Dear Family!
Sounds like you had a lot of fun this week with the movie night, Markie's trip to the ranch. Way fun. By the way, I was thinking about the Science class for summer term. It has a lot of Physics in it, which was easy for me since I took it in high-school, but it might be a little tricky for Markie. However, Steven Allen would be a great helper/tutor! I am sure that he would love to help if Markie could share her meal-plan a bit with him. ;D
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| Me, Joanne, and Sister Barnhurst |
I got the letter from Keri and Emily! Thanks you guys so much! It really made me happy. I loved the pictures and decorating tips! I miss you all Keri, Emily, Ashley and Anne (and Rachel) so much!
Well Ivelisse, Jose and Bethzaida are continuing to progress wonderfully! They are so sweet. Once again I was blown away at the tithing lesson. They accepted the commitment to pay tithing without hesitation. I am flabbergasted at their faith and generosity. I know that the Lord has prepared them just as he did with Ricardo to live this essential commandment. I am astonished.
The only concern I have with them is that Ivelisse and Jose are considering moving to Rio Grande which will split up the family as Bethzaida and her girls will remain in our ward boundaries. Bethzaida will not be able to drive to church, not control her girls on her own. She really needs support from Ivelisse and Jose. So, I am sure we will be counseling with both the branch and mission president on the best way to handle that one. As complicated as everything is, I know that there is a purpose behind it. I know the Lord will provide a way, even if this family is broken up. Please pray for them.
We are also teaching another young man named Luis. He is very diligent in reading, praying, and he loves church. He is a very good person and has great standards. At this point he does not fully understand the restoration. It is very hard for people to grasp that there is only ONE true church. But it is so key. Monday, we invited him to a FHE about the restoration. We watched the movie and then each of us bore our testimony of Joseph Smith, including Luis. It may come slowly, but I know that as Luis continues to read and pray about the Book of Mormon his testimony will gradually come.
Also I had a real vocabulary-expanding experience. Our car got hit in a parking lot so I got to learn all of the Spanish vocabulary that goes with having an accident. Our car only got scratched and it wasn't severe but there was a lot of paperwork. I will admit it was really hard for me. That is an uncomfortable situation for me in English, much less Spanish. We had to drive down to the Police department to fill out a report because in Puerto Rico it takes too long for the police to come to you. I learned all sorts of words like insurance, license plate, etc. I had to make a few phone calls that I flat-out could not understand what the person was saying. I called 4 times and each time the man gave some gibberish reply and then got impatient with me and hung up. So yesterday at zone conference I had to ask a fluent elder to make the call for me. It was very nice of him.
This week I did a lot of reflecting on the good old days of fishing with my Dad. I have never liked fishing. You roast in the sun all day, avoiding temptation to eat junk food, and just wait all day with your line in the water. You have to put nasty worms on the hook and all the trivial and mundane tasks of casting and recasting your line until your arm is sore. Usually you come home at the end of the day "skunked" as Dad would say and talk about all the "good ones that got way".
You know, it is interesting that missionaries are called fishers of men. I can definitely see some parallels. There are a lot of days that we roast in the sun and come home "skunked". But I ask myself what is the difference? Why do I like missionary work? I do so many tasks I have always hated, phone calls, last minute change of plans (that is the hardest for me) and all day asking people for help. What is the difference?
The Lord is on my side. I can testify that I have seen miracles, however great or small. The Lord does prepare his people and it is such a joy to see His children changes there lives. To hear their prayers as the gradually change from nervous recitations to sincere conversations with their Maker. To watch their faces transform from wrinkled, worried expressions to smiles that reflect and emanate the joy that can only come from the gospel of Jesus Christ.
In the end, it is all worth it just to see the one great catch.
I am so happy to be a missionary and I am so grateful for the opportunity I have been given to help God's children come unto him.
I love you all so much and look forward to hearing from you.
Hermana Palmer
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