A Whole New World!

I saw some cows yesterday! A whole little herd munching on some grass. Remember how I wasn't very good at judging cows, or knowing what made a good one or not? I just smiled and held the halter. But even I could tell that these cows were in sad, sad condition, and no amount of skilled clipping would ever fix it. The pobres.(Poor things) And Hna De Leon was wondering why our beef the other day was such low-quality. That's why.

I'm feeling a bit patriotic this week. Maybe it's the huge American flag that the Elders left in the house and that I haven't let them take down. I'm just so grateful for the United States of America. We had a discussion in the house starting with the Salt Lake Temple. I told Hna De Leon to come visit me and we'd go. That launched my educational experience of them telling me just how hard it is for them to get visas even just to come visit. I'm so grateful I was just born there and will never have to deal with that.
Secondly, I'm especially grateful for Cache Valley, UT. A different discussion was had about security. Let's just say that not having iron gates on the driveway, door, and windows is a different world than everyone else I live with here is from. Also the fact that I've never seen a murder or been robbed. It drives my companion crazy sometimes when I'm not scared when I "should be".  I tell her I just don't know any better.

By far our best investigators are LeiBy and Leslie. They come to church every week and they understand and remember everything better than probably any other investigator I've had (Elvis always excluded, of course). Did I mention they're 9 and 7? (No, Leslie technically isn't an investigator.) Their mom is a reactivated member. LeiBy was about jumping up and down for joy when we invited her to be baptized Feb. 22. When we taught the restoration, they were almost tearing up for all the poor people who had hunger and thirst for the truth during the grand apostasy and couldn't find the truth because it wasn't there. They cheered when we rebuilt the church with the cups we were using. They're so cute.

Ingrid (13) is doing well. We bought her a notebook to write down what she learns because she has a terrible memory. She's doing a lot better. She has such desires to learn and feels so good at church. She defended the Book of Mormon to her friends, because she prayed about it and got a really good "goose-bumpy" feeling. I love her lots.

Udlina and her son were in the capital all week in the hospital. But they're back now and he's better. But we haven't seen them yet.

That's about it here in Baní. Almost to mango season. I don't think I can wait.

Love,
Sarah

La Venta Nostalgia

 Joseph showed up right after he got set apart the night before transfers. He was so proud and excited to take a picture of all five of us with all our nametags.

Coke Floats!

 Liu and her parents.