Another Week Down

This week has been relatively uneventful. I had the opportunity to again go to the MTC and be taught by the missionaries. I am amazed at how amazing they are! They really can bring the spirit, even though they cannot speak the language well. (this also helps me realize how real the gift of tongues is! I have come so far!!)
My foot is slowly but surely healing. This is a VERY exciting prospect for me. As much fun as it has been to be my mom's buddy and babysitter, I am real excited to go back to doing the Lord's work. This upcoming week I get to start walking a little without my big ol' boot on. Hopefully that goes well, because even though i know the boot is helping me... we are not really friends.
I love you all! I know that this church is true and that God really does have a plan and a purpose for all of us! As hard as it is, i know that there is a reason that I am at home. I know that God never puts us in situations that are not for our benefit.
Con Amor,
Becca

Enduring Well

This week has been relatively uneventful... When you have a gimped foot, there isn't a whole lot that I can do, but that's okay! My foot is getting stronger (slowly) and I can touch it without pain! Yay!
Because i am technically a Return Missionary, I had the opportunity this past week to speak with a member of the High Council. I was assigned to talk on the article on enduring to the end from the January Ensign. What really struck me as I was preparing and giving this talk was the importance of Enduring WELL. It's great to get through a trial, but our attitude about it is the biggest thing. A lot of times, it's not necessarily what we do in life, but what we learn from it.In Doctrine and Covenants 121 Joseph Smith is having a huge trial in Liberty Jail. When he asks the Lord where he is, The Lord says ' My son, peace be unto thy soul: thine adversity and thin afflictions shall be but a small moment; and then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt the on high; thou shalt triumph over all thy foes' (D&C 121:7-8). This is such an amazing promise. No matter what our trials are, if we endure well, we will triumph. I was also impressed with how it is a small moment. I will be the first to admit that in the middle of a trial, it seems huge and long lasting. (an example of this that i experienced was realizing I have been home for 3 weeks already, then my aunt said 'wow, really? that went fast!' and all I could think was 'uhhhhh not really....') BUT in the eternal scheme of things, our trials are really small moments of our lives, and the rewards that we can receive are SO WORTH IT! I know that the Lord truly is aware of us. Just like he called Joseph, 'my son' he knows each of us as his children. He is aware of our struggles and our needs, and he will help us triumph over all our foes.

Slowly Healing

This past week has been really slow! What a change from the mission. I do have to admit that it has been sort of nice to be able to relax at home, especially being able to spend time with my mom and my little sisters. I had an awesome opportunity to volunteer at the MTC being someone that the missionaries taught. It was a great reminder at how far my Spanish has come! It was also such an amazing feeling to be back around missionaries.
It's been funny adjusting to a few things now that I am not on  the mission. One thing is that it is so quiet at night! In Argentina no one sleeps, so there are always sounds and since we slept with the windows open, we could hear it all. It's been odd getting used to sleeping in a quiet house, in a room all by myself.
My foot is doing better. I got a cortisone shot this week ( i would not recommend getting one, they hurt!) and that seemed to help with the pain. This coming week I go to see the physical therapist, and hopefully I can quickly strengthen my ankle and return to the work that the Lord has for me.

Not quite Home for the Holidays

Tuesday morning my parents got a surprising call from Argentina. Around 7 in the morning (Utah time) I called them to let them know that I would be returning from Argentina to the states. I am sure that they were a little surprised, however it was a decision that I had thought and prayed about a lot. For those of you who don't know, two months ago (when I first got to Argentina) I fell walking down the stairs and hurt my ankle. I did all that I could in Argentina, but unfortunately part of being a missionary there includes walking close to 10 miles every day. This did not create a great healing environment. After two months of struggling, I finally decided that it was time to come home and get the medical help and rest that my foot so desperately needed.
When I initially called my parents, I had no travel plans, I only knew that I would be coming home soon. I told them that when I had plans, I would call them again and let them know. Two hours later, I received my plans that I would be flying out THAT NIGHT! I am sure that they were more than shocked to receive that news, I know I was. This was around 2 Argentina time. Everything turned into a whirlwind. I had to go to the mission home, finish up a few things in the office, and pack. By the time I got back to my pension, I had 30 minutes to pack everything. By the time I left for the Airport, I had only had my plans for 3 hours. Then, 25 hours later I was flying into the beautiful Salt Lake Valley.

The very next day I was able to get in to see a great foot doctor. They put me in a walking boot (thank goodness I don't have to do the crutches thing again!!) that I will have for 6 weeks. The doctor said that what I need is to immobilize it, and then to strengthen it, which is something that I could not do while in Argentina. So I got a cortisone shot, and I will start Physical therapy in a week or so.
The goal right now is to go back out. That really is all that I want. Even if I do not feel like my foot is strong enough to go back to Argentina, I want to finish doing that Lord's work here in the States. We are hopeful that I can be out in the mission field in 12 weeks or less. Regardless of where I go, I know that this is the Lord's Work! I am so glad that I got to be a part of it, even if just for 6 months, and I am so excited to finish my service. I pray that while I am here I can learn and grow and be an instrument in his hands.

One of the last days in Argentina. P-Day soccer. (well I
watched and ate ice cream, still fun!)