’t mean I don’t miss them) but truly it is a privilege to serve for such a short time.

·       Clara, one of our eternal investigators, finally has a wedding date for August 12!  Keep her in your prayers that everything will go well!

·       This week we received a new senior couple in the mission – Hermana y Elder Ward – GRINGOS!  We are so excited to have them but poor things don’t speak a lick of Spanish.  Hermana Ward is so cute but also so terrified.  But they have been a tender mercy for me this week.  I truly admire their courage to leave behind their family to serve the Lord in South America.   Plus, I am super happy to have an American mom and dad here!  I really hope I have the opportunity to get to know them better.  I can already feel their sweet spirit and love for the gospel.

·       Spanish update:  it is a lot better!  I can understand about 97% of the things that everyone is saying, but still don’t talk too much.  However, with practice (which includes making mistakes) I am getting better and better.  I am so happy that I can more fully express my testimony and love for the gospel even though I use the wrong conjugations almost always.  Gift of tongues is so real though!

This week in my studies I was thinking a lot about our investigators and the individual necessities and trials they are going through.  The world teaches that we can find solutions to our problems in temporal things – drugs, alcohol, caffeine, etc.  But I know that the solution to all our problems, both temporal and spiritual, is the gospel of Jesus Christ.  We can read in the Book of Mormon that only our Savior, Jesus Christ, can relieve our burdens.

Mosiah 24:14-16

“And I will also ease the burdens which are put upon your shoulders, that even you cannot feel them upon your backs, even while you are in bondage; and this will I do that ye may stand as witnesses for me hereafter, and that ye may know of a surety that I, the Lord God, do visit my people in their afflictions.

“And now it came to pass that the burdens which were laid upon Alma and his brethren were made light; yea, the Lord did strengthen them that they could bear up their burdens with ease, and they did submit cheerfully and with patience to all the will of the Lord.

“And it came to pass that so great was their faith and their patience that the voice of the Lord came unto them again, saying:  Be of good comfort, for on the morrow I will deliver you out of bondage.”

I love this scripture!  In the midst of our trials, but with the knowledge of the gospel, we can have peace in the midst of the storm, hold fast to each other and our temple covenants, grow in our ability to trust in the Lord and be strengthened by our faith in Jesus Christ and His atoning sacrifice.  I know that by doing these things, we can find the never-ending happiness that we seek in this life. 

Have a great week!  We get a new mission president this week so keep the mission in your prayers please!

Love you all!

♥ Hermana Mannewitz

fam photo

back street boys

ARGENTINA

Playing soccer with the zone on p-day

v awkward picture with President Chaparro

a tree that represents my current body shape

our district!

Happy Birthday Juanita

super casual walking and laughing

district pizza selfie!