This week was so great! Ahh! So many miracles!! I absolutely love it here, and it has been a huge blessing for us.
This week, we were able to find a couple of really awesome new investigators! And they were both just because of being in the right place at exactly the right time. The first one is Narciso, a 74-year old, who is super nice and humble. We had a morning planned with contacting references, visiting less-actives and EVERYTHING fell through. We had no more ideas, then we had the thought to visit the bishop, because earlier he had told us that he had a possible reference for us. We got to his house, and his in-laws were there, talking with Narciso. They invited us over quickly and told us that Narciso was interested in hearing our message. He had come to them for "spiritual advice" a few days before, they gave him a Book of Mormon, and about 5 minutes before we got there, he had returned, wanting to know more! Then we showed up! So we had a lesson with him, he's super interested and he even came to church yesterday! The second is Elizabeth. She is 32, has 3 kids and we contacted her while looking for the address of a less-active. She was super nice, helped us find the building, then invited us to come visit her the next day. She was super attentive, and from what we shared, a lot of it goes along with her beliefs. She wasn't able to go to church yesterday, but we're hoping to see her progress this week as well :)
Janeth is also progressing so much! She is most definitely going to be baptized the next week :) Her eyes are fixed on the 28th and aren't moving. We had a bit of a scare when her boyfriend showed up, but turns out that he's changed a lot and only wants the best for her. She was able to come to church yesterday (we saw the miracle of 4 investigators at church yesterday!) and she is basically a member. She's been attending for more than a year now... for example, this week, we decided to go over tithing and fasting again. And guess what?
She already pays tithing and fast offerings. (WHAT??) She sends it with her kids who are already members, but as we taught, she just testified of all the blessings she has seen as a result of paying tithing. Can you say "perfect investigator" any more louder? Haha speaking of perfect investigators...Magda and Danny are incredible. I love them so much. Especially Danny :) We had a couple of really great lessons with them, and he loves reading the Book of Mormon. He marks his favorite parts, and explains them with so much detail. Yesterday, we ate dinner with them after church, and while we were walking to their house, we asked him what he had learning in Primary and he started to explain to us about having a clean and pure heart. He talks like he's 20 years old, I'm not joking. He is going to go places, that's for sure. Madga's less-active husband is putting a bit of a downer on their progress, but I have faith that I'll see at least one of their baptisms.
We also had a couple of great experiences as hermana leaders this week... We have a couple of new fresh out of the MTC hermanas and one was really struggling this past week. Her trainer informed me on Monday that the hermana wanted to go home, then on Tuesday we received a call from President asking us to go visit and talk with her. It was a really incredible experience. I've never really been in a situation that like, and I wasn't really sure what I could say to help. Hna Gomez never was like that either during her training, so I really had no idea. But... the Lord helps us. It was very humbling... and a really great opportunity for us and her trainer to reflect on why we're really here, what blessings have come from serving a mission, and why it is an experience that literally changes our lives. The hermana wasn't feeling perfect when we left, but she was better. We had a little mini-intercambio with them a couple days later, and she came with me to our area. We were able to talk a lot, and it was a blessing to get to know her, recognize her strengths and help her to see them too. ...The mission is hard. Honestly... every single one of us has days when we wonder if we could be doing more at home or in another place. But, we all have to stop for a second and realize what we'd be losing if we gave in to Satan's attacks. There is nothing like the mission. There is no other place where we can learn, change, work, pray, study, grow, self-reflect, suffer (only sometimes), and progress like the mission. The hermana asked me if I regret coming on a mission and I told her never. It's something I'll never regret. Long story short-ish... she has decided to stay and keep trying. :) The things that are the hardest are also the most worth it.
Another "miracle"! We found a restrauant that sells cemitas (they're kinda like sandwiches but super duper good) 2 x 25 pesos!!!! They're so cheap! And it's close to our house! Yay!! haha! For the nights when there is nothing left to eat in the house...haha. I'll take a picture next time :)
The other missionaries in our ward are super great :) Their names are Hermana Avalos (Argentina) and Hermana Rojas (Chihuahua). That in itself is a blessing! When all the missionaries in the ward don't get along...it makes for a long transfer. But when we all get along, it's great :) They are super funny, and super dedicated missionaries. We have grown to be good friends :) The pictures for this week is when we went to eat pizza today together :)
Is anyone else getting super excited for conference?? I've been re-reading some of the talks, and I read the one by Elder Martinez about our "personal ministries". It's a super great talk :) And this was my favorite quote...
The love of Jesus Christ must be our guide if we are to become aware of the needs of those we can help in some way. The teachings of our Lord, Jesus Christ, show us the way. And that is how our personal ministry begins: discovering needs, then tending to them. As Sister Linda K. Burton, Relief Society general president, said, “First observe, then serve.”
-Elder Hugo E. Martinez
I love all of you so very very much! You are all great, and thank you so much for your letters and prayers. I hope everyone has a great week!!
Love always,
Hermana Smith
.jpg)
.jpg)
No comments:
Post a Comment