Sowing Good Seeds

Who is this little cutie?  Jenna Bob!

Hola.

I am in the capital, Santo Domingo, today. I already said bye to my companion, Hermana Alcalá! She finished her mission yesterday. And I am with with Hermana Layme until tomorrow. They will give us a little card with our new comps. They did that last transfer, and it was not an efficient way of doing it. Also I'd like a normal P-day, please 😊. We only have a little milk and two squares of toilet paper.

But I got my package!! It was beautiful. I laughed while reading your letters and I felt all the love. Thanks so much for putting that all together! I treasure the physical letters and read them again and again.  I am still in search of a USB camera memory adapter so I won't have pictures to send until I find one :(

Sowing Seeds

I think my goal for this week is to forget numbers and just sow some good seeds. We might not find new people to teach, but it profits no one to do anything for the sake of numbers. I'd rather have no one to teach as long as someone each day can feel a little bit of the Spirit, and understand a little more of Christ's love for them. It seems like that's all I can do in this area, at least while we're sowing seeds.

Also we had Yulimar's baptism! Sorry no pics, but it was a nice event. No refreshments though. Her non-member parents were super supportive and happy for her. Yulimar is the smartest 9 year old in the world, and I've never even taught someone who was so ready or excited to be baptized. She's gone to church for a year, and she told her mom she wanted to get baptized after her first time at church, but her mom didn't want her to get baptized until she knew more. Well, now she knows more than anyone in the Primary (children's Sunday program).

Like always, I'm happy to be here! I love these people. They're so funny. I wish everyone could experience them. It took a painfully long time to understand one word in Dominican, but now I understand enough to laugh at their jokes. Just goes to show -- when you stick at something you stink at, you'll eventually stink less. Ya tu sabe (you already know this).

Dominican Motoconcho

Also there's this guy that tries to speak English when I walk past (I turn all the boyz bilingual) and he always says "Hi son" (or song?) and I would like to know where he got that. Other things people have said to me in English as I'm walking past are: "I know, I know!" and the usual "I love you" "you beautiful" and "watchu naim" (what's your name). Motoconchos like to point at their motorcycle and say "please?" It's a buen tiempo. (a good time)


Con amor,
Son

A Much Needed Temple Trip

Santo Dominican DR Temple

Hello family!

Did you miss me? I didn't write this past Monday because our P-day got changed to Thursday-- just for this week. Because we went to the temple today!! And it was magical. I love temples. I haven't been in so long, and I needed it. My comp gets to go again tomorrow for a special trip because she's going home, but they cut her apoyo (funding) so I'm not sure how we'll afford all the traveling.

Jen's fancy garbage bag haircut cape

We had surprise intercambios (other missionaries come in and pair off with local missionaries) this week. I didn't know why until Hermana Oropeza told me that everyone is worried about us because our numbers are so low! We work hard, but nobody wants us. The area is rough.

We might have another baptism tomorrow if all goes well. Yulimar is another 9 year old with inactive parents, but she's gone to church her whole life. She's the smartest kid I've ever met.

We visited Mama Luca this week. She and her husband, Silvestre, (old couple members) were busy watching La Rosa de Guadelupe. (a super dramatic cheesy telenovela about people who pray to Guadelupe, and a rose apears anytime Guadelupe does a miracle.) Silvestre commented on how the acting was fantastic (but it's a soap opera) and Hermana Alcala turns to me and explains what the show is about, and that only Catholics believe in Guadelupe, but Silvestre finally broke away his gaze from the show and told us, ¨No, I do too!¨

Miracle of the week! Arisleida went to church! That´s the first person besides Paulino and Marisol that went to church this whole transfer. She brought her two boys. It made a whopping total of 5 investigators at church. We finally have someone who's progressing! Also I'm worried for Paulino and Marisol because they were supposed to be baptized a while ago, but each week we run into another problem. Stinkin' adversary. The good news is that they finally have all their legal paper work to get married.

Sunday was pretty rough for me. I prayed super hard that night to see the Lord´s hand in this work. The next day (with no citas (appointments) planned-- because it was originally pday!) we had such a good day! It wasn't necessarily successful with teaching, but I saw a bazillion miracles, and every time I think back, I realize more miracles. For instance, everyone offered to feed us this week! This  is great because my comp doesn't have money, and we didn't have a Pday to buy more food! Also, I felt like my Spanish socializing skills improved. We also invited Bilerka to baptism-- the first invitation we've extended in several weeks. Also, there's a talented lady in our area who makes little porcelain dolls, and she gave me a free pretty angel magnet! The list of good things goes on.

I love to share the gospel message. I'm so grateful to belong to this church. I'm grateful for temples. I'm grateful for scriptures, and prophets, and I'm grateful for the sacrament. I'm grateful for sacrament hymns. I love my family! I pray for you all (extended family too!) by name every night, and I hope y-áll have a great week.

Love,
Hermana Ludlam

Meet Hermana Oropeza and Grismeily!

Grisemeily's Baptism: Mom, rando, me, comp, Grandma Elva, Grismeily, aunt, uncle

Hi family!

This was a good week. We had lots of tropical rainstorms (starts suddenly, rains gatos 🐱and peros 🐶for 15 minutes, and then stops) and one day, lightning struck super close ! I was studying at my desk when everything flashed white a few times and then I hear these sonic booms. It set off all the car alarms. I didn't think much more of it until Sunday, when it got brought up in Relief Society. All the abuelitas (grandmothers) start going off about it and wildly gesturing. One sister thought it was the Second Coming, and that the Millennium was starting in her house. Love Dominican Relief Society. 👵

I also had intercambios (switch missionary companions) with Hermana Oropeza. She is the best!! We had lots of adventures together. She made me a mango smoothie. I love how she loves and knows the Bible inside and out. Also she knows exactly what to say in every instant, and she's creative in finding ways to talk to everyone. I learned so much.

Cool rain clouds and a silver lining!

I finished the Book of Mormon in 65 days! I learned so much. I realized a common theme is that you either choose to be on God's side, or you're on the wrong side. You're a Nephite or Lamanite. In Moroni, you can either give a gift with a good attitude, or God counts it as if you never gave a gift. You either pray with real intent, or God doesn't receive it, and it profits you nothing.

Also, why is it that whenever we try to teach someone the Restoration, and we begin recounting the First Vision ("I saw a pilar of light...."), something always interrupts us? If there are children nearby, they always get up and bug whoever is listening. If we're outside, a bunch of loud motorcycles pass by and we have to wait 30 seconds. I don't remember ever being able to get all the way through without something happening.

Also! we had a surprise baptism this week! Grismeily has gone to church her whole life, but her parents are less active/ non-members, and she's 9 years old, so it counts for the mission! It's so weird to have baptisms in a legit ward because someone else fills up the font, cleans the church, and organizes the program for you! We just showed up and enjoyed the whole thing. Also half the ward showed up to support Grismeily. And there were refreshments afterward! I think I like being in a ward.

I hope everyone has a great week!! Love you all!
Hermana Ludlam

We're supposed to be here!

Hermanas with Daniel

Dear Family,

We had a little bit more success this week in finding people. I have hope for Adriano, and Ismael. They're both have been taught by missionaries before, but they're very enthusiastic about having us teach them again. Also, we have a bad track record of finding the people after we meet them, but Ismael and Adriano were still there when we came back a few days later! Woo! There was also little things that happened that made me think "we're supposed to be here." Like how Adriano lives alone, and two sister missionaries can't be alone with a man, but then his daughter happened to be home and answered the door when we came back to teach the lesson. Woo!

 

Marisol is teaching us to make Mangu

Marisol and Paulino have all their paperwork and the money for their wedding! They're the only people we teach that are progressing. And they're progressing full steam ahead!

Also, Marisol taught us how to make Mangu, which is mashed green plantains. She also made us Chin-chin, which is some mashed corn thing that reminds me of couscous.

Mangu a la Marisol

We had interviews with President this week and he read what Elder Ballard said in the Worldwide Mission President Seminar. Earlier in the week, I had been kind of frustrated that some missionaries just extending baptism invitations for the sake of getting higher numbers-- and if the baptism invitation isn't accepted, then that means that the person isn't ready. Then Elder Ballard said that missionaries should only extend baptismal invitations when they feel the Spirit. And to stop using baptismal invites as a way to separate wheat from tares. I like Elder Ballard.

Yesterday, we unknowingly knocked on the door of a member's dad's house-- and that member was home with her dad, and her two siblings, and the member was trying to explain to her non-member family that their member-Mom was in a place called Spirit Paradise.  They also taught her what temples are, who can enter, and what goes on inside, etc. And the member was so grateful that the missionaries just happened to drop by! We shared a quick message and then the family wanted us to come back next Sunday to share more. I'll let you know if it goes anywhere.

Love you lots family! Have a fantastic week!!

Love,
Hermana Ludlam

Fotos from back in Azua:

This baby was sick and has an IV in his foot. You can't tell just how sick he was because he's a happy bouncy baby. But the poor mom was tired and hungry and lonely, cooped up in the hospital all day.  This baby's name is Dilan.

 Randy crossing the Trash River.  It doesn't start out deep, but it gets there quickly!

 

Six Months Out!

Hermanas Alcala and Ludlam 

My street complete with balconies and hanging plants

Family!

I hit 6 months today! I am 1/3 done.

We had a very hot week this week, and not a ton of success. All our appointments fell through and we end up knocking on doors all until 9 at night. One of the little tender mercies is after contacting for forever, I met a member named Natalie. She said "I know your last name. Do you have a sister that served a mission?" And I asked where she served and she said, "Merida!" and so that was whack! I met one of Lia's companions from the mission! Who could've known I'd get called to the same area. Small world.

We did get to pass out a few book of Mormons this week, and they said they'd read it. The stinky part is usually after that, we never find them again. So then we have to go find more new people to teach. And that means more contacting.

Waiting for an appointment at church, Hna A takes a lap!

We had super last minute intercambios this week, so I went to Cambita with Hna Hoak-- Hna Rubio's mom! She's the best. I learned so much from her. We taught a bomb lesson about the restoration to some new people, and as we were leaving, Eric moved the coffee table so we had more room to walk out, and it knocked a glass cup off the table and it broke and cut his foot super bad! And Hna Hoak and I just stood there in the doorway super shocked because there was so much blood and we didn't know what to do. He kept saying "It's okay! I just have a lot of blood!" And his wife/ girlfriend said, "Yeah, he always bleeds a lot for every little thing." And Eric says "Yeah. I have a lot of blood. I drink a lot of juice." And that was funny.

Mac and cheese over fritos

Also what is funny: when someone wants to offer you their food (which is always-- even if it's their half eaten corn cob) they hold up their food and say,"Un buen tiempo," (a good time) with a very convincing look on their face. And if you don't want some, you say "buen provecho" which means bon apetit or something. Paulino and Marisol (people we're teaching) fed us delish food this week and this big lady showed up at the front door and sees us eating and she's like "Oh! I showed up at a buen tiempo!"

I had a good experience with the Sacrament this week. I just tried really hard to be focused. It's nice to feel clean, and to get another chance to be better every week. If you have advice on how to get more out of the Sacrament, you should tell me. I'm still not very good at it.

Also Mom, I am so glad I took a picture of your letter last week because I certainly didn't get everything out of it the first time. But I have to say something about your letter this week. You said I'm the only family member who gets to be a part of this most important work on the planet, and although I am the only one serving full time and with the keys to teach the gospel, I still want everyone else in my family to join in, too. Go sow some seeds. Find people for the missionaries to teach. Read Elder Uchtdorf's talk about how you can do this naturally in your everyday conversations with people. That is my spiel.

I just like this house

I am happy to be out here under the hot sun🌄, working in my Madre Vieja Sur vineyard here in San Cristobal. I love sharing my testimony with these people. I am excited for another year to keep doing this and to keep learning how to be an effective instrument.

Love you family!!

Hermana Ludlam