November 16, 2015

TRANSFERSSSSS! The news of the century.  At least that what it feels like. 

My new companion! Her name is Hermana *******! She has been out the same time as Sister ********* so just over a year. She is from Holladay, Utah! Born and raised. She is the second to last child of 12.  Yes you read that right.  12 CHILDREN.  Its a yours mine and ours type deal but still! She is totally awesome. We laugh SO much and just have a ball together.  I cant wait to learn from her wisdom and just work our butts off this transfer.  WE ARE STOKED.  This is her first Spanish branch here out on the mission but her Spanish is amazing.  She just studied hard in every area and is really good.  I am blessed!

In Transfer meeting President Hanks made some amazing comments that really got me thinking.  As missionaries we are not "just" giving people the gospel.  We are helping people get to the next ordinance! Investigadors --> Baptisms,   Less Actives ---> Sacrament,   Recent Converts ---> Temple.  Kinda opened my eyes to our real purpose as missionaries. We are helping people climb that latter to the Celestial Kingdom!

One thing he talked about was BHAGS. Big Hairy Audacious Goals.  BOOM.  He was kind enough to share with us some of P. Hanks' personal BHAGS of his life,  All of his kids to graduate from college, married in the temple, retiring early, etc. He made these bhags when he was our age and many of the have come true.  Because when we make a b-hags its a giant goal and we have to set smaller goals to reach our bhags.  Goals are so important.  He encouraged us to make b-hags for our mission and then b-hags for our life. I did it. And I tried to be as real as possible. no goofy things, it was really hard haha. But  It really opened my eyes to what is really important in life, to me.  There was nothing on there about a big home or a husband with alot of money.  They were big goals though.  Real goals.  Goals that I truly want and will do whatever it takes to make those happen.  No matter what.  I will not give up! I know with the Lords help they can be made into reality!                             

Sister ******* got transferred to Tuscaloosa! English area.  I am so excited for her! Before she left on Wednesday we went on Tuesday to say bye to some investigators!  One of course was ******  I didn't talk about him much last week but this visit changed everything!! We just went to talk to him to see how his reading is going. He said he tries to read every night and has been doing well! He always feel better after reading the Book of Mormon and Bible. We talked to him for like an hour and a half.  We shared with him Alma 7:14-15 and invited him to be baptized again.  In the past, he said that he has been baptized before and that since Jesus was only baptized once then he cant.  We explained authority again. and then got to talking about other things.  He said the closing prayer.  We were sitting on a curb in his apartment parking lot and we knelt down in the middle of the parking lot. That is faith! He did so good! Afterwards he said he wants to get baptized and asked when he could....WHAT WHAT WHAT. I had to ask him to repeat like 3 times just to make sure I wasn't trippin.  So we set a date. He got so excited.  He said he will for sure come to church. We explained that we would get Hermano y Hermana ****, (members who he knows) to give him a ride.  He was so excited! He even called us Sunday morning asking what time they would be there to pick him up!  We went to church.  Our district is so close to a baptism its insane!!  We saw the ****** at church but no *****....My heart sunk.  They said they called and called and called and knocked and knocked but he didnt answer.  I felt like someone just tore out my insides and left them on the floor! I was devastated.  WHAT IS AGENCY?? haha its a beautiful thing and a wonderful gift from God but its definitely the most frustrating.  I know God feels the same way when one of His children knows the path of righteousness, knows what way to go but goes the other way instead.  ***** called the ****** back and said he was so sorry and that he was sleeping when they came.  Well Flip ******....What a goob hahaha  

This week went a little slower.  Apparently its normal for the first week in the transfer.  Sister***** got super duper sick the day after she got here to Huntsville.  Like deathly ill. Not really but close! haha she stayed inside alot of the day on Saturday just trying to sleep it off.  I was kinda going crazy in the apartment.  Reading all the Ensigns and Liahonas in our apartment and just reading my scriptures.  It was great though.  She hates being sick but its better now that she gets better than being out in the freezing cold and have it get worse. 

Church was amazing though.  The opportunity to partake of the sacrament and just take some time for myself is a blessing.  To remember Christ's atoning sacrifice for me personally...it's mind blowing and incredibly humbling.  Church is wonderful.  Especially in Spanish in the branch.  This branch is so special to me. All the members are so uplifting and encouraging and willing to help. It makes me want to do my job better as a missionary.  Because they have faith in us!  ILOVETHEBRANCH.

I have such a strong testimony of this wonderful gospel.  This is it. This is life.  The gospel is life.  I love being a missionary and sharing it with everyone.  I LOVE IT

Thank you for all your support and prayers! I LOVE YOU ALLLLL

Hma Roly Poly Moly