Week 7: Skinnin’ a deer at the Temple

Buenos Días mi Hermanos y Hermanas!

Oh boy! So much has happened this week! Oh, and sorry for missing an email last Tuesday. It was travel-prep day and was super busy!

Adios

I bid farewell to District 11b! We all said our goodbyes on Tuesday night/Wednesday morning. We had a friendsgiving with doritos, Costco muffins, and apple juice the day before! It was great! I'm gonna miss them all! Especially my Comp, Hermana Adams! Love you guys!

Viajar (travel)

My bus to the airport left at 2AM Wednesday morning, where I said some more goodbyes to my Comp and other friends I made at the CCM. Then, for most of my time to Kentucky, I traveled alone, and without a phone. Luckily, I made it there alright, and my Mission Presidents, The Mcginns, were there to greet me! Since I was the only new Kentucky missionary from the CCM, I got there hours earlier than all the other greenies. So The Mcginns showed me around Louisville! I got to see Churchill Downs (Kentucky Derby place), the famous Bat museum, and just what the area is like in general! 

After, we went to the mission home, got my phone set up, ate lunch, and then went back to pick up the other missionaries at the airport!

Deer Skinning (Desollado de Ciervos)

I officially realized we were in Kentucky when we drove to The Mission Office Building, which is also right next to our tiny but mighty temple! 

OK so picture this- You're in a van with 10 other missionaries. You pull up to the parking lot of the Mish Office. And on the edge of the parking lot you see a deer hanging upside-down from a pole! 

We were all so confused! So after we dropped our bags off at the mish office, me and a Sister go check out what's going on. There's a whole group of teens and young adults huddled around this thing, and as we go by, one of the guys says in the most southern accent possible, “Ayyy it's the missionaries! Come check this out!”

And so we go by and watch as they skin a deer, temple in the background and all. I have some videos and pictures of it in my album! Check it out if you want! 

The Schedule (el horario)

Anyways, the next day we did orientation and I met my new Trainer, Hermana Lopez! She originally wasn't called Spanish speaking, but like 2 months into her mish they needed more Hermanas, and she already new Spanish from her Dad's side, so they called her! She's awesome!

So a lot of my days mostly consist of social media contacting, lessons, a volleyball night, and English class! It's a weird turn around teaching Spanish speakers English while I just got out of taking Spanish class, but I love it! The people are great!

The Amish-Catholic Conversion

My first Sunday here in Kentucky was a Stake Conference, and AY CARUMBA this one talk was a banger!

So this lady in like her 60s comes up to the stand, and in a heavy southern accent, She says, “I haven't been able to say this talk without cryin’, so excuse me.”

This lady, Jessica, starts by saying that she grew up in an Amish home until she was 14 years old. Then she found out that she had an infirmity that wouldn't allow her to have kids, so her father kicked her out. Her mom, luckily, came with her, but for a while they were both living in the “hood”, and were struggling to put food on the table.

Eventually, Jessica discovered Catholicism, was converted, and found happiness in becoming a nun. After a while of service, she discovered that she had a terminal illness that would kill her off slowly. The convent decided that she was too ill to continue serving as a nun and released her from her calling.

Jessica was now in deep despair. What she had felt was her purpose in life was completely wrecked. So, alone in her home, she put a gun up to her head, unlocked the safety, and was about to press the trigger when-

Ding dong!

The doorbell rang. 

Jessica figured she might as well answer and send them on their way so she could get back to her business.

Well, she answered the door, and was quickly greeted by two loving Sister Missionaries. They end up talking for at least an hour, and they even set up an appointment for her to learn more. A year later, Jessica was baptized! She also got the proper treatment for her illness and is still alive to this day!

La Comida Picante (Spicy food)

I love the area I'm in! We call this part Lex Norte (Lexington North), and it is apparently the City with the most horses per square mile in the whole world! 

There is one awesome Spanish member family here who hosts dinner the Sunday after transfer day. And my oh my, do they have a special tradition!

For any of the missionaries who are new to the area (AKA me), they have them eat a jabenero pepper. Es muy Picante!

Now I've never seen a jabenero in person before, so I was expecting one of those small red shriveled up looking peppers. No. This thing looked like your typical orange bell pepper. (Which makes me realize how fun they could be for pranks.) 

So I ate the thing. It started out not so bad, but then my throat started burning, my nose was running, and my tears were leaking. I expected all of that, but what really got me was what happened after.

It eventually stopped burning in my throat, but instead in my lungs and stomach. Everywhere else in my body felt tingley, like when your foot gets numb, but everywhere. Luckily, I closed my eyes, ate some ice cream, and felt perfectly fine after 20 minutes! 10/10 would eat again! 

Sorry this email ran long! I just had so much to say! If you made it here, email me about the craziest thing you've ever eaten!

Te ama!

Hermana Perkins

https://photos.app.goo.gl/uvQvkGUzsSygzu1W9