Buenos Dias!

So, I am officially a REAL missionary. I'm in Texas, and I'm a little embarrassed to admit it, but I kinda love it (dun dun duuuun) haha. But seriously, I've enjoyed every minute that I've had here so far. Given, its February and it feels like I'm in Hawaii, so I'll probably be singing a different tune in a couple of months #prayforacoolsummer #icanhashtagifiwantto #imisshashtags :D haha anyways, I'm here and I'm loving it. My compañera is Hermana Crandall. She's 23 and from Spanish Fork,Utah, and we might be the exact same person. haha She's hilarious, and a realllly good missionary. She's very diligent and obedient, AND patient. Exactly what I needed in a trainer. I was literally terrified of meeting my trainer. I heard so  many horror stories, and I had such a great experience with my companion and district in the MTC, I was certain I'd get some crazy girl that hated me. Luckily, that is not the case. So, I am very grateful for her and am so happy we get to spend 12 awesome weeks together :) 

My mission president and wife are amazing. I almost started crying when I saw them in the airport. I didn't even know why, because I had never met them before, and knew nothing of them but I could instantly feel love for them. They were truly called of God to lead our mission and be our "mission parents" while we are all far away from home. The first few days included flying to the airport, then we traveled to the mission office where we had training and the mission vehicle person completely scared the crap out of me about driving in Houston. Apparently people are like totally cray here and don't abide by simple traffic laws. Like not running red lights, and staying on the right side of the road. NBD. lol But, my companion told me he does this whole illusion so that the 18 year missionaries don't act like they are 18 and actually drive carefully. lol Luckily for me, I've been driving like 5x's longer than all of them, sooo.... I think I'll be okay :) After basic training, we went to the mission home and had our first Mission President interviews and had traditional Texan BBQ. I swear, if I didn't have to exercise every day and if my companion and I hadn't already made a pact to never let the food over take us, I would be coming home around 500 lbs. haha These people KNOW how to eat, and love doing it. haha

Speaking of food, our members LOVE to feed the missionaries. It's amazing. I've never experienced such kindness in my life. The members in our ward love the missionaries and love to have us over. There are three sets of missionaries in the Spanish ward and like tons in the English program too. I don't know the English side very well because they are in a different program/ zone but I'm sure I'll meet them over time. But in my ward, there are us The Hermanas, and then two sets of Elders. We have a pretty big area and we have a CAR. Thank goodness, because I would literally die. haha The elders (pobresitos) are on bikes, and then the other set have a car, but only because they are the zone leaders. Otherwise, they'd be biking it too. The Lord loves his Hermanas. That's why he gives us cars :) 

I have only been in my area since Thursday afternoon and we have already had tons of appointments. We have a lot of less actives in our ward, so we have been focusing a lot on them this week. We got a new investigator though on Thursday! She's the daughter in law of a less active and when we went to visit the Hermana, she wasn't there, so we talked to Ibania instead, and in that we got her interested in taking the lessons!! Tender mercies and little miracles happen every day in the field. The Lord has his hand in his work and never lets us falter. This week we went to visit this sister who is slightly on the neurotic side. She's a middle aged woman, never married, no family nearby, keeps to herself. Very sweet lady, but kind of crazy (but still a daughter of God nonetheless lol) anyway, she's been having a hard time due to some things with her former employer, and was just telling us how its been so hard to be happy after all that had happened. And as missionaries, we pray before EVERYTHING. I mean, everything. So, naturally we pray before every appointment and we feel that we are led by the spirit. So, in that meeting with that sister we felt impressed to tell her she needed to forgive her employer because contention is not of God, and you can't obtain the Holy Ghost if you have hatred in your heart. Well, this hermana did not like that. lol. She got REAL mad at us and told us to leave. We obviously did as told, but reminded her of her covenants and that the only way to happiness is through the atonement, so we recommended that she prayed about what we said and see what God had to say about it. The next day at church, she came up to us and apologized for the way she had acted. She said she had prayed and knew were talking through the spirit. That was a small miracle. I would NEVER call someone unto repentance in real life. I don't have the authority or guide to do that as normal person. But as a missionary, I do! I'm not saying I'm going to tell everyone they need to repent, I'm not God! lol But I am disciple of Jesus Christ, and my job is to do as he says. So if the spirit tells me to say something, I will say it. Regardless of the consequences. I truly believe I have a been called to be an instrument in his work, and have already seen so many miracles in the short three days I have spent here in Houston. I cannot wait to bring back His flock to the fold, and to teach others about their divine potential and God's love for them.

I have never felt the Lord's hand more in my life than in the past three weeks. I know what I am doing is exactly what I'm supposed to be doing. I am so grateful, I listened to that still small voice that prompted me to make changes and prepare myself for a mission. I know that this decision will and has affected my life forever. I am SO grateful for all your prayers and pray for each of you each day. Know that God LOVES you! He really, truly does. I feel it, and SEE it every single day. Until we meet again. XOXO

Con mucho amor, 

Hermana Carbajal

P.s. I now have a permanent address so PLEASE WRITE ME!! I'm a missionary so you literally have to love me :) Also, my companion and I love treats and gifts cards #helpmeimpoor :)

Hermana Krystle Carbajal

10221 Centrepark Dr #926

Houston, TX 77043

P.S.S. TEXAN FRIENDS AND FAMILY. Email me!! I lost your info. Lo siento! But I want to contact you so we can set a time to see each other! Love you all!!!