EMAIL... Week 7

Hola from Esteli! 

Lee gave the rundown on last Saturday in the blog, but I just wanted to add that it was sooooo fun to make cookies for them, feel like home, and have something different to share with them. My Spanish was a bit sketchy, but it was so cute as they were writing the recipe down and wanting to see every item as I added it, and asking where I got it. The only things I had from home were my cookie sheets, which also got used on the stove top to cook the tortillas. These people are so innovative, it never ceases to amaze me. The tortillas were amazing, especially warm with the chunk of cheese! The sister who made the cake just used her hands to mix and mix and mix each of the ten eggs into the batter, and then the other ingredients. (Good thing I hadn't cheated with my little mixer with the cookie dough!) Great event, and then the cherry on top was Ashly's baptism. It was beautiful and Lee said the baptismal prayer correctly and in Spanish the first time! Not bad for 40 plus years later. 

Last Sunday we had the opportunity to have the other 2 Senior couples and 3 members of another branch, who were here for district training (their version of Stake Auxiliary Training), for dinner. The Nicas were introduced to spaghetti, but the great success was dessert...brownies and cookies. They loaded up to take some home. We were also able to take dinner to a couple. She had some heart issues last Sunday night, so we told the husband we wanted to bring them dinner. He was so confused, but said we could if we ate with them. I made chicken enchiladas and flan. They giggled when I served them, because they don't make theirs like we do. It was fun, and we love them both! 

We love visiting the members, less actives, and investigators. They are gracious and welcoming. It warms my heart as they come back to church. We also love working with the Hermanas! They are amazing young women and so kind and encouraging not only to those we visit, but to us as well. 

Last night we were having dinner and got a call from the mission nurse, asking us to go to Ocotal to pick up a sister missionary and bring her back to our house, and they would meet us and take her back to Managua. They thought she had appendicitis. It was crazy raining, 2 lane "highway", and a myriad of big trucks. It took us over an hour to get there and another 45 minutes before were on the way back. The Elders met us and took us the the home the Hermanas were visiting. We then had to take them back to their casita to get their pillows, and then got on the road back. We were worried that we wouldn't get her to the hospital on time. Thankfully, the roads were a lot clearer, so we made better time. We met the nurse and her husband at our house, where they unloaded stuff for us to deliver, and loaded the girls up. They called this morning to say that the Hermana was resting comfortably in the hospital in Managua, recovering from surgery. Lots of tender mercies! Heavenly Father loves and watches out for us as His children, especially when we are trying to do what is right! That's Nicaragua for this week! We love you all! 

Elder and Hermana Koelliker