Week 36: Downs and Downs

Yesterday we had divisions and I won’t be leaving! I will have 6 months here in La Huerta after this cambio.

   

This week was crazy - full of ups and downs. Well actually it was full of downs, downs, and more downs. I really love my companion, but we had a really rough time this past week. I shall pray for patience!

We had a baptism planned and we absolutely love her! We spent all week making preparations so that her baptism would be beautiful. About 30 minutes before her baptism her husband came and told us that she would not be coming. We were completely heart broken! We haven’t been able to talk with her since, so we still have no idea why she backed out. It made me think about our Heavenly Father and how sad He feels when we choose the wrong. He knows perfectly our potential and what is in store for us

Companions

Week 35: This and That

I am sooo tired. For the past few days I have NOT been sleeping well. I’m pretty sure I’m dying. lol

It’s getting colder here.

My companion and I celebrated her birthday and my 8-month mark!

We had Family Home Evening with the Garcia family. We talked about the importance of praying frequently. We each made a little ´O´ for oracion (prayer) to help remind us to pray in the morning and at night.

Absolutely everyone tells me different things I can do to heal my horrible acne. At least every other day someone gives me a different remedy! They all tell me I have such a pretty face, and they want to help me, and blah blah blah. lol The other day as I began to say the prayer, the lady interrupted me with advice to fix my face. Then yesterday somebody told me that God had given him healing powers in his hands and he wanted to touch my face and heal it. We quickly left there. lol

Hermano Tinoco's (our recent convert) hobby is photography. Here are some of his cool old cameras.

We had a baptism this past Saturday. It's amazing to see how much the gospel changes lives. We loved teaching him!

On Sunday morning the bishop called and asked us to give a talk that day. I was pretty stressed. I talked on the importance of obedience. It's a topic that I really like and it's kind of super important!

Week 34: Not Much to Say

We found a place that sells brownies! Wooo! Of course they are not even as close to being as yummy as the ones from home - but they will suffice.

We had to hike up to a house and it was a really pretty view, even though you can’t tell from the picture. It looked like the city Far Far Away, from the movie Shrek.

One of my favorite scriptures is Jacob 6:12 – O be wise; what can I say more? 

Week 33: Forgetful

General Conference was amazing! It’s funny mom that your favorite talk was by Elder Jorg Klebingat because it was one of my favorites as well. When we left conference my companion asked me if that one was my favorite, because she knew I like things firm and to the point. I loved his opening question: If you had an interview with Christ three minutes from now, how would you feel? This will be my new slogan in life. 

I also really liked the talks by Dieter F Uchtdorf and Tad R. Callister. I loved when Elder Callister said, "In the life to come, I do not know if titles such as bishop or relief society president will survive, but I do know that the titles of husband and wife, father and mother, will continue and be revered, worlds without end." After his talk I made a lot of goals of things I want to become better at. One day I will have the title of mother (at least I hope I will - Brycie will say no) which is the most important title I can receive. I don’t want to mess it up!  

I love my area, and my companion and I are getting along really well! I’m pretty content. I have a feeling that she will end up training a new missionary after this cambio, so we are doing a lot to help her prepare. Every Monday night I forget everything about the mission, then on Tuesday she completely trains me. I’m really enjoying it and she is learning a ton. I’m not sure if she is enjoying it very much, but she knows that it will help her a lot. Tonight I will forget everything again. lol

¨Being a disciple of Jesus Christ is not an effort of once a week or once a day. It is an effort of once and for all.” Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Week 32: Random Bits and Pieces

I’ve just been writing down things that I’ve wanted to tell you this week, so my letter shall be very random. :)

-I can do my makeup (powder, blush, eyebrows, and mascara) in a record-breaking time of five and a half minutes. Round of applause please. :)

-In the MTC Hermana Burns hated my weird leg shaking habit, so I worked hard to get rid of it. Now Hermana Mayorga has the same problem and I’m relapsing! Ah!

-Two of our recent converts gave talks in church. They were so ridiculously scared, but they did absolutely great! 

 -I accidently asked a young man if we could come to his house and give him and massage, instead of asking if we could come to his house and share a message.

-This week we had a member accompany us for a few lessons and while we were walking she asked me how it feels to have less that a year before I go home. It really surprised me! I almost forgot that I had a life before the mission and that I will have that life again in less then a year. Weird. I’m happy here serving, but I must admit I kind of miss my family.

 I’ve been studying a lot about obedience, because it is the first law of heaven. In 3 Nephi 28:34 it reads, “whoso receiveth not the words of Jesus and the words of those whom he hath sent receiveth not him; and therefore he will not receive them at the last day;” If we can’t learn obedience (and repentance) we can’t receive eternal happiness. Someone gave a great talk on Sunday. He said when he was baptized the elders asked him what he wants in the future. He said he wants a nice house, big yard, a car, and comfort. To be able to reach that long-term goal he would have to work really hard right now and for a long time. It’s the same with eternal blessings; the work we put in right now, will determine our “house, car, yard, and comfort” after this life. This life is so ridiculously short, but the way we live it will decide our eternal happiness.

Teaching the gospel to Mr. Morelos
(at least I think that's who it is)

Week 31: Learning Lots

I ´m leading the area and my companion only has three months in the mission, so she still has some stuff to learn. Which means that I have been learning a TON! When you’re put it a position to “lead”, it’s actually just a better position to “learn”. I really love the mission! There are many sad, difficult, and frustrating parts (sorry, I usually only tell you guys about these parts) but the good definitely outweighs the bad. I’ve learned a lot of things that have helped me grow and helped me be more prepared for when I return and have my own family. I’ve learned the importance of the gospel in every aspect of our lives.

My companion, Hermana Mayoral is great. I must admit I have been ridiculously lucky in the mission. I’ve always had really great companions. We have little moments, but we are usually laughing and working really hard. It makes a HUGE difference to have a great companion!

My New Companion (the one in the dress)

Week 30: Transfers

Today we had transfers and Hermana Vergara left me. It was super duper sad because we got along REALLY well! We would sometimes (but rarely) butt heads and that was because we are ridiculously alike in personality. She really helped me open up more, learn more of the gospel, and how to love everyone. I will miss her tons!

My new companion is Hermana Mayorga. She seems nice. She is almost 22 and only has 3 months in the mission, so I’m the senior companion. Scary stuff.

Cake for Cambios