Week 54: Welcome to Talca

Hola familia y amigos!

This week was a lot of craziness! Tuesday I arrived in Talca (eventually) and got all settled in. It was definitely a change and it is a lot colder here, but I have loved it! We went to work this last week and I got to meet most of the people we are working with. They are absolutely wonderful and we were running all week, there was so much to do! I am so excited for this cambio! My new companion is great and I am going to have to put myself to learning a little bit of Portuguese--haha, that will be fun. I'm picking up on it a little bit which has been cool. 

My last areas we haven't had bikes, but this new area has bikes, which I have missed! Makes things so much easier sometimes, and our area is huge! There is so much to explore and so many people to talk to. I surprised myself and my companion with how fast I have learned the sector, and I feel like it has been a huge tender mercy. 

Oh yeah, yesterday was a holiday here in Chile so all of the cibers were closed and we couldn't write, hence I am sending this letter Tuesday. However, we did have a great zone activity yesterday. It was a good way to break the ice, since all the companionships are new. We played a bunch of games and us gringos had to celebrate the 4th of July, por su puesto, so we did a mini BBQ. The elders had to get creative since the old grill wasn't working, but it worked. We had hamburgers and they found american BBQ sauce, another tender mercy. They were great. 

Afterwards we went out with the other hermanas here in Talca to eat ice cream in centro. It was great and I got to see two former companions, Hermana Prado and Hermana Sainsbury, whom I absolutely love! Another tender mercy. 

The World Cup has been going on apparently and the whole world talks about it. We don't watch it, obviously, but people fill us in on who wins and loses. I love the passion the people have for it. I think the comment that killed me the most, and I couldn't help but laughing right then and there, was the Chilean hermano when Argentina lost...¨Who said the Chileans wouldn't enjoy the world cup?¨ The rivalry is real, the Argentine elder took it well. Good times. People take soccer really seriously here. I guess like the gringos follow football? 

All in all a great week, I have learned so much! I am so grateful for all the miracles and the tender mercies! The people are wonderful and my love for them continues to grow!

Thought for the week:

Our weaknesses don't define us. I love that. Something I have learned in my mission is that we really can turn our weaknesses and our flaws, into our strengths. We have the grand opportunity, thanks to the love and grace of God, to change, to progress, to learn, and to get better. When we have our perspective set and our focus right, everything is possible. 

Have a great week. I love you all. 

Con amor, 

Hermana Eibert

ps. happy birthday to the twins this week

and our makeshift bbq 

Happy 4th of July!!

One of my favorite families in Guadalupe--Familia Espinoza

They are amazing, converts of like 5 years. She's the RS pres, and he's the 1st counselor in the branch. Great people.I had a mini farewell with them my last night there and they got a present, cute little hand bag.

They take care of the missionaries.