January 13th, 2014 Franklin Park, IL

Hey world, heyyyy!

Real talk. I made the joke last week about me still being alive and
all that jazz. Nuh-uh. Two weeks ago had nothing on this last one.
Don't want to come off as complaining....just would like to state some
facts here. We were defs at -40 last Tuesday with wind chill. From
what I hear, that broke some sort of record....or that hasn't happened
in a really long time. President prohibited missionaries from leaving
their apartments IF they didn't have appointments. Luckily for us, I'm
a pro at weekly planning and we had a day completely full of
appointments....out in the cold it was! :) One Elder went to the
hospital on Tuesday with a bad case of frost bite. He had been
shoveling snow outside for less than ten minutes without a hat on.
Poor kid. Our missionaries in the top part of Indiana were on real
lock-down, because of a statewide driving ban. No big deal people. If
anything, this is the BEST time to be a missionary. These people are
terrified to leave their houses. Hello. Perfect time to find EVERYONE
home #canthide #we'recomingforyou.

In other news:

*I ate menudo for the first time on Wednesday. Definitely as bad as I
had imagined.

*While teaching a family, the Jehovah witness missionaries came and
knocked on the door. Awkward moment when they see us and don't want in
anymore.

*Washing hair in the sink with ice cold water because the hot water
pipe is frozen or something, is the WORST idea ever. Don't even think
about trying.

I'm not sure if this is just the Hispanic thing to do here in Chicago,
or of they do this on other parts of the country too....but H.Pearson
and I broke down this week and put saran wrap on our windows. Does
it actually keep the apartment warmer? Yes.  Myth buster approved.  I
hope somebody reading this can confirm seeing saran wrap on windows
before. I have yet to see an American or Polish (a large majority of
people here) person do that to their windows.

Adrian is still planning on getting baptized on the 25th, and I
couldn't be more excited! This guy is awesome. He's been taught for
quite some time, but never felt ready to make the changes. But he's
doing it now, and it's amazing to see. I mentioned Lot's wife/ Sodom
and Gomorrah a few weeks ago. I know as we leave and turn our backs on
our 'Sodom and Gomorrah', we'll come to find the peace and lasting
happiness in this life and the life to come. Heavenly Father always
has the better way, and it all starts with us leaving the sin and NOT
looking back.  .....defs wrote this this morning while eating
breakfast, and then stumbled upon Luke 17:32-33 during my personal
study. No coincidence there.
"Remember Lot’s wife....Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall
lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it."

For those not following me on Facebook....this is the Plan of
Salvation board game that ROCKS. God loves us and he wants us back!!

Love you all so much!
Hermana Mortensen