8/5/14

 This week was kind of slow but really fast at the same time. I've just come to terms with the fact that time has no relevance as a missionary, it just kind of comes and goes at it's own pace like a little puppy that is taken out and let loose for the first time. Perhaps I should save the deep analogies to Sister Bair haha. We had two awesome member present lessons with Sonia this last week. The problem with member present lessons is that they are so hard to predict. The first was with our recent convert who is still learning herself so it was great to include her and show her that she has a deeper understanding than she thinks and that she does not need to be a scholar to share her testimony and impact lives. She also offered Sonia a ride to church which was a great blessing. After the lesson they stayed and talked and that really helped her to feel comfortable enough to accept our church invitation. The next lesson we had with her we took a very experienced and knowledgeable member of the ward who kind of went into deep doctrine but it just really helped Sonia to feel that she can be a part of the Church and that the members of the ward really do care about her.

We did have a very ... exciting? thing happen on Wednesday. We usually meet our young investigators on Wednesday mornings because they are not currently in school and no one really has plans on Wednesdays. Well, we were teaching Adriana on her doorstep when a guy walks past us on the sidewalk and then comes over and asks if he can study with us. We said sure and he pulled out his bible from his backpack and starts bible bashing. He called us liars and said that the Catholic church could trace their authority back to Timothy or someone. It was quite rude but Adriana just rolled her eyes, the situation was pretty manageable until Enrique (a recent convert) came out and started fighting back. The spirit was just a mile away and then Sister Bair asked the biblebasher to say the prayer and he prayed for a really long time thanking Jesus with open arms and looking at the heavens. He invited us to go talk with him at his house we told him we'd send boy missionaries ;)

It was really hard to get the spirit back for our next lesson but we were rewarded with 3 new investigators that day!!!! Talk about miracles after the trial :) We also had a lesson with Hermana Guapo who actually felt something and we were able to have a discussion. It has been a really long time since she has felt the spirit and it was really humbling to be able to witness that. 

Maria and Pedro (our investigators with the ice cream truck) took us out for breakfast on Thursday to Denny's we talked about the plan of Salvation and Sister Bair pulled out a drawing she had made to help her study and Maria took it and at the end folded it and tucked it in her Book of Mormon (which she carries in her purse!). Her husband said "that paper is hers" and she said "but I need it to study!" and didn't give it back. It was super cute :) 

On Friday we had the Spanish ward activity. Maria and Pedro as well as one of the Elders' investigators came along with the bishop and 3 or 4 other families. We talked about the Book of Mormon and explained how we can come to know that it is true and invited them all, nonmembers and members alike to take Moroni's challenge and gain a personal testimony.

On Sunday it was Miriam's birthday and we helped Hermana Lopez prepare things for the surprise birthday party they were throwing her. Hermana Lopez has not been able to go to church or work for the past 2 weeks because she hurt her back and can't really carry heavy things or lift things but she seems to be getting better so hopefully she can come back to church next Sunday. She is a really incredible lady with a lot of faith and a dedication to help others.

Yesterday was p-day and we went to Salinas. It was so weird to see stores and to go to the mall. I think we were only in there for 30 minutes before we walked out but I did find a dress for $5 in Old Navy so I think it was worth it. Also, a member from the Prunedel ward paid for our lunch. Josh and Sis. Phui's brother came to lunch with us and they had all sorts of crazy conversations about the second coming and how Utah is the worst and about the history of California. It was really fun to observe and see their point of view though I don't necessarily agree with either of them

This week I've been powering through the Book of Mormon and I've been studying it as well in Preach My Gospel and in Ensign articles. More and more I come to know that it truly was written by prophets of God. There is no other book which speaks more to my soul or stands as a greater testimony that God lives, that Jesus is the Christ, and that Heavenly Father loves and cares about me. This morning I was studying in Ether chapter 12. I love how Moroni includes examples of people who were able to, because of their faith, work mighty miracles and bring about the conversion of many. I am grateful for their example of being committed missionaries, fully consecrated to the cause. May we all strive to follow their example and make studying the Book of Mormon a priority in our lives.

I love you all,

Hermana Quintana