My Thanksgiving in Chicago

Hana Toney and I at La Viajita

Hello Everyone! I hope everyone had an amazing Thanksgiving! Everything is going well here in Chicago. It was kind of a crazy, busy week, but that is good. The busier, the better!

Real Mexican Bag from La Viajita

Last P-Day we went to La Viajita, which is kind of like little Mexico. It was fun and really cold! There are just a lot of fun dollar stores and it was just neat to wander around. I was able to get a real Mexican bag and it is really neat. The rest of the week was good. We had an appointment with a less-active. She had called the day before and invited us over so she could cook real Mexican food for us! It was really good Mole chicken and she had homemade Flan, it was all really good. I taught her a lesson about Scripture Study and it went well.

Dulcelandia, a huge Candy Shop 

Huge Amazing Pinatas in a candy store 

After some miss-communication we had an appointment with one of our newer investigators who is on date. She texted us and wondered if we could come over so she could just talk. We did and she told us about all of the really hard things she is going through. She really trusted us and enjoyed talking to us. She enjoys what she is learning and has a true desire to have a better life for her and her kids. She wants to learn about "the rules" in the Church so that she can follow them. She says it feel so good when we teach and she wants to feel that more!

Thanksgiving with the G Family

Thanksgiving was great! It was so different but really wonderful! We had an appointment at 12:30. It went really well. We talked about the Book of Mormon and then committed him to baptism on December 28. We then had Thanksgiving Dinner at a member's house. They just sent their daughter to the Provo MTC a few weeks ago and wanted to have all of the missionaries in the ward over for dinner because of that. It was fun. They had a total mix of American and Mexican food, so that was neat! We talked a lot and just enjoyed the evening.

On Friday the Ward Mission Leader had a special dinner for the missionaries to show their appreciation and for Thanksgiving. It was traditional Mexican food and was really fun.

The Chicago Temple

On Saturday we were able to go to the Temple! We had an Hermana in the ward who helps us a ton with missionary work who was receiving her Endowments. She invited us and President gave us permission to go. It was so wonderful. The inside of the Temple is sooooo beautiful! The session was in Spanish and it was so wonderful to be there. It is always so refreshing and rejuvenating.

It was a rough week for our family on date. We called them and the mom said they would be in Church the next day. We planned to go over after Church and teach a lesson about the Gospel. But, they never came to Church. That isn't at all like them and normally even if they end up not able to do something, they call us and let us know. But they didn't. We tried to call after Church and no answer. So, we hope everything is OK and will continue to try and make contact with them. This means we will have to push their date back though. :(

When we went tracting on Sunday we ran into a couple of guys who were really interested. They kept asking tons of questions and we gave them a whole lesson right there in the cold! They want to know more so that was exciting!

It is hard out here but I truly can feel your prayers and the strength of our Heavenly Father supporting me! This is a marvelous work!

Goodbye for another week! I love you all so incredibly much. I know that our Heavenly Father is with us. He is taking care of us! Have an incredible week. Enjoy this incredible Christmas season! I love you all! Nos Vemos!

Hermana Allyse Meanea

Chicago Skyline

There was an exchange between Alice and Allyse about the Mexican Candy Store photo.  I thought I would share that with you as well because it sheds some light on what the Spanish members tell new missionaries like Allyse who can't speak Spanish very well yet:

Alice Meanea wrote:

I love how in the picture with the candy shop there is a display of hot sauce:)

Allyse Meanea wrote:

They have some really weird candy!

Alice Meanea wrote:

Did you try any of it? Do you think your taste buds have gotten used to hotter foods since you have been out or are you still a "gringo", is that right? 

Allyse Meanea wrote:

I bought a little but haven't tried much yet. A little bit. That is the joke around here. Drinking Coke plus eating spicy stuff helps you speak Spanish better. So all of the members tease me about it and offer chilis and peppers :)

Alice Meanea wrote:

Thank you so much for sharing with us. I love to hear that the members tease you and that you are going to come home addicted to coke 'bubbles'-don't worry I will help you kick the habit!