Last week we had exchanges for the day. I went to North Hollywood
on bike. It was super fun! I love bike riding. When I lived in Provo I
always wanted to go at night around the quiet streets. I would beg my
friends to go with me so I would be safe. It didn't always work but I
tried. My poor friends they probably got sick of me asking. Haha, I think
it stems from my childhood. My all time favorite memories where the day I
got my bike for Christmas and the days my dad would take me to the bike
trails. I will say by the end of the day I was super sore and gross. It
is what happens when you are out of shape, have a fast companion and
ride in around in the sun. I still LOVED it SO much!
At one point my companion and I were trying to visit a
investigator. Sadly they weren't home but we were able to talk to
someone else living in the same house. When we were mounting our bikes
the neighbors dog came out and started barking at us. I was grateful it
was just a little thing, especially because as we starting riding away
the dog started chasing after me. I was afraid he was going to eat my
ankles but after a second he turned back for home. I feel like I am a
more experienced missionary now. For some reason when I think of the
crazy things that happen to missionaries while on there missions being
chased by a dog is definitely one of them. Haha. I can cross that one
off the list and say I survived! haha
This week we had a SUPER awesome experience. The end of my last
transfer Hermana E and I recieved a referral. We passed by a
whole bunch of times but were never able to find her home. When Hermana
H got here the hunt continued. Finally after 6 weeks of trying to
find this lady we found her at home! We made a return appointment only
to go there the next day and have her not be home again! I was beginning to
lose hope I would ever meet her. We passed by unexpectedly this last
week and found her home. She let us in, we taught her the plan of
salvation, and committed her to baptism to which she accepted! I am
really excited about her. I know she is ready, I know the gospel is what
she is been looking for in her life. She works Sundays but hopefully
her boss will give her an hour or 2 off to come to church! After we
asked her to be baptized and said yes she asked in spanish "you will
come back and teach me more right? You will help me prepare?" This is
one of those people that you find and don't have to do anything they are
already ready. I am SO happy I have been able to meet her. I have
already learned so many things from her. She is amazing! Truly an
example! And to think that I was to the point of saying "we are NEVER
going to find her". I know better then to say "NEVER". Thanks J.B.
Speaking of finding, Hermana E and I tried to find this lady
the Elder's before us had been teaching. We knocked on her door all the
time--morning, noon and night. We found out that the kids were probably
at home but are not allowed to answer the door if the parents weren't
home. We talked to the neighbors and told us to stop by a certain day at
a certain time. When the day and time came we passed by but only to
have no one answer. As we were leaving the apartment complex these kids
we see all the time outside came running to catch us. They told us the
people of the door we had just knocked had just come home. We
immediately turned around and went back. VICTORY!!! We were able to meet
them and set up a appointment.
Our appointment was super good! At one point I got on a roll of
saying something to him. Every now and then I would turn to my companion
for a word or help. After a few times he told my companion to not help.
I think I was killing the spirit everytime I broke away from looking at
him. He said to her "I know what she is saying just let her say it". I
didn't know he had said this to her until we were driving away. I felt
kind of bad because I only turn to her when I really need it but I have
recognized the blessing of not knowing the language.
For example in Alma 8-10ish..I think. Alma goes into the city to
teach the gospel but is rejected. He goes back and meets Amuleck and
then the two of them go out and teach. I learned this week that Alma had
more success the second time because people saw him differently. Before
they saw him as someone who knew more then them and they didn't think
he had understanding for who they were. I am summarizing my own thoughts
on the story you should read it yourself to really know what it says.
When Amuleck joined him they had more success because the people knew
who he was. In my situation I am in a position where the people I teach
know more about Spanish then I do and I have something to offer. It
makes us even. It is a blessing because they really have to listen to
understand me. They help me when I get to a word ending that I don't
know. It makes them a teacher of Spanish. I really consider my
challenges with the language a blessing. I am doing a lot better but I
almost wish I wasn't. Haha. I know Hermana E said this to me
awhile ago but I am just beginning to realize the blessings it really is
of being someone who doesn't have it all.
This kind of happened just recently. My companion and I were
teaching a lesson. You could tell the person wasn't interested in
listening to anything we had to say. They checked out of the lesson the
minute we got there and even more so in the end. I have never had
anything so depressing happen in a lesson. I felt horrible the WHOLE
lesson. I knew the spirit wasn't there and I wanted out. Even though I
didn't do much to the lesson every time I spoke they listened and helped
me with words. It made the lesson a little bit better. I am just
grateful that I hadn't experienced this before. I hope I don't again but
I learned from it which I think is the point of all the things I am
experiencing.
Well I LOVE YOU!!!! Hope you have a great week!
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