Dreams..and a few other things

I have very...special dreams, I suppose you could say. I have had a problem with nightmares since I little girl. I would cry and scream in my sleep, I would talk and walk around..all sorts of things. However in the midst of all the awfull dreams...I have had some very vivid ones. I have had dreams of inspiration for my personal life. Last night I had one that really opened my eyes. I think I will record it in my personal journal, not on my blog. But I was just thinking about another way that Heavenly Father works. How amazing it is that he can "send me a message" through something as simple as a dream. I also had a very strong feeling of his love. It reminded me that he really does know each and every one of us personally, and watches us and takes care of us and wants whats best for us, and he will do what needs to be done, to help us to return.

After my dream, I decided to make some changes in my life...they wont happen over night, but it will happen. I bore my testimony in spanish without help for the first time since I moved here. It was short and simple. I simply stated what I knew to be true. It was a big deal to me.

I had a nice talk with my friend about life and all the things that we have to deal with in our teenage years. I am so gratefull for her.

I played with my nieces and nephews that came to visit.

But I think today more than anything was just a "thinking" day for me. I really thought about Jesus Christ, and the church, and my family, and my future. I dont often have days like this, im always on the go. Heavenly Father knows me and loves me. And this Sunday that is what im gratefull for. I am happy.

Church Friends

Joselyn-Cami Cordozo-camila, me, feli, and maile

Camila being super silly, and feli..well being feli!

(Fede, a friend sitting next me, not sure what kind of pose im pulling off ajaja)

I love my friends from school. I am very lucky to have some pretty amazing ones. Friends that both I and my parents trust, who help me, not put me down. However nothing beats a good friend from church. There is something special about friends from church. Its like once you become friends you become family. Now of course im not saying that doesnt happen with friends outside of church...but theres just something a little more to it.

Feli has been my friend since I moved here. She speaks wonderfull english and is so much fun to be around. We are ALWAYS laughing, and giggling, and telling jokes. We know what the other person is going to say before they even say it, and ive definatly missed my friends in Florida who I have the same connections with.

Camila I met at EFY. She lived abroad for many years so of course went to an international school and learned perfect English. She too is Argentine, but reminds me so much of home. We got a long so well at EFY and have been friends ever since.

The three of us have had sleepovers, and gone to dances, and spent all day playing Just Dance 3 on the wii. We talk about boys, and church, and clothes, and all the girl things you could think of. We have seriouse conversations and pointless conversations. They have really been great to be with. I have met some other great people through both of them as well and we have all got a long just great. We go to church firesides, and movies, and many things together. Its been a blast.

I could never replace my friends in Florida. Its utterly impossible. But it is so wonderfull to have amazing friends here. Both in school and out. I am very blessed, and I am gratefull everyday for the help I have been given while living here. Everyday it gets a little bit easier and better.

And if ye love me...keep my commandments

I pretty much love the website "pinterest". I love finding new ideas for clothes, hair, nails, YWs, workouts...pretty much everything now that I think about it. I have to say I actually use it quite often. My wonderfull youngs woman leader here is very nice about having things sent from the States because her husband often travels back and forth. Recently I saw the cutest idea to make golden plate scripture quotes made out of hershey chocolate squares.

The young woman in my ward all pitched in to help make the 22 that needed to be made for our zone leader missionaries. They were actually very easy to make and turned out so cute! Along with those I printed off a quote that I just love that says "Missionary- Someone who leaves there family for a short period of time, so that others may be with their family for Eternity." I just love it.

I always want to do something for the missionarys but it can be very tricky. There are lots of rules and regulations that have to be followed. So I was happy that I was finally able to do something! I cant wait to give it to them!

Valentines Day

I think I can say I have always had a pretty good Valentines Day. With or without a Valentine. This year was okay, but wasnt a huge deal. I remember when I was younger and I would get so much candy, and I would wear pink and make valentines for my friends. This year, I was kind of missing my friends at home on Valentines Day. At my school you can by candy grams. You can either buy Roses or Candy or both, and then write a note, at the end of the last period they would be delivered to you. This year I got 6 roses, and 5 candys. I was very surprised, because I didnt think I would get anything. 4 of the roses were from good friends of mine, the other two were from secret admireres, some of the candy were from friends, and some from some people who I wouldnt expect to send me anything. Needless to say it was very sweet, and I enjoyed looking at my roses during class. Two of my close friends that I (accidently forgot to send something too) I gave them a rose from mine, because I learned to share jajaja. It was a nice day in Argentina.

Let the good times roll...

Daniela

One of my best friends Feli (:

Maile!!!!! my American buddy!

Joselyn! i love them all!

So summer here in Argentina has been great. I have made so many great friends from EFY and have had a great time getting together on weekends, and holidays! Ive had a few movie nights, and friends over for fun games and just relaxing, and also I have been going to some dances to follow up from EFY. I really am blessed to have such great friends! They are so much fun, and are all great examples to me, and they have taught me so much. It is so comforting to have so many great friends.

efy 2012

Dancing with the counselers!

The girls in my group!

Mi mehor amigos!

La baila!

My date ;)

Danza Kuduro!

This year I went to efy in Argentina! Wow what an experience! I learned so much, mostly spanish which was great! I made great friends! (And I already miss them so much) It was very similar to EFY in the states, but its amazing. I was able to hear from general authorities, and to learn from the kids in my company. I had so many great experiences. The EFY chant here goes like this... yo te dare, te dare una cosa, yo te dare, una cosa empieza con... E...EFY! I learned lots of cute songs, and dances as well. Just an all around amazing time!

Feliz año nueve

New Years part two. I forgot to mention that I spent New Years with my brazilian friends and their families. It was a lot of fun and I it was so cool to see new years spent in a different way. We had a very gormet Argentine meal. And we all wore fancy clothes. Marina had a DJ and waiters and the there where tables outside in the back yard. We had TONS of firworks and we even did something a little strange to me yet still cool. 12 seconds before midnight we would eat 12 grapes. One for every second, while we ate a grape we made a wish. Afterwords of course we all kissed eachother on the cheek and then the party started! We had glow sticks and hats and glasses and boas and all sorts of crazy stuff. The music got turned up really loud and we just laughed and danced and had a great time! at about 3:30 my friends and I whent up to the third floor to watch a movie. The parents stayed up till about a little bit after 6. (Poor DJ he had to play music for a long time) and at 8:15, Maile came to pick me up to go to church. It was a very long but eventfull night.

My friends are great and I was so happy that they invited me to be with them and have some fun!

Languages

On New Years I spent it with my Brazilian friends. They of course speak Portuguese. Ive learned a lot of Castillano (spanish) but I still have a lot more to learn. So you can imagine how difficult it was when 30 people where comming up to me saying "oi, tutabang". My friend quickly came to the rescure and said.. "just say tutajoya" back. Oh that was funny.

On occasion people ask me "do you speak spanish or french?" Really?? Or ive even had remise drivers think im French. So very strange isnt it? I like all of the cultural differences and the languages, but sometimes it just makes me laugh the things I hear.

Gotta love Argentina

Happy New Years!

So its the year 2012, and look...where all still alive!!! Who woulda thought? hahaha This past year has been very eventfull. Moved to Argentina-Turned 16-Survived my first semester in a super hard highschool, and a few other things. Im extremely gratefull for all of the blessings, and comfort and safety I have been given. The past 6 months where really hard for me, but i managed to get through them, and grew as a person through those expieriences.

This year is going to be a great year!! My New Years goals are...

1. To be at the weight I want to be.

2. To work really hard in school and get really good grades.

3. To make it to Florida in the summer.

4. To re-read and finish the Book of Mormon and really pay attention to the stories in it.

The best part about New Years is fresh starts.

Boca yo te amo

Soccer of course is a huge deal here. My mom and Taylor and I went to the Boca stadium. It was pretty cool I must say. I love sports and it was fun to see the stadium and the hall of fame and cool videos. Hope I can make it out to a game!

Megatlon

Ive been saying I want to get into shape for a longggg time. And im finally doing and being seriouse about it. My mom got me a membership to a very nice gym by my house, and I have to say...ive been working super hard! It has a ton of great classes and little "gadgets" to help me stay on track. I go everyday (except Sunday) And sometimes multiple times. I cant wait to see the results in a month!

A few Christmas Pics

My mom and I made 200 handmade snowglobes...they turned out way cool but wayyyy to much work.

Our first fake, but beautiful Argentine Christmas tree (:

At midnight the Argentines along with 2 hours worth of AMAZING fireworks, let off lanterns. Every lantern that goes up you make a wish. These people are my neighbors. Unfortunatly the fire was a little to much in that one and it fell and landed on their roof...while still being on fire..hahaha but many more whent up into the sky and it was like watching the movie tangled!

The Hermanas and I at the Christmas party!

Christmas 2011, with my (magic Ray Bans haha)

Merry Christmas

This Christmas was a lot different then usual for a lot of reasons. However it was really wonderfull for more reasons than not. I truly am blessed to be here in Argentina. I feel like its really preparing me for my future. Being here means I have to act like an adult sometimes and I think that its a good thing to practice. I had a great time spending Christmas with the missionaries as well. They truly are inspirational. I wish that everyone could see young men and women doing the Lords work, and the effort and dilligiance that they put into their everyday lives.

The people in Argentina really focus more on family time and traditions, more than they do on the gifts and I love it. Honestly just having a good family party, staying up late, having a great time, remembering all the things to be greatfull for, thats the best part of Christmas to me. I was fortunate to recieve great gifts that are helping me reach my goals. My mom really does know me well (:

I hope the missionaries enjoyed talking to their families. It was sooo sweet to watch the Elders in my home talking and sharing their testimonies with their families. These 6 months have gone by fast, but I feel like im finally settled in and am ready to start and complete my goals. I love and miss everyone in Florida soooo much! And I wish you all a Merry Christmas.

Love,
Hermanita,
Brianna,
Carter <3

200 missionary snowglobes on the wall..

You know the song.. "99 bottles of beer on the wall, 99 bottles of beer...
you take one down, pass it around..
98 bottles of beer on the wall.."

Well heres my rendition.. "200 missionary (handmade) snowglobes on the counter..
200 missionary snowglobesssss...
you take one down, pass it around
199 missionary snowglobes on the wall"

Why did I make up this rendition you may ask? Well, my mom had a great idea to make snowglobes for the missionaries for Christmas! Which is awesome and they turned out super cute!!!! They have a little tree with the mission logo and glitter "snow" and the a missionary and his companion are in the jar, with a Argentine ribbon tied on the bottom! Super cute right!? But let me tell you something...doing 200 of anything! That has to be personalized and takes atleasttttt 4 WHOLE days to make, is just too much.

Next year, we of course will make more Christmas presents, but maybe a little more facil (easy) (;

P.S pictures will be comming soon.

Musica

I love music. I always have, since I was little listening to children songs..to listening to Enya and Eifal 65. I listen to it all the time! I like listening to new things as well. I would say my favorite kinds of music would be country, Pop, and piano. Now its brazilian music like (Ai se eu te pego) and wachituro music (Argentine) columbian (Shakira) Latin america (Makano).

I find that I learn a lot of spanish by singing to the music. My close friends are brazilian so I often listen to that too, and I love it. Who knew I would ever listen to this music?