p-day #38

dear family,

Well, first things first, yesterday we had a baptism. :) Juan Andres Vargas Herrera is a new member of the ward Las avenidas. :) It was a really spiritual baptism, and as I watched his cute little self in his white clothes smile and walk with confidence knowing that he had made the right decision was the best feeling a missionary can feel. :) 

Teresa didn't end up being able to be baptized because she has some things to work out in her house. But it was really a miracle week for her anyways. We talked to her about the law of chastity and were really really frank with her because we want her to be prepared and we also want to make sure that she will always be able to participate in all the blessings that being baptized brings. And even though she wasn't able to be baptized, her life is changed. Because her boyfriend opened his eyes and realized what he would be losing if he walked away from her. He now wants to become a real family, married and all. This is what we have been praying for forever, and yesterday, as we talked to him at lunch, we told him that if he fixes his life, that he will be able to baptize his daughter next year. It hit him really hard, and this family is going to start seeing great changes. I am so grateful for the time that i have been able to spend with this family, and to be able to finally help them get to this point. :) the lord works in mysterious ways...

My birthday was really good. :) I stayed with Karla while Hna Friere and Hna Nielsen worked in our sector, since I wouldn't have been able to work as much as they can. So I spent some time sharing testimonies with Karla, and then we went to a lesson together with the two sisters. It was the perfect birthday present. I had brought with me the dvd of mormon messages that mom sent me for my birthday, and as we sat down, Hernan told us that he just had lost his excitement to learn because his friend died. I felt really strongly that I should show them one of the messages that was on the dvd. so we watched it, and the spirit that was there as it finished was INCREDIBLE. I bore testimony of the atonement of jesus christ, and the power of his sacrifice. that through him we will rise again and be perfect beings, without pain and sickness. He had decided that he didn't want to listen to us anymore, but after this lesson, he told us that he would pray to know if this is where he needs to be. I swear that he is going to be a future bishop. he has amazing faith.

Then yesterday at church, I just felt overwhelmed by the spirit. I have been trying my hardest to just keep working and to try and do what is both wise and prudent. But throughout the week, i've just felt really discouraged. why me? why do i have to be having these problems, to the point where i am probably going to have to come home? Hno Duran, one of the members, gave a talk about faith. and as i listened, it felt like he was talking directly to me. that i just have to trust in God, and that no matter what happens, it will be what is best. Throughout the day, i said lots of prayers, and finally, after praying so hard that the lord would heal me and that i would be able to continue working, but that i would know his will, i felt  peaceful when president called me and told me that he was probably going to be arranging a flight home this week. 

Without me knowing, the ward organized a party to say goodbye. And even though nothing was set in stone yet, I just felt like this was going to be the last time I would see these people. You never really know how many lives you touch when you are doing the work of the Lord... and how many people come to find a place in your heart. I never knew how many people i had touched. and i just feel so blessed to have been able to be a part of this ward. I love them all so much... and I am looking forward to the day when i will be able to come back and give them all a hug once again.

Only the Lord knows why these things are happening. Only the Lord knows what it means to me to have to leave my mission for a medical problem. But I keep praying, and I am keeping in my mind the words of an apostle, ¨Come what may and love it¨. There are always good things to come. And I just have to keep going in the faith of the lord. 

Maybe i'll be seeing you soon. According to president, maybe as early as tomorrow. 

Keep praying. I love you all so much.

Hermana spencer.

p-day #37

dear family and esteemed fans, :)

well... here ya are! the rattlesnake rapids... 

haha, just kidding. 

Another week has come and gone in the work. And it definitely wasn't my favorite week of the mission, that's for sure. :( Stupid back of mine. 

But even with a stupid lame back, we saw some incredible things happen. :) Alicia was confirmed yesterday, and she went to church all alone. I seriously love her so much. :) I'm so bummed that we had to miss it because I was in the house resting my back. :( But the members are continuing to talk with her and make her feel welcome, and we assigned her visiting teachers and home teachers in our meeting with our ward mission leader... I want her to feel like she has found her family, and I know that she's on the way there. :) Now our next step is to help with her geneology so that we can take her to the temple to be baptized for her parents, like she has always wanted. :)

Karla is now dating someone, and we've started teaching him as well. :) We did some practices with her so that she can know how to share her testimony and parts of the lessons when we are with him, and when she is alone with him. I'm so happy for her, that she's finally starting to date someone after 13 years. He's an awesome guy, and I really see potential in him as a member of the church. I told her that she cannot tell him she wants to marry him until he is baptized. She always laughs at me when I get all serious on her about him. But it's true. She is really really important and special to me, and I want her to have an eternal family, just like her heavenly father wants. So we gotta take the necessary steps now. I'll keep you updated on his progress in his investigation. :)

Pati, a recent convert who fell away because she didn't feel like anyone wanted her at church, came to our fhe last week. :) it was so happy to see her there. And the members told her that they missed her and that they wanted her to come to church on sunday and the next fhe... now it's our job to just help her remember how she feels about jesus christ, because that's the most important thing, and that's what we're good at. haha. 

On Saturday, we worked all day, which was actually a really bad idea in the end. but i was really happy with the results of our labors. :) we found 3 new investigators and all of the lessons were extremely spiritual. :) We taught Simon the plan of salvation, and as i bore testimony of the atonement, he just opened up and told us that he wants to change his life, and that he wants to be a better person, and that he feels like this is the place where he can learn how to do it. Marisol, who is one of our ward missionaries, shared how she came to know the gospel and how she knew it was true, and the spirit was like glistening. He went to church yesterday, and I was so mad that we couldn't be there with him. :( But he knew 3 members because we had taken members with us to every lesson, and so he knew people and could sit with them, and Mayra told us that he was even raising his hand and commenting in the gospel principles class. :) I am almost positive that he has received his answer by now, and I'm anxious for saturday to talk to him about when he'll be getting baptized. haha. The Lord truly has souls prepared to hear the gospel, who are hungry for it and who are just waiting until they hear our voices to join the fold on the savior. :) i love my job! haha. 

now, just pray for me that i'll be able to get out and do it this week. that's all i want for my birthday. and christmas... haha. 

have a wonderful week!

hermana spencer.