Spiritual Confirmations - Cleaning - Salsa November 3, 2014

This week has honestly been a good week. Let me start out with why. First. I have had some great spiritual confirmations. I have spent most of my life thinking about what a mission was going to be like and feel like. I especially focused on this right before I came. And then I got here, and it wasn't like that at all. But this week I was having a hard time with that. And then I just realized, well, this is it. This is mission. Live it. It's only what you make. it. I realized, I can make it how I thought it would be. So I have been doing that. Just reminding myself, "this is mission, live it!". It has helped so much!

Secondly. Elder Dzowa acts super depressed sometimes. Okay, most of the time. So I just thought  "Why am I letting that bother me? Just because he is acting depressed, doesn't mean I need to act depressed." Being happy is a personal thing. A personal decision. I can choose for myself whether I want to be happy or not, regardless of how Elder Dzowa is acting. So I have been a lot happier. 

Elder Richards and Dzowa

Third. I just decided that I don't have to stress over the little things. I have been making a big deal out of things that don't matter. So I have been working on not letting those things matter. Don't sweat the small stuff.

Alright. So a few things you should be aware of. Supposedly, the postal strike is supposed to be over today. I don't think it is. But I was able to send letters home. I pray that you get them. But who knows, thanks to the wonderful world of African postal services. But there should be one for, Mom and Dad, Matthew, Lauren and Chase, Rachel, Micah, and Taylor ( I don't know her address so I just send them to you). And then one to Morgan, but I do know her address. So yeah.

This week, I kind of went on a cleaning rampage. Like that's new. At least for me as a missionary. I am kind of a clean freak. But I realized that cleaning is kind of a release, I can just forget for a second. Like I said cleaning FREAK. I clean for odd reasons. But I feel more comfortable in a clean flat, and it makes things easier. I can't describe it. So anyway. One night we had like all of our appointments cancel. So we decided to go clean the flat. Yeah. We went home and I cleaned the flat. Alone. Oh well. But I had a few cleaning tips from the office couples. Did you know that window cleaner is like an all around cleaner! It works for EVERYTHING! Especially grease. Which there happens to be a lot of in missionary flats. Because some missionaries think they can only fry food. Anyway. Steel wool and window cleaner became my best friends this week. Now our flat is great. Elder Dzowa asked me where I learned to clean. Said that he has never had a companion that has cleaned like me. He was very confused. But thankful at the same time. I mean, who wouldn't be! He has been living in that flat his whole mission, and it has NEVER looked like it does now! Haha! Plus it's way easier to keep clean now.

Alright. Now to Salsa. I have taken after you mother. I have been making home made salsa! It doesn't compare to yours. But it's good! Salsa here is hard to find. Well Mexican food is hard to find. Anyway. I just realized, I can make my own salsa! Mexican food is pretty much a hit here. Since it is found almost no where. So yesterday night I cooked for the Ndlovu family. I made tacos. They were very impressed. I mean, tacos are like the easiest thing in the world. But they deemed me the best cook they know! Haha! And they kept asking what and when I was going to cook again. Anyway. I also made my own version of queso dip (I have no clue how to spell that. Please fix it before you send it out!). Anyway. They don't have easy melt cheese here, or canned chili. So I had to be creative. I got some cheap cheddar cheese, which is pretty much easy melt cheese, and a can of baked beans (they have these cans that are "baked beans in tomato sauce") and then put some salsa in it. Then added a little bit of taco meat. It turned out really good actually. I also made home made guacamole. Because they guacamole seasoning packets they have in this area aren't good. It was a good dinner. Oh! I also found real tortilla chips! That was a plus for me!

South African Salsa

Nachos

So President Dunn has had this revelation that we need to have food storage. So I now have a big bag of rice and a big thing of water. Each missionary is supposed to have their own food storage by then end of this transfer. Which consists of basically what I bought. I hope that it isn't really revelation. But I just figured, he is the mission president, better listen. If something happens, great, I'm prepared. If not, even better.

So Wilkinson will be coming home at the end of November. He is taking thing home for me. I have a few things to send. Do you want anything specific? 

Lastly. There is a sweet family that told us yesterday that they signed up on our feeding calendar to have us over for Christmas Eve. I am very excited actually. I just feel loved. Which is nice. It will be good. 

So this week we have had some interesting experiences. We are teaching this very old lady named Doreen. She doesn't really speak English very well. The Elder I replaced is South African and was breaking the rules, and teaching her in their language, Zulu. But now he is gone and Elder Dzowa and I don't speak Zulu. So we have been struggling to teach her. But I, deep down, honestly think she should be baptized. Anyway she stays with another old couple. They are members. The member lady, Sister Mathebe has been VERY sick. We went over on Saturday and she couldn't even get out of bed. But they drug her out so we could give her a blessing. I seriously thought she was going to die. I thought I was going to be giving her her last blessing. Anyway. We gave her the blessing and went back to check on her on Sunday. And she was doing so much better. She couldn't even remember that we were there. They kept saying she was at the door of the spirit world. I truly believe she was. Anyway. She is doing much better now. I think it's because of her faith. She really has amazing faith.

We are also teaching this 18 year old kid. Ambassador. He is cool. Reads everything we give him. Very excited to get baptized. He should be baptized on the 16th of this month. He is a cool kid. 

Last Friday I was able to go on Exchanges. It was great. And then this Friday I am going again. For the baptismal interviews. I really like our district leader. His name is Elder Brasher. I think he is from Idaho and well. Really nice kid. This time I get to go with him. I'm excited about that. Exchanges are always nice. A good break from the same day to day routine.

Anyway. I knew last weeks email sucked. But I didn't have much time. So today, well, the past week, I tried to make sure that I had PLENTY of things to write. I hope it feels that way. But anyway. I love you and miss you so much! But things are moving. Again, thank you for everything. I love you so much!