Hermana Schmidt en México: Week 6: Tengo Fe ~ September 1, 2015

Hola from Aguascaliented (actually Zacatecas),

I arrived in the field yesterday around 7:30 am. I spent the day in orientation and met my new compañera. Her name is Hermana Rodriguez, she is from Peru. She has been in the mission for about 14 months and her English is about as good as my Spanish. But she has been so kind and patient with my terrible Spanish and general not knowing anything. I feel very blessed to have her as a trainer.

Hermana Villareal (the mission mom) said that for the most part all I will do here as a nurse is help within my district and occasionally zone and then help give flu shots in the wards during flu season. Which works out because I really can't even communicate with people right now, let alone give them medical advice.

Remember how excited I was because my mission was super flat so I wouldn't have to spend all day walking hills? Turns out there is one area in the mission that is not like that and it is Zacatecas. This city is basically built into the side of a mountain and it is ALL hills. That being said it is BEAUTIFUL! I think it is about one million times more beautiful than México City and it actually reminds me a lot of Salt Lake (if the houses there were all made of cement, the stores all had iron bars and the hills were steeper). But I really like it. They said that if I end up here in the winter, I may see some snow. That would be... actually terrible but it would definitely make it more like Christmas at home.

My apartment is so cute. Its painted all different colors and we have an extra room that they turned into a sort of closet/storage room so I actually have way more closet space than I did at home. Haha. When my compañera and I were coming from Aguascalientes to Zacatecas, I had my three bags and she had one little carry-on sized bag. I kept thinking "she must think I am such a pack rat" and then we got to Zacatecas. Turns out she left all her stuff here, because she was in this area before. She actually has even more stuff than I do. Haha.

I really like Zacatecas so far. Even though pretty much the only think I've been able to understand is last night when our taxi driver told us he was having an affair and his mistress was pregnant and he wasn't sure what to do. My compañera told him "Our companions who live in your area can help you" I can't wait to hear how that goes.

Riding the bus or in a taxi is such an interesting experience. Most people don't really speak any English and they don't have any rules about what kind of songs they can play so I have heard a lot of cussing coming from radios. The first few times I gave my compañera some panicked looks and then I realized she didn't understand what they were saying either. So I stopped because it just worried her and I can't really explain what's going on. On our bus ride from Aguascalientes to Zacatecas they played 22 Jump Street. I could not believe it. I don't know how they translated it but my compañera didn't believe me when I told her it was a movie they won't let you see in theaters in the US unless you're 17. Also, riding the bus is the craziest experience here. The drivers hardly even stop and they never close the doors. They start driving again as soon as the passengers are on the bus, regardless of whether or not they´re up the stairs; let alone in a seat. Then they just count out change and talk on the phone and stuff as they drive. If the person getting on or off is like a youngish guy, sometimes they don't stop at all. They just slow down! It is so crazy.

Pray for me

Love you all.

Hermana Schmidt

Last District photo from CCM:

(note attached to photo)

Elders and Hermanas,

It has been a pleasure to serve with you. Thank you for your examples of dedication to the Lord and for the service you are about to give. We send our love and prayers with you as you begin this most important part of your life.

We love you,

Hermana Call