Paraguay!!!! My new home!!‏

From:	Tiffany Ross
Sent:	Mon 7/08/13 10:24 AM

Well I have a ton to write. First off I'm fine.

Well where to start. I will start with the flight here. There were 31 missionaries that came to Paraguay with me. LOTS! It is the most that have ever come to Paraguay. Its pretty awesome. When we arrived in their international airport my first thought was ..... wow! its so small and its so GREEN!!!! The sun was out and it was beautiful! When we got out and they were checking for our visas all of the missionaries except for four (including me) I had already received my visa for Paraguay! It was super, super, super easy to go through customs. And right after they checked my visa President and his wife were waiting. THEY ARE AMAZING!!!!!! So sweet! and they don't speak English!!! Hahaha it was awesome. The airport was super chill. Only two baggage claims and president and his wife were helping us grab our bags, receive our visas, and go through customs. Which in the states doesn't happen. HAHAHA the guy at customs also let all of the hermanas go through without having to check our bags. All the elders had to though. It was kind of funny. We spent the first day here doing lots of things in the mission home, learning about the money, learning how to do different things also meeting with the president. You should be receiving a photo soon. But that night we slept at a hotel nearby. And the next day we received our companions and headed off to work. 

They had all of the missionary trainers waiting for us at the mission home. And we were introduced to our new companions. My companions name is from Bolivia! She speaks no English. But she is sweet. She is 19 and has been in the mission for three months. Something cool about her, she has a brother the same age as Jared and his name is Jared. Also mission president said that the sisters who just came in will be trainers after two transfers because 12 new Hermanas will be coming in. AH!! A little scary! After meeting our companions they put us in taxis and we were off. She is an awesome missionary because she placed a Book of Mormon to the driver and he was way excited about it. My area is Ita Enramada. Its so diverse! Big homes and homes that I would call boxes, rather than homes. I realized why I'm sent to Paraguay. Not once have we been rejected here. I mean there are people that are a little more excited to hear our message and some that aren't but every single one will take the time to talk  to you. They are so friendly. Friday my companion and I taught 8 lessons in one day. And only three of those were scheduled lessons. The people here are so ready for the gospel its insane. I don't know how to explain it but its amazing!!! THESE ARE MY PEOPLE!!!! You should look up this area on Google. Its stunningly beautiful!  So I want to tell you about some of my investigators. One dear sister, GOLDEN INVESTIGATOR!!! But there is one problem... her husband doesn't like the church. We teach her at the chapel but she is supposed to be baptized this week. Please pray for her! We are hoping her husband will allow her to be baptized! Another young man, he lives with his mom and sister. He attended church with us yesterday. He is awesome too. . Well my companion and I knocked on this door  and this older guy answered. He looked so sad. We started talking to him and found out that he had a daughter pass away when she was 5 years old. We will be teaching him again soon. 

Sunday was interesting!!! I can understand and communicate with my companion at least a little bit. But the people in Paraguay speak two languages. The closing prayer in sacrament meeting was so confusing! I couldn't understand any of it... and I can usually understand prayers because I can pray in Spanish. Well I turn to my companion in confusion and she just says, she said it in Gaurani!  This is ridiculous! These people speak so slurred! I can't pick out much of their words. One day I will though!!! Its a miracle in itself I can even communicate and teach lessons with my companion. I can understand about 80 percent of what she says but I don't know how to respond very well. I placed my first Book of Mormon by myself yesterday! Cool huh?

 Well I have a lot to write and I'm a little overwhelmed with this crazy new life I'm living but all is well. I received a water bottle in the mission home, and I am going to be using my debit card today to buy some boots. Its not even cold here but it does rain a lot. Its really, really muddy and mosquitoes are crazy! I HAVE 30 mosquito bites!!! Hahaha crazy I know! So many things here are so different. I am going to go shopping for the first time today and I will have to tell you how that goes. But I love this gospel, and I know its true! Thank you for you love and support!!!  FRIENDS MAIL ME!!!! I love you all! The gospel is true! And the people of Paraguay are absolutely awesome!! Almost as awesome as my family! 

Love you, 

Hermana Ross