Guagua Won the Battle, the Door Won the War

Hola! 

Alright this week is going in the books. It was insane. Absolutely insane. First off, we were in the guagua to go to the bishops house. The elders were a few rows behind us. They got off a few stops before us and asked me to go back to where they were sitting to help a guy translate a message he had received. So we go back to the very back of the guagua. I translate maybe a sentence when all of a sudden our phone drops and falls in between the seats. This sweet guy stopped and tried to help us out. Because what had happened was the phone had landed under some plastic that was screwed in so we couldn't reach the phone. The guy we were helping ripped the seat to try to get to it! Obviously in this little packed bus everyone begins to watch what these two girls and this Argentinian are doing to destroy the bus.

Make peanut butter blossoms....they were a HIT!

 

We ended up having three different people try to help us out. The bus driver at one point pulled over to the side of the road to pick up a stick to see if that could help us get our phone. It was so great to see act of charity from complete strangers. In the end we GOT THE PHONE! With the help of an old used Jehovah Witness pamphlet, a stick, and a pen we got our phone. 

The following day we were at the church having an activity where we watched The Other Side of Heaven. It was lots of fun, and I am very grateful for the mission I do have! Afterwards we went upstairs to shut down the upper part of the capilla. When we opened the door my companion got her finger stuck in the door, and the next thing I hear is crying. Poor thing jammed her finger nice and good in the door. To the point that we needed to go to the hospital to see if she broke it. We were at the hospital at 930.... we didn't leave till 2 in the morning.... To say I was exhausted is an understatement. But the good news is she didn't break it. But Its nice and purple. 

Night at the ER....poor Hermana Rojas

At least it isn't broken!  Everyday is an adventure.

The mission is full of fun stories. I hope you all are doing well. I pray for you all always. 

Con Amor,

Hermana Shurtz

Hiked up for a little scenic photo on "P" day.
We are just about to attempt the "Toyota" jump.

Had a smoothie at "Shakers" after our hike up the mountain.

Service Activit(ies)

Hola!

This week was insane! We finally were able to do some service activities. We always ask our investigators, or the members we are visiting "Is there anything we can do for you?" 99.9% of the time we don't get a response. But this week we got THREE!! Which made my companion and I so happy because there is nothing better then doing service for others.

The first one is we helped Fofana, and his family move out of their house to a new house down the street. They didn't have much to move but I was grateful that they trusted us and allowed us to help them out in the best way we could. 

Windy day at the beach.

Laura, an 88 year old Colombian, that we met one day touching doors. She is an amazing women! She is so charitable and loves to do service for others. This week she asked us to come over and help her move some things up and down from the garage that she has below her apartment. We were there forever! She needed us to help her rip up this documents that she had been saving for 15 years. My hands were so sore after but it was a lot of fun because even though this women is 88 years old she still salsa´s around the house. Colombians..

Estella, Laura´s daughter, she called us to help her clean her house. When we got there we were disappointed we didn't bring more hands to help. We weren't informed this before, but Estella is a hoarder to a T. What was crazy is Estella built her own house...It would not pass the codes in the US but its pretty legit. She had wild animals (chicken, sheep) running around outside. It was quite the experience to clean up. Well... attempted to clean up anyway. She didn't want us to throw anything away so we just tried to organize the mess. 

I like doing service activities on the mission. It really helps me feel rejuvenated and focus more on my purpose to serve other people. I hope all of you are doing good. I miss you all. My prayers are always with you.

Con Amor,

Hermana Shurtz

Doing dishes at a investigators house

Outside Estella´s house

Week of Miracles

Hola!

This week was a bit of an odd one. Remember how last week I said I was a bit sick? Well turns out I was alittle bit more sick then I thought. One day I called Hermana Jackson about it and she sent me straight to the hospital (and let me tell you what a hospital visit in Europe is quite an experience!) Well turns out I got the Bronks. Lovely bronchitos. BUT dont you worry, because I´ve been taking my meds like a good girl and I feel just fine.

We're getting pretty good at this selfie thing

So this week, my companion and I have been blessed more then our wildest dreams. We have been fortunate to witness 3 miracles this week. Liahonna worthy miracles....

1. We were walking around in El Frile when a women stopped us to talk to us, turns out she was a less active we´ve been trying to chase down. While we were talking to her getting her address and everything ANOTHER women walked by and the less active stopped her. Turns out they are friends and she told her friend "These are the girls I´ve been telling you about!" Turns out her friend has been looking for our church to talk to missionaries and BAM found us. Miracle.

2. We were searching for an address in San Isidro when a car stopped, parked, and the driver got out. He asked us where the church was. Turns out he is a member from Columbia but when he moved here a few years ago he couldnt find a church in the islands so he´s been inactive for a few years, but now he wants to be reactivated! Miracle.

3. While we were sitting in Sunday School yesterday, a member asked us to come outside. A family was standing there looking confused. What had happened was is this family is from Barcelona and is new to the area (4 days new) and they´ve been walking around trying to find any church to attend. Turns out the first one they say was OURS! Miracles! They told us that they will come back next week, so vamos a ver (we will see). Either way I´m grateful they got a taste of the true church.

If anyone says miracles no longer exist, I have 3 lovely examples to prove you wrong my friends. I know that this is the Lords work, and even though we are going to have bad weeks we are also going to have very sweet beautiful weeks! I love you all and I miss you tons. Be good. Read, pray, attend church. 

Con Amor,

Hermana Shurtz

I played some sweet volleyball

Starting the Year Off Right

Us about to leave for the Christmas Devotional

FELIZ AÑO NUEVO!

I hope your new years was filled with apple cider, and good clean fun! Something I learned that here in Spain New Years is a MUCH more bigger deal then it is back home. People deck out in their best dress (like Prom type outfits, and not just youth but old grannys too!) Then they go out to dinner and then at midnight they go out clubbing. Well... naturally no one wanted to meet with us New Years Eve so we just kind of attempted to contact in the streets. It was an interesting experience to say the least. 

When my companion and I arrived home we decided to create our own fun. We wrote down all things we hated about year 2014 and then over a good hot steamy hot coco we tore up the paper. Then we wrote all the good that we hope for 2015. To be honest there wasn't much bad to write on that paper about the year behind me, it was pretty good to me. I'm more united with my family. I've gained a new family. I became a better person. I grew to depend on my Heavenly Father. In my book 2014 was pretty dang good to me, and I know that 2015 will only be better! My companion likes to tease me every now and then that I will be home at the end of this year. Really this gives me more animo to just work double time, use all the precious time I have left here in the field. 

With all these desires to work, my body decided to throw me a curve ball. I woke up a few days ago just sick to the bone. My companion was so cute! She took good care of me. However, although my body wanted to sleep and rest. We had some very important appointments that day that we just couldn't miss. I really don't know how I got out of my bed and taught, but the spirit in those lessons were so strong! There is always a way. God always comes through on His end. We just got to put a little faith in Him and just jump. 

I hope all your goals and dreams for this new year comes true! Secret? My lucky number is 15 so I just know that all will work out for you. Feliz año nuevo! 

Hermana Shurtz

Package from Mel

I was pretty happy to get that Mug!

Package from Uncle Kyle's Family

Our relationship to a T

Me making empanadas

You guys did Good!