Monday, August 12, 2013

Monday, August 12, 2013

Hi Everyone,

Mom - responding to Uncle Jon's question about Hermana Bishop - from Manti - tell him that I do know her. Yes, I actually worked with Hna. Bishop on changes. She was in our region. I think she had changes and I'll have to find out where. Oh wait...I'll see her tomorrow at the sister's conference. I'll ask her tomorrow. She's a great missionary. When I was with her she was struggling a little bit with her Spanish. She's super sweet. I'll have to ask her. I told her that I had family in that area but didn't go into specifics.

Ok...me....well...don't have too much time but I'll try and tell a little bit of what has been going on this week. So Tuesday, we came to San Jose to go to the Hospital for my comp. No worries...I'm healthy and fine. But we were able to figure out what has been going on with my companion. Why she has been fainting and having anxiety attacks. Well....she has really really really high anxiety. Like...seriously really bad. It affects her heart and makes her heart pound really fast like she's having a heart attack and a lot of pressure on her heart. Her heart is healthy but her heart and brain are sending mixed signals to her body. Any little emotion sets her off and she could faint. For example, during a lesson this week, she stopped breathing and went unconscious. I had to talk to her really loud, lightly slap her face and get her a breathing bag. Whenever she's scared, it's amplified. Or stress or any emotion. It's so hard to watch her suffer. She can't control it because it's in her nervous system. She's been suffering from it for four years. So....we've been talking with different doctors all week trying to figure out what we can do. The thing is that she can't change areas really because anything would stress her out. And she can't get upset at all because it causes anxiety. We talked with heart doctors, psychiatrists, chiropractic’s, and all of the above. We went to the temple and she received a really good blessing from the temple president and has received other blessings. It’s been super difficult for her. We've been on the phone with president almost every day talking about what more we can try. That's why this morning I couldn't email like I thought. We were on the phone with a doctor and then President. So....needless to say that through all of this, we've had to accept the brand new news that....she's going home to El Salvador tomorrow after the sister's conference. They said that there's just not more that they can do. It's been super hard for her to accept because she's almost done with her mission and has been working hard. But these new pills she takes makes her lash out more....and since I'm with her 24/7, it's usually at me. So I sit and take it. I have never learned more of how to love and take care of someone. Today, I finally understood more about Christ's love. She wouldn't talk to me about what happened and started packing her things. She was totally lashing out at me and was saying things to me that just were....frustrating but...I let it go. I didn't say anything. I folded her clothes and kept my mouth shut. Then the other sisters came over. One is from El Salvador as well. They talked and the other sister was able to help my comp. I told the other sister from the states that to me....I just want her to be happy. I don't care if she keeps rejecting me. If another sister can help her out in a way that I can't, then that's fine. I still love her and care about her. She's a great missionary. Well...after, we talked and we're good. We are ending on good terms and actually, I'm really grateful for her. She taught me so many things! Especially how to trust and gain the trust of others. She taught me how to be direct with love. I'll have to share what I learned next time. But things are good. I get a new comp tomorrow. 

Um....other news...look at the pictures and you'll see. The ward activity was a big success. We got many references and the ward is energized! And all about missionary work. We are getting at it once again. The ward did a plan of salvation activity where every room was a different part of the plan. Youth were sprit world, relief society and elders quorum were the world that we live in and then others did after this life. The bishop explained judgment. It was awesome. Try it in your wards. It was just a really good emotional week. Looking forward to this week. Oh and  Sunday full of miracles. So many less actives in church that haven't been. They were in white shirts and ties. The youth in my picture is going to prepare to serve a mission. I am fighting for this kid. Oh and I saw a guy from Concepcion today in the church and talked to him a little bit. I asked about Evelyn and he said that her husband, Andres, made her choose between him and the church so she left the church. Super sad. I'm going to write her again. Oh and Hno. Oscar is less active and closed his soda – restaurant.  So, a lot of people struggling in my first area. Keep them all in your prayers. Well...better head out. Longer email next week. Love you so much. xoxoxoxoxoxoxo best family ever!

Hna. Jones

Oh and people.....um Fatima is still progressing, the family of Josue is great. Some that we are looking into. We’ll see. Well good luck this week. Love you all. I'm doing fine. Eating better, going to exercise because this comp couldn't. But with next one, I will. The sister's conference is tomorrow so we'll see how it goes. I’ll let you know next week. I'll see Hna. Ponce and all the sisters. Oh and I talked with Hna. Rodriguez today. She was my comp in Rio Claro. She's a leader too. It was so good. Everything is just good now. It's just calm and good. I feel content. Well…Ok got to go. But I'll respond to your letters next week. Xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Make sure that you tell Papa, Grandma Jones and Grandma Stansfield Hi, and that I pray for them. Thank you.

 Making pineapple filled empanadas.

 Still making them.

Still making them! Ha ha.

Flowers to make me happy.

 Plan of salvation activity....our poster that I made. Ha-ha - too fun. Arts and crafts.

 The ward activity. This is the primary acting out the premortal life.

JOSHUA wore a white shirt and tie!!!! Do you remember my picture that I sent to you guys and he has a bunch of cross necklaces around his neck and earrings? Well...this is him AT CHURCH!!!

Us again!

Us eating with the other district on Sunday.

 Us girl leaders jam packed in the car today with Sister Wilkinson. Quite the party. Ha-ha