No Regrets

I would like to inform you that after washing our clothes in super hot water, vacuuming our entire apartment and being fumigated, we are now bed bug free! It is crazy how many people are being hit with bed bugs. Everyone where we drive Hermana E and I see several mattresses and couches outside along the streets. I guess in California when you get rid of things like that there are not many things you can do with them so people just put them on the sides of the road. I am not sure if it is really because of the bed bugs or not but we talked to this lady and she said that she had put out some mattresses and the next day they were gone. It is crazy how these little bugs are back in full force! We talked to the pest control guy who sprayed our apartment and he said that they have become immune to the things you can buy in the store. We asked him if he could let us know if we really had bed bugs because every time we looked we couldn't find anything. He found these guys (I uploaded a picture I hope it worked). I am glad they are gone! I hope they stay away. In a little pamphlet he gave us it said that some of the symptoms of bed bugs are "anxiety, sleeplessness, embarrassment". Anxiety and stress because you have to wash EVERYTHING in hot water. Sleeplessness because the minute you fall asleep your blood is in the hands of these tiny pests. Embarrassment because you don't want to tell anyone. I can say that I definitely had sleeplessness and maybe a slight case of stress but all is well. I learned a lot from this experience though!

 

As for our investigators. I witness my first conversation that could have turned into a Bible bash. My companion and I met this gentlemen who wanted to make sure we left knowing that Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost were one. That obviously didn't happen and my companion made sure to not even let it get close to Bible bashing which was good. She rocked it! As we walked away I really felt truly grateful for the knowledge of this gospel. I also gained a really strong testimony of the Book of Mormon. I can't imagine not having it. I know that the words are true with all my heart. My testimony of the Book of Mormon and Bible working together to both testify of Christ has also grown.

 

This week I also went to my first Quiensenara (I don't know how to spell it). It is that big birthday part the Latinos throw when there child turns 15. It was for our investigator. He was supposed to get baptized this week or next but we found out yesterday he has more questions about the church. I think he has felt a lot of pressure from the ward since his mom was baptized in December and he comes every week. I think the ward thinks he is ready. We hopefully answered some of his questions. He used to go with his mom to another church everyday. I am not sure which one but since they would go everyday, he learned a lot of different things about the church. We told him that we would take time and teach him what he needed. It is funny because the goals we had this month as a district were completely shattered with in a 24 hour period after setting them. It only means we need to work hard to find those people that are willing and ready for the gospel.

 

We found few more possibilities this week. It is hard because even though I am here to teach the gospel I just love these people I meet. There is one lady we met last Saturday. She is so SWEET. She has the sweetest spirit. We have an appointment to teach her again which I am excited about. I hope and pray we can keep teaching her. I just wondered after we left "what if she had said no". I would have been so sad to not see her again. Then I realized I would have been even more said to not have her in the gospel. I can see her offering so much to the ward just by being a friend to someone. I know that the Lord could use her. Even that gentlemen we were trying to avoid Bible bashing with. I just had this immediate love for him and wanted him so badly to know the things I know. It is amazing to have this immediate love for others even though you just met them. I would LOVE to run into him again. I hope that maybe a tiny seed was planted in his heart.

 

I really love this work. My testimony is growing everyday, every minute and every second! I can't tell you enough how grateful I am for this opportunity and for your support! THANK YOU!!!

Last thought. Last night we went and visited a family that hadn't been able to make it to church. I love visiting them because they remind me of a family I know from back home. They truly have love and care for one another. As we were talking I was reminded of a scripture that I shared with them. As I shared it I realized that not only was the scripture for them it was for me. I can't remember exactly where it is now but it says "seek first the kingdom of God". I realized that even though I am here as a missionary I should be seeking to do the Lord's work in everything. I am going to really work on this week. I think it is easy for me to resort back to being nervous to step up and say something in moments I know I should. I am not here to go and teach as me I am here to go and teach as a representative as Jesus Christ. I need to remember that. I know that when I do things with the Lord on my side he will give the courage. I don't want a day to go by that I look back and say "I should have said something" So my new motto is "No regrets."

 

I love you all! Thanks again!

 

-Hermana Fish