This week has been a roller coaster, but as always the ups have outweighed the downs.
This week we have really tried to follow the counsel given to us by our Mission President and that is as Servants of the Lord, offering to leave blessings on the homes of people. This way people can experience the Gospel in the first few moments instead of only hearing us talk about it. This week we had a blitz (all the missionaries in our zone knock doors in one area to help that area out) in our zone. Sister Ika (an English speaking missionary, I love her!) and I were put together to tract a street. The second door we knocked, we met a woman, Katherine. She said she is new at the whole religion thing, was seeking to know more, and invited us to bless her home. We had the opportunity to teach her and leave a powerful blessing in the way we were taught. The spirit was extremely strong and she invited us back to teach her family! A great referral for the English speaking Elders!
Also Friday we did exchanges and I went to an only English speaking area Lake Herman to be with Sister Van Wie. Though both new missionaries, we were able to contact quite a few people in our time there! We were on our way to contact a couple potentials and we passed by a house with people on the porch. Lake Herman/Benicia area is pretty much full of English speakers. To our great surprise, we met two people, Maria and Tony, who only spoke Spanish! I knew then that this exchange was no coincidence. I didn't have Sister Chavez at my side to lead conversation and my companion had no idea what was being said, but with the help of the Lord, I was able to get to know them a bit and teach the Restoration of the Gospel. I understood them just fine and was able to teach. We left a blessing with them and Maria could truly feel the spirit. She invited us back! I knew that I was in the right place at the right time. The Lord was able to use my recent ability to speak Spanish to bring to gospel to someone who otherwise might not have heard it. It really helped me feel confidence that I can do this! Even in Spanish, as long as I keep working hard and relying on the Lord. The only way I got there was through following him. Being obedient. Working Hard. When we do the simple things, miracles will unfold before us.
Just that evening, after exchanging back, Hermana Chavez and I were able to leave three more blessings with people. One of those experiences was with a woman, Ana. The spirit was burning so strong in our hearts in that blessing and as we waited those few moments of silence after the prayer, she began to weep. People are prepared. Miracles happen everyday.
There have been some really down moments this week too. We had two of our investigators, Lucillo and Angela, with baptismal dates drop us and tell us they don't want to learn anymore. Lucillo was drunk and said a lot of harsh things about the church. We were not expecting it at all and we left discouraged. But as always the blessings have outweighed the bad days by miles. I love being a missionary. I would lay down my life for my Savior, but he hasn't asked me to do that. He has asked me to live each day for him. I truly feel that I am working my hardest to do that and that makes every effort worth it, because I truly love my Lord. Honestly, because he loved me first. He's always been here and I am so lucky to have the opportunity to wear his name on my badge each day and say "I am a servant of the Lord Jesus Christ" or "Soy una sierva de el Senor Jesucristo."
Also Here are some Pictures from my FILM camera! I got them developed and they gave me a CD :) The photos are from this first transfer in Napa and the MTC - will send the rest in the next email!
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