Actually I think that picture you sent of Rainier is the most snow I’ve seen since before my mission. Bill Johnson…is that Tori’s dad?? Or a different one? They don’t like Arizona?! I know it’s hot, but I really don’t think I would mind living here long-term. I love it! You can go swimming all year round! Well, I can’t, but normal people can. Ben and Kate better come for Thanksgiving/Christmas so that I can see them! You want to pass that message on to them? J I’m glad that you started reading the Book of Mormon with me…you’re behind and I’m ahead…gotta catch up quick! Feel free to write me about what you read and what you learn and find about the Doctrine of Christ as you read. I would love that!!! Is anyone else in the family doing it?
My week has been really
good. So many blessings and miracles. Last Monday night was a little miracle.
We pulled over to the side of the road to figure out where we were going to go
next and then as we pulled back on to the road we hit this rock and we thought
we were fine and that it had just made a weird noise, but it kept making a
noise so we pulled back over a little farther down. I was so worried that I had
wrecked the car again (it was the same street as before too!!!) but we had just
knocked something loose and we attached it again. While we were working on
that, someone pulled over to help us. A member! He’s an RM, served in Chile and
got back about a year ago. After a little bit of small talk, he asked if there
was anything he could do to help us…so we asked if he knew anyone around who
speaks Spanish. And he did!!! It’s out of our area so we had to forward it, but
it was still cool!!
Tuesday was good. :) We went to the Temple
really early in the morning. We woke up at 4:30. L
But it was worth it. Sister Mireles was doing all the work for her aunt so that’s
why we went extra early. She did the baptism and confirmation and was going to
do the iniatory too, but it wasn’t open yet. It went a lot faster than we
thought it would. So we ended up going to the 6:15 session (she did a different
name) and it was great. There were only 6 of us in the whole session! Then she
did the iniatory after and will do the endowment next time. I want to do a
family name! We were done with everything and back home by 8:30.The rest of the
day was really good too! We had 4 teaching appointments! I love when we have a
busy day of teaching.
Wednesday was
GREAT! We got 2 new investigators!!!! It has been a long time so we are both
pretty excited. We have a return appointment with them tomorrow. It’s a mom and
her son. She has a husband and another son that hopefully we can start teaching
soon. That night we also were able to finally have a lesson with the Andrades.
They have been out of town for a while so it’s nice to have them back. :)
We went on
exchanges for Friday night and Saturday until 4:15. Then that night we saw
another miracle! We had a lesson with Natividad and we were able to extend
baptism and a new date and he accepted!!! August 16th. Going to be
praying that he is completely ready this time and that it happens…but
ultimately it’s God’s timing, not mine.
Yesterday was
trying and rewarding. Emotional highs and lows. Church was great! Edith came
even though she was sick. Natividad came after about 2 months of not coming.
The Andrades came after 3 weeks of absence. We were fasting with them and it
went really well. They were hungry, but they were troopers. Then after church…well
I’m not going to go into all the details because I don’t want to be negative or
judgmental, but I was just so mad and sad and frustrated…and I was mad at
myself. But I had a good cry and many good hugs from Hna. Mireles and our
roommates and we went out and worked and I came home happy again. And there
were so many miracles! We visited Patricia and she talked with Luis about
marriage again and he didn’t say no!!! or “I won’t make the same mistake twice.”
He said “ a lo major.” That might seem small, but in my eyes it’s huge!!! I was
so happy. Then we tried a referral we received and she was home and we had a
lesson and she is a new investigator too. Then we had some time before we had
to head in so we went by a less active and read in the Book of Mormon and read with
her and her daughter. We are going to come this week and start teaching them
all the lessons!!
God is good. I can’t
say it enough. I’ve probably written in my journal over 100 times. Just hold
on. Be faithful. Be obedient. Everything is going to work out right. I love you
and hope you have a wonderful week!
Con amor,
Hermana Baria
