I think I have started this email at least 4 o 5 times today.  I don't know where to begin!!  I suppose with what has happened this week. 

Saturday, we had Una Gran Feria!  As a missionary/branch activity, we set up several games, made popcorn, cut watermelon, gave out candy, and had a LOT of laughs.  It was SO much fun, and it was a success!  Although, it didn't start out that way.  But every time I began to worry, I felt a sure inner peace.  Long story short, Friday we decided to fast so it would be a beautiful day and all would work out well (since weather in Honduras can be a little unpredictable).  It rained Friday night.  I woke up several times in the night only to hear rain on the rooftops.  It was cloudy Saturday morning.  It was drizzling.  But we kept the faith.  When we finished our fast and went outside to head out to the church to start setting things up, there were clouds in every direction.  Except for a squarish shaped opening of clear, beautiful blue sky - right above the chapel.  It was such a clear witness to me that God had heard our prayers, that He loves us, and that He was pleased with the activity we had planned.  How grateful I am for the Lord, for fasting, for prayer! I know that God listens to His children, when they speak in faith.  More than anything, for the chance I have to learn more from Him every day.

Sunday was crazy.  But beautiful.  Hermana Avila and I sang a duet in Sacrament Meeting, "Más Cerca Dios de Tí".  It was beautiful.  I played the keyboard for the last time. In Relief Society, someone mentioned that it was my last Sunday, and they made me stand up to share something with them.  Oh, I was filled with so much love looking at mis hermanas hondureñas. Cuánto les extrañaré!

En la tarde, we got to meet many wonderful new people.  All day, I could feel so strongly the love God has for His children - wherever they may be, whatever they may be doing, He loves them.  He loves us!  He loves YOU! :)

I feel so much gratitude in my heart.  This mission experience has changed me, and it changes me every day.  How grateful I am for the chance to serve the Lord as a servant in the vineyard.  Where he has invited me to work at His side that I may become more like Him.

There are so many things running through my mind and emotions in my heart, but I suppose they will have to wait.  I've still got people to serve.

I love you all, so, so much.

¡Cuídense!

LOVELOVELOVE,
Hermana Grondel

Celebrating Valentine's Day with my favorite - ice cream! :)

Another week has flown by way too fast!

We've just been doing normal missionary stuff...teaching, finding, walking, and this week we had a baptism as well!!  Angie was a very, very prepared jóven who basically asked us to baptize her when we met her.  She already had this great desire to be baptized, so we just helped her along the way.

We helped clean up a kindergarten this week.  One of the walkways was rather dirty, so we began to sweep it.  As we swept, we realized there was a whole lot more walkway buried under the dirt.  As we were cleaning it, we were joking that we found more Copan Ruinas, hahahaha. :)

Well, I just love being a missionary.  It is the greatest thing in the whole world.  I love being able to go up to anyone and just start talking about this gospel.  The reactions are always varied, but the satisfaction I feel at the end of the day is without comparison.  I love this gospel.  I love my savior, Jesus Christ.  I am so grateful for His redeeming sacrifice.  I am so grateful that He was restored His gospel to the Earth once more.  I am so grateful for temples.  So, so grateful.  I am so grateful that families can one day be together forever.  I know that this is the only true and complete church of Jesus Christ on the face of the Earth.  I am so grateful for the chance I have to serve my Heavenly Father, in a very special way.  I love looking up in church to see a less-active member we have been visiting walk in.  I love feeling the spirit in the lessons we teach.  I love feeling part of something that really, really matters.  I love being part of an eternal family.  I love Honduras.  I love this time.  It really is the best part of my entire life. 

Well, I love you all bunches.  Have a great week!

LOVE,
Hermana Grondel :)

The baptism!

One morning during personal study, I got REALLY cold

This week, we have had many special moments.  Moments that just make one glad to be alive. :)  I suppose nothing that big or exciting happened, but I have been trying to enjoying the little moments that come our way. :)

We helped cut down a tree outside of a member's house, which was great fun, and came with a delicious bowl of sopa de frijoles. :)

We have been able to meet many wonderful people, who are progressing so well.  It is so wonderful to finally feel as though we are seeing progress out here.  I truly love this work. :)

One very special moment happened while we were waiting for a member to come accompany us.  She asked us to come back in about a half hour so she could shower.  Well, without much to do near her house, we decided to go look for the house of another member who had recently moved.  Well, she is a nurse, and upon finding her house, we noticed that she was helping one very sick grandmother.  Her family was there - they had traveled more than 2 hours to get there - and were very worried.  Well, she invited us in, and we offered to sing a hymn and have a prayer with them to try to bring them a bit of solace.  It was such a beautiful moment, and the spirit was rather strong.  Later, the nurse let us know that they were so grateful and that it had helped them out a bunch.  Yay for small and simple things!

Today, we went to Copan Ruinas to see el Parque de Aves, Macaw Mountain.  It was pretty cool. :) 

Other than that, we have been DYING of cold this week, though yesterday and today were suddenly very hot.  But everyone says it's going to get cold again tomorrow. BRRR!

Well, I love being a missionary
:)

I love you all!!

LOVE,
Hermana Grondel :)

At the park

 

 

 

 

 

Fun with a machete

I love these people!