The first night here Sister Maile and I got to place two book of mormons around the alamo it was awesome! We had a good HOMEMADE meal.. i was really craving one of those so it was amazing! The mission president is awesome! I was in a little bit of shell shock when I found out he is all about obedience, but all is well, obedience is the key to blessings and focus so I am happy about that! Thursday morning we had a little bit of orientation and then we got our companions.. Sister Schwarze is her name, yes i struggled to pronounce it right for like 3 days but i have it down, still getting used to introducing myself as Sister Camarella though haha. Sister Schwarze is from the bay area as well and has been out 9 months on wednesday! She is really awesome, patient with me but pushes me so that I can grow to be a better missionary, she is super sweet and obedient! We have some stuff in common but are pretty different on most stuff but I've realized as we have taught and knock doors we kind of balance each other out. I am the chill more laid back sister that knows how to read people and she is the spiritual gold mind that is bold and proper haha I wish you all could just hear some of our conversations.. like last night I quoted miss congeniality on our way home and she told me that she doesn't watch that show because she feels it a little crued and pointless..? a little awkward after that haha but she really is awesome we've had fun these past few days and I am learning so much from her! She is great at helping me focus and we have the greatest discussions about the gospel! The work! The work is incredible! The spirit I get to feel daily is one of the GREATEST FEELINGS EVER! I have such a greater appreciation for prayer and the power that comes from it. We pray alot out here obviously and i know that that is why I have the power to do what I do. We were sitting in a lesson with this man Russell.. oh russell is great, a very lost 60 year old man that is an alcoholic and smoker.. I instantly fell in love with his "old sinner like me" attitude but anyways we were teaching him his first lesson and discussing church.. I started to say how the spirit feels in the church and all of a sudden was inspired and empowered to promise him that if he made the effort to make it to church in the morning that he would feel the holy ghost when he walked in the door.. I was able to PROMISE him that and know that god would follow through with that promise! I love the calling I have and knowing the power that he has given me to act in his name and promise people blessings like that it is amazing.. AMAZING!! I think being able to teach by the spirit has been the greatest part! We have taught so many people it's been neat. The very first day I got my companion after lunch we got to work. We met with a lady that has had multiple lessons but is struggling with the word of wisdom and the law of chastity. She smokes and drinks and while we were there oh my goodness the spirit was so strong! She has the greatest testimony and while we were there made the step to throw out all the coffee in her house, every last bit! So awesome! She is so strong! We had another neat experience that was guided by the spirit while knocking, just simply lining up the timing right we were able to meet a man that really needed to hear the message! Seriously the feeling of the spirit and knowing you are doing the exact thing god wants you to in a specific moment makes up for all of the rejection and hot hours knocking doors! So lets discuss texas.. like i said it's hot here but truly I am so grateful that it isn't that bad! There is a major drought here so there is like barely any humidity well at least that I can feel.. just a little more wet than utah to me and yes it does get hot walking and such but we have our car which has been a life saver! My area right now is North San Antonio, we are right above the center of the city and our area is pretty big! We have three sets of missionaries jsut for our one ward! Church on sunday was a large culture shock! So different from the norm in good ol' utah but it is awesome! So many members are willing to help with lessons and fellowshipping new members to help them feel welcome it is such a great blessing and they help us! This week we have dinner every day with a member! So nice! Last night we got homemade chinese food from the Salisburys (Yes carny if you read this I thought of you the entire night :)) cause they lived in China for awhile and Friday I got my first homemade authentic mexican food! Delicious! Dad you would LOVE it! Honestly I wish.. once again.. I could fill you in with all of the details with all of the amazing people I have met and all of the neat little tender mercies the lord has given me! I love this work so very much! I am honored to have this opportunity and have already seen in this short time me getting molded into the person and missionary I am meant to be! This gospel is so true and so full of goodness I want every body to be able to realize that! This gospel is the way to happiness.. this gospel is the way to hope.. this gospel is the way to salvation and all it takes to know it for yourself is prayer, reading the wonderful book of mormon and attending church.. SIMPLE! I'm happy! I hope all is well with you! I pray for you all nightly! Be good! :)
With love..
Sister Camarella
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