February 4 letter

Oh my wonderful family,
Thank you so much for the e-mail! I was laughing so hard at the thought of Kaden having an imaginary friend who actually exists in real life! That’s so adorable! I probably sounded really ridiculous in the cyber we’re in, laughing like that, but I think it’s hilarious! I’m a little bit sad I’m missing this funny time, but I’m absolutely okay with being in Argentina! I love it more and more every day! Alicia, I’m sorry that you have 5 mouths to feed instead of the usual 4. I’ll pray for you. =) Speaking of laughing really hard-yesterday was a SUPER hot day with not one gust of wind. It was insane! My companion and I, as always, were walking SO much and I asked her if she wanted to hear a funny joke. I told her the joke about the two Mexicans playing basketball “what do you call two Mexicans playing basketball?” –I don’t know—“Juan on Juan!” I’ve told this joke many a time, but this time I started laughing hysterically for some reason. Not kidding, like uncontrollable laughter. I felt like a flipping idiot but I couldn’t stop! My companion was just looking at me and kind of laughing because she couldn’t figure out why in the world I was laughing so hard. She made me sit down in the shade and rest. We had a pretty good week. We taught a lot of “other lessons” and we found two investigators. Edith and Valeria. Edith is pregnant and is due really soon, like next week. She lives with her boyfriend, they’ve been together for a really long time. They have the plans to get married after the baby is born, though, so that’s good! Valeria also lives with her boyfriend and was really receptive to the message. She didn’t have a lot of time, so we focused on the Book of Mormon in our lesson. She’s not that familiar with the Bible so she was completely okay with having a Book of Mormon and seemed like she was excited to read it. We’re going to call her today to ask how 3 Nephi 11 went! We’re still working with Olga. We was supposed to come to church on Sunday, but it was raining and she just got over pneumonia. What is it with Argentines?! Do they not care about their success at all? Nobody feels like waking up when it rains, everyone takes a 5 hour nap every day (even the dogs), and the judges for marriages and stuff get a 2 month vacation. This country is whack. However, I’m loving the snot out of it and the people here. They’re so awesome! I’m beginning to understand people more. There are still a few that we come in contact with frequently that I don’t understand because they talk SO stinkin fast! Can’t understand a word! For the most part, however, I’m pretty much understanding the conversations. I’m able to answer better when people ask me a direct question. Heavenly Father is definitely blessing me! I constantly thank him for that. Not a day goes by that I don’t receive a blessing in one form or another. Oh, speaking of blessings, I got my bank card back! Is there any way to reactivate it? Please let me know, I’d really like to be able to use it! If not, I will patiently wait for the other one. Our zone leaders had a baptism yesterday and invited the whole district to go. A mom with 11 kids who all got baptized before she did was baptized. It was so awesome! One of our zone leaders, Elder Barlow, is going home. His parents were at the baptism and his mom is adorable! All of us American missionaries had to keep an eye on both of Elder Barlow’s parents at the baptism because they don’t speak spanish and all the Argentines wanted to talk to them and tell them how amazing Elder Barlow is. It was so funny! Mom, you don’t have to worry about me answering questions about the best way to get things to Argentina or any other questions you might have because you will be getting a call from Elder Barlow’s mother on Sunday after 2! I hope you’re home! If not, she’ll write you on the missionary mom sight because she did that too with Elder Barlow. She’s so nice! You should ask her about the card thing. She’d know! Regarding how I am as a missionary, you could just talk to Elder Barlow himself and find out! I better get going! I love hearing the stories from home! Thank you so much for your support and prayers! I’m going to need a few extra prayers this weekend. I’m speaking in church on Sunday on Preach My Gospel and how families can use it. I’m SO nervous, but it will be fun! I’m excited! Have an awesome week! I love you all and I pray for you all the time! Chau!
All my love,Hermana Shumway