Sept 16

Well... this is a sad day.  I am leaving good old Clearlake.

Words will never be able to describe just how unique this place is.

I will never have experiences where we are driving through a neighborhood and almost die because this is ahead 

Nor will I get to wear some awesome authentic Panchos...

Nor will my mission leader have an amazing curly mustache

But... I guess it is time for me to leave home.

And I am leaving to go to San Rafael... which is in the southernmost part of our mission.  It is in the bay area, right about San Francisco.

In other words, I am going from this super secluded small town where there are only two roads going in and out to a big city on the coast.

This should be interesting....

I am definitely going to miss Sister Chavez!  And this whole zone!  The missionaries here are phenomenal.  Ah, they are so good.  And the people here are so amazing too.  I am so heartbroken to have to leave them...

You get so attached!  It is kinda unfair to be a missionary sometimes.  You can't afford not to open up and love them, but then you do and you have to leave/:  It is especially hard because you do everything that you can to make sure these people are doing the right things.  And when you leave, your biggest fear is that they will fall back into old habits or lose sight of who they are. 

But I can only imagine how sad Heavenly Father gets when He has to send us all down here to Earth.  He knows He has to let us go, but He is terrified that we are going to do the same thing, lose sight of ourselves!

Don't lose sight of who you truly are!

So funny story of the week...

On Monday, I had a mini breakdown because I was pretty sure I had completely forgotten how to cook and that escalated into me thinking that I am never going to get married, and if I do, my kids and husband will die of starvation.

Anyway, it was a moment.  So I decided I needed tor redeem myself and make some of my mom's good old Chicken Pot Pie!

Well... int the process of trying to buy everything, I locked the keys in the car.

Worst thing ever.

Luckily, the Zone Leaders are amazing and came and somehow broke into the car and got them out.  I am pretty sure it was only possible because we said a prayer beforehand.

PRAYER WORKS!

So... the adventure continued and with a few more disasters, we finally made some good old Chicken Pot Pie.  And my companion actually liked it!  (With Valentina, of course.)

Bottom line, I think I will be able to continue living.

I love you all so much!  Keep up the good work and don't forget that you were made to shine!