January 19, 2013

Yesterday was interesting. The day started at around 5, like usual. We went and bought 2 presents for the twins. The shops were interesting. They have no roof.  It is 2 hall ways. The hallways are lined with shops. We then went to the birthday party.  It is funny how people who get drunk a lot never admit to it.  This one girl asked me if "tu tomas?"  Which means "do you drink?"  I told her no. She said "good. Because Americans always come here and drink too much and get too drunk."  Then she proceeded to get drunk hahahaha.  She said she never gets drunk. But her friend told me after every party she throws up haha. I don't want to freak my dear mother out. It was very uncomfortable for me to be at that party.  I got very discouraged and started to pray. I went to the bathroom.  I was praying in the bathroom for a while. I was praying to know why I am here. I know there is some reason The Lord wants me here. Maybe it is various reasons. Or maybe it is this reason alone.  When I was praying in the bathroom a thought came to my mind. "Remember in yor blessing the day before you left you were blessed to stand in a holy place".  That is one thing this past year was very focused on in young women's. No matter where you are make it a holy place.  I wanted to have fun at this party and not let it bring me down. It is a big goal of mine to not get discouraged and always be positive. I left the bathroom. The kids were playing all sorts of games where you would drink. I played too then. They knew I wouldn't drink though. The thought occurred to me how easy it would be to just drink. I'm far from home and no one would even have to know. But the thought was not appealing to me. There was a boy there who didn't want to drink, but with a little bit of pressure he did. I know who I am. I do not care if other people care if I am different. I am different. I was born to be different. We kareokeed too. That was fun. I ended up having a pretty fun night, despite being the only kid not drunk haha. People are nice when they are drunk though. I was able to still talk and listen to them and work on my Spanish. I realized despite my dislike of the parties in general I could handle that on feh weekends and still stand in a holy place at those times. It's only on the weekends. It is funny that in Peru kids always hang out with their parents present. In the United States people would not have a party like that with parents around. There parents don't care here. I was realived to be at church today.  The Sacrement room had air. I was actually cold. That was crazy!!  The rest of the building had no air though. Sacrement is in Spanish, Sunday school is in English, and young women's is in Spanish. The kids are nice I guess.  Kind of sheltered, I think.  Their parents work for the church. That is why they are here.  Most of them are homeschooled.  If I lived in another country I would take every opportunity to learn the language and about the people. I would never want to be homeschooled. Today I am going to eat, sleep, finish Alma, and work on my Spanish. I am getting discouraged that my Spanish is so bad. That is natural I guess.  But like I said, I'm trying to stay positive. I want to be good enough in Spanish to pass the test before school starts so I can go to the University and not "La Merced". But what will be will be. I'm getting closer to The Lord.  Praying constantly. It's really all I can do. I can't communicate with anyone else. So I kind of just rely on The Lord. Please keep me in your prayers. Ask that The Lord help enlighten my mind and help me learn Spanish faster. Ask that if it be in his will I can pass that Spanish test.  You could even fast for me. That'd be great!  Attached is a picture of the birthday twins.

Love you,

Bek