The sprint

Hola mi querida familia,

I hope you liked my pictures last week. I know that they were sent/posted on my blog because Sister Fernandez mentioned a few of the pics. Thanks for posting those, Stace!

I got an AMAZING package from Lisa VanGemert this past week. It says greetings from golden state of California and has everything golden in it. At the beginning of my mission she sent me a green package because I was a greenie, and now I got everything you can imagine: golden oreo cookies, Burger King gift card, gold $1 coins, Nesquik, Ohs cereal, ring pops (everything is in a yellow package), lemonhead candies, Juicy Fruit gum, a box of lemon bars mix, Swedish fish. It is INCREDIBLE. The three of us (Sister Schow, Sister Marroquin, and I) have really enjoyed the goodies. Sister Schow has been trying a lot of new things. :) Lisa, thank you SO VERY MUCH for the incredible package. I love absolutely everything in it, and especially your thoughtfulness. Oh my goodness--I don't think she should have put so much time and money into a package for me, but it has made me really happy, especially because it reminds me of the sweet memories I have in California. I didn't even know where Sacramento was before my mission and now it forever holds a precious spot in my heart.

I went on an exchange to South Sacramento/Elk Grove this past week with Hermana Toro. My little Torito. She's going to be training soon--that's just my personal opinion. I counted it up, and I've been to that very house 7 times for exchanges. So even though that's the only area I didn't serve in, I basically did serve there. Oh, and I played the piano at a wedding. That was a first... and probably a last. It was really interesting.

We are going to have a neat activity at the end of this month. All the Spanish wards and branches in the mission are invited to come to an activity in Elk Grove where there is going to be art displayed of Book of Mormon stories. There's also going to be a dance presentation of professional Hispanic dancers and food and I don't know what else it entails. I'm glad it's happening soon so I can go. That's strange... I don't feel like I'm ending. I feel like the mission is going to go on forever, but I know that isn't going to happen.

Our investigator An last night committed to a December 8 baptism. She asked why we chose that date. We told her just because... and I didn't admit because that was my last Saturday. Yikes. But I'm hoping and praying that she will be baptized that day! That would be fantastic.

Love you all,

kates