You know how on a roller coaster there are lots of ups and downs and twists and turns? And your going so fast you don't know what really happen once it's over? Yep, that's kind of what a mission is like. One moment you are on a Monday, then it's already Sunday. There are high points of divine happiness and then you free fall straight to the ground. This week was like that a lot. Moments where we were seeing so many miracles and beautiful things happening and then the down side. As a missionary you see the two extremes. Everyday I am hearing and seeing some of the ugliest things that happen in the world, yet there are moments when I feel so close to heaven.
So to expand upon this...We got a call from a less active member whose husband is Cuban. She wants to change her life around and come back to church. Technically, the English Elders should be teaching her, but her husband is hard to understand in English and frankly she just prefers Sisters. They really opened up their home and their hearts to us. We had an incredible lesson on the Plan of Salvation. It was full of tears from them and from us. She told us about her life, which I won't get into details, but she has been through so many hard things it blew my mind. She has lived among that ugly part of the world her whole life and she feels like she can't even go outside anymore. That's when we taught her about the Atonement. She needs that hope and love from Christ in her life so that she can move forward with her life and know that everything is going to be okay, even though there are bad things in the world. I just love that couple with all my heart, and I want so very much to help them. Hopefully we can help them turn their lives around and get her husband baptized. The cherry on top of that lesson was the amazing Cuban steak and beans they made for us! So dang good!
I officially found the Mexican Isaiah. His name is Marco and he is a recent convert in our branch. He likes to speak in parables...in Spanish...AAHHHH!!! He kind of has a lisp and he speaks really fast on top of that. So I only get a few words here and there during our lessons. He always turns to me or Hermana Boley afterwards and asks what the significance is behind his story. I just always give him the "deer in the headlights" look because all I heard was that there were 10 guys in a dream and one had a rock tied around his leg trying to lift his arms up! Like what is happening Marco?! Que pasa? He told me that I have lots of faith, but I need to work on my confidence and trust because I am shy. First of all, I have stepped way out of my comfort zone to be on a mission...period. Second of all, how can I respond when I don't even know what he said in the first place? And lastly, why does everyone think that being shy is a weakness. I think it can be a strength when used correctly. But that's Marco, full of philosophical wisdom all the time. He really is fantastic and is the most charitable person ever.
We have an amazing progressing investigator right now named Karen. She is just so prepared for baptism, and I hope everything works out. Please pray for her and the ability to have her baptism on the 26th of this month. I really am gaining a testimony of baptism out here. We had an investigator that was suppose to be baptized this weekend, but he has fallen off the face of the Earth! He was so solid in the beginning. He kept all of his commitments and was coming to church. All of the sudden it's like he doesn't answer our texts and calls. There is so much anti-Mormon material out there that people are getting caught up in. We are pretty sure he read something online or talked to someone. When you set a date for baptism, Satan does everything in his power to stop it because it is so important.
Can I just say that we have an awesome Branch though. They are so loving and "just the best." Especially the youth. All the youth my age are the auxiliary presidencies and they all either have their mission calls or are working on their papers. For how many active members are in the Branch, it's really amazing how many missionaries they are producing. They are going to suffer when their youth are gone, but that's why it's so important to reactivate members. Anyway, the Presidente Campbell is the bishop of our Branch and he is awesome to work with. He loves to joke around which is perfect because I do too. And he sincerely loves the people in our Branch. He and his wife spoil us by always giving us bags of food after meetings. The members here are so giving.
Anyway, what I learned this week: I had to give a talk in sacrament yesterday about the things I learned at the CCM about conversion. I have learned that what touches someone's heart and makes them truly converted is different for everyone. So my question for you is, "What has made you truly converted?" Even if you have grown up in the church, you have to become converted which is beyond having a testimony. If you would like, it would be awesome to hear stories about how all of you have personally been converted. We have also been talking about talents a lot and how to use them. It's a really big emphasis here. I am using the talent that my mom helped give me of playing the piano. I am doing the intermediate hymn next week in sacrament.
Well, I am learning to love Washington. It's kind of the struggle though because it's full of spiders! I saw the biggest spider in my whole life outside our apartment. I thought it was a mouse climbing up the wall, but nope. It's HUGE. Last night, Hermana Boley y yo went on yet another spider killing spree. We were running around with brooms, Windex and hairspray, screaming at the top of our lungs. I am surprised none of our neighbors called the cops or something. We looked like mad women, but we got the job done. I think we killed 7 or 8 spiders just last night. So I think you could say we were pretty successful!
Well, I love you so much. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't think about you. I am praying for you health and safety.
Week 11 Challenge: Start reading Preach My Gospel!
Con Amor,
Hermana Stoddard
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