Tuscaloosa Adventures

Let's see, so this week I went on a great exchange for about two days up in Tuscaloosa with Sister Oman. She served with me in my first area and so we were already pretty good friends. We had a great time meeting new people, biking, talking to a less-active and getting  a lot of chocolate, we saw lots of butterflies (they are migrating through Alabama right now headed toward the Caribbean - cloudless sulfur butterflies), found out that University of Alabama was there- finally haha-  we had some great lessons- lots about the plan of Salvation, and she taught me a lot on how to teach better. We taught a family whose cousin is a member in Mexico.  We taught the plan, and how their family could be together forever, and he ended up telling us more about his cousin and letting us know a little bit more about their doubts. Good lesson and helped us know where to take it the next time. It was my first exchange where i traveled and stayed overnight in a different area and it went great- neat to meet other members in other areas and learn a lot about different areas of Alabama.
Tried "papusa" this week- it is a specialty from El Salvador. Have met two different families from there and both gave us some to try- very good crazy how they make it- tortilla, beans, cheese and chicaron (sp?). and then they fry it. Super super good, one day i aspire to make them like they can.
We met this lady a couple of weeks ago at a dress shop (we were helping an investigator....) and we felt like we needed to go see her at her house. We went out there on Sunday with Sister Dunbar and really learned a lot more about her and how she knows some of the members in the Branch. We are really excited about her, and all made a connection, they kept asking if sister Dunbar was our mom- but she shared a great testimony about her conversion which Sister Simpson translated into Spanish. Great lesson! We are excited to go back this Sunday- she lives clear out in the country- so beautiful!!!
The Elders are helping us a lot with our investigators, and with Rebecca and Francisco, they are still doing really well and plans for the wedding are also going well. It is amazing to see how much they are learning and growing and how their family is getting closer to each other.
We will be going to the Temple this week- super excited. I got to give a talk yesterday in Sacrament meeting- we had a little bit of notice...haha but it went really well. Talked about patience, and how important it is for us to have it with others, ourselves, and jobs, families etc. Things really are going so well in the Branch, I am growing to love these people more and more everyday and I feel like myself with them, and can understand the majority of what is being said! I love it and even though I am not perfect the Lord is helping me to be patient, and learn more and more everyday. Love you all, let patience become more a part of your lives and I promise you will be happier. Make it a great week!!!!