Hermana Partridge here. A few thoughts about my first Sunday going to church in a foreign ward. One word...OVERWHELMING! I have a new appreciation for my children and their spouses who served in foreign lands. The people talk so fast, even Elder P. having a hard time keeping up. During Sacrament meeting I understood very few words. Met in the Young Adult Sunday School class. Bill introduced us and I just prayed he wouldn't ask me to say anything. He did, of course but all I had to say was "We have 6 children and 20 grandchildren!." I'm getting pretty good at that in Spanish. Relief Society was wonderful...I understand maybe 3 words but oh, the spirit! I definitely felt that very strong and I was able to say thank you to a woman who shared an experience (I have no idea what it was..but I heard.something about missionaries though and reading and praying and the Holy Ghost.) I felt like Samwise Gamgee in Lord of the Rings when he overheard Gandalph and Frodo..".What did you hear?" "Oh, nothing....well, something about a ring and some orcs and the end of the world...but please don't turn me into anything....unnatural!" :)
But truly, the tears flowed, the sweet sister gave me a big hug and I thought how wonderful it will be when I can understand and really share in the spirit of such moments. Va a venir! It will come.
A word about water. We can't drink the tap water. Must be boiled or we purchase big 5 gallon jugs of purified water. As I brush my teeth carefully everyday with my clean water in a little glass, trying not to run the tap water over my toothbrush out of habit, I'm ever so mindful of the need for pure water. As drink from our big jug or pour that precious liquid over our dishes and utensils after soaking in Clorox solution, I'm reminded of the "Living Water" that Jesus Christ offers the world. The Gospel truly is as vital to our spiritual lives as pure water is to us here on this island. Today I went to the car to bring in a 5-gallon jug of water we bought yesterday at the store. We gringos have to pay a hefty price for deposit on the bottles but the water is inexpensive - 30 pesos (under $1) for a jug. Anyway, I got it out of the car and hugged it close to me to carry it up to our apartment...Elder P. can't lift it because of his back and I thought I was strong enough...but it slipped out of my arms and split open and water started running out. I frantically picked it up and carefully carried it up the stairs with that precious liquid spilling out along the way. We got the remainder safely in a cooler. I didn't care at all about the jug, just the "living water." I'll never take it for granted. And I hope I remember how important the Gospel of Jesus Christ is to all the world thirsting for the truth! (Think of that when you brush your teeth tonight.)
I finished eating an avocado that was about the size of a football. We had a smoothie this morning with much fruit, I love that smoothie. Mom has talked with many kids and grand kids yesterday and today. She is much better off when she does that.
I am starting to get my vision factory started, seeing things that we can do, should do, and will talk with the Mission President tomorrow, though we do not work with him. Crazy.
Nuff for tonight, we do appreciate your interest in us and supporting us in what we are just beginning to do.
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