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.