Well family, another week has passed and I am ready to give you an update. First of all, I had my first baptisms here this Saturday! We had 6 BAPTISMS - one family of three, a mom and her son, and a young man. Wow... it was incredible, honestly a miracle but Im not going to lie, it was a lot of work. The church here is getting stronger but it is still pretty young, so me and my comp. cleaned the church to prepare for the baptisms and washed and ironed the clothes and I even gave my first talk here in NIcaragua. I dont know if I have ever been more physicially exhausted than I am right now but it is absolutely worth it.

 

So now onto a little more about my life:

NIcaragua is piping hot every day. I am probably the tallest girl for miles and the comments that I get the most are: Sus ojos...que linda¨. y Chalita! which is like the equivalent of white girl. Everyone here thinks I have tons of money because I live it the US. I try to tell them that as a missionary I have enough for the necesities and not much more but I dont think they believe me.

The people here wake up every morning at 5 to go to work. Most families sell food out of there houses which is I think is pretty funny because everyones sells to everyone else but it isnt really food of substance and some families that sale dont have any to eat. Midday here is murder but las noches....you all would love the nights. The sun isnt melting your skin and the air is still warm. All the people have sterios and play music in the streets adn every house has a hamock or two. It really feels like fiesta every night.

 

Here you dont say Hola when you see people in the streets. You either say Buenas or Adios. At first I thought this was funny but now it has just become a way of life.

 

This last week it has started to rain. What a blessing for me! I dont think I have ever been more grateful for rain in my life. Our house has a tin roof so when it rains in the night we definitely know. Every night I fall asleep to the sound of little animals scurrying across our roof. It really is beautiful here.

 

Now onto an amazing experience. Hna Rojas y yo had been working all day with our investigators to prepare them for baptism and hadnt contacted one family. When we realized what had happened hna marched up to the first door she saw and knocked on it.   Buenas! Somos missioneras de la iglesia de jesucristo de los santos de los ultimos dias! Before she could say anthing more the man had us sitting in his front room with his wife and son. He told us that has already read the book of mormon and loves it, especially Alma. He really likes our church and we have high hopes for him. We will teach him the first lesson this week.

 

It sounds like you all have a had a fun filled week with the grandparents. Tell the family high and thanks for the words of encouragement.Thank you for your updates. I hope the whole family knows that this email is for everyone even though right now I am only sending it to mom and dad. Has madison been posting it for people to read? RIght now, the only way to contact me is through email because I probably am not going to get mail or dear elders for a month or two, and I have permission to email whoever so if people want to get ahold of me, tell them to email me at this address. I have little more time to write now so if members of the family write me individually I should be able to respond.

 

Well, the work goes on. It is hard but it is incredible. To see a life changed by the atonement of Christ is worth the sacrifice. This week I have been especially drawn to the hymn Come Come Ye Saints. I know that grace shall be as our days and that it is better far for us to strive our useless cares from us to drive...There is a great reward to be earned and their is much joy to felt in the service of the Lord. I love you all. Godspeed.

Hna Manning