November 24, 2015

Summary:

The week went by flying, as usual! Franco had his baptismal interview and all went well. Out of all the investigators I've met so far, I think he's been the one that's changed the most from the first time I've met them. Actually, the first time I met him he told us he didn't want us to pass by to teach him. He gave us a straight-up "No."  It's crazy how things work out, though, and how God really does soften the hearts of people. 

I had exchanges with Hermana Valladares from Honduras. She's finishing up her mission and goes home this week. She's a sister that I've been with almost my whole mission because we were together in Trinidad for about 8 months. They finally transfered her, and then the next transfer, I got transfered too to her same ward. I've always looked up to her. She's known me ever since I didn't speak a lick of spanish, but has always demonstrated the same amount of patience and love. I've learned a lot from her.

On Thursday, we had interviews with our mission President. He is an inspired man and I know that he is led by the Spirit in all that he says to us missionaries. 

Some other highlights of the week were meeting some less-actives. One of my favorites is a lady names Cintia that has an autistic daughter. She's so sweet and I don't know if I've ever met any other less-active member so prepared to recieve missionaries in their home. 

Spiritual Experience:

We had lunch with a less-active sister this week who doesn't come to church because she works on Sundays. It was crazy, because in less than an hour we watched her attitude go from, "There's no way I will ever be able to go to church because I work on Sundays." to "Tomorrow I'll talk to my boss to change my free day to Sundays. I need to go to church." The Spirit really does tell us what we need to hear when we listen.

Funny:

The other night, Hermana Parra and I were both really tired. We ended up talking to a lady and I asked her what day we could pass by to visit her. She told us a day and then my companion was all the sudden like, "AND.... How old are you?" Then the lady and I both just stood there confused and finally the lady repeats the question to clarify, "Did you just ask how old I am?" My companion just cracks up laughing and says, "Oh woah, sorry. I'm so tired. I didn't mean to ask that I meant to ask at what time we can pass by..." and then we all just cracked up laughing. 

November 17, 2015

Summary:

Another great week! On Wednesday, I did exchanges with Hermana Chapman from Las Vegas and I met the family of the boyfriend of one of the converts that I taught in my first area! I also had a blast serving with Hermana Chapman for a day. On Friday, we had a speacial counseling meeting with President Morgan. It was incredible because Hermana Parra and I have been talking a lot about things we see as setbacks in the mission and trying to think of ways to overcome them. In the meeting, every single last little question and worry we had talked about was answered. Sunday was the primary program, which is always just really cute. Monserrat's whole family except for her brother came to church. Today we had a zone activity and we cooked breakfast and were able to hike up a little mountain. It's been so long since I've gone hiking! It was the best!

Spiritual Experience:

Remember that lady that got kicked out of her house because we went to visit her? It turns out that she has been messaging with one of the sisters in our ward. She now has a place to live, is happy, and is going to recieve the missionary lessons! I was so happy to hear this that I almost cried.

Funny Moment:

We went to the house of a less-active member to share a message with her and were getting ready to start the lesson. There was music playing, so my companion asked the sister if she could turn down her music so we could sing a hymn. We thought the music was coming from her stereo, but she got up and walked past the stereo and outside and just starts screaming, "TURN DOWN YOUR MUSIC!!! WE'RE ABOUT TO SING CHURCH SONGS!" I looked at my companion and she's all, "Woops... I didn't know it was the neighbor's music."

November 10, 2015

Summary:

It's been a great week! It was the first week in a long time that we haven't had lots of meetings or anything, just lots of appointments! Except for on Thursday, we had a "scrapbook party" with the area books. The zone got together and shared ideas of organization and we pretty much started from zero in organizing the folders and progress sheets to how they should be. It was good for us because now I feel a lot more organized!

Franco finally accepted a baptismal date! It's planned for November 28th. Pray for him that he can keep feeling the spirit. 

On Wednesday I did exchanges in Lo Canas and met some great new people. In our own sector, too, we were able to find some new investigators and less-active members, so we'll see how it all turns out!

Spiritual Experience:

The other night I was kneeling by my bed praying, and I did a little "zoom out" on the Plan of Salvation. It's kind of hard to explain, but I was thinking about how I lived before, and how I'll live after, and all of that stuff that we teach every day and I realized how short this time is on earth. And on the mission even shorter. My heart started beating really fast and the thought came to my mind, "Rise to the occasion." 

Funny:

The other night during daily planning, I had a series of unfortunate events. I stood up to get the area book off of the shelf and tripped over my feet and did a head-dive into the door. Luckily I caught myself so it didn't turn out too terrible, but we were laughing so hard. Then I finally stopped laughing and sat down to focus and the district leaders called. The phone was so loud that it scared both of us and I almost fell off of my chair again! 

November 3, 2015

Summary:
On Tuesday we contacted a new investigator and her son, went to her house to have a lesson. Hermana Parra and both realized that we had felt a cautionary spirit in the house of this lady. The Spirit told both of us, "Be careful." and even, "Leave as soon as possible and don't return."This shook both of us a little bit, so we said a prayer, asking for comfort, and continued on. I am so grateful for the gift of the Holy Ghost that truly does lead, guide, and walk beside us. As we got out of there and were talking as we walked, we had both experienced the exact same thing and we don't know why.

On Sunday, an hermana from the ward pulled me aside and told me that an investigator we had gone to visit got kicked out of her house. It turns out that the owner of the house didn't want anything to do with us and was angry with our investigator for inviting "Mormons" over without her permission. I couldn't believe it! I still feel sad when thinking about it, but not guilty.

Monserrat was confirmed on Sunday. On top of that, her grandma who is a less-active member accompanied her to church for her first time in quite a while. She gave me a hug afterward and said that she will be coming to church every single Sunday from now on. Monserrat's older brother and mother are both more interested and receptive after seeing Monserrat's baptism. I have so much faith and hope for this family and know that they will all soon make the choice to follow Christ.

We went to the house of an investigator, Beatriz with an hermano to give her a blessing. She's been really sick. He gave her a blessing and she said she immediately felt something lift off of her. She came to church the next day and I know that she'll keep progressing. I'm excited for her and her family.

Spiritual Moment:
Last night, we finished a lesson early and had about fifteen minutes before it was time to go home. It was too short to go to a lesson so we decided to just walk and contact for a few minutes. There weren't many people out, but finally we passed a guy. We gave him a pass-along card and I ended up asking him if he believes in Christ. He responds and says he's a member that's been inactive for about 10 years. Then he asks us where the church is and what hours we meet. He's started to feel the need to go to church and had been asking around but he doesn't know anyone from the ward.

Funny:
The other day we were walking down a street and I looked up and the moon looked so cool! I got distracted for a second and told my companion to look at the moon. I expected her to comment on how pretty it was or something, but she didn't. So I just stood there admiring it for a second waiting for some sort of comment. I turn around and she's swinging her bag all around while this little dog was nipping at her feet and ankles hahaha. Finally the dog leaves and she just cracks up laughing, "Thanks for your help. The moon looks gorgeous."