This week was beautiful! 11/25/2013

What a great mission I have. The longer I am out here, the more a mission just feels like normal life. It is definitely not uncomfortable anymore to explain to people about the things I love.

This week was beautiful. A less active family that we have been working with got sealed in the temple on Friday. The faithful wife was diagnosed with cancer about a month ago, and since then the husband has done everything possible to change his priorities. Hermana Hale and I got to go and see their sealing in the temple. As I was waiting in the waiting room, I realized that the very next day, my dear Desi would be sealed, and it was a really tender mercy of Heavenly Father to let me be in the temple around the same time thinking of her. Yes we have to make sacrifices on our missions, but not only does He give us an equal reward (other beautiful experiences) to compensate, He gives us the joy of developing bigger hearts and more capacity to love others and trust Him through these sacrifices. For that reason, I am really excited to be away from home for the holidays.

Saturday night was the ward thanksgiving dinner. I knew we would be eating a lot so I kind of tried to save my hunger throughout the day. The activity "started" at 7, which in Latino time means we got there at 7 and greeted everyone until 8 when the food was all ready. There was a huge turn out. We, as the missionaries, got asked to serve the food to everyone, and it was wonderful. All 200-300 people lined up and came down the table and I just got to ask "Pavo o pollo?" over and over. Of course, the answer was always an enthusiastic TODO! (turkey, chicken, and briscuit). I thought it would be hard, being starving, to stand there for another hour and just dole food out to other people, but I honestly forgot my hunger and had the best time. Truly, serving is the best way to be happy in this life. We never run out of things, time, or attention to give. The more we give, the purer our hearts become, and the more access we have to the power of Jesus Christ's Atonement which enables us to give even more. We were really excited about how many less actives came. especially, the one who works in the Taqueria and always gives us free tacos and aguas de pina. It was finally our chance to serve her. When she came through the line Hermana Hale asked her if she wanted beans. Looking at the bowls of mashed potatoes, corn, and gravy, she replied, "yes."  But then exclaimed, "No. No today I do not want beans." hahahahahaha. (if you don't understand why that is funny it is probably because you have never served a Spanish speaking mission where you are served refried beans over and over no matter what time of day it is.)

We had another fantastic lesson with our teenage investigator. He is reading the Book of Mormon and really likes it. I always love watching people read and then seeing what their questions are. He said that he feels the Mormon church is true, like he has never felt in any other church before. He said he wants to be baptized to feel clean and do the right thing, but since his mom isn't that supportive he would rather just wait until he is 18. Hermana Hale and I had been inspired that morning during companion study to practice teach for that exact situation. So we were very prepared when we helped him understand the importance of time in this life (alma 34), how precious these years can be in preparing to serve his own mission, and how baptism is like the launch pad to spiritual growth and learning because it gives us the companionship of the spirit which enlightens our minds. Now he is going to pray over 3 baptismal dates and choose one, and also pray that his mom's heart will be softened. The youth and leaders in our ward are incredible. They all make sure he comes and feels welcome at every activity. His aunt has him over all the time to answer questions and have FHE. I love our ward. They are the missionaries and we are just the teachers. That is how it should be.

We had another lesson with Jorge Ramos too. He hadn't found time to read the Book of Mormon, so we explained the importance. He asked a ton of really deep questions, which the Book of Mormon ANSWERS. It is just hard to get people to realize that all of those deep questions in their soul can be resolved if they set aside time to study. The spirit teaches them much better than we do, but a lot of times they like to just wait until we come around again to ask us questions. We told him we would study up on all of his questions but that he has to study as well. Knowing that all of the answers to his questions about the plan of salvation (ie: How can God watch us suffer? or I think God messed up when he created us because he didn't plan for Satan to tempt us, so he had to cover it up be providing a Savior) are completely and thoroughly revealed to us by the Book of Mormon and Modern revelation is like having THE PERFECT Christmas present for someone you love a lot, and waiting for them to open it. It can be really hard. But I have definitely learned not to try to explain everything I know from years of Sunday School and instead just instil in them a the ability to pray and receive answers and a willingness to study the Book of Mormon and believe it is true so that they can be in charge of their own spiritual learning for the rest of their lives. All the basic doctrines they need to know in order to be baptized get taught or just dumped in their minds by the Spirit along the way of their conversion, which is the real process we need to be focusing on.

The family who is investigating continues to be a delight. They finally came to church again yesterday (after about a month of going to their sisters church). We stopped by last night to talk about it. When we arrived, the daughter got really excited and whispered something to her mom, who left to go out to the car. When she came back she had a lunchbox FULL of nail polish and told us they wanted to do our nails since once I commented that I liked her nails. So as we sat there getting our nails done, we talked about church, how friendly everyone was, what she thinks about baptism. The mom is hesitant because she was already baptized, and believed it to be "In the name of Christ". We explained again the Priesthood authority and Restoration of it, as well as the need to receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost in order for baptism to be complete. It was a big step for me to finally be able to speak out and say this to someone, while looking them full on in the eye, and feeling not at all afraid of hurting their feelings because I knew I said it completely out of love. (Moroni 8:16) And she received it completely sincerely and earnestly.  Just then the doorbell rang and about 7 cousins and distant relatives poured into the room (not uncommon here). But a little progress was made. And we left with shiny nails.

Our next visit was to this little old couple. The husband has alzheimers and putters around, mumbling to us in Spanish and it is such a delight to be able to understand his Spanish mutterings. Yesterday he told me he was angry because he was just sure he would have to work the next time we came by. I assured him we would never visit unless he was there. His wife was busy decorating for Christmas so we offered to help with the tree. The lights didn't work, so she asked us to take them off. it was one of those fake trees where the lights come pre-strung and clipped and made to STAY ON THE TREE FOREVER. So we set about with clippers and basically just destroyed the lights and got them off any way we could. Our manicures lasted about 5 minutes. Good thing neither of us even likes nail polish. I was laughing to myself though because I'm sure if dad was there he would have done something to the wire and just made the lights work. I love what kind of memories I will have from my mission. Standing on a really rickety old stool, leaning over the top of this Christmas tree with pruning shears, cutting through wires, while listening to some sort of harpsichord medieval Christmas music that I know I sung at Lone Peak, as the sife made up her own Spanish lyrics and scurried around picking up the clippings, and the husband walked to and fro across the living room talking about Christmas and decorations and whether or not we were coming tomorrow when he will most definitely have to work. It reminds me just a little of the movie Arsenic and Old Lace. The best part though was that one of their renters heard us singing Christmas carosl and came downstairs to talk. As he sat on the stairs and watched us work, he commented on how hard of workers we are and he could see church in our faces (I think he meant that in the best sense), we found out he just got here from El Salvador and is looking for work and also a church, and went to our church for about 4 months in El Salvador and would probably like to be baptized. We didn't get all of the work done before we had to go but  we are going back Tuesday to finish the job.

So that is what I am doing out here. I love it a lot. I can't believe how fast time is going. I am very excited to be with all of you again, but I am really enjoying this brief time I have as a missionary. Keep on doing all of the amazing things each of you are writing me about. Never let yourself be convinced that what you are doing is unimportant.

life is too good 11/17/2013

This is Maria Herrarte, the grandma of the Santos kids who lives there too. I guess she was baptized in a pond in Guatemala 45 years ago, but we are still searching for her records, so we may get to rebaptize her! We love her so much. ah. she is just full of goodness and Spanish and every time she is telling us a story, if she starts laughing she does that thing that Nate does where he flicks his wrist and his fingers make a snapping noise. Lots of hispanic women do that. It is really darling.

 

Yesterday was one of those days where I was just sitting in Sacrament Meeting and I felt like light was coursing through me I was so happy. I am just so grateful for every experience I have had on my mission, and so excited for the future. IT IS SO BRIGHT! And I only know the future will be bright because the present is so wonderful. We have been working really hard this transfer, and as a result have so many dear relationships and our lives are just filled with loving these people and seeing lives change.

We had a lesson at 8 am yesterday (finally!) with the father of a part member family. The father, who is really awesome and has a lot of questions about our religion. So anyways he invited us over yesterday to finally have a lesson with him. We brought a member couple who they are pretty good friends with. When we showed up the entire trailer had been cleaned out, there was even a nice electronic waterfall picture making bird noises on the wall. We walked into the kitchen to see a huge stack of pancakes and a box of kolaches awaiting us, along with 9 steaming mugs of Atole. All of those little details just filled our hearts because it shows us how much they love us and how much hope they have that the father will receive the gospel. As we sat down to eat he just started asking questions and opening up about his background and all of his feelings about God. It was perfect. We had so many great opportunities to testify of and explain the Restoration. He is so excited about the Book of Mormon. As we were wrapping up he said to us (this is my translation): "What you two do is rare and special. You actually enjoy your work, and you do it with affection. I've told my wife many times that you are special because instead of doing this to obligate people you do it because you love them. You can see the affection in your faces. Never change that!" It was like he was pouring sunshine into our souls. It was as delicious as the pancakes.

We are working with Kelvin. He is ready and really wants to be baptized, but his mom who is not a member (his grandma and uncle are the ones who converted years ago) says he would be doing it for the wrong reasons. Please pray for her heart to be opened. He is an amazing boy. He is like.....King Limhi. He turned out to be humble, teachable, and loves God, even though his father was incredibly wicked.

We are also teaching another sweet little family. Last night after our lesson the mom asked which of us had made the little girl  the bracelet we gave her for her birthday yesterday. I bashfully raised my hand and she said "It cost you didn't it?" and as I started to wave my hand to say "Aw it was nothing" she slipped her own bracelet over my wrist, stopping me mid-sentence. It is a bracelet with John 3:16 inscribed on it.

16 ¶For ^aGod so ^bloved the ^cworld, that he ^dgave his ^eonly begotten ^fSon, that whosoever ^gbelieveth in him should not perish, but have ^heverlasting ⁱlife.

 

That is how the Hispanics are. They just give and give and smile at you with all the warmth in their souls while they give and then hug you. I love my mission. so much. I can't imagine what could have been better for me than working with Hispanics from all over south and central america. There is nothing better for me. I hope when I come home I take them home in who I am.

The BEST part of the lesson was when we asked the mom to pray and she got shy and said "oh no, one of you do it" and all of her kids chimed in "MOM! You never do it! Please!" so she consented to help the youngest (4) say the closing prayer. And how they all understood and agreed to read the book of mormon because as the 12 year old said, "if we feel God with us we will know it is true."

ahhhhh......oh and then also, we got the transfer text last night, which sealed my joy because both Hermana Hale and I will be staying here in Louetta west for the holidays. I fell to the floor in a fit of happy laughter and sighs. I couldn't sleep for happiness. Heavenly Father is really just too kind.

 

Come what may, and love it! 11/4/2013

This week was full of miracles. They always are.

We started teaching the grandson of one of the members. He is 14. He just moved here with his mom and sister from New Jersey and as soon as they got here he started to going to church with his grandma because he has always wanted to be closer to God but never really had the chance or been taught how because his parents work so much. He said he was always jealous of his Catholic friends who complained about going to Bible study and other youth activities. He also pretty much bore his testimony to us of the miracle of his grandma's conversion and the power of prayer: he sees her pray every night and morning and says that is what softened his grandpa's heart to let her join the church so many years ago. He was pretty endearingly bashful in his eagerness to learn the right way to pray. Also the Young men's leader and young men in this ward are on fire with missionary work and have already got him playing basketball and attending mutual. He said the first time he went to church he felt a little uncomfortable because he didn't know anyone, so that is why he is SURE to go to mutual every week so that he will feel more comfortable! He is the coolest.

Also, do you all remember the investigator we had a really powerful lesson with my first week in the area? The one who LOVED general conference? And wanted to be baptized as soon as possible? And then disappeared? He apparently went to Monterrey for awhile, but then stopped answering calls, and when we went to his apartment there was a lock on the door which meant that he had moved without telling us (not the best sign). We still called him about twice a week, hoping he would answer.  He never responded. but just as Hna Hale and I were settling into the chapel pew for Sacrament meeting yesterday, he waltzed right past with his long legs and sat himself down. I went to go sit by him (hna hale stayed by our less active) and he was just so happy to see me and quick to explain that his life has been crazy with moving but that he wants us to come over Wednesday, and bring friends for his kids who we need to start teaching. After every testimony that was borne he echoed next to me with a firm "AMEN!" and then he would turn and whisper to me, "Que bonita!" While nodding his head affirmatively as if to say, "Yep. Everything is right here. Just as it should be."  I love the people I get to have meaningful relationships with just because I am a missionary.

Last, we had to trade cars on saturday with the office elders to get ours fixed from a rear-ending that occurred before I got here. Then we parked overnight in our apartments like always, but without a pass, because Hna Hale was certain they don't check parking here. Well.....in the morning our car wasn't there. So 20 minutes before church the Sanchez family came to pick us up in their mini-van, and we got to call the office man in charge of the cars. He wasn't very happy. But the miracle was, even though we were fasting, we weren't even upset by it. We just shrugged our shoulders and laughed a little, hit ourselves in the forehead, and started walking towards the church. It is pretty cool how little road-bumps don't upset you when you have your mind focused on eternal things. And then we didn't even have to pay the fine because they didn't even think it was our fault!!!! Wouldn't it have been an extremely pointless loss of the spirit if we allowed ourselves to get frustrated or angry? I am so grateful for the little lessons I learn every day, this one being that life is too short to be unhappy. Come what may, and love it!

 

 

Life is wonderful 10/28/2013

Life is still just wonderful here. I love working with Hermana Hale. I feel like together we are honestly striving to improve ourselves and become better missionaries. We feel like we are equally clueless and can just explore Preach My Gospel and the President's emails and share our experiences in order to become the type of missionaries we want to be.

We are finally finding more investigators! Little by little we are picking them up. But we both really feel like it is obvious that in this area, the "magnet" for our investigators (as President has been teaching us) is working through the members. Our ward council yesterday had a big meeting to reorganize the ward mission plan and it is so exciting to see everything they have committed to do, beginning with a 40-day ward fast. Over the course of 40 days, each family will choose one day to fast so that there is continually someone fasting from the ward for 40 days. And they have committed to start getting to know more people so that they can have more friends to invite to the gospel. That's the main suggestion I have to all members. Whenever we ask them for a referral, the general response is, "Well I just don't know anyone...I never leave...or I'm always at work..or the people I know that are ready just don't live in this area". And my first thought is always, "So get out and get to know people!" I think if we just retained in memory a little bit more what it means to have this great and glorious gospel, we would live for the purpose of sharing it. There is nothing to be ashamed of in making friendships for the purpose of one day sharing the gospel with people. Because in the process of becoming their friend, you will also come to love them a great deal, which naturally leads to sharing the gospel. So my challenge to all, including myself, is to make more friends, with complete strangers, so that I can share the gospel with them! For example, right now we are working with our neighbor, the guy from Louisiana who shared with us his homemade chicken gumbo one night that he had made for his sick wife. We returned the favor with brownies the next week and we have a regular wonderful contact flowing with them of jokes and laughter and just love. Of course they are going to want to learn more about the gospel soon!

I love Hispanic people so much. They are a little crazy with giving out love, kind of like me when I get too excited at a party or something and I say or do something embarrassing or I just can't stop laughing. that is how they ALWAYS are, except they don't get embarrassed for it.
I love when they ask us for English help. The other day we were leaving a teaching appointment with our investigator.  She wanted to practice her English greetings so she said all of a sudden, really fast, "Hi, how-you-dween?" and our eyes locked and it took me a second to figure out what she was even trying to do and then we both just busted up laughing. I tried to explain to her to say it just a little slower and pronunciate certain things and she was like, "No! That's not how you americans do it! You slur it all together! And she just kept saying as fast as she could, "Hi how you dween?" It is so funny to think about how I must sound in Spanish all the time. Learning another language is a miracle that I see every day.
Another member yesterday was like, "Why do you always use the word, "Gwee?" and me and Hermana Hale were like "Gwee? what the...." and she continued in English, like, "I go GWeeee my son." and we said, "Oh! You mean WITH!" And she goes, "Yeah! Gwee!" or "Gweee like cake" and we said, "Oh! And you mean WE!" She thought 'with' and 'we' were the same word. So we clarified that for her and after our big long explanation she said, "ooooohhhhh......gweeee......" and then just started laughing. That is the Hispanic response to life. Laugh. I LOVE IT. It is incredible and I am so grateful I got called to Houston where I am working with so many different cultures. I have developed an ability to tell what South American country Hispanic people are from based on what they look like and how they talk!!!!!!!!!!!!! THAT IS SO COOL!!!!!!! I'm only right like 60% of the time, but imagine how good I will be in 11 months! Ah man. There are so many tender mercies that come out of being a missionary.

I'm sorry I don't have more stories to share this week about missionary work. After awhile all the lessons start running together. I can tell you that when I put a lot of energy into studying for people's needs, really focus hard on their doubts and questions during the lesson, and pray for the Spirit to guide me in everything, the Lord is able to bring them along and help them progress, at their own pace. I am confident that each investigator is in God's hands, and it is not possible for us to fail when we are obeying and striving to be Preach My Gospel missionaries. Our God is so Infinite and all-knowing that nothing can be lost. My favorite scripture this week is 2 Ne. 2 :24.

24 But behold, all things have been done in the wisdom of him who ^aknoweth all things.

It is my testimony based on my life experience: that literally every experience I have had has in some way or other brought me joy and helped me progress in this grand Plan of Salvation.

 

 

taqueria hop 10/21/2013

This week we were struggling to find new investigators, so we decided to try the good old taqueria hop and go talk to the men eating lunch at one of the many taqueria's in the parking lots here. As we approached, we felt more and more sheepish. And as we walked past them, we exchanged really really daunted glances that said, "so, what's the best way to get a man to stop thinking about his carne asada and think about why God is important to him?" And as I stopped and pivoted to begin this impossible task, Hermana Hale just kept right on coasting up to the taqueria window, giggling as she looked back at me trying to make my conversation with them feel normal. And while I struggled to find some way to cue in them the desire to learn more, even though they work all the time and actually live in dallas and are actually devout catholics even though they never go to church, Hermana Hale ordered herself a nice chicken taco. I wrapped it up with these guys while Hermana Hale turned away from the window and we hurried back to the car so that we could laugh really hard. Oh MAN how I love that girl.

Things are still really awesome in our area! A lot of the work we do here is with less actives and part member families which is the BEST! We have about 29 less active families in our area and over half of them are part members. I love this part of the work. Helping families prepare to be together forever and also learn how live happy and united lives here.

1. Hermana Hale and I after coming out of the temple.

 

2. A puppy that was WAY too small to be away from its mom that some members had bought at wal-mart for about 20 bucks. There are a LOT of dogs in this here culture. I will never have a chihuahua.

3. My favorite person ever. Hermana Hale. This was during an attempt to have a spiritual moment with the less active family who owns a restaurant/finish weekly planning after a crazy week...at their restaurant....accompanied by two giant aguas de pina. She didn't know I was taking the picture. That's just how naturally fun and happy she is.

Miracles 10/14/2013

I feel to say that I know what it is like to step from the earth into the Celestial Kingdom. That has been my experience this last week. I was transferred to the Louetta West area in the Louetta Ward, which is about 20 minutes East of my old area. Pretty much the same, but yet so different!

My life has been one beaming cascade of miracles ever since Transfer Tuesday.

Miracle 1: my companion is Hermana Hale. ANOTHER sister who was with me in the MTC! She and I hit it off right from the get-go six months ago. Negative. Seven months. wow. She is from Idaho. She wears a baseball cap during personal study and has the best laugh in the whole wide world. She is 100% REAL and completely dedicated to working as hard as she can. She and I taught more lessons in our first 1 1/2 days together than we are used to teaching in a week. She and I both have such high hopes for this area and want to give it our all, which makes the work really easy and the miracles flow! The best part about Hermana Hale is how easy-going she is. Absolutely nothing upsets her. When we bottomed out the car: wonderful laugh. When a strange man tried to set up an appointment with us because he thought we were...less than moral...:wonderful laugh (funny story. We actually used Spanish to communicate to each other how we were going to get away from this guy. I can use Spanish as a defense weapon now! He was like, "What, are you from Mexico?" To which we responded yes and then executed our escape plans.) Hermana Hale just laughs at all the little daily trials we have because of her underlying faith that God is good and all is well!

Miracle 2: Our second day together we were present at the most amazing lesson I have ever experienced. This man just showed up to General conference based on a distant cousin in Mexico recommending it to him. Then he asked to meet with us, and when we came to his apartment with a member for a lesson, he basically said, "I want to know everything about your church and your prophet. I love everything I hear. I want to know this whole process of becoming a member...I hear it takes a year?" To which I blurted out, "Oh no. Only 3 weeks!" :) Then I got a hold of my gleefulness and we taught him the powerful 1st lesson (which is something the President has developed here and which we are promised that if we strive to use with all our new investigators our baptisms will double.). He soaked everything in for two hours, just nodding his head and asking a billion questions and exclaiming, "Oh wow. Que Padre! (that is so neat!)" I love when people actually understand what an apostasy is and the need for a restoration and then are like...So what did Joseph do??! It is like giving candy to little kids. As we finished talking about the Restoration he asked, rather excitedly, "So...why isn't everyone a member of your church?? What are you doing to spread this message??" He will be baptized in 2 weeks with his kids and is already talking about the friends he is going to invite. He is a wedding singer. At one point he whipped out his phone to show us that he is friends with this SUPER famous Spanish actor that is in all the Spanish soap operas. (Have I told you about the Spanish soap operas or Novellas? In every home, there is pretty much constantly a novella playing. Constantly. I have the theme music memorized to Corazon Indomable (untameable heart)). Based on the squeals coming from the hermana we brought with us, I would say his friend is a pretty big deal.

Miracle 3: I have a queen-sized bed that is like a marshmallow cloud. I used to always joke about how maybe when I got transferred I wouldn't be sleeping on a cardboard box anymore. And Heavenly Father gave me a queen sized bed. It may seem silly, but to me that is the perfect example of what I have learned this transfer. That Heavenly Father is in all the details and sometimes He lets you live life without any trials whatsoever. My back has even stopped making weird popping noises in the mornings. Being in Louetta West is helping me body and soul.

Miracle 4: There is a less active family in our ward that the Bishop has asked us to focus on. Why are they less active? Because they have to work their Taqueria (taco restaurant) all hours of the day, ever day. especially Sunday. So every time we go by to visit them at the Taqueria, they bring out GIANT Aguas de Pina (blended up pineapple juice) and tacos and then always refuse to let us pay for them. Aguas de pina are manna from Heaven. Think Strawberry Daquirri's from Turks and Caicos. Ah the work of salvation is sweet. I just hope we can help them begin coming to church.

Miracle 5: SEVEN investigators came to church yesterday. SEVEN. that is more than I have seen come to church in my entire mission combined. I don't know how it happened or why other than that this area is bursting with people the Lord has prepared and their families. That is another amazing thing about Louetta. Of the 29 less actives in our area alone, about 80% of them are part member families. So right there we have huge potential for investigators.

The first few days when I woke up I couldn't believe I was still in Louetta, on a marshmallow mattress...with Hermana Hale a few feet away. We both feel that this area is going to explode. We are constantly busy, and when plans fall through, almost immediately a necessary alternative presents itself.  Miracle 6.

 

transfer 10/7/2013

We got the call last night! I am being transferred, and it feels so good! It is time for me to go. I am sad to leave many wonderful people here, but one of the messages I just kept getting over and over in conference was that it is a privilege and a joy to receive assignments from the Lord, in His time, no matter what they are, and I am just so happy to throw myself into a new adventure, making Him the focal point of my every thought, even if I don't see the entire purpose of what it is He wants me to do.

I couldn't sleep last night for excitement and thinking of all that I have to do. I still don't know where I am going tomorrow morning, but as I lay in my bed, I began to think about these past 6 months and if I had done any good here.  I have not brought anyone into or back into the kingdom of God. But all I could see last night were so many faces smiling at me from a million different wonderful, brave conversations about the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. I saw Eva Coronado laughing with joy at the two young girls sitting in her kitchen, I saw Lucia proudly setting down her sopes and arroz in front of us to eat, I saw that distressed white lady whose mother we helped get off the floor after a bad fall, I saw Sandra's face when we taught her about the Plan of Salvation and her purpose here on the earth. My life has been one long stream of light here in Hafer. Each interaction has been to strengthen and invite others to progress along the path closer to our Heavenly Father. I have joined arms with so many people here to lift them to a higher plane, and that is what I was assigned to do. That is the overwhelming feeling that I had last night --the little treasure in my heart that I served here with all my heart and soul and I have absolutely nothing to regret.

I love General Conference. I love gathering with the saints. I love feeling the power of God's work moving forward and knowing that my entire family is united with His cause.

Well, other than that I just want you to know how blazingly happy I am to be here in Texas. It has started to cool off which is really unnerving when you are used to being enveloped in sweat. I am working on...well...basically everything in Preach My Gospel to become a better missionary everday. Specifically truly loving each investigator and seeking to help them along individually. President Pingree counseled us, "Don't jeopardize someone's conversion by rushing them through their repentance." And I have really come to see that. Every lesson is a crucial hour in their lives where they can come to know the Savior and how they personally can come to Him right now, how they can receive a fulness of happiness in this life. How I love it when the Spirit teaches the lesson.

I sure love all of you! My heart is always with you! I love reading your emails. Thank you for each being the most incredible people I know.

Rapid Pace 9/23/2013

Life keeps moving on here at an extremely rapid pace! I can't really keep the days straight.

A quick update on our investigator: On Tuesday I studied hope in the morning and rekindled mine. I felt a really calm assurance that she would text us that day, and I told Hermana Durham so. At 8 o'clock pm, sure enough she texted, "Hi girls. Miss you." She has continued to text us off and on. I know that she recognizes truth and goodness in the church and can't stay away from it. We told her if she ever feels lonely to pray and read the Book of Mormon, so she will continue to progress until the next step God puts in her life. We have run into her twice this week by following other subtle promptings we have received. Both times have been just enough to have a quick, pleasant conversation, probably just enough to remind her of the light and goodness and love of God. It is an amazing feeling to recognize that God is using us as His tools in her life, even though we have no idea what will happen or what the purpose is of all these little things.

 

 I love Words of Mormon 1:7

7 And I do this for a ^awise ^bpurpose; for thus it whispereth me, according to the workings of the Spirit of the Lord which is in me. And now, I do not know all things; but the Lord ^cknoweth all things which are to come; wherefore, he ^dworketh in me to do according to his ^ewill.

 

I love being able to feel that truly God can put me where He needs me and all I want to do is help Him accomplish His purposes.

I also love the 2 Nephi 4:16-35. That keeps coming back as one of my favorite scriptures. I love it because it shows the entire spectrum of being a human being on this tiny planet. First Nephi feels badly about himself. I have felt that way. Especially as a missionary. There are always things I realize I could have done better, spiritual gifts I wish I had, mistakes I really didn't need to make again, but the rest of the passage is just balm for the soul. Jesus Christ and God KNOW we are weak and imperfect. That is the whole point of His condescension and suffering and death! Satan wants us to droop down our heads and forget all that Jesus Christ came here for. He wants us to remain in our sins because we have lost the hope and faith to move forward. We cannot let the Atonement be in vain! If we hang down our heads and dwell on our own limitations, we will not be able to become all that His glorious Atonement offers us.

26 "O then, if I have seen so great things, if the Lord in his condescension unto the children of men that visited men in so much mercy, why should my heart weep and my soul linger in the valley of sorrow, and my flesh waste away, and my strength slacken, because of mine afflictions?

27And why should I yield to sin, because of my flesh? yea, why should I give way to temptations [even temptations to not forgive yourself], that the evil one have place in my heart to destroy my peace and afflict my soul?....28 Awake, my soul! No longer droop in sin [or despair]. Rejoice, O my heart, and give place no more for the enemy of my soul.... 29 Do not slacken my strength because of mine afflictions [or guilt because of weaknesses]. 30 Rejoice, O my heart, and cry unto the Lord, and say: O lord, i will praise thee forever; yea, my soul will rejoice in thee, my God, and the rock of my salvation."

I also love D&C 3:10, when Heavenly Father forgives Joseph for losing the 116 pages.

"But remember, God is merciful; therefore, repent of that which thou hast done which is contrary to the commandment which I gave you, and thou art still chosen, and art again called to the work."

We have never gone beyond the reach of the love of our Father. It is never too late to be close to Him again. We have never missed too many blessings that it is not worth it to return to Him. And He loves us enough to want us to labor with Him. As His children, we will always be chosen, it is just up to us if we have the grit to roll up our sleeves and thrust in the sickle!

 

 

Noche de Hispanidad 9/30/13

This week was great. What with interviews with President (how I love that man. I don't know how he manages to stride around with so much energy when I can see the weight of the world in his eyes!), the ward Noche de Hispanidad, and the General Relief Society broadcast, we were feeling pretty spoiled with activities.

First off, we watched the Broadcast in the stake center with white sisters and hispanic sisters combined.  I will always be so grateful that I was called Spanish-speaking. Heavenly Father truly knows us. I love being around Latinos from all over the world who just love to eat, laugh, and dance!

Which leads me to the Noche de Hispanidad. It was a huge smash, with as many investigators and less actives as members there. Everyone brought food from their country and we all attacked the buffet, then watched members perform dances from each country, and THEN were entertained by a real live Mariachi band. I have never had more fun in my life. I was dancing and laughing in the back, trying to learn the footwork and my Mission Leader came up and in his hearty pirate Spanish voice he said, "Oh! you lookin like you got a little Mexican in you!" yess......

We are teaching several really awesome people....awesome because they actually read the book of mormon without us, and even want to come to church! One of our investigators has begun reading the Book of Mormon to her husband as they go to sleep everynight. We have never met him, but Look! he is still getting the gospel.

One cool training tip the AP's gave us that we have been working on is using the words from the scriptures to state our purpose. I have been studying missionaries in the book of mormon who state their purpose to the people they are teaching, like Abinadi, Alma, Ammon, Nephi, Samuel. And it is so powerful when during lessons I use their words instead of my own. How cool is it that we can call upon those men to support us during our lessons, teach with us, be our companions, and add their testimonies to ours? I have found that when I use their powerful statements, a feel like they are on either side of me, bearing me up, and filling my mind with light to teach and understand the investigators and the gospel. I love the Book of Mormon so much. There is no greater tool to fill your heart with the power of God than reading the Book of Mormon with prayer. That simple process invites the Spirit into our hearts, and everytime we invite him in, he changes us; he polishes us and bolsters us and changes our desires just a bit and invites us to repent while giving us the strength to do so.

I love my mission. There is no other thing I would rather do for my life than serve these people right now. I am VERY excited about the areas, people, and experiences that lay ahead, but boy oh boy do I love Hafer in the Houston 6 ward. I will send pictures of the Noche de Hispanidad so you get an idea of the types of tender mercies that God is putting in my life.

1. ward mission leader

 

2. The Berges family, with Nicte's dad. I love them so much.

 

3. Bishop Escobar and his wife. So full of warm light and grace, and when she smiles you feel the rays of warmth in your soul!

 

4. Hna Castellanas enjoying the mariachi band.

 

5.us with hno martinez, our jefe or chief as I call him.

 

 

 

 

9/1613 I can't believe I have been gone for 6 months

 

How I love the ward I am serving in. On Saturday our dear, sweet, investigadora called us and said she and her two daughters (6 and 7) were being kicked out of her apartment because she couldn't pay rent. She had about 3 hours to move all of her stuff. She had luckily found another apartment that she could afford at least for the rest of the month. i didn't know what to do. She had no family to call for help.

I called the elders, and I called the ward mission leader. We went over and frantically helped her pack her things in her 90 degree apartment, since they had already cut the electricity. We could already smell the food rotting. 20 minutes later, not only our elders but the English elders showed up to start moving things out to their car and our car. At some point the ward mission leader brought his truck.. Everybody started an assembly line. I didn't really know what was going on outside because I was busy packing up the kitchen dishes. When they said it was all done, I went to look and saw not only Hno Martinez great big truck filled up with all her things, but that hno Ascensio had dropped everything to come and help this stranger as well. How my heart swelled at the sight. I love this church. I love the imperfect people in it. We managed to move her entire apartment in one trip in about an hour. She said, "this week has been so stressful for me. When I get to church tomorrow (for the first time) I m just going to pray and pray and pray."

Some people have a hard time committing to anything because they are just so laid back and fun. A favorite phrase is "Only God knows when I will [be baptized...go to church....read the book of Mormon]" Or "When God tells me to do it, I will. (hello. we are missionaries. we are telling you to do it. :))" And if they actually get the gumption to learn and progress in the gospel, and begin to believe it is true, and make the courageous decision to be baptized, Satan puts so many obstacles in their way and they don't make it. I sometimes just want to put out my hand and staff and say "I will draw you Satan, like poison from a wound." And we do. As long as we are worthy of the Spirit, it doesn't even matter what we say. The spirit changes them and their hearts.

I can't believe I have been gone for 6 months. This week I just felt so bummed that I only have a year left! Missions are wonderful and glorious. They are also taxing. God is perfecting His children that trust their hearts to Him. That is what he does. His plan WORKS! and it is all for our happiness.

 

taqueria rosy 1/ 112013

 

I am SO happy. This morning on our way to write emails, we ran into the maintenance guy who chased us down the other day to ask us what it is that we people with nametags do that are always young and well-kempt and kind and in Mexico and America. We got to explain and testify of the Book of Mormon and get his address, etc. Then this morning as we were about to leave the apartment we remembered to grab a Book of Mormon just in case we ran into him, and about thirty seconds later we were giving it to him and testifying of it and how it changes our lives every day. As we got on our way again, I turned to Hermana Hale and said how cool it was how we can just naturally give people Libros de Mormon and bear our testimonies like its nothing and have these amazing interactions. 9 months ago that would have been so awkward and scary. I am so glad I served a mission. For innumerable reasons that I can't even quite comprehend or explain nor probably even have the faintest idea of just yet. It is incredible.

I find myself becoming really grateful to all the missionaries in Mexico. I can't tell you how many people come up to us and ask us who we are because of how many white-shirted, bicycle-riding young men they always saw in their own country. (mexico, el salvador, guatamela). Those missionaries were part of all the little factors that finally led up to these people being ready to hear the gospel. And it gives me faith that we are doing the same thing.

We had a GREAT week...maybe I'll start by sending some pictures.

1. Taqueria Rosy

                                    

 

2. Eating a Gordita,  which means "little fatty"accompanied by an aqua de pina.

 

3. Everytime we go visit these two little kids and their grandma I make them PB&J's in whatever shape they like. This week was hearts.

4. We got to go to our little investigator, Cruz's, futbol game. Let me tell you. Hispanic parents are JUST as loud as American ones. "VAMOS Jerry! VAMOS!" Except they pronounced it "VAMOS Yerry!" and instead of getting mad like the American parents they just think everything is terribly funny...when the kids run into each other, when they mess up real bad.....when their little cheeks jiggle.

Our area is on fire. I think contributors to the success here is that we have established real relationships with these people--they know we love them. So we are able to have spirit-led lessons, and they open up to us about their concerns, and listen with open hearts when we share our testimonies or scriptures. Hermana Hale is so genuine, people can't help but feel her good old Idahoan love. The other reason we have so much success in teaching is because the members are bringing us their friends and family members to teach. Our schedules are being filled with meaningful appointments, teaching people who already have an established support group and an interest in the church. It is awesome.

Life continues flying by. I can't believe how fast. I am so grateful for every day of my mission and all the priceless lessons I am learning. The most important thing is to love each other. That is the key to happiness. The more you love, the happier you will be. As I was looking at a family of investigators sitting on their couch, talking to us, I was thinking about how much I love them, and how much I hope they love me, but how they may not even remember me after I'm gone. I determined right then and there not to worry about that, but just to love them as much as I could while I am here, "today while the sun shines", and find joy in being put in the perfect position to serve those who I love so much.