Hey! How's it going?
This was a great week! Well, today was interesting because this morning we went to a museum on the outskirts of the city, only to find that it was closed on Mondays. So, we got on a bus and went to the opposite side of they city to tour a castle, and found out that it too was closed Mondays. We spent almost the whole morning in the bus, but I got to see lots of the city :) Finally, we just decided to get some food and we'll think of something else the next week haha.
To tell you a little more about the area, I'm in Delicias, Sucre. It's in the city, but not in the center so we teach all kinds of people. There are a ton of hills (so I'm getting lots of exercise haha), and it's cold. I don't know if it really is that chilly temperature wise, but you gotta remember that here you can't just turn on the heater when it gets a little cold. There's also a lot of wind which makes a difference. But, I really like it here because the area is awesome.
My companion, Hermana Romero, works extremely hard and we teach so much. The only real problem is that a lot of our investigators only speak Quechua. Luckily, the ward is really great and a lot of people are willing to come with us to translate, but they can't always. I'm able to understand small parts, but it gets a little interesting sometimes haha. I was studying Quechua beforehand, but I left my book in Cochabamba, which wasn't my best idea. I think we're flying back next week for a meeting so maybe I can get it then.
To answer your question, Mom, my companion and I only stay in Sucre and do intercambios with the Hermanas within the city. You can take a bus to go back to Cochabamba but it's a 6 hour ride, I think, and they try to fly us in and out if possible.
Overall, I really love Sucre and I am very excited for this transfer! I'm learning a lot and many of the people we are teaching are progressing.
I love you!!
Hermana Rupp

Transfers!

Family!!

I got transferred!! I am now in Sucre, a different department, as a STL, and my companion is Hna Romero. She is from Peru and is a really impressive missionary. Normally I would still be in Cochabamba and would leave tomorrow, but there are blockades starting today, so we got our transfers Friday and I flew here yesterday.

I haven't gotten to see very much of our area yet, but we got to go exploring in the center of the city this morning, and it is absolutely beautiful. I don't really know how to explain it, but it reminds me a lot of San Francisco, but the Bolivian version haha. And all the walls of the buildings are painted white, so it just looks so clean and pretty. The houses in my area (outside of the center) are all brown and made of ladrio (I forgot what that is in English haha), but it still is really pretty.

My zone also seems super fun. We all played soccer at 7 this morning, and I think it will be a cool transfer!

I don't have a lot to report because I just got here and this keyboard is seriously the most annoying, but I hope you have a great week! It sounded kinda crazy when Mom wrote me, but fun haha. I love you all!!

Hermana Rupp

Familia!
Yesterday a HEFY (EFY but they stay for a few weeks and do service) group came to our ward. Our Bishop asked us to do divisions with them and go to visit less actives. I think it was a little overwhelming because I had 11 people in my group, half of which were 16 year old gringos that don't speak Spanish haha. So it wasn't so effective as far as teaching, but a good experience overall. And I had fun talking to people from the States.
I also got my hair cut today.  I asked her to cut the ends and she cut off a ton. I'll send pictures next week because I don't want to take my hair out of the pony tail until I have time to fully assess the damage haha.
This was a slower week. We had days where hardly anyone was home, and our investigator who was supposed to be baptized this upcoming Saturday didn't get permission from her parents. The good news is that we have an appointment with her whole family this week, so we have hope. And even if they don't accept the Gospel, I think it's only a matter of time before they give her permission.
We have transfers this Sunday. My comp said that our President told her I'm probably leaving, but we'll see. Although it's had rough days, I'll be sad to leave this area. I've really come to love this ward. It's a mixture of feelings haha.
Anyway, woohoo for summer vacation! Do you have plans for what you are going to do?
Glad to hear that you are all doing well! I hope you have a great week and I love you!!
Hermana Rupp

Admin edit.  Pictures from:
http://3yearsinbolivia.blogspot.com/

So, I'm going to make this a little faster today because we're running late and my comp wants to get out of here. Also, I've already forgotten what happened during this week haha.
Our area is doing really well. It has grown a lot in this past month or so, and we've found a lot of cool people. Beforehand we knocked a lot of doors, but now it seems like there is sufficient time to go to all of the visits we need to. So, I'm very happy for that. However, we really are having a hard time getting people to church. We teach why it's important almost every lesson, we leave commitments, we go to pick them up, and we still haven't seen much progress.  I even made an investigator read Matthew 21:28-31 (which is about as direct as it gets haha), and nothing. But, I have lots of hope for this next week! Still, suggestions are welcome.
I'm racking my brain for funny or interesting things that happened this week, but comin' up short. Sorry, could be that I'm cracking under the pressure of the time limit haha.
But, I would like to close with my testimony about the plan that God has for us. My companion and I were able to teach about the Plan of Salvation many times this week, and each time I am more impressed with how much the Lord loves us. He truly is merciful, and there is a hope that comes with the knowledge that we can all return to live with Him and our families. I know our Saviour lives and He loves us!
I hope you all have a great week! I love you!!
Hermana Rupp

Cold update: I now have to sleep with 2 pairs of pants and it's getting harder to work up the courage to get in the shower every morning.