December 30, 2013

It was good to see you all on Christmas!  I just sent your package off today, sorry it took so long.  I get very easily distracted sometimes.  One of the gifts you might not get, so I'll just kinda give you a heads up, I thought you 3 women in the house might be interested in staying organized like me.  As missionaries, our planner is our lifeline!  

This week was a pretty cool one.  Interesting to think that it has been less than a week since I've seen you all!  Feels like longer... 

We had a couple really cool miracles happen just these past few days.  We were on exchanges this past Saturday and Sister Abernathy left the area.  We went to go visit one of our investigators, a couple named Noe and Juliana.  They're pretty hard to get a hold of at times, but we managed to find Juliana in her house and she let us in.  She thanked us for the plate of goodies we had left her previously, and we soon found out that her husband, Noe, left her alone with their 3 sons.  She started sobbing and expressed to us how heart broken she felt.  Just holding on to a smidge of faith she could barely manage to conjure up.  She kept saying things like, 'I don't know why God let this happen, I guess he'll help me through it at some point..'  and 'how do you know he hears our prayers?' Just very heart broken and confused.  Her sons apparently ask her where dad is often and he even came by to open presents with them on Christmas and left again.  Can you imagine how confused the kids must be?  She even feels as if her chance at eternal happiness has passed, she's just living for her kids now.  We testified to her that God was already reaching out to help her, because he sent 2 of His representatives to find her.  We bore testimony of the love that He has for her and how she can truly, through the gospel of Jesus Christ, see that eternal happiness is always a possibility.  She is very open and trusting that we can help her.  We invited her to church and she was very excited to hear that there's primary for her kids!  She lit up when the member that came with us, Gissell, offered her a ride.  So she showed up on Sunday, after working until 1 in the morning the night before.  She was so happy afterwards to see that her kids had fun and enjoyed their classes.  She told us that anything that brings her kids happiness, she's going to do it.  

We also visited Jorge and Isidro the other night and taught the Word of Wisdom.  Jorge was very straight forward about the fact that he's an alcoholic, it being the cause of him ending up in prison.  We testified a lot about the atonement of Jesus Christ and how if we stay anxiously engaged in the things of God (scriptures, prayer, etc.) we can overcome our addictions.  The gospel of Jesus Christ the only way to overcome it.  Jorge is in this mind set where he feels guilty to even pick up the Book of Mormon and read it, because he can't "play in two games at once" as he likes to say.  That's not how we heal, though.  We shared John 16:33.  I love that scripture, it's very personal, I think.  Jorge was even writing down all of the scripture references that we shared.  Isidro was still hesitant about coming to church, but Jorge said he'd be there, even though he's told us that before and didn't show.  It was funny because Jorge even chewed out Isidro because Isidro was making excuses again as to why he can't come.  He's very nervous about his leg.  Jorge was all, "Isidro, coming closer to your heavenly father is more important than anything!  You're making excuses!"  Anyway, to our pleasant surprise, Jorge came to church!  He walked in his little tie and sunday shoes!  I was so happy to see him and very proud, because I know how hard that was for him.  He feels very guilty to the point where sometimes he will hide from us when we come by for lessons because he feels so much shame for his weakness, as if God is angry with him.  We're going to do everything in our power to help him realize that God and Jesus Christ are really always there, reaching their hands out to him with love.  What's that scripture where Christ says he didn't come to hang out with the righteous, but to save the wicked..? something like that?  ayway...

He said he felt very good afterwards and that he's coming next week, too.  Hopefully he tells Isidro how great it is.  

I'm so happy to see so many people, so tied down with sorrow and hardships, showing the Lord their desires to change and lean on Him.  I'm so grateful for the atonement and for the knowledge of this gospel in my life.  I've seen it change me and our family.  What a testimony builder to see it bless so many lives on a daily basis!  There's nothing else like a mission, it's true!  

BTW, tell Renee to check her email, because I gave her email to Sister Abby's cousin and I'm going to give it to Elder White today when we see him.  Even if she doesn't initiate it, I know they will!  They're passionate about incredibly talented people!  Haha.  

Les amo muchisimo!      

Christmas skype call

It was so awesome to get to speak to Sam yesterday.  She looks beautiful and happy.  We also got to speak to her companion and one of her recent converts, who was letting them use her computer.  They all obviously had love for each other.  It was a great thing to see.  

She told us some crazy stories, made faces and did some of her goofy voices.  She is still our Sammy.  

Oh, she also gave Renee some email info for a couple of missionaries.  One from her mission who Sam claims is the male version of Renee except he is a musical phenom while Renee is an drawing/sculpting phenom.  She told Renee that she found her Christmas present - her future husband.  HAHA  Apparently they are very similar in personality and taste.  She had asked him what his dream Christmas gift would be and laughed when he said, "the complete blu ray set of Indiana Jones movies".  We laughed because Renee already owns it. 

The other is Hermana Abernathy's cousin, who is in SLC Central Mission.  He makes movies(for the church?) and is looking for animators.  

We could tell that Sam is being a good leader.  She was very cautious about the time.  We spoke for an hour.  Before the skype call she kept calling trying to figure out how to get logged in on a second computer while her comp used the home account.  We tried using a bunch of different accounts and didn't have a lot of success.  This went on for the better part of an hour and Sam kept hanging up and calling back because she wasn't supposed to spend too much time on the phone.

They were having ham and mashed potatoes for dinner and Chris warned Hermana Abernathy about letting Sam have chicken wings and the mess that would ensue if she did.

It was an awesome Christmas gift.

December 23, 2013

Feliz Navidad!!!!  By the way, did you send me one more package?  I checked this morning and still no mail, but we're going back later to check again because there are a bunch of trucks coming by today.  The mission office's packed with packages! 

 

Oh, yes, we did have a Christmas party/training for the mission...it was quite a treat, let me tell you.  they had a talent show and there were some interesting acts.  Unfortunately I left my camera in the chapel, so I didn't get it on film... but there were some really crazy things like beat-boxing and  one missionary even dressed up like buddy the elf and sang a song that goes like, "I sure do like them Christmas cookies, sugah!"  He was accompanied by two backflipping santas.  The highlight of the whole thing, though, was when President and Sister Nieder dressed up as mr. and mrs. Claus and Sister Nieder sat on the lap of two elders in the audience...yeah, it was awkward...haha. 

 

I'm sending you a Christmas package today.  Obviously it probably won't get to you by Christmas, but it's the thought that counts, right?  Haha. 

 

 You'll do so great as the Primary President!  I'm so excited for you. 

 

This week was a little difficult at first.  It's really hard to set up lessons and teach with the whole Holiday season.  Most of the people are either in California visiting family or sick.  That's no excuse of course, but as the week went on I had to pray for the strength to keep going without feeling like a terrible missionary... I felt kind of like I was trying to so hard and Heavenly Father wasn't blessing us with success, like He was disappointed in me.  Which was unfair to even let cross my mind.  He puts us through hard times or rough patches so that we can be made strong, grow in faith and patience.  So we kept trekking along and yesterday we had a pretty miraculous night.  We had a lesson with Stefania and it was completely guided by the spirit.  Sister Abernathy and I, without going in with a solid lesson plan, were totally on the same page and we ended up committing her for baptism.  I love when that happens!  I led up to the baptismal commitment and without doubting it or even wondering where I was going with it all, sister Abernathy extended the baptismal invitation.  Moments like that, when we both are on the same page and feel prompted to hit the same points...yeah, that's when you know the spirit is just using us like puppets.  She was hesitant, but we testified from the heart, to the point where I was almost in tears because I felt such an overwhelming love for Stefania and also because I could feel the spirit speaking through me.  She ended the lesson by asking God in prayer if she should be baptized.  We are going to set her with a specific date next time we go over.  She already knows the Book of Mormon is true and everything, she is just worried of what will happen to her family.  We testified a great deal of how we need to put all of our trust in Him, act on the faith and conocimiento that because He loves us, he is not going to do anything to hurt us if we do His will. It was such a cool experience.  I could feel so strongly the love that Heavenly Father has for her and how much He desires her to be baptized and be that example for her family.  I also shared with her the experience my recent converts from Ensign had, (Norma y Michelle Martinez.) 

 

Then, we had a prompting to drive to the other side of our area to visit a family we had found on Sister Abernathy's first night.  The Ventura-Rodriguez family.  We walked up to their door and they literally just pulled up from their vacation to California.  They let us in and the whole family was there. The parents (Francisco y Alma) and their 3 kids, (Patty, Sara y Heaven.)  We talked to them a little bit about what our message is centered around and did a blessing contact with them. We asked them to imagine if Jesus Christ was sitting in their home, what would they ask of Him?  Then out of the blue, I added, "...que ustedes necesitan en este momento"  With that one added sentence to the question, the mother started crying immediately and told us about her father who is very sick.  Then we went around the room and they all shared what they needed in that moment.  We then said a prayer, including all of those necesidades.  It was such a powerful experience because just that one extra sentence (obviously inspired by the spirit) opened something up in her.  For whatever reason she needed to hear just that.  It's interesting to realize that sometimes we just say things as missionaries, not always noticing that certain things that happen to come out of our mouths, are not our own.  The blessings and guidance we receive are often so simple and so sneaky that if we don't listen to the people and how they react to our questions or testimony or whatever, we might not notice that the Holy Ghost just put into our mouths what to say.  Heavenly Father is so aware of all of His children.  I'm so blessed to have this opportunity to serve Him and see miracles happen each and everyday.  Miracles that are so hidden in the details that they're almost invisible if one isn't paying attention. 

 

I love you all very much!  I wish I could express how much!  Never doubt that Heavenly Father always has His eyes on you.  Those days where you might feel lonely or forgotten, He's just preparing you for something greater...preparing the storm of blessings that we can only receive if we are patient and trust in Him through the hard times.  I've seen that pattern time and time again throughout my mission.  He gives us experiences to grow in character - opportunities to develop Christ like attributes...and if we endure it well, He pours blessings upon us! 

 

Feliz Navidad! :)

December 16, 2013

This week was good, like always.  We've been getting referrals like crazy and even though it's a blessing, it's also really hard to keep track of when we've got 11 at a time. Anyway, one of our referrals became a new investigator family this past week!  Laticia and her daughter alexa (13) and son Brian(7).  We had our first lesson with them on Saturday morning and then they came to the Christmas activity that same night and church the next day.  So we're very excited about them!  That's a lot right after a first lesson.  They studied with Jehovah's witnesses before, actually and got offended by them.  They have lots of questions, but are very sincere and Laticia really needs this.  She's very depressed she says.  She used to study the Bible all the time and she told us that she for years always did what was right, but she never noticed a difference - nothing was any easier...so she kind of drifted away from any kind of religion, but she's awesome and really liked everything so far.  Even told us she's excited!  Alexa should be going to YW this Wednesday, too.  

 

Speaking of Jehovah's witnesses, I've been able to avoid them up to this point in my mission, but lately they've been popping up like daisies, ready to Bible bash.  We had a lesson with Janet and Enrique, and they basically told us a few times that we should take lessons with the testigos de Jehova because we're lost... and what's interesting about them that I never knew before is that that they have a little guide book to help them understand the bible, yet they say the bible is literally the ONLY source of receiving answers from God.  The fact that they take every thing written in the Bible to be exactly literal, however, worked to our advantage when they argued that no man in the bible has actually seen God face to face.  We showed them the part in Acts when Stephen saw God and when they read that they literally went silent and said, "oh..it does say that."  Anyway, we've been dealing with some tough people lately..  tough, tough, tough... At least I'm learning more about these Jehovah's witnesses!  I was always curious as to what they believe.  Did I tell you women aren't allowed to pray or participate in any way in their chapels?

 

We talked to Marcos yesterday.  We knocked on the door and his daughter in law answered and basically told us she doesn't want us knocking on her door.  She was kind of snappy...anyway, we talked to Marcos outside and he told us that once he gets the papers he's waiting for, he's going to go to Mexico and then come back sometime in January.  At that point he'll have his own phone and car.  He'll also feel less weighed down and more focused on learning with us.  Before then, though, he's going to come to church when he doesn't have to be home taking care of his nieto and we can teach him lessons after church in the chapel.  I love Marcos so much, he's awesome!  He kept saying, "I will see you again!  I'm coming back!"  That little talk with him gave us peace, too, because now we know how to deal with the whole Marcos situation.  We just have to trust him to be the one to reach out to us.  I believe he will, though.  He's very sincere and proved to us that he will do all in his own power to be there this last week when he showed up at church unannounced even though everything had ended.  He really just wants to be able to travel back and forth from mexico to Vegas as he pleases, but right now with his paper situation, if he leaves, he can't come back.  That's what he's waiting for - freedom!  He even said that one day he'll show me around Mexico!  That'd be fun.  Did I tell you he is an ex Mafia member, by the way?  It's crazy how people can change.  He's such a good guy.

 

Also, we went to the temple to do a session on Friday!  New missionary temple trip, whoo!  Beautiful as always!  Someone gave us one of their family names to do. 

 

Yes, I got two packages from you today!  And I sent you a letter last week.  Did you get it? 

So yes, I got two packages from you today!    

**********************************

The photo that was texted to us this week was from a random woman who saw them in a restaurant, bought them dinner and said that she has a son serving in Texas and she knew we, the parents, would love getting a picture of our babies.

Sam met a woman from NY and got a kick out of it because she sounded like our neighbor, Theresa.

She is freezing out there and wants warm clothes.    I guess the ones we bought here in Florida aren't cutting it.

December 9, 2013

Howdy, howdy.  Yes, I apologize for the letter situation...I have one ready to send you, I just am lazy...I'm sorry. :(  I didn't get any packages today, though.  Just letters.  By the way, I''m FREEZING out here!  Warmer, thicker clothes...I need them.  haha

 

Training is going fine.  Sister Abernathy's a sweetheart.  It's so weird to think I've been out OVER 10 months now.  Sister Abernathy's like, "wow, I'm so happy I have a trainer who's experienced!" :(  Where did the time go?  I'm so old now.  When I was preparing to go on my mission I remember thinking how long a 1 year and 1/2 seemed.  Like this looooong adventure!  Now I see how short it really is. 

 

It's been fun so far, this transfer.  Rosie dropped off the face of the earth, though.  We've done everything to try and contact her.  We even showed up for a SET appointment with her and she wasn't there.  That never happens.  She always remembers when we come by.  I know her family was visiting her, but I don't know.  It's sad.  We've been struggling a little bit with getting set appointments.  I think a lot of it is due to the time of year.  We're working very hard, though and I've seen throughout my mission that often times things change with a new transfer and new companion... new people to find that have been prepared to meet sister Abernathy perhaps. :)  

 

Marcos is doing good, though.  Struggling with reading and it's really hard to have set appointments with him, but yesterday something cool happened.  He told us on Saturday that he would be at church, but then he didn't show up.  However, after the 3rd hour we were about to leave when we realized we lost the keys.  So we went back inside and finally found them in the library, but just as we walked out to get to our car and drive home, Hno Lopez pops out and tells us that someone was looking for us and had walked 22 minutes to get here.  It was Marcos!  He apologized and was hoping he wasn't too, too late, but walked all that way just to come to church because he told us he'd be there.  We snuck into the English sacrament meeting and were able to hear a gorgeous musical number before he left, so at least he got spiritually fed.  Haha.  Most of our solid people right now are older people, and there are certain difficult situations that are keeping them from going all the way.  We have a really awesome one named Isidro and he's doing really good with everything but coming to church.  He had a really bad accident with his leg and no matter how many times we invite him, he will not come to church until his leg feels better.  Also Stefania.  She's been to church once and attended a baptism, but right now we're working with her and encouraging her to share the gospel with her family because she feels very lonely without them.  She also can't read very well, so her BOM reading is struggling.  We helping her, though.  She feels the love.  Lourdes and Mike...well, we set them for Jan 4th, but they're not showing effort to jump back into it again after a month of not seeing them.  Mike promised us for like the 10th time he'd be at church and he wasn't there.  We're going to have to lay the law down and be bold with them. 

 

We had a lesson with a Cuban couple yesterday.  Jehova's witnesses.  It basically was him trying to tell us what's what, nut we were very respectful and bore testimony.  apparently women can't pray in their chapels.  Also, he went on for about 30 minutes on how Jesus wasn't crucified on a cross.  It was just a poll... does that tema have relevance?  No.  He expected us to tell him we have crosses all over our church buildings, but we don't so he didn't really know where to go with it.  At one point he even asked us if our parents taught us what we know.  I proudly said yes.  Of course I had to find out for myself, but I was raised right and I am blessed with strong parents in the faith.  He told us his parents led him astray and he had to cut off from their beliefs.  I'm so grateful for the truth in my life and for the blessing to have been "born of goodly parents" as my patriarchal blessing says.  Muchisimas gracias!  I'm also grateful for experiences like that with the Cuban guy (who by the way lived in tampa florida for a time. Watch out!  He might come back.) because we are standing up for Christ's name.  I gave talk the other day at a zone training and I talked a lot about that and how often the new testament speaks of the blessings of suffering for Christ's sake.  He went through so much even though he did nothing wrong.  As His disciples, we should expect the same.  It's part of wearing His name across our hearts.  We just find reason to rejoice for that fact!  He's cheering us on the whole way. 

 

I love you all very much!  Keep on that straight and narrow path!  You inspire me!            

November 2, 2013

My companion is from Nashville Tennesee and her name is Hermana Abernathy.  Her Spanish is pretty good, better than mine was when I came out, even if she doesn't have confidence in it yet.  Everything's doing good, though.  She thinks I'm fluent in Spanish even though I'm obviously not and am much too aware of what I lack.  It is sufficient to do the Lord's work, though, so I'm happy.  I'll hit 10 months in a few days...and I will get to see your beautiful faces a few days after that!  :)

 

We ate thanksgiving with the Taylor family.  Hno. Taylor (Yes, he's white) had his parents and brothers there, so we had a good American dinner.  Elder Dahneke's sister (her district leader)lives in our area... I actually sent a picture of her to you.  The white woman holding the baby.  Anyway, the elders ate lunch with her.  We were invited but didn't go because I decided we could spend the Lord's time in a more productive way.  Anyway, she put a whole bunch of food in containers and gave it to us, so we had two thanksgiving dinners basically.  Oh!  I got a package from Peggy!  It's not the birthday package she tried to send before, but she sent me a thanksgiving dinner in a box!  Little pies, a microwavable turkey bowl and mashed potatoes...it was a super cute idea.  Never got the one with chocolate, though. 

 

A couple funny things happened this week.  We were trying to contact a referral and across from the house we were at, there was this big wooden box and painted on the side it said, "LIVE SNAKES!  CAUTION!  DO NOT OPEN!"  I'll send you a picture.  It was funny, and I wouldn't be surprised if it was legit.  Also, the other night we stopped by the gas station and there was this little old man from the Philippines working.  He was very funny and energetic.  He started asking us to guess his age, so I guessed 25, just to be funny, and he says in broken english, "I love you 3 times today for saying that, honey!"  Then he showed us his ID and he was in his 70's.  We went back in later to give him a pass along card and when we left he shook sister Abernathy's hand, but then when I went to shake his hand he pulls me in for a tight hug and goes, "I like your eyes, very beautiful!"  Yeah, his name was Joey.  My companion also whacked me in the head with her dinner plate at one point this week.  jolly good times.  Its the little things that amuse me as a missionary.  

 

We found 5 new investigators this week!  Two families!  One of them we found right on the spot while street contacting.  They let us in right there, we sat down, and they told us they are studying with Jehovah's witnessed and really looking for the truth because they've yet to find it in other churches.  So we're about to duke it out with the testigos de jehova!  They're meeting with them on tuesday and us on wednesday.  I'l keep you updated on that one.  Well, unfortunately, I don't have a lot of time this week to email...right now the mission office isn't letting us use their computers temporarily and we've had to fend for ourselves.  We have to email at the apartment complex of the elders and its hard to get in early. 

 

Our one person with a baptism date in December (Rosie) has been hard to get a hold of.  Her family came down for the holidays, and we set up a lesson with her in person, but when we showed up, she didn't answer. Which isn't normal for her.  We'll see.  All we can do is work hard and do our part!  People have their agency...which is unfortunate at times.  Ha.

 

I love you all very much!  you know it!  Am I still getting Christmas presents?  Tell Renee and Hope they can make me another comic for Christmas. :)  LOVE YOU!!!  

November 25, 2013

This week was good....  We had elder Carlson from the Seventy come down for a mission tour.  It was a meeting from 8am to 5.  Super good, though.  Learned some mind blowing stuff about the premortal life, eternal law and the standard of law for different degrees of glory, and what it means to be truly consecrated and give your life fully over to The Lord.  I'll share some more details later, because we honestly don't have much time to email today.  Oh!  And towards the end of the meeting president asked 2 missionaries to share a 2 minute talk about what we're doing to be more consecrated.  Guess who happened to be one of those missionaries to speak in front of half the mission and elder Carlson?  Yep, me.  

Then on Saturday we had the baptism for Luisa and Elba.  I gave a talk on the Holy Ghost.  I actually did a pretty killer job, too!  You will get pictures soon!

On Sunday no one we expected to come came to church.  However, Marcos and his son, Marcos Jr showed up randomly at church!  It was a pleasant surprise! He went with us that night to a fireside, too.  Se llama "porque creo". They usually have 2 every transfer, one in Ingles (why I believe) and 1 in Spanish.  Recent converts share their testimonies and there's always pretty musical numbers.  It was a good experience.  Our ward mission leader, Hermano Salmeron, helped him out with a ride.  He helped us out a lot yesterday.  

The weather here is perfect!  I can't say I'll be looking forward to tomorrow, though, because transfers are tomorrow and I'm TRAINING!  Yay... Sister Webb is going to an english area and her new comp is sister Fox.  She is NOT happy about it.  Especially going english.  I'm extremely nervous about training a brand new sister who doesn't speak spanish (yes, all the new sisters are white..) but I kind of have to keep it all in and rely on a lot of prayer because Sister Webb is kind of cursing God and the president right now...refusing to accept that her call is by revelation, soo...I'm trying to avoid that.  Ha.  I can't get her to keep a good perspective about it, though.  She's choosing to be angry about it. So I'm not letting myself freak out.  I trust that Heavenly Father qualifies those He calls. Even though I'm nervous about my new assignment, I trust Heavenly father knows what He's doing.

I'm not getting Christmas presents? :(  (of course she is)

By the way, I heard Catching Fire was good??     

Hermana Smith and Tomas

November 18, 2013

We have two baptisms on the 23rd, this Saturday.  The moms of Benita and Zaida are getting baptized.  The other 3 people who had set baptism dates - Lourdes, Mike and Rosie - aren't going to make their dates and didn't make their dates, but sister Webb and I are confident they'll still get baptized.  We havrn't been able to see Mike and Lourdes because they had all their family come down and told us not to come by until December, but that they are still reading and will come to church.  They didn't show up at church, so we stopped by and talked to Mike in the doorway.  He can notice a difference sense we haven't been there, so that's good.  They're still very interested, though, just stubborn right now.  We'll see them soon.  Rosie is super solid, she just needs more time to come to church.  She came to church once, loved it and also came to the halloween activity.  We went to night church with her last night and guess who I saw?  TOMAS!  He just got a new calling, but wasn't allowed to tell me yet, but I guessed it on accident.  I asked him how hno potts was doing (ward mission leader) and he told me he's now the elders Q president, and so when I asked who the new ward mission leader is, his face got super red.  Yep.  that's all I'm saying.  Haha.  He said he'd tell me for sure though in a letter.  It was really cool to see him, he even blessed the sacrament.  He's baptizing someone on Saturday, too.  OH!  And he's already done baptisms for the dead TWICE, showed me his temple recommend and everything.  And he's going to get the Melkezidic (sp?) priesthood very soon (even though I thought you had to wait a year..?)  He's so solid.  He told me his patriarchal blessing suggests he will have many callings in his lifetime, including bishopric... he's so solid and I love him so much.  He insisted on taking a picture, which I would send to you, but I look suuuuuper white.  Haha.  Bad lighting.  He said to another one of the hermanos that was there, "this is my missionary!"  And the hermano was like, "oh, she baptized you?"  And he was like, "yep, her and sister Franco, mis angeles!"  

I'M SO PROUD OF HIM!  He's talking next week and I can't be there, but it's okay.  I'll live.  

Yes, we are teaching lots of people, one named Jorge just got out of prison and is an alcoholic, but really wants to change and is a good guy.  He said for sure he'd be at church this past sunday, though, and when our member went by to give him and our other investigator, Isidro, a ride, they were apparently either having a fiesta or partied too hard last night...yep, we need to work with them a little bit, but lots of potential.  We had one of our new investigators, Stefania, come to church yesterday.  She's a sweet little woman from Guatemala.  Everything is doing well with the work.  We had interviews with president recently and he trusts us, everyone is apparently super impressed with what we're doing here in Desert Bloom, even though really it's all the Lord's doing.  I also mentioned the Hno Retis situation to president and he told us to have Retis call him and he will give him the info to contact the Tampa Stake president, because it's all through the stake.  We'll see.  I'm pretty sure he's for sure moving no matter what, though, because he's not one to ignore a prompting.  

So you never answered my question about the night in Zarahemla.  From the Book of Mormon?  And could you send me stamps?  

This week was a really good one.  For some reason I was feeling very self critical and depressed in the middle of the week and I could not get out of it.  Friday morning I just prayed like crazy to have the strength to get Satan out of my head, read my scriptures EXTRA hard, and that day was AMAZING and the whole weekend, too.  It didn't come for free, though.  The first thing I did was make my companion's bed.  I know, it sounds stupid, but just showing Heavenly Father that I WANTED to serve others, in even small ways, started to make me feel better.  I know He answered my prayers.  This weekend turned out to be one of the busiest ones in a while, too.  I have a testimony that when we work hard and lose ourselves, we're the happiest.  

I love you all very much!  Words can not express!  I'll see you soon (via Skype!)  

Trunk or Treat LV style

That's marcos, who she mentioned in the email.

November 4, 2013

Ay...I can't believe I only have 9 months left.  I still feel like there's so much for me to learn.  However, I look back at the first half of my mission and see how much I've already learned and grown and I guess I still have a lot I can accomplish.  I really appreciate this email.  It almost brought me to tears!  That second to last line was something I needed to hear: "I thank God that he sent a very special spirit{you} to bless our family and I am happy to share you con la gente de las vegas."  Even though I thank Heavenly Father every day for sending 4 very special spirits to bless and strengthen MY life, I appreciate those words.  Every once in a while I struggle with feeling inadequate and wonder if I'm ever doing enough - or if I'm just stuck.  However, knowing that even the little details like writing a letter that gets posted up on a blog site every week can brighten someone's day, brings me a lot of joy. Your letters every week boost me up and encourage and inspire me to keep going.  I'm immensely proud of you!  Remember, you have been ENTRUSTED with these fiery trials.  You're experiencing the refiner's fire!  Heavenly Father can not make us perfect without first sending us to earth and allowing us to fight against Satan hands on!  With that in mind, I'm mind boggled at how loving Heavenly Father is, that he would send Jesus Christ as a lifeline for us.  Christ didn't have to complete the atonement, but He knew what was at stake.  He was willing to go through what He did so that all of us - His brothers and sisters - could all return and live with Him and the Father as a big happy family again.  Whatever you've done wrong in your life, He's been there.  Not only has He been where you're at and where you've been, but He's sunken below even that!  I love the gospel. :)  

This week went by pretty fast.  We had the trunk or treat, Halloween activity where we watched the movie, "Ephraim's rescue" and tomorrow we're going to see Gladys Knight!  

Yesterday we encountered a pretty big miracle.  We street contacted a guy in an apartment complex who was smoking outside his house, named Jose.  Jose's from Mexico, but lived most of his life here in the United States.  He let us in right away (we had a member with us) and as it turns out, he is good friends with another investigator we have named Marcos.  Marcos came to the Trunk or treat, but hasn't come to church yet because he lives with his son, doesn't have his own phone, car and his work is completely on call.  He's extremely interested though and he opened up a lot and cried during our first visit when we asked him, "If Jesus Christ were sitting here with you right now what would you ask Him?"  It was one of the highlights of my mission.  Anyway, so Jose just happens to be super close with Marcos and is also interested.  He even told us he'd love to come to church and give Marcos a ride so they can go together.  He said Marcos had told him about us.  It was so awesome.  To me, that was Heavenly Father not only placing us in the path of a prepared person, but providing help for Marcos as well.  Heavenly Father loves His children a lot.  

Tomorrow we will be going to see Gladys Knight with a couple investigators at 8:30.  We got permission from President Neider to stay out late.  Haha.  The investigators are Jaime and Loui.  They have been taught by missionaries for years, so many people would refer to them as "eternigators" Anywhoo, Jaime doesn't really seem interested, but his wife, Loui, still has a desire to know, but is a little confused now because...well, in all seriousness, she's been taught so many times, kept commitments, received answers, but hasn't made the next step.  I remember on my first visit with her I basically explained that to her. That the reason she feels confused is because she has received an answer before from the Holy Ghost, but because she didn't act on that answer, the spirit has left her and she has allowed Satan to enter the stage and replace that light of revelation with confusion.  It was kind of fuerte, but what she needed to hear.  It's true.  That's why we act in faith, are baptized and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost...so we don't have to feel that confusion anymore.  We are promised the companionship of the Holy Ghost.  Unfortunately, people don't understand the difference until they've already acted on faith and received the gift.  Anyway, we are giving her another chance to start over and we've prayed and feel like the Gladys Knight thing might have an intense impact on them.  These performances are famous for doing that.  We have some other people going on different days, but we can only go to one performance.  

I forgot to ask you, but could you send me some more stamps?  And yes, you can send me money to buy Christmas presents. :)  

I love you all so very much!  Keep fighting the good fight of faith!  

October 28, 2013

This week was intense.  In a good way, of course.  We had a lesson with Mike and Lourdes (our investigators with a baptismal date for Nov. 9th) and taught them the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  It was a good lesson and we had Hno. Taylor (branch counselor) with us.  After that night, Hno. Taylor told us, "If every missionary taught like you two, we'd baptize everyone."  That was a huge compliment, especially from a branch leader and a super intimidating ex-missionary.  Lordes has been coming to church every week, but it's been a struggle to get Mike there.  However, this week he was very honest with us.  He said something like, "I'm not going to lie to you.  I know I'm going to do it (get baptized) I'm just trying to build up the courage."  So he does want it and he does keep all his other commitments, but he's just a bit timid about coming to church.  He told us he found clothes and everything to wear and that he'd be coming to church, but unfortunately he got food poisoning and he wasn't there yesterday.  We moved his date up to the 16th, though, so we're going to keep encouraging him and focusing on the church part.  Hno. Taylor told us he would text him on Friday.  It's really awesome that the members here love being involved in missionary work and know how to befriend people.  We are having a trunk or treat on Wednesday and Lourdes said she's making flan or choco-flan, so hopefully Mike comes with her.  We'll see them tonight, and we're actually thinking of sharing some "I'm a mormon" videos featuring some "edgier" mormons, because we think he feels a little uncomfortable with his tattoos and lip ring.  He won't say that, but we're thinking it might be part of his problem.  Obviously no one's going to judge him, but we think it will at least ease him a little bit.  

The baptism on Saturday was miraculous!!!  Basically everyone in the branch showed up.  It also ended up being like 2 hours.  It was by far the most spiritual baptism I have ever attended and I'm pretty sure everyone there would agree.  We ended up having 6 baptisms, by the way.  Hugo told us on Thursday that he was thinking about getting baptized AFTER already telling us he needed more time.  We did the math in our heads and realized he already has come to church 3 times and received all the lessons, so technically he could do it.  We told him that and he was like, "ehhhh, maybe I'll surprise you."  But he was very hesitant.  On Friday we had him take the interview just in case he really did plan on surprising us on Saturday.  We saw him on Saturday morinng, too, because they all had a celebratory dinner and lunch before the baptism.  He still told us, "Ehhh, I don't know.." but when 6pm came along, he suited up with his family and was baptized with them.  It was interesting, too, because when we reset Hugo for the 23rd, Zaida was even torn about getting baptized with her sons or her husband... we were very bold with her and told her that she has received an answer and should act on that, but still we invited her to pray about it.  Literally two days later she must have prayed about it because she went from, "um...I don't know if I'm doing it the 26th yet..." to, "yep, let's get baptized right now!"  Power of prayer.  So all 6 of them got baptized on Saturday.  While Hermana Webb and I were waiting behind the baptismal font, Zaida started crying and thanked us over and over again, with kisses and hugs.  She told us that all of our blessings are going to OUR families.. because we helped her family. :)  That was probably one of the most powerful moments on my mission so far, because it's so true.  I've already seen it.  They all got confirmed the same day and at the end, Zaida went up and bore her testimony.  She was very emotional and thanked her husband.  She said that when she asked him why he suddenly wanted to be baptized with them, he told her that he wanted to do it for his family.  While she was testifying, Hugo started crying hysterically.  It was SO powerful.  And Alejandro, his son, put his arm around him to comfort him.  It's so amazing what a difference the Gift of the Holy Ghost makes.  I could see such an immediate difference in all of them, especially Hugo, the moment they were confirmed.  Suddenly, they get it!  They know what we've been testifying of all along.  It was all worth it.  The very next day Hugo, Alejandro and Enrique received the priesthood.  Hugo was actually able to give it to his sons.  And afterwards, he got very emotional again.  We didn't get to see it, but the YM president, Hno Murray, told us about it at dinner and said it was a very powerful moment.  It was seriously a night of miracles.  And Benita's husband, Ron (who doesn't speak Spanish) is going to start taking the lessons with the English missionaries.  

We also had one of our most solid investigators at church!  Rosie!  Hna Acosta gave her a ride.  Rosie was very nervous about church because she's had bad experiences with other churches in the past - people judging her and what not.  But she LOVED it!  And that night we had a lesson with her and set her for baptism on the 23rd.  She said yes and that she already knows Joseph was a prophet and that this is the true church.  Just going to church is what set her off the edge, too.  Seriously, prayer, reading the scriptures and church attendance are NOT just "primary answers."  They are the key steps to conversion!  I have seen so many miracles come out of people just keeping those basic commitments.  And as we have acted in faith and testified in boldness of those very 3 things, we've seen them change within days and the exact blessings we have promised them by doing those things have happened. Not to mention we've been very trusting in the Lord and his ability to touch the hearts of these people. The success we are having has nothing to do with us, really.  We are just doing what we have been commanded and trained to do and testifying of nothing but the truth.  

Right now we still have 5 people with baptismal dates, all in November.  

Oh, and presidente Rincon (branch president) is very excited.  We're about to hit our branch's yearly baptismal goal.  At the baptism he did a little happy dance like 5 times.  And at ward counsel when talking about missionary work he said, "las misioneras simpre tienen bautismos."  It's nice to have the ward's trust.  Yesterday everyone seemed to be affected by the baptism on Saturday.  Everyone was just on a high!  Miracles happen when you believe!!!            

We also had a really intense district meeting about the atonement.  Elder Dahneke had us all share our testimony on the Atonement and it was a very eye opening experience.  We're so used to asking people those questions everyday, but rarely take the time to ponder it ourselves in that way... I don't know, it was a powerful meeting.  Elder Dahneke opened up a lot, too.  He's brand new as a district leader and actually got here last December, but went home right after his training.  He came back just recently and I served with him my last transfer in ensign.  Then we both came over here together.  He shared that he knows first hand what the repentance process feels like, because apparently that's why he went home.  I respect him a lot and I've seen him grow just in the 2 and a half transfers I've served with him since he came back on his mission.  I never wondered why he left, I'm really not the kind of person who butts into people's person business like that, but the fact that he shared it with us was super big of him and it brought the spirit that much more powerfully.  

So, it was a really good week.  I love the sweaters, but the lighter one is waaaay too big for me.  I hope you don't think I gained a bunch of weight.  Haha.  Hermana Webb is doing good.  Candy's good, but the boogers gross me out...we'll pass them out at trunk or treat I think.  Haha.  I love you all so much!  

Hermano Retiz, Hermano Lopez, Claudette, Benita, Hermana Smith, Hermana Webb, Zaida, Hugo, Alejandro, Enrique, Hermano Murray

October 21, 2013

The government's back in business!  Whoooo!  Good, because we want to go to the Hoover Dam sometime this transfer. 

 

This week has gone by very fast.  Zaida and her sons, plus Benita and Claudette are all getting baptized on the 26th.  We had a super powerful lesson last night.  We went to the Retis' house again. (the one we taught the life size POS with)  As usual, they had a lot more people there than we expected, so we taught to a crowd again.  It was night time and we were all outside.  We taught the restoration, but used candles as a visual of how the authority is like a light in the world.  We lit candles for the prophets, Jesus Christ, and the 12 apostles.  We blew them out when the sacerdocio was taken from the earth, then lit them up again when it was restored..just a visual to show we have the same organization that Christ established.  Then when we went to share the first vision, we sang Joseph Smith's first prayer and on the 3rd verse one of us hummed the tune while the other one recited the first vision.  Then we sang the 4th verse together again.  We bore our testimonies and lit a candle to show how we are a part of this light in the world.  Then we invited the 5 that are getting baptized, plus hno y hna Retis to do the same.  It was super powerful.  They're so ready.  It's going to be a full blown fiesta on Saturday. 

 

We currently have 9 people total with a baptismal date, baptizing weekly in November.  We've been maintaining a solid 10 Member Present lessons per week.  This area is booming, and it has nothing to do with us.  The Lord has prepared so many people and many of them we've found through members.  In the beginning of this week, we found a lot of new people to teach and everyone seemed to answer the door and let us in.  One man we found, cried after we asked a pretty inspired question and opened up a lot to us.  He told us he would come to church.  He wasn't there yesterday, but we'll keep working on him and get him there next week.  Hugo - Zaida's husband - is getting baptized on the 16th, because he still has to come to church a couple more times and read and pray regularly, but he's got that goal.  Luisa - Benita's mom - is getting baptized on the 23rd and even Zaida's mom came down from Mexico this past week and told us she wants to be baptized on the same day as Luisa (we haven't set her yet, though, so she's not included in the 9)... these families are awesome.  And their examples are spreading to their family members and they all want to get baptized!  Even Ron, Benita's husband who doesn't speak Spanish, has been touched by Claudette's example and change of behavior so much that he wants to meet with the English elders.  Lourdes and her son mike are set for the 9th, but we need to get mike to church, because he hasn't come yet.  He's interested, though.  

 

We also have a really awesome investigator named Rosie.  Next time we see her we are going to commit her to a date, but she already said she'll be baptized when she receives an answer.  I LOVE HER.  She's a single mom, and loves us to death.  She also cooks like a goddess and always prepares us something.  She wants to feed us dinner on the days we don't have it.  The other day she made healthy chocolate cake... don't ask me how she did it.  She's got the skills.  She's super interested, though and she's already best friends with Hna. Acosta, the member we usually bring with us.  They live in the same apartment complex and hang out before and after our lessons.  Unfortunately, we didn't see her at church yesterday even though she said she'd be there, but it's because she was with her friend who was receiving her cancer results.  Her friend's doing good and healthy apparently. :)

 

We had a meeting this morning about the Gladys Knight performances.  Let me tell you, that woman is my hero.  She tours the country putting on these performances of music and testimonies and it's all a missionary opportunity.  They expect half of the audience to be non-members and less active and the other half to be the members who are fellowshipping them.  They even have little referral cards attached to each ticket for the people to write their information if they want to hear more about the church.  At the end, the missionaries collect the cards and for filling out the card they get a packet with a CD by Gladys Knight and her Choir, a book of Mormon, and the Restoration DVD.  That woman's going to get herself a first class ticket to the Celestial Kingdom, I tell you what... what an example of taking those talents God has blessed you with and using them to build up the kingdom of God and become an instrument in his hands.  How many lives has she already changed?  It's crazy.  We got to watch a video about the performance, learn a little bit more about sister Knight and how everything would play out.  There was a man there that works with her setting up these firesides all over the country.  He said they had to sneak in one of the 12 apostles to one of the firesides and he was clapping and singing along with everyone else.  So it's going to be Baptist church style choir and everyone is encouraged to clap along and everything.  I'm so excited.  Not only to see it myself, but to invite others so they can feel of the spirit there.  During the video there were a few people who shared their stories about how they were converted though attending one of these firesides.  Even though Gladys Knight lives here in Vegas, she hasn't done a tour here since 2006.  So they probably won't do it again here for 6 years or so.   

 

I'm doing good. :)  I got your package, but I haven't opened it yet.  I will definitely take pictures of the life size POS.  You have to send me pictures first, though!  Like, printed ones maybe? ;) 

 

I love you so much!     

October 14, 2013

Wow, I'm so happy to hear that you're feeling better.  There is serious power in the priesthood.  Priesthood + faith = miracles!  Winning combination. :)  I'm sorry to hear about the car situation... life will never be perfect, we just have to recognize the blessings and keep the faith through the tough times.  Thank you so much for always being a rock.  It seems that dad dealt with the situation calmly though, huh?  

Never forget that your Heavenly Father loves you bunches and so do I!  I pray for you every day and every time I read your emails or letters, I can see that He's watching over you. I'm very grateful for that. :)

..............................................................

Photos: The one in the house with the family that's kind of blurry is the Munoz family.  I've written about them before.  Super awesome, hilarious people.  The hispanic woman where we're outside?  I've never written about her before, but she's a super awesome hermana who always came out with us.  The Gym?  The only one I can think of is I took a picture with Hermana Zegarra and Hna. Cardenas after a Zone training meeting... they're both missionaries.  Yeah, I love the Valadez family.  They gave me gold earrings when I left. :)  When I came back for Jose's baptism, their little son, Nathan comes up to me and goes, "HEY!  I missed you!"  With his little sassy attitude and everything.  It was soooooo cute. <3  I didn't realize how much I loved everyone over there until I left.  

Yeah, my birthday was pretty great.  Haha.  The video I have of the cake thing sucks, I know.  One of the elders, elder Daneke, was filming and I think he was too fascinated with the camera to pay any attention.  I swear, every time I bust out my camera, elders swarm to it and are all like, "wooooow, it's like iron man!  sweeeet!"  Anywho, I know sister Webb has a better video of it, so I'll try to get her to send it to me or something.  And yes, the Hopkinsons did make me a farewell/early birthday cake.  I miss them, too!  Apparently as soon as I got transfered, they moved the other 2 sisters out of their house and into an apartment.  The Hopkinsons were heart broken...but apparently their thinking about moving to Virginia or something like that.  I talked to sister Veazey the other day and she said they heart attacked their house, so that's nice. :)  

Yay!  Can you take more pictures of the board for me?  Maybe one with you all standing next to it?  Yeah, it would make me happy if you sent me pictures of you, because everyone asks me and I don't really have any to show them. :(  I don't know why, but there's a picture in our photo album where mom is holding me and she looks super beautiful and I'm a baby wearing a bonnet... is there any way you can send me that picture or a copy of it?  I miss that picture.  

Ahhh, I'll remember to keep Pierce in my prayers as well.  That's alllll part of the mission.  I still feel frustrated with the language almost every day!  It's pretty painful to look back on my first few weeks, though.  But he's in Chile completely immersed in the language, so I can't imagine...you understand that better than I do.  Haha.  He'll be fine, though.  It's the best learning experience.  We had a sister luncheon/meeting the other day and sister Nieder was talking about how in a mission we struggle and grow and learn more about ourselves than we would in any other atmosphere.  So much so that when we get back, we'll have more life experience than a lot of others people our age.  And I'll be a 20 year old RM.  That's intense!  Not that that makes us better than other people for serving a mission, but just that we'll get there a little quicker than other young people as far as life lessons are concerned.  We are literally relying on the Heavenly Father everyday to give us the strength to keep going.  I still have many life lessons to learn, though!  But I'm grateful for this opportunity.  What a blessing to have been called to His work!  :)  

Our area is huuuuuge, so we actually haven't been biking.  It's kind of impossible.  We have to take the freeway to get to different parts of our area, it's so big.  So we've been having members help us with rides.  Also the other elders in our branch.  We got permission to ride with them in their car.  We all eat together everyday, so it's convenient.  We're probably going to make them brownies today or something because they've been super nice about it and also, we didn't get our car back on Friday like the man said...actually, we STILL don't have our car.  Haha.  We should be getting back today at 2:30.  

Oh, and this Sunday we gave talks in sacrament meeting.  About member missionary work.  It was "ehh" in my opinion and I'm pretty sure I rambled on in Spanish for like...I don't know...7 minutes?  Oh well.

Anyway, I love you, I'm proud of you, and i'm about to hit my half mark, so get ready for pregnant pictures to celebrate 9 months. :)      

October 7, 2013

 I got sick this past week and threw up last Monday night... like, everything I had eaten in an entire week.  On Tuesday we stayed inside all day because I had a bad stomach flu and fiebre.  I got a blessing, though and the next day we were out working again, but I was still sick.  I feel much better now, though.  Por eso, ustedes no recibieron nada esta semana pasada.  Pero les prometo que yo voy a escribir algo sobre las cosas que pasaron esta ultima semana y mandarlo a ustedes con fotos y programas bautismales.  No se preocupe!  

Yes, La conferencia general rocked my world.  And Tomas S. Monson saying that the Sunday morning session was one of the best in general conference history.  THAT was intense.  Definitely the ones you mentioned were stand out ones for me as well.  I love when Deiter Uchtdorf said, "doubt your doubts before you doubt your faith."  Jefferey Holland's discurso touched my heart as well.  I was actually reminded of you and the efforts you are making to over come Satan's attempts to drag you down.  You are a great example to me of the power that daily prayer and scripture study have in strengthening our foundation in Christ, so that we can withstand Satan's blows.  Thank you for that. :)  I loved Edward Dube's(?) talk.  "Edward, don't look back!"  His talk was powerful about how we should never look back when we have a duty to do and never think our service is done once we've been released from a calling.  It was super powerful and he quoted one of the most intense scriptures of all time: No man putting his hands to the plough and looking back is fit for the kingdom of God.  

The Ortiz family and Benita and Claudette are doing great.  They told us they want to get baptized even earlier than the 26th, so we have to call the member that's going to baptize them and work that out...we are currently working on that.  They are so solid, though.  A lot of the new investigators that we found together at the beginning of this transfer have kind of dropped off, there's not ready yet at this time, but there are a couple that are prepared.  Lourdes, one of our now progressing investigators came to church for the first time last week and we hadn't been able to get a hold of her since because her phone wasn't working.  So yesterday she surprised us by showing up at the chapel for general conference.  We were at the stake center, too, so we don't know how she even knew where to go.  Que milagro!  We sent out a group text with the directions, so I guess she got the text somehow.  She really loved Tomas S. Monson's talk.  When we asked her about it, she told us she loved the man who talked about his wife.  So cute. :)  We should be seeing her tonight.  We've already taught her the restoration, but we think we might either watch the restoration movie with her or read with her from the Book of Mormon.  

Yay!  Renee's drawing me pictures?  How cool.  She should send me more pictures.  And Hope and Renee should make me more comic books.  They make me happy. :)  

Yesterday I hit my 8 month mark.  Next month will be half way there... oh wow.  No, I haven't written Pierce directly yet, but that's awesome that you got pictures.  I haven't gotten anything from him.  

Still no package from Peggy... I don't really know what's going on.  Sister Holland said she sent me a package, too, but I haven't gotten anything from either of the two.  Yo no se lo que esta pasando con el correo.

Oh, I forgot to tell you like weeks ago, but we had to take the car to the shop one Monday to get an estimate, and in the office there was this HUGE dog, bigger than a great dane.  I remember thinking it must be half wolf or something and when we asked the guy he told us it was a full bred wolf.  TOTALLY intense.  Just a random update.  

You're coming to get me?!  Yay!  That just made my day. :)  You'll get to see my departing testimony. I'm so exctied!!!!! Be prepared for some serious heat, though, in August.  Right now the weather is BEAUTIFUL, but the summer is intense.  I've been telling people, though, that so far from what I've seen of Vegas weather, I would totally live here.  The spring was beautiful, the fall is GORGEOUS... sure the summer's intense, but that's normal.  Not as scorching hot as Arizona summer, though.

I will write more often, that sounds like a plan.  I'll probably make a goal of it during weekly planning on Friday.

Yes, I did know that President Neider was in the General YM presidency.  That's super cool that dad read an article by him.  How was it?  Good article?

Also, our mission is now reading the New Testament together, so we can finish by Christmas.  I already started, though, so I'm in John right now.  

I love you all very much and I hope you are all doing well and being good member missionaries.

 love, 

your friendly neighborhood missionary.  

+++++++

What a blessing that dad is okay with his job.  After I heard the government was shutting down, I was worried.  You've all been in my prayers everynight.

Oh, and here's one of my favorite one liners from Elder Holland:  "If the bitter cup is placed before you, drink it and be strong."