Tuesday, October 21, 2014

My Dearest Family and Friends



My Dearest Family and Friends,                                                             September 1, 2014


I just have to tell you...it's really, really hot here! Thank you for the letters from my cousins, Mom! It's awesome to see their success. I'm not gonna lie, though when I saw pictures of Tiffani, the first thought that came to my mind was, 'I want to be able to where a jacket!' 
A member told us that it got up to 40 or 43 degrees celcius! And that, of course means nothing to me. Good thing we have a converter on our tiny little phone. That's like 105-110 degrees Fahrenheit! And with the humidity it's more like 120. But. I am really really really really grateful for the wind and the breeze. 

Anyway! on to more important things. 

This week we worked SO hard with a lot of less actives. I don't ever remember being so tired because we walked a LOT. I kind of want to ask the mission President if we can have bikes here, because we cover little ranches that are not really in walkable distance! 

Anyway, our work paid off, because Sunday two menos activos came to church. Hermana Norma Zamudio and her daughter. She says she has been wanted to come back to church for a while. She really is an amazing woman. She has 3 children, is divorced and doesn't have a steady income. I'm so grateful she came to church! 
Even though we taught tons of members we got quite a few new investigators. Now we just have to progress with them!  Those that are going to progress are Mario, Lucila, Ramona and maybe Ana Isabel. 

Mario! hahaha his wife was recently baptized 3 weeks ago, and is now listening to the lessons. He was actually listening to the lessons before she was, but didn't progress. But now that she's baptized he's more interested. It's awesome, because he has a lot of good questions, reads and keeps his commitments AND goes to church!! The only obstacle is his wife, ironically. She is a really good woman, but sometimes talks a bit down on him and he looks really discouraged. But he is definitely going to get baptized! 

Lucila...well. I'm a bit confused about Lucila because before I got to this area she had only been taught once by the missionaries, but had assisted church 3 times. And so we taught her, and put a baptismal date and she accepted! Awesome! And then she didn't come to church! What? Whhhhyy? I really don't like it when people don't come to church, because it means their progression goes way down. She also has seen things that she really needs the help of the atonement. She said she wants to be baptized! We just need to help her a long a little bit. 

Ramona, is an elderly woman who lives with her husband and 3 grandkids. She accepted baptism with a date REALLY fast and without question! It always surprises me when people do that! And when we asked her if she wanted to come to church 'of course!' Just that she doesn't have money for the bus until AFTER church and she can't really walk. So we told her we would get a ride for her. And you know what? she wasn't home :( One of the saddest things in the world. I still think we'll be able to baptized her, though. She really is good. 

We have been sharing 3 Nephi 11 a lot, lately. I really really encourage you all to read it! It's SO vital that we learn how to listen to the spirit!! I know I knew this almost my whole life, but it hit me in the face this week that no one can really tell us how to listen or obey the spirit. It says in the Preach my Gospel that we have to 'Learn' how to listen to the spirit. And it takes a lot of practice. And a lot of work. But without it...well...I, as a missionary, am nothing. We, as members of the church, leaders in specific callings really can't know what to do without the Spirit! So! Practice listening to those feelings after you pray and practice to recognize and obey more. 

I know this Church is true! I know that God loves, even if we don't understand everything.

1 Nephi 11 16 And he said unto me: Knowest thou the condescension of God?
 17 And I said unto him: I know that he loveth his children; nevertheless, I do not know the meaning of all things.
Thank you guys for everything!! Have an awesome week!! 

Love, 
Hermana Daniels

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