Hermana McNiven's Emails: Book 2, Chapter 12: ¿Sos Importada?

I've always loved the anticipation that leads up to Christmas: the lights, the way that Christmas music so EASILY takes over the world(hehehe), the band/choir concerts, Christmas parties, Nativities, Christmas cookies, ornament parties, EGGNOG, setting up/picking out a Christmas tree and decorating it as a family, dancing around the house in Christmas PJs, watching Christmas movies while drinking hot chocolate, and caroling!  

Now let's take a second and take that all away.  

As I've been in Argentina for about 3 months now, I've had lots of time to learn about the culture here, and I quickly saw that Christmas is VERY different here!  A few people put up Christmas trees in their businesses, but there's little to no Christmas music to be heard nor lights to be seen.  For most Argentinians, Christmas is pretty much a normal day!  On Christmas Eve, families gather, eat asado, and stay up all night and then sleep until 6 PM on Christmas day!  And Chau!  BUT, when you take all of that away, ya know what remains?  The fact that Jesus Christ, our Savior and Redeemer, was born in a lowly stable on that night in Bethlehem.  On that marked day in history, they didn't have lights save for the star in the sky  They didn't have a large family gathering to celebrate his birth.  For most people, it was just a normal day.  They had no idea that the Savior of the World had just been born to save us all. 

Although I've been missing the fun traditions I grew up with: Christmas music, snow, and lights, I've never been more focused on the TRUE meaning of Christmas: Our Savior Jesus Christ. May we all be like the Shepherds and Wise Men who heeded the call and came unto the Christ child, and then spread the news abroad!!!!  Let's make sure that it isn't just a normal day for us, but that it is a day of remembrance of that sacred day in Bethlehem!! 

BELOVED READERS, THIS IS HUGE.  

No matter who you are, where you are, what your circumstances are, or what your past contains, Jesus Christ was BORN FOR YOU.  Jesus Christ LIVED FOR YOU- to show you the way back home to our Father in Heaven.  Jesus Christ suffered and DIED FOR YOU.  Why?  Because HE LOVES YOU.  Every day let's try to see him more clearly at the forefront of our lives, love him more dearly, and follow him more nearly.  (Bonus points if you understood what I just referenced). 

In attempts to invite others to come unto Christ and to spread more of the Love and joy of Christmas, we've had to get pretty creative this week!!  We went from talking to people in the street and knocking doors like normal to getting on buses, making an announcement of who we are and why we're here, and then talking to each person as we gave them all Light the World cards!  WANNA KNOW WHEN WE PEAKED???  One day this week, my companion wasn't feeling very well, so we took the bus home early so she could rest.  The colectivo was pretty full, so I immediately started thinking of the best way to share the Christmas spirit with them all.  AND THEN THE IDEA CAME TO ME.  WAIT FOR IIIIIIIIIIIIT.....🍍 I went up to the driver and asked, "Would it be okay if I were to sing some Christmas songs?"  He gave me the go-ahead with a nod, so I stood at the front of the bus and said, "We're missionaries of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and we're trying to spread some Christmas cheer, so I'm going to sing some Christmas carols if that's alright with you all!"  And win true Jessica(Ahem, HERMANA MCNIVEN) fashion, I began to sing!  I know I say this a lot, but MUSIC IS SO COOL!!!!  I don't think it's possible to fully express my feelings about music, but I do know this: music softens hearts and heals souls.  I sang Christmas Carols on a full bus for about 10 minutes and then gave them all Light the World cards, and(realizing that I had to get off at the next stop and wouldn't have the chance to talk to all of them), invited them all to talk to the missionaries the next time they see them!  

The other really cool thing we did also involved music!  Imagine that!!  On Saturday night, we set up a table with free cookies and wrapped copies of the Book of Mormon in a plaza, and then we began to sing!!  All of the missionaries took turns talking to people and singing, but we were able to sing until our throats hurt, give out all of our cookies and copies of the Book of Mormon, and talk to a LOT of people about Jesus Christ!!   Ya can't go wrong with that, am I right??  This also led to some interesting conversations, one starting with, "¿Sos importada?" and another, "I can teach you something about English."  (This man thought I spoke Spanish as my native language, which made me feel great, but heard me speak in English and came up to me and said just that!  Then he asked, "How long have you studied English?"  When I told him, "My whole life..." he raised his eyebrows and then said, "Well, then perhaps I can learn something from you!"  It was a very funny conversation, and it was so weird speaking about the church in ENGLISH!!!)

Beloved Readers, as another Chapter comes to an end, I invite you to think about everything you've read up to this point. Think about the things that really matter: families, our relationship with Jesus Christ, love, food(thanks Hna. Pyatt), FAITH, Repentance, service, HOPE, and improving ourselves every day.   Christmas should be centered on CHRIST, but so should EVERYDAY!  Don't lose sight of that.  He never loses sight of you. 

MERRY CHRISTMAS. 

All of my love,

--HERMANA MCNIVEN☀

Hermana McNiven's Emails - Book 2 Chapter 11: Manna from the Heaven

BEFORE YOU READ ANY MORE, I NEED YOU TO DO SOMETHING.

1. GO TO YOUTUBE.

2. SEARCH "Book of Mormon Videos."

3. CHOOSE: Jacob Teaches of the Atonement of Jesus Christ | 2 Nephi 6–10 | Book of Mormon.

4. GO TO 4:52 BUT BEFORE PUSHING PLAY, READ STEP 5.

5. "4:55. Little Dude's got a deep voice."

6. WATCH FROM 4:52 TO 4:57.

7. LAUGH.

8. REPEAT.

Now that that's out of the way, let's get down to business.  This past week, Transfer day began to loom on the horizon.  Déjame explicar que significa eso.  Every six weeks there is the possibility of being transferred to a new area. BUT HERE'S THE THING.  Recién cambiaron su manera de hacer traslados!!!

  It was Saturday afternoon.  Clouds began to gather in the darkened, turquoise sky as small drops of rain made their descent to the Earth.  The pitter patter of the raindrops hitting the roof of the chapel reflected our anticipation and stress preceding the transfer call: calmly at first, but increasing in intensity and velocity until it DOWNPOURED as we got the call.  Here's how it went down. 

"Hermanas, están listas?" 

"SÍ!"

"Okay.  Hermana McNiven se queda."

*BREATH OF RELEIF*

"Hermana Pyatt se va." 

AND THAT'S IT.  With their new way of doing transfers, they don't tell us where we're going or who our companion is going to be!  They just send a bus ticket to our email and tell us to be there at so and so hour.  Needless to say, we were pretty in the dark for a while!!  Little by little, we began to put two and two together and we figured out that HERMANA PYATT JUST CHANGED TO ANOTHER BRANCH IN CONCORDIA.  She moved a few blocks, no más!  

Aparte de toda la locura con traslados, FUE UNA BUENA SEMANA.  Nicol had her interview to prepare for her baptism, and came out with tears in her eyes, saying, "This is the best day of my life."  It was so tender to see her pure joy!!!!!  

YA KNOW WHAT ELSE WAS INCREDIBLE?  If you guessed the bacon that we ate with the Fraziers, you are definitely right, but that's not what I am referring to.  (THAT WAS THE BEST BACON I HAVE EVER EATEN.  It may just be because I've been deprived of bacon, but it tasted like manna from the Heavens.)    The thing I'm actually referring to is the BOOK OF MORMON.  This week, we had an incredible experience with the Book of Mormon. 

One day, as we walked down a long dirt street in Concordia, we saw a little viejito with a sombrero sitting on the side of the street.  As we passed, Hermana Pyatt asked him if we could give him a little card about Christmas, and we began to charlar!!  We talked to him about Heavenly Father's plan for each of us, and we testified to him of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon.  The most powerful thing was that he accepted the Book of Mormon, looked at it for a moment, and then looked up at us with tears in his eyes, thanking us profusely. 

This man recognized the word of God when he saw it, and not only that, but he recognized its value.  I think sometimes we take the fact that we have the word of God available at our fingertips for granted.  The Bible and the Book of Mormon are truly the palabra de dios and I invite you all to think about what that means to you personally.  Do we all see the infinite worth of the Book of Mormon as well as that man did, or do we sometimes forget?  

CHRISTMAS IS ALMOST UPON US!!!!  What will your offering be to the Savior of the World?  It may not be gold, frankincense, or myrrh, but it can be the little things: a small act of service every day, reading scriptures for 5 minutes every day, a heart willing to follow Jesus Christ a little bit better each day, or a goal to be kinder, more selfless, or more patient with the people who surround you every day. 

MERRY CHRISTMAS.  I HAVE SO MUCH LOVE FOR EACH OF YOU AND I HOPE YOU CAN ALL REMEMBER CHRIST THIS CHRISTMAS!!! 

--HERMANA MCNIVEN☀

Hermana McNiven's Emails - Book 2 Chapter 10: Legality, Superpowers, And LIGHTING THE WORLD.

Dear Jessica McNiven, it's been a great week and here's why.

I'VE BEEN SO SO HAPPY.

Have you ever just been so happy that you feel like you are LITERALLY walking on sunshine? *CUE "Walking on Sunshine" because I know you were all thinking it. ;)*  Sometimes I just smile and feel like my happiness can reach the depths of the earth, and there's nothing that can change that!  

It's been a  wild week in Concordia, mainly due to the fact that we once again were barely in Concordia all week!!!!  On Wednesday, Hna. Pyatt and I made our way over the (Paraná) River and through the woods to good ole Santa Fe!  Hna. Pyatt had trámites to stay legal, so I accompanied her hasta Santa Fe and then awaited her return to Santa Fe.  Let me tell ya, Hna. Pyatt is a gift from the cielos.  It's been such a blessing to be her companion!  

We had LOTS of traveling to get to and from Santa Fe, which allowed me to demonstrate my secret superpower.  If I told you what it was, however, it would no longer be a secret.  I'm going to tell you regardless because I've got a lot of pride about it. ;)  Here it is:  DRUMROLL PLEASE!!!!!!!!!  *insert drumroll here*  My superpower is that I can sleep literally ANYWHERE, in any situation.  In high school, I had a two year streak of sleeping in EVERY busride on the band bus, (And if you have ever met band kids, you know that is no easy feat.😎).  Lucky for me, I spent almost the ENTIRETY of our 6 hours of travel to and from Santa Fe in a deep slumber.  Every slumber must come to an end eventually, however, and we were super pumped to get back to work when we got back to Concordia.  

I've learned that the satisfaction and joy that comes from the work of the Lord is more than anything I've ever experienced.  There is a video from the LIGHT THE WORLD program that shows Christ's life.  The coolest part, however, is that it shows the things Christ did in his life and the miracles he brought to pass, and then it shows little acts of service that we can do to follow his example.  "'He went about doing good' and so can you." And it's true!  

The craziest, most wonderful part of this week was the incredible opportunity that we've had to teach Nicol the restored gospel of Jesus Christ!!!!  As missionaries, we invite others to come unto Christ and there is no greater joy than seeing people do just that!!!  I've never met someone who is so ready to change her life and follow Christ, and that's the most beautiful thing.  We are super excited to continue to watch her progress and to have this opportunity to learn from her faith!!!!   She is preparing to be baptized next week and we are so excited for her!!  SHE ALSO HAS THE MOST ADORABLE 2 YEAR OLD SON WHO IS SO TIERNO.  Nicol is so great!!!  She has said so much about how she can't wait for the day when her little son can have the opportunity to serve a mission!!!  VAMOS!!!

ALSO, CHRISTMAS IS COMING AND THAT TOO JUST FILLS ME WITH PURE JOY.  Even though Christmas is really not a very big deal here, we have been fully embracing the Christmas Spirit with choirs singing carols(literally so many choirs.  YA KNOW HOW HAPPY THAT MAKES ME????  Every few days, someone new approaches us and asks us to form a Christmas Choir as missionaries, and IT MAKES MY HEART BURST WITH JOY), and inviting EVERYONE to LIGHT THE WORLD.  I was definitely singing Christmas songs in the shower this morning, but it was so hard to remember all of the words.  ENJOY THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT FOR ME!!!!!!!  The lights, the decorations, the music, todo!!!!!!  Really, it's a beautiful time of year.  We all have the chance to unite as families and to remember the birth of our Savior!!!  

This chapter, I'd like to invite you, lovely readers, to open your hearts and your minds and your doors.  As missionaries, we spend a lot of time knocking doors and talking to people about Jesus Christ.  Sometimes, people are super nice and willing to talk to us for a few minutes!  Others, not so much.  If you ever see missionaries on the street(The nametags and formal dress give us away. ;)), or they happen upon your doorstep, I implore you to think of your beloved author in South America and open your door!  Show them the kindness that every son or daughter of God deserves, and just hear them out. :))  I promise you, it just might change your life!!   

LET'S LIGHT THE WORLD A LITTLE BIT EVERYDAY!!!!!!!!!  If this is the end of Book 2, I bid thee adieu until Book 3!  If not, Chapter 11 will be coming at you next week.  Stay tuned.

--HERMANA MCNIVEN☀

Hermana McNiven's Emails - Book 2 Chapter 9: The Tongan Method

POROTOS COPADOS*, THIS WEEK WAS COOL.  

Our week started off with a dang good Thanksgiving Dinner on Monday- complete with stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, and apple pie.  THAT WAS A TENDER MERCY OF THE LORD.  We felt SO blessed.  Believe it or not, that wasn't even the best part of the week!!

Let me begin by saying that the Holy Spirit is POWERFUL.  As the third member of the Godhead, he testifies of truth.  This week, I had so many incredible experiences in which I felt so strongly the love God has for me, and for each of his children.   As we met with a woman named Jessica this week(a great name, if I do say so myself ;)), I felt such a deep sense of the love God has for her and how badly he wants her to come back home to him.  As missionaries, everything we do is because of love.  We love God, so we keep his commandments, and try to help others do the same.  We love Jesus Christ, so we bare his name on our chest  and do our best to follow his example every day.  We love the people around us, so we do everything we can to serve them and help them to Come Unto Christ and feel the pure joy that comes from doing so.

Some of the purest joys I've ever felt have been as I've had the opportunity to see the changes and growth that people experience as they come unto Christ.  ES INCREÍBLE. Wow.

On a much less spiritual note, the Thanksgiving spirit was strong in Argentina this week!   When I say "Thanksgiving Spirit," however, I am not talking about the overflowing feeling of gratitude for everything we've been blessed.  On the contrary, I'm talking about the part where everyone eats way to much food and then goes into a food coma.  Though the lovely people of Argentina don't celebrate this holiday, they fed us SO MUCH FOOD this week.  During our Thanksgiving feast on Monday, Elder Heaton instituted algo que llamamos "The Tongan Method."  

Step 1: eat a sufficient amount of food.  Step 2: want more food.  Step 3: realize that you definitely don't need more food.  Step 4: decide to eat more anyway.  Step 5: seated, begin to rotate the upper half of your body in circular motion from right to left.  Step 6: pause for approximately 3.5 minutes. Step 7: Continue eating in peace.

According to Elder Heaton, this is how Tongans eat so much.  I dunno if it actually works, but if you give it the ole college try, let me know how it goes!  Twice this week, we were in situations in which Hermanas were giving us lunch, and they just gave us a LOT.  The thing is, with the culture here, they get offended if we don't eat it all!  Usually, we don't have any problems with that, but this week was something else.  When the Sisters turned their backs, Hna. Pyatt and I would look at each other with expressions of, "OH MY GOODNESS THIS IS DEMASIADO" and then we would just start moving in circular motion until the Sisters turned back around, and we would appear completely normal.  The Tongan Method. 

As we have no entered the lovely month of December, I invite you all of LIGHT THE WORLD.   Every day, there are little acts of service that you can do every day this month to make the world a better place!! If you visit https://www.comeuntochrist.org/light-the-world, you can find a service calendar to give you ideas of what to do each day!!  That's great for people like me, because it does all of brainstorming for ya, you just have to ACT!!!!!  So, will you??  Will you do your part this Christmas season to LIGHT THE WORLD????? Alma 37:6 says, "Now ye may suppose that this is foolishness in me; but behold I say unto you, that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass; and small means in many instances doth confound the wise."  God can work mighty miracles through all of us!!  If you are willing to pitch in to Light the World, send me a thumbs-up emoji!!!  

Guys, God is so good.  He LOVES you.  He has so many blessings for you!!!!  HAVE AN INCREDIBLE WEEK. YOU ARE SO SO LOVED!! DON'T FORGET IT.

--HERMANA MCNIVEN☀

*Cool Beans.

Hermana McNiven's Emails - Book 2 Chapter 8: Well, That was a Falta de Sabiduría

Well folks, hold your hats!  This chapter is going to be full of exciting stuff!!!  

If I were to actually write about everything that happened in the span of this week, this chapter would be the length of all of the other 7 chapters combined.  Needless to say, I'll spare you all. I will, however, give you a highlight reel.  

Music has been a very prominent part of this chapter of my life!  (A real shocker, am I right?)  On Friday morning, we journeyed out into the world earlier than usual(at 8:30 instead of 9:30) and made our way downtown, walking fast, toward the Concordia Town Hall for an Inter-Faith event!   For the first time ever, the Church of Jesus Christ  of Latter-Day Saints was invited to participate in this event, and we, as missionaries, were asked to represent the church in a missionary choir!  YOU HEARD ME RIGHT!!!!!  AND GUESS WHO GOT TO DIRECT THE AFOREMENTIONED CHOIR???  If you guessed Mack Wilberg, Barb Lewis, Mr. Weiseman, John Rutter, Katrina McNiven, or Eric Whitacre, ya missed it by THAT much.  If I can one day be grouped with such directors, I'll know I've made it.   I got to lead two practices and one performance and it was SO MUCH FUN.  If you've never directed a choir before, I WOULD HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT.  You can start out by joining a choir--BOTH ARE INCREDIBLE.  SERIOUSLY.  I'm convinced there is actual magic involved.  There's something magnificent about lots of different people, from different walks of life, with different levels of experience, different voices, and different strengths, come together to create music.  My favorite part about directing choirs is being able to witness the growth and progress that people make as individuals and as a choir.  WOW.   Later that day, Sister Frazier came up to me and said, "You did a REALLY great job directing us today!  I really think that that's what you need to do for a living.  I think you need to be a choir director!"  Looks like I'm headed toward the right line of work!

As a missionary, I feel this same joy as we see individuals change and grow as people!  There is no greater joy than helping people get to know their Savior and watching his Atonement work in their life.  Everyone always seems to view change negatively, but the opportunity to repent, change, grow, and progress is THE BIGGEST BLESSING.  Growth and change are GOOD!!!  EMBRACE THE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK ON YOUR FAULTS AND IMPROVE YOURSELF EVERY DAY.

On Tuesday, we had the honor to meet a NINETY-SIX YEAR OLD WOMAN.  Oh my goodness.  BUT HERE'S THE KICKER.  AT 96, SHE STILL PLAYS PIANO.  She invited us into her house and she started playing for us!!!!!   She played two of her own pieces for us- "Lágrimas de Amor" y "Cuando Concordia Lloró."  Not only did she play for us, but she also asked us to sing them too!!  AND WE HAD SUCH A BLAST.  Afterward, we sang "I am a Child of God" and taught her and her nurse that they have a Heavenly Father who loves them.  It's really incredible how that knowledge alone, changes EVERYTHING.  Everything becomes easier when we know and understand that God loves and knows us PERSONALLY.  He's always there for you, I promise.  

This was a week of lots of REALLY hilarious moments, including(but not limited to): a parody of "Jesus Take the Wheel(barrow)", a man who said, "Soy ateo, Gracias a Dios," teaching a man about the Book of Mormon on the side of the street, reading Romans 14:2 and laughing because vegans, hearing the story of two Elders in our zone who's apartment got robbed(THIS STORY MADE ME LAUGH FOR A SOLID 15 MINUTES), LOTS of really quick rejections(life advice: if missionaries of the Church of Jesus Christ knock on your door, do me a favor and hear them out!), and the official coinage of the phrase, "Well, that was a falta de sabiduría!"  The document officializing this coinage says,

 "I would like to document the coinage of a new phrase, on this, the 24th of November, in the year of our Lord, two-thousand and nineteen.  I hereby coin the phrase, "Well, that was a falta de Sabiduría!"  The usage of this phrase is deemed acceptable in a widespread variety of situations and occasions, usually when an act of tontería in manifested to the masses. *Let it be known that "the masses" can refer to one or more people, who are either present at the time of the tontería or participate in the recognition of the aforementioned tontería after the fact." 

*If any of my beloved readers would like more elaboration on any of the goings-on mentioned in the Highlight Reel, please email my secretary at jessica.mcniven@missionary.com, and further explanation will be sent personally to the person who makes the request.  Ask and ye shall receive!*

We are truly seeing miracles here in Concordia.  FAITH IS POWERFUL.  I challenge you all to act on your faith this week!!!!   TRUST IN THE LORD THAT AS YOU OBEY HIS COMMANDMENTS AND FOLLOW THE EXAMPLE OF HIS SON, JESUS CHRIST, HE WILL TRULY WORK MIRACLES IN YOUR LIFE!  

*NOTE FROM THE EDITOR: If at any point in time, any of our loyal readers would like to send anything to our lovely author, he or she can do so by sending emails to jessica.mcniven@missionary.org, or packages  IN THE NAME OF ELDER DREW GALBRAITH, or letters(with her actual name on them), to

Candido Pujato 3269 

 3000 Santa Fe

Santa Fe
Argentina.*

Thank you, and goodnight!

--HERMANA MCNIVEN☀

Hermana McNiven's Emails - Book 2 Chapter 7: Thanksgiving Is Coming!

I can not even begin to express my excitement on this fine Monday morning.  

LET ME TELL YOU WHY. 

Here in Concordia, Argentina, WE ARE SO BLESSED.  We have the great great blessing of having a Senior Missionary Couple from the United States serving with us here!!!!!!  I'll elaborate.  WE ARE GOING TO HAVE A FULL ON THANKSGIVING DINNER EXACTLY ONE WEEK FROM TODAY.  AND WE ARE COUNTING DOWN THE DAYS. In a world of empanadas, pasta, milanesas, and guiso,  the 7 of us Americans here in Concordia ARE PUMPED that Hna. Frazier is going to make homemade STUFFING for us, along with turkey(if she can find some)!!!  I think every single day before going to bed I've made some comment about how excited I am for us to have our Thanksgiving all together, with real Thanksgiving food!!  Each companionship is going to bring a dish, and it's going to be a BLESSED DAY.

It has a been a truly lovely week here in Concordia! Hna. Pyatt and I have found that we have a LOT in common.  And when I say a lot, I mean a LOT.  Down to our favorite fruit!  We started a tradition of singing together every night before going to bed, and it's WONDERFUL!!!!!!  As we washed dishes the other day, we sang our favorite jazz songs together and it was a truly beautiful moment.  MUSIC BRINGS PEOPLE TOGETHER, LEMME TELL YA!!!  

I also had a really fun opportunity to lead a choir rehearsal with all of the Missionaries in Concordia!!!  We are going to sing in a inter-religious event on Friday in a plaza!!  It is going to be very interesting for us as missionaries, because we won't be allowed to proselyte like normal, but we will be able to share our love for Christ as we sing, "Grande Eres Tú" to the people of Concordia.  It's amazing how music can truly touch people's hearts!!!  I sure am grateful for the impact music has had on my life!!!!!!

This week, as the heat has intensified(just to help set the scene) and my desire to improve has grown everyday, my thoughts have been continually returning to the sacrifice of my Savior, Jesus Christ.  The Atonement of Jesus Christ is the key to everything.  Every part of the gospel hinges upon his great love and sacrifice for us.  If we understand his loving sacrifice, we can truly understand the importance of every part of the gospel of Jesus Christ.  As disciples of Jesus Christ, we strive to follow the example of Jesus Christ every day.  I know that Faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement, constant repentance, baptism by the restored priesthood or authority of God, receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost, and continuing everyday to endure to the end is the only way to  have the opportunity to live in his presence with our families forever.  I know that was a long sentence, but take a second and re-read it.  This is the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and I truly know that this is the way to find true "peace in this world and eternal life in the world to come." (Doctrine and Covenants 59:23).

I exhort you all to never forget the great sacrifice of our big brother who loves us SO much, and our Father who gave us this plan for our own happiness!!!   Especially with Christmas coming soon, don't forget the reason we celebrate.  As we truly center our lives on Jesus Christ and truly try everyday to be more like him, we will find true JOY.  I can promise you that, but you don't need to just take my word for it.  Test it out for yourself.  Dedicate yourself to becoming more like your Savior and following his example, and you will see the difference for yourself. 

May we all truly appreciate all of our blessings this week-- whether it be easy-access to peanut butter/bacon/turkey, music, health, the nearness of our loved ones, mothers who cook really well, the smile of a friend, or the great blessing of the Atonement.  God loves you so much!!  There's a reason I say that a lot!  (It's not just a cool thing kids say these days, contrary to what you may think😉.)  It's because it is REALLY TRUE, and it's knowledge that changes everything!  Let his love change you!!!!!!!!  

Also, please anticipate Thanksgiving with the appropriate level of excitement for me, okay?

THANKS FOR JOINING ME FOR ANOTHER CHAPTER!

--HERMANA MCNIVEN☀

Hermana McNiven's Emails - Book 2 Chapter 6: I Killed a Woman

 DISCLAIMER: I DIDN'T ACTUALLY KILL A WOMAN.   Now I can continue in peace.

BELOVED READERS!  I'm delighted to inform you all that this, the second book of my autobiographical series, will continue for at least 6 more chapters!  Hold your hats!  *insert the voice of  the shrunken head on the Knight Bus* It's going to be a bumpy ride!

Now, let me calm your souls by explaining a little bit of mission lingo.  For missionaries, our mission is like a life. The area in which we start our mission is our "birthplace" and our first trainer is our "Mom." (Or "Dad" for the Elders.) Lemme tell ya, we have full-on family trees and it's intense.  Just as every life eventually ends, every mission has to come to an end eventually!  Therefore, the end of the mission is "Death."  The most important thing to explain(in order to clear my name of any possible warrants that have been sent for my arrest) is that the last companion that a missionary has before going home, "kills" them.  As my first Transfer(Every 6 weeks is one transfer.  At the end of each transfer, there's a possibility that we'll change companions or areas, or stay the same!) came to an end, my beloved Mamá, Hermana Liencura, took her final breaths, said her final word, "MATENLONS," and bid this world goodbye.  Her funeral was very tierno, even though it was by my hand that she perished. 

In other news, I have a new Madrastra(stepmom!) who will finish my training here in Concordia for the next 6 weeks!  BUT HERE'S THE KICKER: I ALREADY KNOW HER.  This mission is pretty dang big, and there was only ONE single person that I knew before arriving in the mission, and her name is Hna. Pyatt!!!!   We met as little 14/15 year olds at EFY(A church camp), FIVE YEARS AGO, and now we're companions!  The chances of this happening weren't very high, but here we are, and we are PUMPED.

As it was the last week of my Mom's life, it was VERY very busy, but miracles never cease in the work of the Lord.  Allow me to recount some of these mini milagros de la semana. 

 1. I'm starting to be recognized as a German, and not as a Yankee!  Shoutout to my Oma!!!  As we were walking into a store the other day, I paused because I thought I heard someone speaking in English!  I listened again, and made out the words, "YOU ARE GERMAN."  Slightly puzzled, I told him that my grandma is indeed from Germany, and he began to tell me about many years that he spent in Spain and Germany. He said, "I know a German face when I see one."  So there ya have it!  Hna. Liencura confirmed to me after a few days, "Yeah, I think he's right!  You look more like a German than a Yankee."  VAMOS.

2. IT DIDN'T RAIN A SINGLE TIME. (See Book 2, Chapter 5 for context).

3. Yesterday, (On 11/11- I hope you all enjoyed the good luck of the day, and wished a great great wish!) we finally found a girl named Sofía who I met a MONTH ago, but could never find her address!!  HOLD YOUR HORSES AND LET ME EXPLAIN HOW MUCH OF A MIRACLE THIS WAS.  Lemme tell ya, the Holy Spirit of the Lord is POWERFUL.  We were walking down a very wide street yesterday morning, and I vaguely noted that someone had passed on the other side of the street heading in the opposite direction.  We kept walking for another minute or so, and I just stopped dead in my tracks with the STRONGEST  feeling that it had been Sofía.  I hadn't seen her face at all, and really didn't have anything physical to tell me that it was her, but I KNEW.  As soon as the thought entered my head, I knew for sure that it was her and that I needed to talk to her.  We turned around and we began to RUN!  They were a block and a half ahead of us at this point, so we zoomed to catch up to them!  When the Lord wants you to talk to someone, you talk to them.  We were able to visit them later that day and share a little bit about our message with them, and IT WAS SO WONDERFUL!!!  We'll be going back this week and I am very excited to get to know her more!

4. The Book of Mormon is seriously the best book.  I've learned more from it than all of the other books that I've read, combined.  There is no limit to the knowledge and inspiration we can receive from studying the word of God.  If you're feeling any lack or peace or comfort in your life, I invite you to read the Book of Mormon.  If you need hope to continue, I invite you to read the Book of Mormon.  If you want to come closer to Christ, you guessed it, I invite you to read the Book of Mormon.  It changes lives.  

5. MY NEW COMPANION SINGS, LOVES JAZZ, AND HAS MANY OF THE SAME PHILOSOPHIES AS ME IN REGARDS TO MUSIC, VIBRATO, AND OPERA. 

Moral of the story, there are milagros everywhere.  I've learned a lot this week about trusting in the Lord to work his miracles.  We're merely instruments in his hands and we need to trust that he knows what he's doing.  He is orchestrating more in your life than you know!  I promise you, he's got your back!  When we remember that we have a Heavenly Father who loves us, we have no reason to fear. 

PLEASE DON'T KILL ANYONE THIS WEEK, OKAY? 

--HERMANA MCNIVEN ☀

Hermana McNiven's Emails - Book 2 Chapter 5: Miracles, Families, and Rain!

Let's talk a little bit about rain. 

Rain is one of my most favorite things in the entire world.  I love everything about it!! There's so much joy in playing in the rain, jumping in puddles, and feeling pure liberation as drops of water fall freely from the sky.  

NOW, let's talk about Argentinians.  Argentinians are a really CHILL people.  If there is any type of inclement weather, they'll close their shops, stay home from work, and just hang out with their families while drinking mate.  That sounds pretty great, right???  Well, allow me to tell you about the one thing that gets in between me and my love of the rain.  In Argentina, if it rains at all, NO ONE COMES TO CHURCH.  As missionaries, we invite others to come unto Christ and help them strengthen their faith and testimonies in order to make covenants with God.  The thing is,  that's VERY difficult if you don't come to church to be uplifted, edified, and feel the love of the Lord.  Therefore, when I learned that it was supposed to rain on Sunday, WE STARTED PRAYING SO HARD!!!!!!  We truly want all of the people we're teaching to feel God's love and to be able to come closer to Christ, so, for the very first time in my life, I prayed that it wouldn't rain, even though all signs pointed to a torrential downpour.  AND GUESS WHAT, GOD ANSWERS PRAYERS.  We were SO happy when we woke up on Sunday to BLUE SKIES!!!! WOOHOO!!!  Several of the people we are teaching were able to come to church and in doing so, strengthen their relationship with the Lord!!!

Other than the miracle of the lack of rain,  it was a week FULL of inspiration, love, and MILAGROS.  We have been meeting LOADS of people, trying to find the people who are looking for the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and are prepared to receive it, and this week we had so many miracles in regards to finding the aforementioned people!!  A man named Juan Carlos began coming to church all on his own, and has truly felt uplifted and loved by the Lord.  A woman named Nicol told us that she wants to be baptized, because she has come to church and truly felt closer to Christ!  We are going to begin to teach her so she can grow in her testimony and be ready to make sacred covenants with the Lord!!  

The biggest thing that has been so present in my thoughts and heart this week is the importance of FAMILIES.  My family is the reason I am here.  On Friday night, we had a Noche de Hogar(Family Home Evening- in which we talk about a principle of the Gospel, play a game, and eat a refreshment.  It's a super great time to learn in families and strengthen relationships with each other and with the Lord!)  We talked all about families and the opportunity that the Gospel of Jesus Christ gives us to be sealed to our families for eternity.  I told them all about the day of Jimmer's baptism and how it was truly one of the happiest days of my life.  The reason it was so happy was because we were all together, worshipping the Lord together, and celebrating the baptism of Jimmer.  There was NO fighting or anything, and we felt true, pure joy.  As we prayed all together before the baptism, I felt the Spirit of the Lord so strongly and so purely.  When Bishop Cooper said, "I think this is what Heaven is going to be like, with families reunited," I couldn't agree more.  That moment gave me a glimpse into what is possible for all of us if we make the covenants necessary, and live in the manner necessary to return to the presence of our Heavenly Father. I felt the Spirit SO SO strongly as I recounted this to them, (Almost to the point of crying! LOCO, I know!) and I was filled with such love.  This is why I am here.  I'm serving a mission so people can have the opportunity to be with their families forever, and that brings me such PURE JOY.  I know that there can be no greater blessing than to be with our families in the presence of God, and there is no purer joy.

May we all cherish our families, jump in some puddles, SMILE, and recognize all of the little miracles in our lives everyday this week!   I promise that they are there!!!  God is working miracles in your life, and I know you'll be able to see them if you only look!!!!!  He loves you, and I LOVE YOU ALL!!!!!!!!   

--HERMANA MCNIVEN☀

Hermana McNiven's Emails - Book 2 Chapter 4: Elections and Torrential Downpours

Hello, and welcome back to my autobiography! 

As I sit here writing this chapter, my mind is COMPLETELY blank.  My life as a missionary has started to blur together a bit, but in the best way, I assure you!  

*Insert a pre-apology for the shortness of this email here*

A long time ago(yesterday), in a land far, FAR, away(that part's true), there lived a young Missionary named Hermana McNiven.   On this fine Sunday morning, after WONDERFUL church meetings, Hermana McNiven and her companion, Hermana Liencura embarked on a journey.  On any other day, the aforementioned journey would have taken about 15 minutes on foot, but yesterday was not any old day.  As they left the safety of the chapel, the downpour began.  Not only did the rain begin very abruptly, but it soon after began to HAIL un montón. If you know me, you know that RAIN IS LITERALLY MY FAVORITE WEATHER EVER.  YOU BET YOUR BISCUIT I PLAYED IN THE RAIN SHAMELESSLY.  Needless to say, our journey took 45 minutes instead of 15!  

The other thing that made our day anything but ordinary is the fact that after 4 years of political tumult in Argentina, it was election day!!  Since we have no access to news or anything of the sort, we don't really know much about anything that is going on in the country, let alone the world!  But it was election day, and at about 11 at night, we learned that the votes had been counted and a New President had been appointed.  How did we learn this, you may ask?  It began with the sound of percussion--faint at first, but with increasing intensity and strength.  It was followed by the sound of car horns.  Once it began, it did not stop.  For a HOT MINUTE, cars drove slowly through the street, honking their horns, while cheering and shouting.  Soon, a crowd of people began to follow these cars, each person with his or her own personal Argentinian flag, and lots of patriotism!   This continued all night.  I may not have slept much, but the people of Argentina are very happy!!!  

I felt such a pure happiness this week as well, but not because of the political changes in this country.  I learned SO much this week, and that's what fills me with joy.  It's not the kind of knowledge you get from going to school or from practicing an ability, but it's one that comes from prayer and study of scriptures and the words of Prophets of God.   I had a very eye-opening study and determined that I need to learn to TRULY love people as Christ loves people.  Charity is the pure love of Christ.I have come to a knowledge of the importance of growth, change, and being diligent in study and prayer in order to learn to develop this divine trait of Christ.  I know that as every one of us seeks to grow in charity, and learns to think first of others, instead of ourselves, we will come closer to Christ.  As we come closer to Christ, we WILL feel joy.  I promise you that.  Joy comes from Christ.  If you remember anything from this chapter, remember that.

You are so loved!!!!  May every one of you, beloved readers, have a growing experience this week!!  But, I'd like to remind you, growth never came easy.  AND THAT'S OKAY!!!!!  We have to experience hard things to grow, so look at everything that happens in your life as an opportunity for learning and growth!!!  

I love you and God loves you!!!  

--HERMANA MCNIVEN☀

Hermana McNiven's Email - Book 2 Chapter 3 Salutations

Hola todos! Today, I am going to give you all a glimpse into what it's like to be a blonde/blue-eyed American in Argentina.  

First of all, some background information.  You guys know me as a human being, so this won't come as a surprise, but I LOVE people.  Even before I was a missionary, I would greet everyone I saw, and wish them a good night/day/afternoon etc, and I have continued this practice as a missionary.  PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT: IF I GREET YOU AND WISH YOU A LOVELY DAY, I'M NOT JUST BEING POLITE. I GENUINELY WANT YOU TO HAVE THE BEST DAY. 

Every day, we walk the streets, meeting lots and LOTS of people, visiting families and individuals, and looking for the people who are prepared to receive the message of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.  In accordance with who I am as a human being, I greet EVERY single person we pass.  BUT HERE'S THE KICKER.  THEY NEVER RESPOND. Ya see, when you greet someone on the street, or in passing, there's a very small window of opportunity for a response. Here's how it usually goes: 

HNA. MCNIVEN: *walking on the street*  *Gets pumped because someone is coming from the opposite direction*  *SMILES*

"¡Hola!" or "¡Buen Día!" or "¿Qué tal?" or "¡Buenas Tardes!" or "¡Buenas Noches!" or "¿Cómo le va?" or "¿Cómo anda?" (I could continue, but I think you get the idea😉.)

(INSERT WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY HERE)

ARGENTINIAN: *looks at me* *realizes that I'm definitely not Argentinian* *gives me a really weird look--usually a mix of confusion, curiosity, and more confusion.* *wonders where I'm from*

And TIME!  The window of Opportunity has passed!  If I had a dollar for every time this has happened to me in the past three weeks, I would be WEALTHY.  It is HYSTERICAL.  We started a game of "How Many People Does Hermana McNiven Have To Greet Before Someone Responds?"  IT'S RIVETING.  We average about 20 every time!  The things Missionaries do as a means of entertainment.😂  I've learned that it really is true that we can't experience true joy without opposition or having experienced some kind of suffering.  Now, I'm not saying I've been suffering because people don't greet me in the street, BUT, because this is the case ALMOST all of the time, my joy is so much greater when someone DOES greet me!!!   If everyone in the street responded to my salutations, it wouldn't make my day so easily because it would just be normal!  So that's the lesson of the day!!!  Opposition in all things!!  If bad things never happened in life, we would never know true joy because we had never known sorrow!  

We are blessed, however, with two guaranteed responses every day!  We live right next to the governor of Concordia, who has a 24/7 police watch in front of his door.  No matter what, they ALWAYS respond to us as we leave our pensión cada mañana, and as we return every night! Tender Mercies.  Shoutout to Entre Ríos Policia!  

It was a crazy week in Concordia, Argentina, and half of that craziness came from the fact that we weren't even in Concordia for half of the week!  On Thursday, we made the trek all the way back to Santa Fe from trámites.  What are Trámites, you may ask? Lemme tell ya.  Here's the short version: As missionaries, we start our time in Argentina with a three month tourist visa, so every few months throughout our mission, we have to go to the city and sign some papers to renew our visas.  As Concordia is the area furthest from Santa Fe, it's a several day long endeavor, and it was a BLAST.  Apart from really long bus rides, we got to catch up with lots of the missionaries we arrived with, and share stories and experiences from the past three weeks.  Though I absolutely LOVE the Spanish language, there's something so comforting about speaking in your native language with people who are experiencing the exact same thing you are.  We laughed a LOT, and it was good for our souls.  Take some time to laugh today, okay?  It REALLY is good for your soul, and is a great release of stress or anything else you're holding in!   Apart from Trámites, we spent a lot of the week visiting with the members of our branch, and sharing messages with them!  Everyone needs a good uplifting every once in a while!!   We also taught two English classes this week instead of just one, and LEMME TELL YA.  I'm in the right field.  I love teaching and helping people grow in different skills and areas.  IT WAS SO MUCH FUN.  I can't even express it.  There was also one older lady who told us that we teach the "Wrong English" because we taught her to use the numbers to tell the time instead of saying, "Half past" or "Quarter Past."   I said, "Hermana, you can say it like that, but that can't be a replacement for learning the numbers.  It's very important that you learn how to count in English."  It was HILARIOUS.  She's a hoot😂

Another highlight of the week was making dulce de leche filled chocolates for Mother's Day!  I guess I was just a self-centered American, but before coming here, it had never crossed my mind that other countries have their own days for Mother's Day, Father's Day, etc!  We made chocolates for all of the Sisters in the branch, and they were pretty awesome, if I do say so myself.  On a COMPLETELY unrelated note, we're going to start a chocolate making business for Christmastime! ;)  

On Thursday, we had a really sweet experience that I'd like to share!  We went to the local hospital to visit a sister who has been having lots of health difficulties, and spent a little bit of time keeping her company.  Before leaving, we asked her if we could sing a hymn for her.  We sang her "Jesús es mi Luz" ("The Lord is my Light" in English).  As we sang, she began to cry as she pondered about her Savior.  I challenge you all to take time every day to think about the Savior.  If we let him in, he can be our light in the darkest times of our lives.  Life is hard, but you don't have to do it alone.  I promise he's always there with arms outstretched and a heart full of unconditional love for you.  :)  

At the conclusion of this chapter, I want to let you, beloved reader, in on a secret. Several secrets, actually!  First of all, Peruvian food is incredible.  There's a Sister in our branch who is like the Mother to the missionaries, and she's from Peru, and is such a blessing.  Second, you're super loved.  More than you know!  Third, learning languages is really cool.  10/10 would recommend.  Fourth, CHRISTMAS IS COMING SO SO SOON!!!!  THAT'S THE MOST IMPORTANT THING.  We've been listening to Christmas music and it fills my SOUL with pure joy.  We're preparing for lots of service projects and I'd encourage you to find things to do for others!!  The real secret is that joy comes when we focus on others and their needs and do our best to love and serve them!!  Seriously.  If you're having a day, serve someone else and you'll feel SUNSHINE IN YOUR SOUL.  Try it, and let me know how it goes.  

I love you all immensely and love hearing about all of YOUR adventures!!  I would highly recommend documenting your daily adventures in one way or another!  

Hug your Mom!!  It might be Mother's Day somewhere in the world!! 

--HERMANA MCNIVEN☀

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Hermana McNiven's Email - Book 2, Chapter 2: We Egged a Guy and Went to Uruguay

Hola y bienvenidos a capítulo 2!!! 

NOTE FROM THE EDITOR: This week, you are all in for a real treat!!   Our beloved Hermana McNiven has sent in a special installment of culture quirks from her experiences!  Enjoy!

CULTURE QUIRKS: 

1. Everyone has fences around their houses, so we don't knock on doors, WE CLAP!!!  

2.  Potable water is not as easily accessible as it is in the States!  Thus, we drink lots of Tang!  The Elders like to say, "Tang purifies water!"

3. Argentinians put WEIRD stuff on their pizzas!!  On my first day, we at pizza with fried eggs on it, as well as one that was almost like Hawaiian(Shoutout to my Pineapple lovers--yes it belongs on pizza), but the SWEET SWEET version!  Very interesting!

4. Everyone speaks in "Vos!"  As missionaries, we always speak in usted as a means of professionalism, but everyone else speaks in "vos" instead of "Tú."

5. ARGENTINIANS HAVE SOME CRAZY TRADITIONS.  For birthdays and graduations, they literally EGG the special person!  We experienced this when our district leader had his birthday this week!!  We called him outside, where we were lying in wait with eggs and flour.  When he walked through the doorway, we began to pelt him with eggs and throw flour all over him.  I'd also like to note that he was in a white shirt and tie.  Perdón.  It sounded muy cruel al principio, but it was HILARIOUS. 

6. The Siesta is Real!!  Students go to school in the morning, and then leave at about 12:30 to go home for a big lunch and the siesta!  BUT HERE'S THE THING: I always thought they go back to school after the siesta, but they don't!!  Their school days are just way shorter than ours! 

7. Mate. Mate is EVERYWHERE in Argentina.  Wherever you go, you'll see at least one person drinking their mate, or groups of people gathered to talk and drink mate.  This week, I tried mate for the first time and it was very interesting, to say the least!!  I've been told that the first time is never good, so that gave me some hope for my future in Argentina.  Hopefully I'll find one I like.😂

8. Lunch is the big meal of the day!!  During the time of the Siesta, from 12ish-2ish, families gather and eat together, much like dinner in the US.  Empanadas and Milanesas have been prominent in our diet for the past few weeks!

9. DULCE DE LECHE. Need I say more?  Usually, I'm someone who prefers salty things to sweet things, but DULCE DE LECHE IS SO GOOD.  I think I'm gonna have an addiction when I get home. (Chiste, but it's really good.)  I tried Dulce de Leche ice cream, and my life will never be the same.

10. Todos dicen "Dale" y "Che."  "Che" is pretty much the Argentinian version of "DUDE."  Hna. Liencura told me a chiste. ¿Cuál es la diferencia entre una vaca y una persona de Argentina?  La vaca da leche. El Argentina dice, "DALE CHE."

Amidst all of these crazy cultural differences, the biggest change that my mission has provided me with thus far is the opportunity to dedicate all of my time to the Lord.  WOW.  What an opportunity!  I've learned a lot about true happiness, and the source of all true happiness is Jesus Christ!!! I'D LIKE TO SCREAM IT FROM THE ROOFTOPS!!!!  So many people are looking for truly lasting happiness, and I know where to find it!!  In General Conference this past week(A big meeting broadcast through the world, in which we have the opportunity to hear the words of God through the living Prophet), President Russell M. Nelson said, "The Joy we feel has little to do with the circumstances of our lives and everything to do with the focus of our lives."  That is the truth.  VACA SAGRADA.  I promise you that it is possible to feel joy in our lives, even in the midst of all manner of difficulty.  

In other news, this week I accidentally almost ended up in Uruguay!!!  In the blistering heat, Hna. Liencura and I felt like Pioneers as we walked, and walked, and walked, and walked, and WALKED down one street looking for an address!! We were attempting to visit a woman in our branch(congregation) to see how she was doing, but it turns out that there is a street named N. Garat, and another named D. Garat!  Hindsight is 20/20.  We didn't notice this slight difference, and walked for almost an hour, with the sun beating down on us relentlessly.  Eventually, I looked ahead of us and saw a river. *Cue "I See A River" from Urinetown*  I turned to Hna. Liencura and asked her, "Is that Uruguay on the other side of that river?"  When she answered affirmatively, I said, "Hermana, I think we're going to arrive at the river before we get to this address:"  And it came to pass that that is exactly what happened!!  'Twas a grand adventure, and the costanera was very beautiful!!!!   Sadly, I didn't have my camera with me, so you'll just have to use your imagination!!  

I also would like to recognize a huge milestone in my mission!!  In the mission, we celebrate our cumplemes every month!  As of this week, I reached my very first CUMPLEMES, and I now have spent over a month as a missionary!!  Only 17 more!  

Grab ahold of every opportunity that comes your way this week!!  Share your happiness with those around you!!  Enjoy your experiences and spread your love and goodness.  As we reach out to those around us, we can all help to make the world a little bit better every day!!!!   Draw strength from your loved ones, and mostly, the person who loves you the most, your Heavenly Father!!!!

At the conclusion of this chapter, I'd like to direct you, Beloved Reader, to Youtube!!  If you look up "Book of Mormon Videos," you find some of the coolest videos ever.  A la sincera.  They're incredibly well done and really bring the Book of Mormon to life!! Whether you are familiar with the Book or Mormon or not, they're incredible!! They are short and depict the events of the Book of Mormon very accurately, and EXQUISITELY!!  They release a new video every Friday, and there are 4 already released!! Be sure to start with 1 Nephi 1-2 for no spoilers!!!  

I send my love from across the continents, and hope that you can always feel the love I have for each and every one of you!!!  I'd love to hear about you!!  If you've got any funny(or not funny) stories from this week(Or anytime, I'm openminded😉), I'd LOVE to hear them!!!  

...Oh, and Happy Columbus Day!!

--HERMANA MCNIVEN☀

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Hermana McNiven's Email - Book 2, Chapter 1: Movie Moments

Picture this: 13 american missionaries.  1 nine hour flight.  1 crazy drive through the city.  1 EXTREMELY fancy hotel and dinner.  1 3:30 AM wakeup.  The arrival of 3 missionaries from the Brazil MTC.  Yet another crazy busride through the city.  1 Flight, delayed 2 hours.  And FINALLY these 16 missionaries made it to Santa Fe.  It really was a movie moment.  We exited the airplane in to the crisp open air, with wind blowing very strongly!  The Lord blessed us, and the wind happened to be blowing in the opposite direction that we were walking, so our hair looked MAJESTIC.  Quite an arrival, if you ask me!!  We just needed some shades and a brief case to complete the moment.  But that's not all!!!  After lots of logistical things and trainings for a day and a half, 3 of those 16 missionaries, with their companions, embarked on yet ANOTHER journey to a city called...........CONCORDIA.  

After hours of anticipation, we finally recieved our companions and our areas!!   I'd now like to welcome a new character to the next few chapters of my book!!  *Insert Narrator Voice--Possibly Morgan Freeman?*  "Hermana Liencura hales from the distant land of Mar de Plata, Argentina.  After 16 months in the Santa Fe Argentina, she recieved some shocking news.  Her jaw dropped when she learned that she would be training a BRAND new missionary, most likely from the USA.  Fears filled her mind as she reflected on her lack of knowledge regarding the English language, and she prayed fervently that somehow, her future companion would speak Spanish."  And that's where I entered the picture!!!!  In her words, I was "An answer to her prayers," and she was an answer to mine!!!!  In just one week, I've learned that Hna. Liencura has the patience and selflessness of a SAINT.  Apart from that, I'm very grateful for her diligence.  I know that being diligent in the work of the Lord is the key to being a successful missionary, and enjoying all of the blessings the Lord has in stor for me.  OBEDIENCE IS WAY IMPORTANT, beloved readers!!!!  As the verse in John 14:15 says, "If ye love me, keep my commandments."  Obedience is a demonstration of our faith and our love for the Lord!!  One thing that has been very present in my thoughts this past week is that we need to ACT on our faith.  Faith without works is not TRUE faith.  I implore you all to reflect on yourself and your actions, and make sure your actions reflect your faith.  You will be blessed as you obey the Lord and act in faith. 

Anyhoo, I am currently serving in Concordia, Argentina!  It's about 5 hours from the mission home in Santa Fe, and is supposedly the poorest city in Argentina.  It is HUMBLING.  Lemme tell ya.  Every day, we talk to countless people who have So little, but who love so much.  We are so blessed.  Yesterday, a little boy said to me, "Why couldn't I have been born in the United States?" This led me to truly reflect on all of the rights and privileges we enjoy without a thought.  Don't take it for granted!!!!!!

The people here are SO kind.  WOW.  Every single person will talk to us, and so many of them give us their addresses, names, life stories, and everything, with an invitation to come back and tell them more about the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ!  Literally, I know more about some of the people I met this week than about some people I've known for years.  They are talkers. ;)  As a people, they are way more open and gnerally kind than Americans, for which I'm grateful!!!  Often, missionaries have lots of experiences with rejection and doors slammed in their faces, but so far, my experiences have been nothing but lovely!!!!!!  

As an American in Argentina, I get lots of funny looks, and lots of people who speak to me very slowly to make sure I understand and it's HILARIOUS to see their faces when I respond at normal spanish speed.  On my first day her in Concordia, a woman in our branch(congregation) told me that I speak better Spanish than she does!  I'm sure that's not the case, but it definitely boosted my confidence.  Shoutout to that Hermana!!  In regards to the themes of my last book, I regret to inform you all that I have not yet been granted the title of an "Argentinian."  I speak too much like a Mexican, and I'm not actually sad about it. 😉  So for now, I will retain the title of "MEXICANA!!!"  I will seek to retain this title for as long as I can.  I'm personally partial to a Mexican form of speaking, if ya couldn't tell. ;)  We'll see how long it lasts!! 

As a Missionary, I've never gotten more sleep, but I've still never been so tired!!!! We call it the exhaustion of immersing ourselves in the work of the Lord!!  What a great opportunity and blessing!!!!!  I love being here in Argentina!!!!  I love greeting every woman we meet with a kiss on the cheek, talking to EVERYONE,  saying "¿Cómo anda?" instead of "¿Cómo Está?" and feeling the love of the Lord for each and every person we meet.  IT'S THE GREATEST.  I'm grateful to be here!!!  

One of my new favorite things is to say, "Con los pies" when people ask "¿Cómo anda?".  If you don't speak Spanish, look it up and you'll understand why it makes me chuckle.  I hope you all have some wonderful movie moments yourself this coming week!!!  My love for you all is IMMENSE, and I'm grateful to have your loving support!!  Until next Chapter.....   *INSERT STATIC*

--HERMANA MCNIVEN☀