Big News This Week

What a week. Let's see. Last Monday we went to a member's home and we made pupusas that was pretty awesome. I will have to teach you all when I get back.

My comp and I are doing wonderful. She fasted and got a blessing and we have talked a lot and she is much happier... and so am I! We work really well together and it's nice. It's good to just work without having to come home and work again with your comp. We speak Spanglish. Her English is so good. It just needs practice.

So big news this week...

THE FAMILIA MATIAS HAS A FECHA and they are getting baptized this Friday at four. But, that is a lot easier to write than what needed to happen for them to get to that point.

As you know we have been working with them for so long. Baby Vilma Ngeli came and slowed down the baptism process, but I think it was a good thing. Last week we tried to set a fecha with them. Jacinto said, "No, no okay September 15th." I looked at him and was like, that's a Tuesday and why that date. He said he had just picked it. We talked more about baptism and that it's a commandment and he accepted August 6th. Vilma looked at me and said no. I said okay. We testified and such. Hermana Arana said that she didn't think that Vilma had a testimony or had felt that Spirit. I told her no. I know she had and I know she is gaining her testimony, it isn't that. There is something more. We prayed and studied and had a plan A, B, and C, for things they might say.

The next day we were almost to their house and I said Hermana, let's say a prayer. I don't know what more we can say or do. We need the Lord's help to open their hearts. We prayed and went with a new determination. We walked in and we talked a bit and then Jacinto said, "Well... she has doubt." I looked at Vilma and told her we are her friends and sisters, and that we could help give her answers. She said that she had three questions. "I am worried about the cold water and my milk," she is still nursing, "how much does the baptism cost?" And then she said, "What time are you wanting to have the baptism? My sister is getting married on the 6th." She is so cute.

So I smiled and said, "Oh Vilma! Do you want to get baptized?" She said yes. Then I said, "Okay. The water will be warm. Don't worry, we will have a blow dryer after too. The baptism is FREE all of it. And enjoy your sister's wedding. We can do it a week after or the day before." She said the day before.

So with fechas, we left sooo grateful for the literal answer to prayers. The next step... the interview. For two days we explained interviews and he had just a hard time. But I asked President Lorenzana about how to explain it and we went and they accepted and were excited about having a servant of the Lord in their home. They cleaned quickly and welcomed the interview and asked the Elders if they could baptize them. So cool. They are happy with their decision.

For Jacinto it is in secret. If he tells his family, they will beat him. And, he has the stress of being eighteen, a new father and husband, and trying to make ends meet. He is on the verge of losing 75 acres of land because he is short 1500Q. And still lacks the necessities like gas for cooking. But, he finds solace in the Book of Mormon, in hymns, and the missionaries. It's incredible.

Vilma will turn sixteen on Sunday. The same day she will receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. How cool is that!

Please continue to pray for them. :)

We had a really cool lesson with a girl named Ana Patricia. We were talking about our purpose on earth and she just started crying. She said, "I have made so many mistakes in my life and I want to be better. I think this could help." So cool to know that she was feeling the Spirit. We had talked nothing of repentance. So cool.

Also found Carlos and Delmi. They're family and friends are all members, but haven't made the choice themselves to do the same. We have had some powerful lesson with them and I think that they can progress.

The Lord has blessed me with a giant and great area. With a happy comp who just wants to please the Lord. And I am doing so well. I really love the mission. Yesterday I wrote in my journal for the 61st day in a row. One of my accomplishments in the mission.

I love you all so much! Thank you for your love and support!

A Week of Personal Growth

What a week... How are you?

I met the president on Thursday. What a good man. He gave his talk in Spanish and English. His has great energy, a green and yellow color. He is funny. His wife has wit and  has fun happy personalty. She wants to be our mom. I got three hugs from her in just that day. I am so excited to work under them. They are wonderful. Oh, two of their sons served in Spain. Bilabou and Malaga and the president in Uraguay.

This week has been a week of personal growth. Sometimes I feel bad about that. When I grow and grow without the stats or proof in numbers, but I am realizing that it's not what it is about. I got to talk to Lambert on Monday. President Lorenzana's last favor. Ha. I could see my growth in the short time we had apart. I've had a lot of time to think this week and I am realizing that I don't have to be better than anyone else to have worth. I can stand for what's right in small ways and that can bring me confidence. I have taken comfort in the words of our living prophet and apostles in the Liahona. Thank you mom for sending me more.

I completed a goal this week. I wrote every single day in June in my journal. It was cool to look back and see what I had accomplished day by day. And I think sometimes life is like that. We want to change and accomplish things fast and right away, but we can't rush time. We can't write about what happened in a day that didn't happen yet.  We can't rush time. We must live here and now and do what we can to be happy. And happiness comes from following the Savior. I have felt His love this week. I can't say it's been the perfect week, but I can say that it has been a week of growth.

Family, I know this isn't long, but I just want to say things are well. Heavenly Father is aware of me and is helping me and loving me and is showing me things I need to change and be better in. Change is never easy. But the hope of knowing we can change is incredible. We had a sita with a really Catholic family. At one point, she said something about perfection. I just felt this overwhelming feeling that perfection is possible, but only through the atonement of Jesus Christ. It's so important because without it, we can't be perfected. We can't return to our Father's presence.

Thank you for your support and your love.