week #3

Family & Friends,

This week was full of surprises. High high's and low low's, but I ended with a smile on my face.

This work is not easy. Our Investigators are struggling to progress. Marcos wants to change but is struggling with drugs still. We're trying our hardest to help him overcome it, but he has to do his part. We are constantly on our knees in prayer for the people here in Napa. Helping them makes the changes they want to make, teaching them what they must do to improve, and loving them through the journey.

This week we unfortunately had a lot of our teaching appointments fall through because people couldn't meet with us, so we did a lot more tracting (door to door) and contacting than we have been before. It is truly a humbling experience to have people door after door tell you that you are wrong and they are right and try to argue. That is not what we're here to do and we avoid that. We explain that we are simply there to invite and help other to come unto Christ. To bring them a message and gospel that has brought a lasting/enduring happiness into our lives. I am starting to understand a sliver of the persecution that apostles and prophets of old had to endure. Our Savior Jesus Christ was a despised and rejected of men, a man acquainted with grief. I am honored to defend his name each day as his Servant. This is an opportunity I am so thankful for. We maintain our positive attitude through the days, praying continuously all through the day that we may be able to help others. And then, MIRACLES HAPPEN.

After a hard days work with hardly any success, we were getting ready to go home and a man on the street stopped us and asked us if we were teaching religion. We said we were servants of the Lord Jesus Christ and we help other's come unto him. He had a very positive attitude towards missionaries and invited us to teach him and his wife the following day. That following day we visited them and taught them the Restoration, and then explained how they can know for themselves it is true through reading the Book of Mormon and praying. And when they know for themselves that what we taught was true and the Gospel really has been restored, I invited them to follow the example of Jesus Christ and be baptized, and they ACCEPTED. My first time inviting someone to be baptized and them actually say yes without my companion having to re-explain! I am so excited to teach them, I hope they are as solid as I think they could be. They are humble and ready to change. Qualities that each of us need to cultivate in order to truly be converted and willing follow our Savior. Truly a miracle!

My Spanish is improving and we are working everyday to iron out our flaws in teaching and constantly making changes to improve ourselves. The spirit is more apparent than every before in my life and I know that is because I am in the right place striving to do what the Lord expects and act in every moment the spirit prompts. We are in no way perfect, but I am not letting myself go a day without analyzing my areas of weakness and trying to improve each day. I love being a missionary. I wouldn't trade it for anything. The Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ is true. It has brought me the kind of happiness that endures forever. A joy that word's cannot explain. A confidence in myself and in my Savior that this life I live each day really means a lot. Everything I do makes a difference, and knowing that means everything to me. I can't wait for this week ahead, so many miracles I have yet to discover in this journey.

Thank you all for the support I receive, continue to write and email me. I am SO excited for Joseph this week to get his Mission Call! Please write me and email me about it ASAP.

Hermana Christina Wise