One full-to-the-brim glass of "Cuacker" a warm liquefied oatmeal and pineapple drink.

One huge bowl of the most intense soup you've ever had. This week it had chicken, yucca, an egg, squash, various vegetables, a ton of cheese, and other mystery ingredients.

And then, after you've had enough calories to last the entire day, she gives you a plate piled with rice, beans and chicken with avocado.

It is the most delicious food I've had on my mission. Muy rico. But it. is. so. much.

I love it. Every time I sit down, it's a challenge. And I win.

Also, I've learned to make homemade corn tortillas and a delicious pocket-type food called a papoosa. Next up is tamales and enchiladas.

I love the Central and South American influenced culture here. There is a great mix of nationalities we teach and meet with Mexicans, Hondurans, Cubans, Puerto Ricans, Guatemalans and more. It is lovely, and what is amusing is I feel more at home here than in Wilson because the people I am teaching have the same accent that I am used to (a Spanish accent) whereas before, any English I heard was Southern. It's an interesting thing.

The work is incredible here. The culture is almost a shock to me. People love to invite you into their homes. They love to heard about God and Jesus Christ. The only hard part is that in my new area we have a ton of people who are willing to hear what we have to teach, but so few that want to act on it. They think it's just fine to hear God's word and not have to exercise any faith or dedication on their part. It's nice to be able to teach so many people, but frustrating to know that even if they listen, unless they act on that which they hear it won't impact their lives.

So that is what we are working on. Building real intent. Exercising faith means that Joseph Smith had to enter the grove and pray, fully expecting to act on whatever answer he received. I think most people are just afraid to ask because they know they will have to change.

And I guess that is what this gospel is, it is a gospel of change. And every time we take that step of faith, going where God wants us to go even when we don't know where He might be leading us, that is when we take a step closer to Him.

It's a good gospel.

On a lighter note, This has been one of the craziest winters in Virginia history (of the last decade, at least). There have been 3 snow storms in one season, where normally it's odd to even have one. They even cancelled church last Sunday!!! That was a shocker, but we managed to fill it meaningfully.

We also might have built a snowman when we were snowed in one day. And a snow fort. It happens. :D

Final topic:

I love you all so much and I hope you are learning some Spanish!

Con Amor,

Hermana Fletcher