Como estan? I hope this email finds you all well, and involved in missionary work. This truly is the greatest work on the earth. And I have seen the Lord hastening it daily.
We had a meeting with our bishop yesterday before church. He brought out this great plan for the ward. (We have lots of less actives) He said we're going to do a 40 day fast. Each day, for the next 40 days, one family in the ward is going to fast. (So our family would fast tomorrow, another family would fast on Wednesday, and so on.) So over the span of 40 days, our ward will be involved in this fast. He shared some personal experiences of fasting and the Spirit filled the room. I truly know that the power of fasting is real. He also said that each family should start reading the Book of Mormon together EVERY DAY. He asked us, as missionaries to visit each member in the ward, and read with them. He promised us that if we do this, they will gain a stronger testimony and feel of the joy of this gospel which will then lead them to sharing it. He asked "How can we expect them to share the gospel, if they themselves don't even know it's true?" I pray that each of you are reading EVERY DAY. Especially with my nieces and nephews. Teach them the way. Make the time. Be the example.
Our investigators are continuing to progress and make the necessary changes in their lives. Jose opened the door the other day and said "hola hermanas, tengo algo a decirles" (He had something to tell us) My heart dropped.. i for sure thought he was going to tell us he didn't want to be baptized. but then he opened the door all the way and there were 4 boxes in the hallway.. erika's clothes! He told us she's moving out this week! I tried to calmly say "oh hermano.. lo siento.." but then i couldn't hold it in and i gave him a high five and said "it's about time!" Hermana Rodriguez laughed, but it's true! We set him with a date for November 2nd. We'll make it happen.
Akemy, one of our other investigators, she's incredible. She's 26, not married to her "husband" and has a 6 year old named Ambar. We were watching the video "The Testaments" with her the other day. She comes from a family that never taught her anything about God or Jesus Christ, so we teach the lessons very simply. I think those lessons are my favorite though. This Gospel is simple. And it's TRUE. We were watching the video, and in it, one of the nephites were crying while Ammon was testifying. Akemy asked us why the girl in the video was crying and we told her "because she knows its true. She can feel it." She shrugged her shoulders and kept watching. As the movie ends, Christ appears to the Nephites and begins working miracles among the people. I looked over and tears were running down Akemy's face. The Spirit was testifying to her that it was true. To be able to witness that strengthened my testimony incredibly.
So I have my new companion! Her name is Hermana Done and she's from Logan. She's a super cute girl and already speaks quite a bit of spanish. It'll be a good transfer.
I titled this email growing pains because that's how I have felt this week. I know that "ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith" but it's a lot easier said than done. I have felt as though Satan is pushing my buttons this week. With training a new companion, there's a lot of responsibility. Most of which I bring upon myself, but I want to make this experience the best I can for my new companion. I want to teach her how to love the people, how to come closer to Christ, how to best study the language. But then I realize that I myself am still trying to learn those things. I remember when Julianne had growing pains, mom would always give her tylenol. I'm not sure if she remembers the pains, but now she's taller than both Marielle and I. It's exactly the same with the mission, gospel, life, etc. However hard our times may be, with the Lord, we are only going to continue to grow and progress. But it doesn't have to be painful. We have the perfect medicine. The Atonement of Jesus Christ. I have felt closer to my Savior these past few days than ever before on my mission. I know I am being stretched and shaped into the missionary and person that my Heavenly Father wants me to be, and that through the Atonement, I can find peace, and accept this time of trial and affliction. "How can we expect it to be easy for us, when it was never, ever, easy for Him?" -Elder Holland.
I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is true. It is the only true church on the earth today. I know that Christ lives. His atonement is real. It is there for each one of us. I love this gospel. I am so thankful for you all and our eternal family. I pray for you daily :) Have a great week! I love you! Cuidese!!
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