Today marks the 15th anniversary of the Santo Domingo Temple. 15 years ago today, the Santo Domingo Temple was dedicated by a prophet of God, Gordon B. Hinckley. It has since blessed many lives, including my own, brought many families together, and given peace to many souls. It was the last large temple of its kind to be built in a foreign country thus far. Being able to go to the temple each week has been an amazing blessing. I have seen it bless the lives of many people who have traveled from far away places and come to stay in the same building as the CCM, just to be able to visit the temple. Last Friday we had the privilege of going to the University in Santo Domingo, about a 15 minute walk from the CCM, and talking to people about the Restored Gospel. They gave us about an hour and a half, some pamphlets, and some Books of Mormon, and let us loose. It is amazing that somehow, with such limited Spanish, we were able to get across our message to so many people and introduce them to this gospel. The Dominicans are so open. They just love to talk. They were all so kind and really got involved in conversations with us. I don't think we got turned down once. People would even start listening in on our conversation with other people, even if we weren't directly talking with them. Nobody cared that our Spanish wasn't the best. They would just listen and help us out if we made a mistake. I can't wait to go again tomorrow! On a much, much lighter and sillier note (and to go along with the subject of this email)... this week, on Saturday night to be exact, our District "broke the barrier." For anyone unfamiliar with this term, you will soon find out what that means. Our teacher announced that we had a ten minute break, so my companions went to leave the classroom, while the Elders remained inside to talk to the teacher. I was standing at the door, about to leave, when I hear one of the Elders fart. The teacher just goes, "Whoa. AHHhh.. NOoo!" And quickly starts to flee the scene, waving her hand in front of her nose. I laugh and leave, telling my companions what just happened since they were in the hall and didn't hear it. When we came back from break, the Elders were still talking about it. They tried to keep it a secret but pretty soon they found out I heard it. They laughed so hard. Everyone knew what had... passed. Soon enough, we were sharing embarrassing stories for a good twenty minutes, and laughing hysterically together. Sometimes you've got to bond in strange ways I guess. Speaking of bonding, five of us girls, whose rooms are all connected, made a fort for P-day eve. Also attached is a picture of all the girls in the CCM right now and pictures of us five girls making a pyramid in front of the temple. I look super tan in those pictures. That is not accurate. I am pretty sure I'm the same as before. Every day we have the choice to love others or to think of ourselves. So why not love? We have been given much by God, and so we too must give. I love this work. I love the Dominican Republic. I love God. And I love this gospel. I love you all... keep being you - exemplifying those defining, strong characteristics that you have and seeking to grow more though Christ. Love, Hermana Shaw
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Letters: Sophia Shaw Santo Domingo East MIssion SDQ 4102, 2250 NW 114th Ave. Miami, FL 33172-3652 Packages: Sophia Shaw AP-000914 8540 NW 66th St. Miami, FL 33195 - 2698 lds.org mormon.org Dominican Republic Santo Domingo East MissionArchives
February 2017
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