Week 22

Chili-mac on a tostada. Oh yeah!

This week was super busy and super hot, but it was super great as well! First of all, this transfer period has been zooming, I can't believe transfers are a week from tomorrow, which means I might be moving areas or getting a new companion! I honestly don't know how I will feel about whatever happens because I have grown to love my area, my investigators, my members and most importantly my companion, but at the same time I feel that a change could be good for me because I have in some ways gotten a little too comfortable I think. It's been nice finally starting to feel comfortable, but I know that only when things are more challenging is there more growth and I honestly want to grow into the missionary the Lord wants me to become, therefore I am open and willing to accept and give my all to whatever directions I am given. Of course if I do leave I would miss all the people I have come to love here a ton, but it's part of the mission experience and life in general. Luckily I have the knowledge that saying goodbye is never for good, because I know I will see them all again someday, whether it be in this life or the next:)

My district!

 

Alright time for an update on my investigators real quick. First of all Keren is really close to being ready for baptism, and in fact we are going to go over the interview questions with her today to find out if she is ready to be baptized this Sunday! I am a little worried since she still sometimes has doubts or doesn't feel like she is good enough, but I have confidence that the spirit will help guide her to make the right decision. Plus in the end it is better for her to feel completely ready, then to push her into this covenant, because it's sacred and of an eternal importance.

Then there is Kerena and Ismael. Like I said before, they weren't able to make it last Sunday, and when we visited them, Ismael shared with us how he felt horrible inside afterwards and told us he never wants to feel that again so he is going to do his best to make it to church from now on. That was really cool to hear because I know that was the spirit impressing upon him the importance of attending:) Awaiting his arrival yesterday was very nerve-racking because the doors shut for sacrament to begin and he still hadn't arrived. I began to pray my heart out because I wanted nothing more than for him to be able to make it, so that he doesn't have to feel the guilt inside that he felt before. After the sacrament ended and they opened the doors again, a usual late crowd came in and my heart dropped as I was still left disappointed. After a few more minutes my companion told me he had to use the bathroom so we went outside the doors only to find Ismael, Kerena and his 4 kids entering!! I could see that they had had a hard time getting all their kids dressed and out the door as they were a little disoriented, but I was filled with joy that they had still determined to make it. I was super happy the rest of the day as we brought the 3 kids to primary, Kerena and Ismael to Gospel Principles and afterwards to Relief Society and Priesthood:D They are a very special family and I can see them becoming a very strong Mormon family in their future!

Next Alfonso who was a surprise investigator because he showed up a couple weeks ago and had already attended the church for a while where he lived before and literally told us he is in our hands during our first lesson because he is completely ready to do whatever is needed to progress in this gospel! Since we have been teaching him in his work place since he is very busy with a new business, and he amazes me every time with his comments, questions and genuine desire to know. I am confident he will be ready for baptism relatively soon and am super happy for him!

Cindy and Luis are progressing nicely outside of attending church as they still have only attended once, but I am optimistic that they will be able to make it a priority in their lives as they have shared their true desires to follow the steps of the gospel to be able to be baptized and eventually sealed as a family:)

Ugly Tie Day with the missionaries both living and dead (ex-missionaries in the ward.)

Outside of that we met a new part member family this week who are super nice and the husband who isn't a member is willing to take the lessons and find out for himself if the church is true. His name is Guillermo and his wife, who is a member, is named Maria. The crazy thing is that he is only 21 years old, which means he's not far from my age but yet he already has a wife and a little 1 year old girl. It's wonderful to be able to find people who are ready to receive the gospel and I hope he will be able to do the things we ask and more importantly find out for himself through prayer and revelation that the church is true and begin his new life that comes with baptism and church membership.

Also this week was SUPER HOT again...nothing new, but we were still able to work hard and continue helping people come closer to Christ:) Oh and probably my favorite part of the week was when we took Luis (one of our converts from the Villela family) to teach a few lessons with us. It was super cool to hear his inputs during the lessons, but the coolest thing was when we were talking with him in the street about his interests and plans. Ironically not even thinking about a mission, I asked him where he planned to study after high school and in what career area. He responded "Well first my mission of course, and then I think I am going to get into construction." Oh what joy filled my heart to hear that he is already thinking about and planning for his mission at the age of 16 having only a few months of membership!!! That experience has motivated me immensely and helped me learn first hand how my efforts in my mission truly do have an effect on the people I meet here as well as their future families and converts. I know I won't always be able to see the direct results of my efforts, so I am super thankful for having been able to experience this and it's something I will always cherish. 

I made chili-mac!

Then we decided to put the most American food there is on tostadas and tortillas,  just to be contradictory