Leave me alone mosquitoes.

March 09, 2015

Hola!

Today there’s finally Internet access! This week was really good and has returned to normal pretty much.  My companion and I have been doing well, just being eaten alive by mosquitoes! But other than that it’s been good and we’ve been having a lot of lessons and have a lot of people we’re teaching.  We’re still teaching our investigadora Hermana B. who is amazing and has now come to church 5 or 6 times. Her testimony is growing and she is really great, but.... she needs to get married and we still haven’t been able to teach her esposo. So that’s the challenge right now, to be able to convince and help them get married. She has 3 little girls who are THE CUTEST.  I love her and her family so much.  We also have a less active family, la familia M.  La hija Paola is active, and her little brother who is 8 about to turn 9 is starting to come to church with her, also her other brother who is less active. We had a really good lesson with their family last night and we have planned the baptism for the little boy for the 11th of April.  

This week we also helped the Young Women with their activity. We made cake, and it was really fun because I felt like I was back in Young Women again. These girls are so great.  That’s pretty much all that’s been going on this week.  But there was a sad occurrence. Because of the floods and everything, it affected pretty much all of the area of the other sisters, Hermana B. and Hermana C. They talked to President, and he decided that it would be best if they left and were put in another area because they really can’t work in their area.  The water has gone down and everything but a lot of the people still haven’t returned to their homes, because there is supposedly another flood that will come again this month.  So on Wednesday they packed their stuff and on Thursday they left for Santa Cruz, and I don’t think they’ll be coming back.  So that was really sad to say goodbye to them because they’re so great and I know they both love Cobija, just as much as I do.  Cobija is such a special place and the people are amazing and I love them.  

Also, yesterday we had a really good class en la capilla about our Savior Jesus Christ and it made me think a lot about how He really is our savior and he paid for our debt and he made such a big sacrifice for us because he loves us. I’m so grateful for Him and for everything he did for us and for the privilege I have to be His servant and help people come unto Him.  

I love my Savior and I love this gospel and I love Cobija.

Con amor, 

Hermana Tijerino 

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NOTE: In order to protect their privacy the names of my companions, members and investigators will be omitted and their name tags obfuscated.

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© Jennifer Tijerino and Mission Adventures in Bolivia - 2015. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material and posted photographs without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Jennifer Tijerino and Mission Adventures in Bolivia with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Floods in Cobija

                                                                                                                        March 2, 2015

Hola hola!

Ok I have to make this email quick.

The week before from Sunday until Wednesday we were home because it was Carnaval and it was pretty chill. We just studied and talked and got to know each other, my companion and I, because I’m training and my companion is super great.  The rest of the week was a little hard but it was good.  On Saturday the floods came.  Cobija is on the border of Brazil and it’s divided by a river. It’s been raining a lot here and in Brazil and so it flooded. There are a lot of parts of Cobija that are flooded.  It’s mostly the area of the elders and of the other hermanas, and we spent all that weekend helping people evacuate their homes.  I’ve never seen anything like this.  The water is literally up to the roofs of some houses.  There are a lot of families affected and they’re all staying in the school buildings here or also in a big park that is in front of where we live.  A lot of members were affected and it’s amazing to see the church come together to help those in need. There wasn’t internet in all of Cobija last Monday so that’s why we weren’t able to write. 

This week has been really good though.  My companion and I are working really hard and finding a lot of people to teach and we have a few investigadores progressing and I have really been able to feel the joy of working hard and being obedient and sharing the gospel and testifying to people of the truth.  My companion is a sweetheart and we talk a lot and have a lot of fun and we both love these people.  Please pray for Hermana Beatriz who is mas progresando. Also please pray for Cobija and for all the affected families.  I’m doing really well, I love this work so much, and I love Cobija.  It breaks my heart to see the flooding here that’s the worst it’s ever been before, but I know that in a way it’s helping the people come together and help one another, and it’s helping us to be able to be more Christ like and serve those around us.  That’s all I have time to write. Now I’m going to try to send pictures also because I finally have my camera fixed!

Love you all!

Con amor,

Hermana Tijerino

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NOTE: In order to protect their privacy the names of my companions, members and investigators will be omitted and their name tags obfuscated.

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© Jennifer Tijerino and Mission Adventures in Bolivia - 2015. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material and posted photographs without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Jennifer Tijerino and Mission Adventures in Bolivia with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Viva El Carnaval de Bolivia!

                                                                                                February 14, 2015

Hola! So surprise, I’m on the Internet!

                                   

They told us at first that we wouldn’t be able to write until next Monday, but I think President decided to be nice and let us all write, today Saturday, so here I am!

Well I will take this opportunity to write and tell you how this week has gone by so far.  Monday we took Hermana N. to the airport, and from then on I was with Hermana C. and Hermana B.  We went to Internet Café and then we had to make the arrangements for the two of them to come and stay in our house because it’s bigger. Then we also got together with the elders to play soccer at the chapel for a little bit.  That night we had a noche de hogar with a family in the other area that I had visited before. We made tacos with them, and it was super good.  Then on Tuesday we were mostly in the area of Cobija visiting people. It was super good for me to be able to see these people again that I love.  Especially because we were able to visit Hermana E., and I love her so much!

On Wednesday we cooked lunch with la Familia P. and that was really fun.  It was raining all day, but we put on our boots and our ponchos, and we went out. We visited people from both areas, and it was fun although we weren’t able to have many lessons.  We also got the call of the cambios, and it turns out that we’re all staying.   Everyone in our zone is staying the same, just that 3 new ones would come to replace the 3 that finished their missions.  And.... I’m a mama! In other words, I’m training a new hermana.  So on Thursday morning she arrived, and we had a big welcome sign for her.  My companion is Hermana V., and she’s from Ecuador, and she is such a sweetheart.  I love her.  This is my first time training, so it’s a little different, but I love it. It’s a great experience for me to have to go back to the basics and to be able to be an example for someone, and to be able to get to know my companion and to love and serve her.  She really is so sweet and has such a sweet testimony.  Her mom has passed away, and Hermana Zambrano had called me just before she came to tell me that and that I just have to love and take care of her, and that’s what I’m planning on doing.  I wish I could send a picture of us, but I still don’t have my camera, but I hope it will arrive safe and fixed from Santa Cruz, and then I will finally be able to take pictures.

  

These past two days we’ve been working hard and visiting people and have had many good lessons.  Starting today at 4:00 we have to be en casa until Wednesday, because ya empieza las fiestas de Carnaval.  So we’re going to go shopping and get the things we need because we won’t be able to leave for 3 days.  We will pretty much be continuing our studies and be able to work on my companion’s training and watch movies and stuff, and also presidente has asked us to read the Book of Mormon, so that’s what we’ll be doing.  Hope everyone has a good week and a Happy Valentine’s Day! In regards to love, I want you all to know that I love this gospel with all my corazon, and I love missionary work, and I love Bolivia and the people of Cobija, and I love the time I’ve been able to be here and how much I’ve been able to strengthen my testimony. 

And I love you all! Until next Monday...

Con amor,

Hermana Tijerino

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NOTE: In order to protect their privacy the names of my companions, members and investigators will be omitted and their name tags obfuscated.

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© Jennifer Tijerino and Mission Adventures in Bolivia - 2015. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material and posted photographs without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Jennifer Tijerino and Mission Adventures in Bolivia with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Saying goodbye is not fun.

                                                                                                

February 9, 2015

Hola!

 Ok so I have a ton to write and not much time, so please excuse my spelling, ha-ha.

This week was crazy, although I feel like I always say that, but it really was and this next week will be too. 

From Monday to Wednesday we were in Santa Cruz.  Monday we didn’t have much time to do anything, but as we were heading to the house where we were going to stay in the area of Paraiso, we ran into Hermana B. and Hermana B. who are companions and who flew in from Trinidad. We all went to a little bakery to eat, and we were telling stories of crazy experiences that have happened to us. We were laughing a ton.  Then we were all going to stay in the same house, so we got back and kept talking and sharing stories, and it was super fun. The next day was super busy.  We had the meeting with the president all morning, where we learned a lot about charity, and it was super good. We also listened to the testimonios of the missionaries that are leaving. There were some tears shed, and we could all feel the spirit so strong.  We all ate lunch together there in the chapel, and then we went to go visit a family that my companion had taught in this area. We went to las oficinas to talk to the president, and then we went with Hermana B. and Hermana B. to El Centro y La Plaza and pretty much spent the rest of the day there buying recuerdos and eating ice cream and having fun.  That night was the last night we would all be together because the next day we left really early to go to the airport to head back to Cobija.  We got back Wednesday afternoon, and we helped the young women with their activity that evening. We taught them to make cinnamon rolls, and they turned out super yummy.  Thursday, Friday and Saturday we worked super hard and visited lots of people.  Saturday we had the baptism of Hermana R., and it went really well.  She is the cutest and I love her so much.  I’m really glad that Hermana N. was able to end her mission with a baptism.  

It’s been really fun this past week to be with Hermana N. because she is a great missionary and a great friend to me. It was sad because we took her to the airport this morning. She left for Santa Cruz and will be going home on Thursday.  She’s from Utah, so I know I’ll see her after I get back, but still it’s a little sad.  I don’t like saying goodbye.  I know it’s going to be super hard to say goodbye to Cobija, and also to Santa Cruz, because I love it sooo much.  I’m so grateful for my mission and everything I’ve learned and it’s so crazy that I only have 2 transfers left (3 months).  But I will try to make the best of it and enjoy every moment.  Until Thursday I will be in a trio with Hermana C. and Hermana B., who were my previous companions, and I love them. Then on Thursday my new companion should arrive. When I talked to the presidente, he told me that I’ll probably train, because there are 6 new hermanas that will be coming.  I’ll let you know how that goes.

Next week is Carnaval here in Bolivia, from Sunday to Tuesday. We won’t be allowed to leave the house for these three days, so I WILL NOT BE WRITING NEXT WEEK. Just so you know, but please still write me, and I’ll write back in two weeks! Thanks! Love you all!

Con amor, 

Hermana Tijerino

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NOTE: In order to protect their privacy the names of my companions, members and investigators will be omitted and their name tags obfuscated.

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© Jennifer Tijerino and Mission Adventures in Bolivia - 2015. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material and posted photographs without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Jennifer Tijerino and Mission Adventures in Bolivia with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Back to Santa Cruz for a couple days.

 February 2, 2015

  

 Hola hola, 

                                        

So today I am writing from Santa Cruz.  We spent pretty much all day traveling and now we arrived and have a little time to write.  Tomorrow we have our monthly consejo de lideres.  This past week was a little crazy.  Monday it was pouring rain, but like always we played soccer and we got super soaked.  We had a really nice noche de hogar with la familia de Hermana R.  She´s going to get baptized this Saturday.  She has 9 siblings, she´s 10 years old, the 4th oldest I think, and she´s super cute and excited to be baptized.  Her family are members as well.  On Tuesday we had intercambios, and Hermana N. came with me to my area, and my companion Hermana C. went to the other area en Cobija.  It was a super great day and we worked really hard and had a lot of fun.  Friday morning we changed companions, and now I´m with Hermana N.  She is super awesome and a great missionary and a really good friend. I´ve enjoyed being with her. I’m just sad because she finishes her mission next week. But we´re working hard and teaching a lot of people, and there are a lot of people progressing here.  I love my area and all the people and I love being with Hermana N. and feeling like we´re working super hard but having fun at the same time.  

On Saturday we went to an area that is 45 minutes away to do a servicio with the zone. It was an area that’s even more undeveloped than where I am in Cobija. It’s so humbling to see these people with so little but with so much faith.  It’s like that with la familia de Hermana R.  There are 12 people in her family and they live in very humble circumstances. But they have the Gospel and they have a beautiful family, and they are happy. 

Yesterday in testimony meeting almost everyone talked about their families and how they can have an eternal family. We had 3 investigadores en la capilla, and I think that it touched them hearing those testimonies, because it touched me.  Anyway, I’m still so happy and grateful to be here in Cobija and to be with my companion, even if it’s just for a short time.  We´ll be in Santa Cruz until Wednesday and then go back, and I´ll let you know how it all goes.

 Love you all, 

Hermana Tijerino

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NOTE: In order to protect their privacy the names of my companions, members and investigators will be omitted and their name tags obfuscated.

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© Jennifer Tijerino and Mission Adventures in Bolivia - 2015. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material and posted photographs without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Jennifer Tijerino and Mission Adventures in Bolivia with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Spiders, snakes and roaches!

January 26, 2015

Hola:                                                  

So this week has honestly been a little rough for me, but I feel like I’ve learned a lot from past experiences and I’ve been able to be more patient and stronger when dealing with trials. The week was starting fine on Monday.  The hermanas were in charge of the activity, so we played volleyball (to change it up a little from soccer) and then we made pizza with el Hermano F. who owns a bakery and makes delicious pizza! That evening when we were heading to a noche de hogar with a family, it was a little dark, and we found a snake in the road. I almost stepped on it, but my companion saw it and screamed and went running! Then I saw it and I just walked around it. I was like [hey, tranquila, no pasa nada]. When I caught up to my companion she was in hysterics, because she has never seen a snake before and it really scared her.  She walked the rest of the way clinging on to my arm, and I luckily had a little flashlight to light the way, so it was ok.  But it was so funny though.

Then things started to get worse on Tuesday when we moved.  We live with members. They have the same room where we are now right next door, and it’s just nicer because it has air conditioning and another sink, so we decided to move over to that room.  We pretty much moved everything over on Tuesday, and we finished on Wednesday.  When we got home Tuesday night there were 2 cockroaches! And on Wednesday night we found another cockroach and a huge centipede.  Thursday morning there was a giant GIGANTE spider in the bathroom.

We haven’t been able to have a lot of lessons this week. We have new investigadores that we’re really excited about and we had 4 come to church yesterday. Also we have Hermana R. who is 10 years old and her family are members. She was living with her mom in another area and her dad lives here. She’s now here and her dad wanted to be the one to baptize her, so we’re teaching her the lessons and she will be baptized the 7th of February. She is the sweetest little girl and has such a sincere testimony. Also this week we’ve had 2 noche de hogares with la Familia V. They are a less active family of 7 that are a humble family that live in humble circumstances, but are so great and make me remember that all we need to be happy is our family and the Gospel.  On Saturday we went to a baptism of the elders in our branch and an hermano was able to baptize his wife, and it was so tender. 

I’m going to send this and then finish in another email because it’s raining super hard and I’m afraid the internet will go out.

Anyway, I am so grateful for this gospel and for these mission experiences.

Love you all, 

Hermana Tijerino

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NOTE: In order to protect their privacy the names of my companions, members and investigators will be omitted and their name tags obfuscated.

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© Jennifer Tijerino and Mission Adventures in Bolivia - 2015. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material and posted photographs without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Jennifer Tijerino and Mission Adventures in Bolivia with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

It is hot in here. Wait, now it is raining...

Hola hola                                                                                                         January 19, 2015

This week has been a little crazy because of the weather.  One day it’s super-hot, and then the next it rains.  And then the next day it’s super-hot and then the next day it rains, ahh! But we’re surviving.  On Monday we played futbol (Soccer really), and it was super hilarious, and really good to unstress a little.  We also had a really good family home evening with our pensionista and her family and with a family of converts we invited. On Tuesday we were able to teach two investigadores, we have- Hermana C. and Hermana R.  Hermana C. has been investigating a while and wants to join the church, but she just doesn’t want to get married.  Hermana R. is a new investigator we found and she really sweet and humble.  She came to church last Sunday and really liked it.  On Wednesday we visited a few families that were baptized in the past year and are super great people.  On Thursday we had our zone meeting and we talked about what we learned in the meeting of leaders that we had with the president in Santa Cruz.   

On Friday night we got home a little early because it was raining really hard, so we made popcorn and watched a church movie and had a little movie night.  On Saturday we went to the baptism of Hermana E.  She’s the one that Hermana B. and I started teaching and we set a baptism date for her and everything. The next day were cambios and I left that area.  So that made me sad, but I was super happy to still be able to see her baptism.  When we got to the church, she was coming out of the bathroom, and she was dressed in white, and that made me so happy to see her.  Really, such a joy every time I see someone that I’ve taught being baptized. But really I know that I had nothing to do with it.  She was prepared to receive us, and we arrived at her house just in the moment that she needed because it was her time.  It’s amazing to be able to see how God really prepares people to receive us and to receive the Gospel.  We’ve been able to find 3 new investigadores between this week and last week and I know that Heavenly Father is preparing these people.  

On Saturday we made tacos with our pensionista and yesterday as well with another family, and they were super good.  My companion is from Guatemala and she knows how to make them a little different, but they were deeeelicious.  Anyway, I am so happy to be here in Cobija.  The area that I am in now is absolutely beautiful. It’s pure dirt roads and big hills and a lot of jungle.  And although sometimes the sun is really strong or the rain is pouring really hard, I look up and see the beauty around me and I know Heavenly Father loves me because he has put me here at this place and at this time.  I feel so grateful because it is so beautiful but it also kills me every day because I don’t have a camera to be able to capture it all.  But I will never forget the beauty that is Cobija. 

Love you all, 

Hermana Tijerino

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NOTE: In order to protect their privacy the names of my companions, members and investigators will be omitted and their name tags obfuscated.

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© Jennifer Tijerino and Mission Adventures in Bolivia - 2015. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material and posted photographs without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Jennifer Tijerino and Mission Adventures in Bolivia with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.