8/12/14

This week we had a couple of meetings and things come up so things got switched around and it ended up being a very unusual week. It started off kind of slow because some of our big appointments fell through but we were still able to meet with Sonia and keep her on track for baptism next week (the 23rd). She came to church this Sunday again and we found out that her situation at home just got super complicated and difficult but she is such a great example of faith because she still wants to go through with her baptism. She shared her experience in Relief Society and it was heart warming to see the love the sisters in the ward already have for her. They all reached out with comforting advice and the spirit was really strong.

We were also really fortunate to still meet with Maria and Pedro who have been reading in the Book of Mormon and who both came to church last Sunday!!!! It was a really big sign of Pedro's faith because it was a huge sacrifice to close his ice cream truck for an hour during his highest selling time and come to church but we talked with them about the importance of baptism and they both agreed that it was something they would like to do together. The only thing is that Maria is planning a month long trip to mexico next week so we can't really teach Pedro... 

On Friday we had Zone Training Meeting and sister Bair and I taught about the importance of contacting (something our mission does instead of knocking on doors). I believe they assigned me that topic because is something that I struggle with. I can do it and I will do it when we need to but it is not something I look forward to doing and I really do need to change my attitude about it. I think it is just hard for me because I am not good with small talk and I don't want to interrupt people but I just need to remember that I have something they need and that they'll be so grateful on the day of their baptism.

We had exchanges that day and Sister Ikegami got to come down to Greenfield with me. She is so incredibly awesome that I felt super spoiled to get to spend the whole day with her. She is super funny and has a real gift for talking to people. 

On Saturday we helped out with the set up for the wedding of a family in the ward. It was a lot of work but kind of fun. 

Yesterday we went to the temple visitor center with one of our part member families. The mom is a returning less active, the dad is not a member, and the daughter is getting baptized next month. It was a very long car ride (5 hours total) and we didn't really have a preparation day but it was totally worth it because the spirit was super strong and the dad, who has never shown any interest in the church before, was the one who participated most during the presentations. He was really attentive to the videos of the first presidency and the quorum of the 12 apostles and even asked questions. We were able to teach part of the restoration and he was really receptive. He was even a little bummed that the garden was closed for renovation so we couldn't go up the stairs to see more.

After the temple they took us out for lunch and even dropped us off at a zone missionary activity while they ran errands so we could see our missionary friends we never get to see. 

On a more spiritual note: I'd like to share with you something that a departing missionary shared with us during ZTM. They are directed to missionaries but can be applied to everyone.

- Don't be so judgmental. As members of the church we tend to judge each other more harshly and hold each other to higher standards than to the rest of the world. And although it is true that members should and do know the commandments and standards of the church, no one is perfect and it is not our place to judge anyone.

- Think about what is the most important thing in your life. A truly converted person will always put the Lord first above all other things, a truly converted person will want to share the Lord's gospel with everyone.

- Be happy! So many missionaries go around stressing about time and numbers and, although those things are important, we sometimes forget the reason we are out here. We do this for love and love is something that makes us happy.

I love you all!

Hermana Quintana