well... I have now lived through my first earthshake. it was a 5.7, which is 1.3 less than an earthquake. Both my companion and I were pretty freaked out, but since we don't live close to the ocean, we really don't have too much to fear. Although, we were studying in our pension on the 13th floor, so we felt it pretty strong. haha.
Best news of the week is that yesterday, we had 30 more people at church than normal, which included 7 less active families that we have been visiting and working with. As they walked in and we greeted them, I felt like my heart would burst with happiness. :) We have been praying every single night since I got to this sector that these people will remember their testimonies and make the decision to come back. and yesterday was a huge fruit of our labor. :)
and the best part of all was that the Arcos family came. Michelle Arcos, who is 11 years old, is going to be baptized this sunday. And her and her little sisters were participating in the primary program, so they'd been practicing with the primary all week. This is a family that has had some REALLY difficult problems, and has been less active for a while now. All of our lessons are tense because both the mom and dad are really closed off and damaged... and this last week, hermano rodrigo told me in english that he's sorry that they are so hard to work with, and that maybe he'll tell us the whole story soon. We have been gaining their confidence little by little, and they want me to sing a solo in michelle's baptism... haha. I've been praying so hard for this family every single day because I know that they have so much potential and that they can be an eternal family if we just keep working hard and praying that their hearts will be opened. And yesterday, for the first time, they came to church. I wanted to scream and jump for joy. I had to hold myself back from hugging the hermano. haha. there is truly nothing better than knowing these people are progressing towards what you know will make them eternally happy. ah. i am so excited for michelle's baptism on sunday. she is so ready, and we are so happy. :)
But... Andrea told us last night that she's not really sure if she wants to be baptized anymore because she doesn't know if she wants to do her first comunion, i don't know what that is in english. haha. but it's the first ceremony they do in the catholic church. My companion was like, ¨did Jesus christ do his first communion? she was like, no. so she asked her, so do you want to follow jesus christ by doing something that he did: being baptized, or do you want to do your first communion? We left her with 2 nephi 31, and told her to read it and then write down everything that was in her head and heart, and pray about whether or not God really wants her to be baptized. We are going to call her tonight to see what her answer is. Hermana Fuentes took it pretty hard. It is too hard when an investigator that has received his or her witness of the truth, but turns away from it. I don't think we truly understand the influence of satan on these people since we can feel the spirit all the time as missionaries. Ugh. This work is really hard.
Maria Cecilia told us that she has been studying the book of mormon like crazy with her husband, and she had a million questions for us when we went by the other day. We told her to pray about it every time she reads it to know if it's true. She told us that she loves us visiting her, and that she doesn't want either one of us to leave because she has become so accustomed to having us here. haha. that was nice to hear. :)
We have a lot to do this week... we have a new initiative called the member binder, and we have to organize it with all of the information of every family in our ward so that we can know better how to use the members... plus changes are this week. I doubt we have changes, but you never know. haha. And then, on Friday, we are going to have a devotional with....... get ready for it.......
ELDER BEDNAR!!! He is talking to our mission, and Rancagua. by the way, a very special missionary named... elder archuleta will be attending. haha. I am so excited to be able to see hermana nielsen and hermana cantero, and of course Elder Bednar. :) It will be incredible, and I can hardly wait. haha.
well family, that's all the time I have. :) i love you so much!
hermana spencer.
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