Hello Humidity!

Well, I can tell that spring time is here as my hair has decided to poof every day now, it's just so humid. I forgot what it is like till just now. Ha ha! But the last couple of days have been so nice and I have been LOVING it! I love seeing all the blossoms and having the sun out! Yesterday we walked around South Norwalk and talked to people on the street. It made me miss the city a lot but it was just so enjoyable. I am glad that the blossoms are out and that there is some color in the world again! The rain just starts to get depressing after a while.

This week was a good one. All three of us have been really sick so on Saturday we were inside ALL day which was just awful! At least we all got hit at the same time and we are doing better now. That night the assistants asked us to sing at mission conference that coming Monday. HAHAHAHA! We just laughed when we found out and then agreed. You can imagine how fun it was to practice for that as we all were blowing our noses and trying to sing with congestion filling us up... not the best of times. But the song turned out ok and we made it through. Thank goodness Hna. Vander Does has such an amazing voice, she carried us through!

Easter was great. It is always so nice to be able to reflect a little more on the Savior and what he did for us. We also got to sing in Sacrament Meeting which was, again, very interesting. The elders sang with us so I think it turned out pretty good. We ate dinner at a couple different houses and enjoyed our time with some members. I think next Easter will be weird without eating some sort of Spanish food for dinner!

So I had my final mission conference on Monday. It was a little weird, just feeling like I was one of "the old ones". We talked about the doctrine of finding people. It was really interesting and reminded me once again of how much people are searching for the gospel in their lives. President Smith reminded us that everyone knew the plan, everyone that is here accepted that, we need to go out and help them remember. It has put a different spirit into the way I look at people throughout my whole mission, it was great to be reminded of it again! I was also given the chance to bear my testimony at mission conference (along with all the other missionaries going home) It was interesting to reflect and bear testimony. I realize that my testimony hasn't changed at all, it has just grown stronger. My goals have become more specific and I have learned even more how the Lord guides me in all I do! What a great time!

Today is my last normal P-day. Next week we are going to the temple (all the missionaries going home) so today we are going to the beach to play some volleyball. I am very excited! I hope all is well in your part of the world! I love you all!

Con Amor- Hermana Passantino

18 months!

Yes, it's true, tomorrow I will hit my 18 month mark! Does that mean I am done being a missionary? Haha, NO WAY! Us Spanish sisters here in New York go for almost 19 months... does that mean we are more hard core? I think so! Just kidding... :)

This last week has been an adventure as always. We are still continuing to work hard and find those people who are searching for the gospel. We are having a lot of success as we follow the spirit in our finding efforts. The work always goes forward. I have really been enjoying seeing little miracles every day. Last Sunday we were for sure that one of our investigators was going to come to church. We saw her the day before and we were so excited about it. Turns out, she didn't show up... BUT another one of our investigators did! It was so exciting! Getting people to church in this area has been rough so I just jumped for joy last Sunday. Just a little tender mercy.

I don't have a lot to update on just because the work keeps going forward and nothing new has changed. I got to have an interview with President yesterday which was wonderful as always. I love that man. He is just so ready and willing to help with everything. This cycle has probably been one of the most challenging on my mission but I have also learned the most so I am happy about that.

I hope all is well! I heard that the weather has been a bit crazy lately. It sure has here as well! I just want it to be warm again! It seems the rain doesn't want to stop. Hopefully the saying is true about April showers bringing May flowers! I also hope that everyone has a wonderful Easter. I love this time of year! It make me think even more in our Savior and all that he went through for us. I know He lives!!!

Con Amor- Hermana Passantino

I Love Conference!

Hello to all! How is everyone doing? Things here in good ol' CT are going well. It has been a great week, a different week, but a great week. The week after transfers is always something to get adjusted to.. just because there is so much change involved. But we are doing well. The adjustment from two people to three people has been an interesting one for all of us but we are working together and bonding well. We are kind of working on phasing me out of being the one in charge, just so that when I leave, they will realize that they don't need me at all. It will be interesting.

My birthday was wonderful. It started out with my companions decorating my apartment while I was in the shower, that was fun. Then we went to an english members house to watch the first session of conference. The whole district was there and it was really cool. Then the family brought out this huge chocolate cake and sang to me. I felt so special, I had never even met these people before. It always amazes me how christlike people are! We ran over to a members house before the second session of conference and ate there and then enjoyed the second session. It was a great day. On sunday a member brought me a homemade cheesecake and on Monday we had FHE with a member family and they bought me this HUGE tres leches cake (my favorite). I am stuffed full of cake! But it was wonderful. I felt so much love. Thanks to all of you for my birthday wishes. I feel like an old fart but that's ok!

So, wasn't conference amazing? I feel bad for all of you because I am pretty sure the conference was directed toward Melissa Passantino. Ha ha, just kidding, but really! I loved how many of my concerns and questions were answered during conference. What a blessing it is to hear from the Lords servents and recieve personal revelation. Just to comment on a couple of my favorites: Richard G. Scott was of course amazing. All of us sister missionaries just had huge smiles on our faces the whole time and just loved it. I think it was for sure my favorite. I also loved Lynn G. Robbins talk on being and doing. It was so great! Then of course Elder Bednar, a lot of what he talked about reminded me of what he talked about when we came to speak to us as a mission. Every talk was just so amazing. I was able to set some good goals while I was watching, especially about my future. I think the main thing on my mind is how I want more than ever to have a strong family, in a home where the gospel is taught and lived and where the spirit can be. It seems sometimes that this world is getting scarier to live in which makes it even more important for us to carry the light of Christ with us always.

I hope all are doing well. Have an amazing week. I know I will!

Con Amor- Hermana Passantino