People,

It is a little weird being with a companion who is dying (going home).  It's like being reminded of your own mortality.  It doesn't help that she's basically the opposite of trunky, in that she is doing all she can to not go home (to the extent that the President explained to me the reasons that he can't extend her so I can reexplain it to her everytime she obsesses over it.  I've done this at least 10 times).

The weather continues to freak me out.  It's like everyone just decided to put their Christmas decorations up in July.  I don't do well without seasons.

Olga, who is basically the sweetest ever, is 100% ready for baptism but can't be baptized because her husband won't give her permission.  It is intensely frustrating.

We made a new companion inside joke this week when I sang Santos Avanzad (Press Forward, Saints) in the style of Grease Lightning.

This week we're having a mission tour by Elder Martinez of the second quorum of the seventy.  Super excited.  He spoke in conference (he's the one who mentioned Puerto Rico all the time.  Because he's from Puerto Rico.  Puerto Rico Puerto Rico).

I hope you all have a good Thanksgiving!  Shoutout to my sister who becomes a legal adult this week.  You go Claire!  Don't die in the shopping spree on Friday!

Love you all,

Hermana Kirkland

Friends,

I got on early today and so have basically no email in my inbox.  This is going to make next week really frustrating when I have twice as much mail and the same amount of time.

We had a bunch of baptismal dates fall this week - one because she's not prepared, one because he doesn't have permission from his mom, and one because she doesn't have permission from her husband.  We still have two and hopefully will get a third tonight, but it's always frustrating when people can't progress, especially when it's not their fault.

I love you all, and I love this gospel!

Hermana Kirkland

All,

There is nothing safe about driving in Puerto Rico.  I am 100% certain that they keep the roads in bad condition just so that people have to drive slower.  You know things are interesting when the general thought is that instead of pulling over for an ambulance you should keep pace with it.  So rule #4 is Seatbelts.

Fortunately we have almost no permission to use the car.  This is a walking mission.  And this week we had an assignment to "hable con todos."  This means contacting.  Contacting can actually be really fun, if a little scary, and it's a great opportunity to talk to someone besides your companion.  We had a contact yesterday who told us basically her whole life story and cried a lot.  Some people really take the "representative of Jesus Christ" thing really seriously (me included).

All is well on the island!  Lots of love from me to you.

Hermana Kirkland

All,

Well I don't have a lot of time left.  We did service with the stake in Ponce on Saturday, which was awesome.  We distributed information about Dengue and the Chikungunya (insert spinning around three times, crossing yourself and spitting to ward off evil).  Here's a tip: if you want some flyers distributed, give them to missionaries and tell them it's service.  Also, Ponce is like an oven.  It made me really glad I'm in Adjuntas, which is not as much like an oven.

I love you all very much!

Hermana Kirkland