Round 4.5 of East Sac

Buenos dias mi querida familia,

We got transfer calls last night. Elder Walker, the new AP, asked me if we were sitting down to hear the news. Sister Toro and I will be staying together for round 2 in East Sac (my round 4.5). Elder Walker is Brian Grimmett's brother-in-law. He was my district leader when I moved up to East Sac, and I knew he was going to be AP sometime on his mission. I've been pretty good at that guessing game so far.

Mom--I got your package with the skin cream and Codie's baby shower invitation! It's too bad you didn't get to see the invitation--it's really cute. When I think of Codie, I naturally think of swimming and the Olympics, and it's been absolutely killing me this week. Sister Schow watches TV in a little room off to the side of the house (actually, right near the kitchen where we do our studies), and I've been hearing Olympic coverage every day and dying within. Okay, so I'm being a little dramatic. But really--I love the Olympics and I overheard Michael Phelps' diet yet again and the familiar Olympic music. I just sing the theme music all the way to my room and close my door. :) Oh, and I've been using the skin cream twice each day! So far so good. Gracias. Also, Mom--could you please send me a copy of my call letter? President asked me to request that a few weeks ago but I've been forgetting... Thank you!

I also got a package this week from the Jurado-Prieto family in Manteca! I love that family with all my heart. They sent me a bag from Peru that says Peru and it's really pretty and I love it and Peru and will be going there someday after my mission and staying with Sister Estrada. A member in the Del Norte Ward here in East Sac, Melix, gave me a bag from El Salvador that's woven--well, she explained how they made it but I can't remember exactly what she said.

Our English investigator Re came to church this Sunday. We couldn't stay the full three hours. We've been needing to find her fellowshippers at church, which is hard to do since we don't serve in that area, nor live in the area. She paid fast offering, so I asked her if she wanted to take it to the bishop herself. She got to meet the bishop, and we walked her to Gospel Principles. I thought we should probably show her where the Relief Society room is since she'd never been, and as we were walking in the hallway I saw a woman who bore her testimony who I thought would be perfect for Rebecca. I stopped her in the hallway and asked her what her name is and if she'd be going to RS and would sit next to Rebecca. Two other women in the hallway stopped and introduced themselves, and I was so grateful that Heavenly Father heard my little prayer, however trivial it may have seemed. She texted us after church and said she made friends with those women and they swapped telephone numbers and said she can sit with them anytime at church.

We met an amazing couple this week who was actually a referral from a member. They own two local Mexican restaurants and gave us a gift certificate for a dinner for two. We cashed in on Saturday night--Joe T. Garcia's might have a new rival! I'm kidding. But it was delicious, and we're excited to teach them again on Friday. I know their lives would be richly blessed with the message of the gospel--as with everyone, of course, but they have experienced a lot of big trials this past year and need true peace in their hearts.

A member from El Dorado Hills came to a dinner our district leader made for us on Sunday. Brother Gomm opened up Jerusalem to the preaching of the gospel when he was a missionary. He told us about a lot of neat experiences that he had, and I wish I had time to share some of those--next week. Anyway, I asked him if he was related to Jessica Gomm (who was my friend from EFY and married Steve Kimball) because I knew she was from CA. He said that was his daughter and we thought it was pretty funny that 11 years later I'm serving in the mission where she's from. That was really wonderful getting to hear from him and hearing his testimony.

Love you all!

kates