Missionary work is definitely full of roller-coaster bumps. The high this week is that I feel better than ever about my relationships with the ward members. I am beginning to have a personality to them. I am not just a faceless figure behind a name-tag. I really love them. They are so good and so noble in their testimonies. They have such kindness in their heart. I feel like Sister Erekson and I have really gained their trust this week and they are more and more willing to let us into their homes. On Sunday we are going to visit every member in the ward and give them Valentines. We are also going to make cupcakes for the bishopric. I think we are really making headway with them and gaining their trust, which is so wonderful. We need their help and their prayers so much. We have had incredible difficulty in finding investigators to teach as an entire mission. Members are really the root of all missionary work.
We have also seen a little miracle this week. Ricardo's son, also named Ricardo, has finally agreed to let us teach him. He has really had an opportunity to see how the gospel has changed his father's life and brightened his smile. (Ashley, I wish you could meet Ricardo's son. He is a huge 6 foot plus black man. Complete with diamond studs. He is a manly-man. But the funniest part is that his nick-name is "Pucho". He prefers we call him that so we don't confuse him with his dad. Can you imagine calling this huge muscly guy "Pucho"? It is so strange.)
Anyway, we have only had one lesson with him, but it was a powerful one. We truly witnessed an answer to prayers. Earlier in the day Sister Erekson taught the gospel principles class about missionary work. She asked everyone to write down a name of someone we wanted to share to gospel with. Ricardo wrote down his son's name, not knowing that when we came to house that afternoon we would be inviting his son to be baptized. At the lesson, when we began to teach Pucho Ricardo's heart was truly touched. The spirit was strong. The members present also bore firm and loving testimony. It was incredible. It was exactly how I imagined missionary work would be. (well, maybe I imagined a house with 4 walls and a roof on it... and a little carpet ;D) The Lord does allow us to see miracles once in a while. I can't say that I know that Pucho will be baptized, or that Ricardo will completey understand this answer to his prayers, but it was very special for me to be truly an instrument in the Lord's hands.
Also this week, Hermana Erekson had a fun encounter with a little lizard in our apartment. I have been dreading that day since I arrived. Fortunately it was very small, but we had some trouble getting it out. Hermana Erekson bravely tried to catch it in her hands to no avail, but in the end I was able to sweep it into the dustpan and trap it with the broom and toss it outside. Yes, I have made great progress. It was an exciting experience.
It sounds like AJM has been quite the affair. It would have been my dream to have been there.
About the headbands the little Chilean family would love the headbands! The oldest is 16, 8 and then a 5 year-old. Not too frilly on the first but the younger two can be fancy. They would love that. As for me, I think my accessory days may be coming to an end. I am going to ask President about it. I am really depressed about it. Sometimes I feel like a nun.
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| Celebrating Hermana Karolina's B-day at Ricardo's house |
Your trip to Sweden sounds like it will be a blast. I can not imagine 3 happier travelers than Grandma, Steven, and you. That will be very pleasant. Congrats to Steven on his paper, that is a huge accomplishment!
Your lesson is an intersting topic. President Bednar talked a lot about that topic when he came. I will try to write some thoughts down.
time is short and I have always been a slow typer! Love you all!!!
Hermana Palmer
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