It was so much better than Christmas because we had a good connection and she wasn't hot and tired and frustrated. She seemed like she had bounced back from her terrible week last week. When I asked her if she was all better from being sick, she had forgotten that she had even been sick! That was a good sign. Apparently the men in Argentina wear their hair long in back and even a rat tail that goes down the back and many have piercings in their upper lips. Many of them think she is from Beunos Aires because her first several companions were from there and so that's the accent that she has developed.
She knew we would want to hear her speak spanish so she actually prepared something for us! She had translated a funny youtube video "Ain't nobody got time fo dat" and did it for us first in English, then in Spanish! It was awesome and cracked us up! Tess is quite the performer. :)
Her and her companion have fun whistling hymns while they walk and even whistle in harmony. Tess is the only one in the whole branch who sings harmony during the sacrament hymns. Everyone looks at her funny. They have no choir and no one knows how to harmonize. They play frisbee and basketball at the church sometimes on p-day. Her charity shoes are holding up pretty well, but the color is rubbing off the front already. She is going to have a hard time sitting still when she gets home since she is so used to walking everywhere all day every day.
She asked the kids to make lists of movies, videos, songs that she's missed. She also wants to know what's in style to wear when she gets home.
They have a new investigator (which is a MIRACLE!). His name is Johni and he texted them the other day and said he wants to learn more about the church!! He was on a trip visiting his mom, so he went to church where he was yesterday, but set up an appointment to meet with them today! She is really excited and we have been praying for Johni. They also found this older lady the other day and she wanted them to guess how old she was and Tess figured she was about 90 so she guessed young and said 82. The lady made a face and said she was only 79. Tess was glad she guessed low!! She was going to have a tour of the church but she cancelled.
She told us a couple funny stories,
When they were at general conference they were watching it in English with the other Gringas and this young guy comes and looks through the windows and tries to get their attention and asks to talk to them. They invite him in and he was really nervous and excited and tells them that his girlfriend isn't a member but she had been watching conference with him and she loved everything she heard and wants to get baptized. But they aren't from here but he wanted them to have a lesson on the restoration and Joseph Smith and get her a Book of Mormon before they head back to where the girlfriend lives. Tess and her companion couldn't teach her that night because they had another appointment but the other sister missionaries did, then a few weeks ago Tess ran into her old companion, Hermana Saenz, and she told Tess that she had a baptism of a girl who had seen conference with her boyfriend and was so excited and wanted to get baptized and they were going to get married and then sealed in the temple. And Tess told her, she was there when the boyfriend hunted down the missionaries during conference! Such a happy ending!! :)
Then she told us about a time when 3 of the white hermanas and 1 from Peru were heading to an activity in another town and had to take a bus there. Tess and her companion were on the bus already (they had split up for lunch) and they saw the other sisters get on the front of the bus and talk to the driver, but the driver told them this bus didn't go where they were wanted to go, but Tess was way in the back and knew it was the right bus, so she stands up and starts yelling at them in English "sisters, get back on the bus!! What are you doing? Get back on the bus!!" The sister from Peru saw her finally and heard her but had no idea what Tess was saying because she was yelling in English. Tess couldn't figure out why she was just giving Tess the blank stare and not getting on the bus! Everyone was staring at the crazy American standing up and yelling in English. Then the other sister, Hermana Sanford, finally noticed Tess yelling and they got on the bus, but they went in the back doors and forgot to pay and sat down and Tess yelled at them to go up and pay, then they were on their way!
Tess says that the food is still boring and that for desert they only have a banana or an orange. No one bakes or makes cookies. She can't wait to eat out at all her favorite restaurants and make real food again but plans on working hard and having a great last 3 months!
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| The Crawfords, Koskis, Wilsons and Halls all chatting with Tess. |
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| Family "togetherness" |
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| Claire and Lucy up close and personal with Hermana Crawford while Chloe snaps a few pictures. |
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| Our favorite missionary! |
Hey everyone, tanto tiempo eh?
It was awesome to get to see/talk to everyone yesterday! It was a lot better than the Christmas call haha. Everyone looked great and happy. I hope everyone had a great Día de la Madre. I'm glad you liked the stories and are working on those lists for me! The sweet brown impression wasn't the best I've done at all- my voice squeaked a lot because I was nervous but I guess it could've been worse. I really am better though, thanks for the support and everything you guys are the best. I think most missionaries have been having it rough recently- we only had 28 baptisms last month and there's like 200 missionaries. It's all good though, what Pte. Holland said in his talk is 100% true.
So I don't really have a ton to write about. We did have an activity on Saturdaythat was pretty cool. We pulled our little cart around San Martin park and talked about self sufficiency. It really was hilarious to see them in their pioneer clothes and with their mate. It was a fun day and we got to know our members more! Today should be a good one too, I'll let you know how things go with Johni. I think we're just going to chill and drink mate or something.
Can't wait to see you all for real in 92 days! Get ready to party!
Love,
Hna Crawford
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| our Stake Pioneer activity this Saturday- this is our ward's handcart that our bishop built |
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| las hermanas from our ward! |
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| I'm gonna miss my new favorite soda H2Oh! |
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| I seriously think I should get an award for this picture of an Argentine Pioneer. Classic. I'm sure the pioneers drank mate, right? |
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| more from the activity: our ward in front of the "temple" |
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| Locro, our lunch. It was like a stew of white beans, corn, chorrizo, and pig skin I think..? |
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| All of the hnas gathered around listening to our Bishop speak about self-sufficiency |
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| Mother's Day!! |
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| best meal of my LIFE |
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| she made butternut squash pie because pumpkins don't exist here.. it turned out pretty well actually |
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| touched an iphone (Hna Ashby's) for the first time in 15 months |
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| I looked out the window and what did I see.. |
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