February 16, 2015
OKAY... for those non-Spanish speakers... the title of my email means...
OKAY... for those non-Spanish speakers... the title of my email means...
ALREADY HALF WAY!?
That's right folks...
this Tuesday I hit my HALF WAY MARK in my mission! I can't hardly even believe
it! I feel like I just got here and now it's already half gone. They weren't
lying when they said it goes quick! But, I am satisfied with what I have completed
thus far and am super excited to see what the second half of my mission will
bring :) Thank you to all of my wonderful family members, friends, branch
leaders, mission leaders, and companions that have attributed to getting me to
this point. I couldn't have done it without each and every one of you! And most
importantly, I thank my Heavenly Father for the opportunity I have to serve
Him. I have seen a miracle from the Lord every day of my mission. Christ's
atonement never ceases to encompass every single feeling I have EVER
had.
Well... ándale pues!
(that was for YOU, Sister Adair ;))
Okay, first things
first! MIRIAM! She is our
investigator that I believe I have written about in the past. Well, this week
we were able to see her TWICE which almost never happens! So, we went over
there on Wednesday night and taught Lesson 2 and set her on date for March
28th!!! At first she tried to tell us that she had already been baptized but I
just re-explained the proper restored priesthood authority and she understood perfectly!
She is SO prepared. The best part was that member that we had there with us was
SO excited afterwards!! Even more than us! She couldn't believe the spirit that
was in the lesson as Miriam accepted the invitation to be baptized. It was one
of my favorite moments I've had in San Juan because I KNOW that she will be
baptized on or before March 28th. I am so so so excited for Miriam and know
that she truly is prepared by the Lord. THEN, on Friday night we went over and
taught her Lesson 3 and explained baptism even more in depth and she basically
was teaching US the lesson! Then afterwards, she came to the branch activity
which was amazing!! She got to meet all of the members and loved it!
Unfortunately she had to be in Grand Junction on Sunday and couldn't come to
church, BUT, the member that was in the lesson with us set up a dinner/lesson
for Friday night with her! So that was so great and I am SO excited to see one
of our investigators actually get friend-shipped! It has made all the
difference and my faith has grown so much this week. I know that I am in San
Juan this transfer for several reasons and Miriam is one of them! :)
On Thursday we taught one of our
investigators, Maribel. She has been struggling a lot recently and on Thursday
she told us everything that has been going on in her life. Earlier in the
lesson, we invited her to be baptized on April 4th and she said she really
wanted to make that covenant but wouldn't be here anymore. So, we asked her why
and got the whole story about how she is being forced to leave to Mexico to
renew her "permiso" (which i'm guessing is a green card) and can only
be here until the last week of March. It was a really long story, but she
basically doesn't know when she has to leave, how long she will be gone, where
she will be going within Mexico, and if she will ever be able to come back. Her
son is a recovering drug addict and she has to be here to support him, but
financially and legally isn't able to. On top of all of that, she has clinical
depression and told us that she has even had thoughts of suicide. So, after
listening to her for about 45 minutes, I suggested that we come by with the
elders on Saturday and give her a priesthood blessing. She agreed and said she
would really like that. Well, on Saturday the San Juan Elders and us went over
and they were able to give her a blessing of comfort and counsel. It was a
wonderful experience and she felt so much peace in her life. Coming on my
mission I have become so much more aware of some of the lengths that these
people have to go to the be in the United States. Many of them just want to
make a better life for their children and families and know that the only way
possible is to come to the States. I will be so sad to see Maribel leave and am
so sad that we won't be able to continue to teach her, since she will be
leaving to Mexico. But, it was just yet another faith building story that the
Lord has a plan and that she WILL find the Gospel in Mexico and enter into the
waters of baptism. A hard pill to swallow, but one that will continue to water
my seed of faith.
This week I am working
especially on my patience and love; The two things a new missionary needs <3 I
have been so eager to train and am so grateful for the opportunity to serve with Sister Gogue. It has already been very challenging
at times, but I know that I am learning so much as I am teaching her. I have to trust in the knowledge that I have
and am teaching completely by the spirit as she begins to understand the
language and adjust to missionary life. I feel so grateful to be in San Juan
this transfer and especially to have this opportunity to grow. I am having to
be super patient and loving in everything I do with Sister Gogue and that is
exactly what I need to continue to improve and become more like Christ.
I love this gospel with all of my heart. Towards the end of last transfer I told the Lord to place me wherever He needed me and in a situation that would truly require me to rely completely on Him. Well, needless to say, my prayers have been far more diligent and fervent this week as I have truly had to poor my soul out in need of guidance. I am growing more than I ever have and know that I am being refined by the Lord. I am so grateful for the opportunity to serve Him every day and to be an instrument in the hands of God. I LOVE MY MISSION so much and I know that Colorado is where I need to be!
Hermana Pierce
