June 23

What a week this has been! Golly. 

First off, on Monday night we had FHE with Erin, our investigator, at the Fierro's home. They put so much work into it and Erin's children had so much fun and the spirit was there. However, I could tell that something was off with Erin. As we got ready to leave, she shared with us that her mother in law wants her to have a big wedding. She and her fiance can't afford that right now. Erin wants nothing more than to be baptized. She is simply the most prepared person I have ever met. The look on her face when she told us she probably wouldn't be able to be baptized in July has changed me forever. It was in that moment that it all became real. We talked with her and she decided to pray for a miracle. We are also going to fast that she will be able to be baptized July 19th. That moment changed my mission forever. Right then and there I committed to do EVERYTHING I can to help her have success and endure to the end, not just be baptized. She is a daughter of God and He wants her to return to Him and it is my privilege to be able to help. 

I've been really trying to reconvert to my purpose and remember every single day why I am here and why I am doing all this. Our district meeting this week really helped. Elder Smelcer gave a great training on that exact subject that helped me recognize what I need to change. Sometimes I get a little overexcited about raising my righteous family in the future and I have a hard time focusing on the here and now. So I am trying everyday to recognize the ways I can become a better future mom to help me focus on each day. 

Another miracle this week has been working hard and seeing miracles. Sister Rodriguez is an AMAZING person with so much faith and determination. We have been focusing on planning more effectively and we have the spirit with us more strongly in lessons because we have more members!

Unfortunately Sister Rodriguez got sick on Friday so our weekend was spent mainly trying to recover. She has been struggling with her sister having cancer and feeling guilty about her past mistakes. She is healing and learning how to rely on Christ and I pray I can help her in some way because she is so incredible. 

This week I really want to work on the attribute of charity. I don't have much of a problem loving all the people on the street but I find myself more often than not judging other missionaries. I want to see them as God sees them. And I want to remember this week that we all come from different places. I just want to love unconditionally! 

On Thursday of this week we decided to fast to help Erin and for some concerns and questions we had. I received direct answers to my prayers. Never before have I had the relationship that I have now with my Father in Heaven. I love learning each day more about how He communicates with me through the spirit. I've been struggling a bit with who I am and having confidence in myself as a daughter of God. Through fasting and prayer I received the answer that I needed a priesthood blessing. The blessing was truly evidence that God knows me perfectly. All of my concerns were addressed. And I was able to learn how I can not just endure my mission but enjoy it too. 

As I sat in sacrament meeting yesterday, I wasn't feeling the usual rush of the spirit that I do. Just as I thought that, the speaker mentioned that we all have "mountains to climb". The spirit hit me like a ton of bricks (in the best way) and I distinctly felt like mountains were coming my way. I am not scared because I knew that if I rely on Christ I will get through them. It will be an opportunity to grow. I am so grateful for all of your support and love and the privilege that it is to serve a mission!

One of my mission pals had this really great quote so I thought I'd share it. 

"Many young women are serving missions. Many are preparing to serve, not because they aren't married or have nothing else to do; but because they have a desire to serve and therefore are being called to the work. The reason so many are going is because in the next generation, Heavenly Father will be sending His Priesthood Army to the earth and wants to send them to mothers who have been properly trained and taught in the gospel. What better training can a young woman have than that of serving a mission?" Pres Hinckley 

I've also been reading the GC Ensign and I love President Monson! He always has the best poems and quotes. These are my favorites.

 "I have wept in the night for the shortness of sight that to somebody's need made me blind; But I never have yet felt a tinge of regret for being a little too kind." -Unknown

"Of all sad words of  tongue or pen, the saddest are these: What might have been!" -John Greenleaf Whittier

"Perhaps you will forget tomorrow the kind words you say today but  the recipient may cherish them over a lifetime." -Dale Carnegie

"Just be the same person you are in the dark that you are in the light." -Jabari Parker's dad (haha)

I have a weekly email from sis rod that I forward to you as well since this one was kind of random feeling like things! 

I LOVE YOU ALLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We taught Lexis the plan of salvation with sidewalk chalk! 

comp study outside at the church in between coordination meeting and sacrament.

We taught Lexis the plan of salvation with sidewalk chalk!