Wow this is my last P-day in the Dominican Republic CCM (MTC) and that is crazy for me to comprehend. We leave on Tuesday for the great unknown aka THE FIELD. I am so excited to get out there and learn and work and grow. Last Friday we got the opportunity to go out in the field. We drove a few minutes away from the CCM to a church building, where me met some missionaries so we could all pair off and head out. One of the girls asked, "Okay, who knows the most Spanish?" All the girls pointed at me, and so, I got put with a Native Dominican Hermana who knew almost no English. Mom, I thought you'd be pretty proud of me in that moment. Being out with her was awesome because it forced me to use my Spanish and really try. We had two appointments and contacted for the rest of the time. We were in deep Santo Domingo city, close to some busy roads, an Ikea (when I saw the Ikea I kind of freaked out because I was so surprised), Forever 21, and McDonald's. We got to ride the metro to get there, which I think might have been cleaner, and definitely not as stinky, as the Paris metro. Being out in the field was awesome. It was such a great reminder of my purpose at the CCM - to prepare for the field. Mom, I just wanted to let you know that I've been so good and you'd be so proud of me. I wake up on time every day (and cheerfully, too), go running almost every day during gym, bought a bag for the field (picture attached), have been memorizing Spanish hymns, and I even sang in church last Sunday! There are two things you must know for the following story: 1. Hermana Juchau absolutely loves naps with her whole heart 2. Here in the CCM, we have learned how to bear testimony in Spanish, and often people's testimonies are as simple as: "Yo sé que (I know that) - fill in the blank - es verdadero (is true)." Often while Hermana Juchau naps, Hermana Jenson and I will be writing in our journals or doing something else low-key. Hermana Juchau never understands why we don't sleep as well, and one day she was expressing this to our teacher, Hermano Medina. Hermano Medina sympathized with her and said she needs to teach us about the importance of naps. Without further hesitation, Hermana Juchau, with all the conviction and sincerity she can muster, said, "Yo sé que siestas son verdaderas." (Translation: "I know that naps are true") This sent Hermana Jenson and I into fits. We laughed so hard. I love this companionship. More than my knowledge and appreciation for naps, I have a knowledge and great appreciation for this gospel and for my Savior. I know that Jesus Christ lives and that He has provided a way for us to live with God again. He is our Savior, our Redeemer, our Comforter. He has saved me, He has redeemed me, and He has comforted me. There are no words sufficient to express how grateful I am for Him. I love this gospel. I love God. I love you all, Hermana Shaw Hermana Stoker and Juchau are going to the East with me. Juchau is my brown haired companion and Stoker is the pale brown haired girl with medium length hair.. I sent a picture of just us in the Cafeteria and we're kind of almost falling over. I love all these girls. Even the new one that just showed up (Hermana Taylor - she's the one with me in the cafeteria with our eyebrows raised)
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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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