Life is Awesome--29 February 2016

Helloooooo!!!! Can I just say how AMAZING THIS WEEK WAS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I rather enjoyed it (imagine me saying that in a British accent. Hermana Hofheins and I have been using our accents quite a lot. Whenever we don't speak spanish, we are speaking in a British accent. Just thought you should know.) I may be in a weird and super hyper mood right now. You know me :) haha

first of all......... we got lice!!!!!! ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh not the funnest, but it was kind of funny. do you see what I did there??? hahah, it's all good now, but we had to completely wash and clean eeeeeeevveeeeerything. wooot. It's hard when you never know exactly it comes from and here it could come from anywhere. but I learned and now I know what to do if it happens again!! entonces bendiciones!!! but yes. that's that. 

Now for the greatest things ever!!!!!!

OUR INVESTIGATORS ARE THE BEST!!!!!!!! I AM SOOOOOO happy!!!!!!!!! We have so many people who are progressing to be baptized!!!!! 

First Jenifer, she is sooooo cute. I absolutely adore her. She came to church again yesterday and she is going to be baptized this next Sunday. She's so ready and she really needs the gift of the Holy Ghost. It will bring so much peace and direction in her life. She needs this soooooo bad. So pray that all will be good and that she will keep not drinking tea. Also amazing miracle about that, we told her about the word of wisdom and the next day, she just stopped drinking it. How incredible!!!!! Love her so much. and I love that she can confide in us and that we can be her friends and her missionaries. :)

then ERIK AND ERIKA!!!! They aren't twins although, that would be sweet. They came to church and they LOVED IT!!!!!! they said they want to keep coming and they are reading and praying and they are even talking to their parents and reading with them and having discussions about what we're reading. They have questions and they're really looking to find where they are meant to be. They know God and they really just want to follow him. How absolutely amazing is that. I know they will do whatever they need to, to follow Him. 

and of course, Toño. he is the best!!!!! He came to church again and we are working really really really hard with him to make sure he can be baptized this Sunday. For sure it will be in March, but if you could pray that he is baptized, it would be awesome. He just needs to take that step of faith. We are working with him a lot in the Book of Mormon to make sure he is set on that because it will be what brings him to baptism.

THE BEST THING EVER HAPPENED!!!!!!!! so you know Manuel, right??? My awesome recent convert??? OF COURSE!! His kids passed their interview!!!!! Now all we need is the Mom's permission and then they can get baptized!!!!!!!!!! They are so excited and so sweet!!!!!! it will be such a special experience and they will be able to have an eternal family!!!!!!!!!! That makes me so happy. I love them so much!!! I call them my adopted sons :):):):):):):):):) pray really hard that the mom's heart gets softened, so she doesn't delay anything. Manuel really wants them to, but the mom is not super excited and we can't teach her. Dang it. but they will be getting baptized this month!!!!!!!!!!! ahhhhhhyhhhhhh love them!!!!

We have so many other wonderful people that truly are just progressing so much and on their way to be baptized. I am so blessed to be here in the mission and in this area and I get to be an instrument in God's hands. It brings more joy than you all can imagine. :):):):)

Also my companion is the best. We have so much fun. We get to joke around and just be weird. It's so awesome. She is doing such a good job. Learning Spanish and working super hard. Pretty sure all the success comes (obviously God first) but because of her effort. I'm really lucky to be able to be her companion. 

Now for my spiritual rant. I know you were all waiting for this!!! It's one of my favorite parts of the day :) 

My question for you all is why should we read the Book of Mormon?? Why do we have the Book of Mormon? What things can we learn from it??? Now, I'm not going to answer all those questions right now. I would love to hear what you think!!! 

but one thing (I may have mentioned this before) about the spiritual BOMs when everyday we share a verse or why we love the Book of Mormon with someone and invite them to do the same. So today my spiritual BOM is in Mormon 8:38 Why are ye ashamed to take upon you the name of Christ? Why do ye not think that greater is the value of an endless happiness than that misery which never dies—because of the praise of the world.

 I love that scripture and I love the Book of Mormon because it really puts things in perspective for me. When we think so much about the world and not about God we are losing an endless happiness. I know that when we put God first and put his Gospel and do what he asks, we are storing treasures in Heaven and not only that, but we are finding happiness right here and right now. I know the way to find peace and joy and endless happiness is by doing the basics: reading, praying, and going to church. So will you read and pray and go to church??? yep. That's my spiritual BOM. but it really is an invitation to keep doing what you have already been doing or change somethings and do what God wants you to do. 

One thing I've been thinking about as well is why a church?? Why do we have a church? and not just any church, but why do we need the one true church with all of the doctrines?? well, I guess I answered that question a little bit already. but I know that we need to find the one true church because we need all of the blessings and doctrines and answers that we can get. and I know that there is only one that has all of that. The only way for exaltation and the only way to have the Atonement in our lives completely is through the ordinances and covenants and gospel that is taught and used in this Church. If you have any questions about why a church, I would encourage you to look at Elder D. Todd Christofferson's talk "Why a Church" from last general conference. I absolutely love it!!!

but also, I think about it like this. If a church wasn't necessary, why did Jesus Christ form one?? for me, that kind of answers the question. If Jesus Christ formed a church, and He is our perfect example, then clearly, we need that.

but yes. That is my spiritual rant for the day. 

I love you all so much!!!!!!!! The mission is the best!!!!!!!!!! You're all fantastic and I am so grateful for everything you do and who you are!!! Keep going strong. LOVE YOU ALL!!!!!!!:):):):):):):):):):)

Buenos Dias: February 22, 2016

Hello hello everyone. Guess what!!!!! I'm staying in H2 again!!!!!!!!!! Super fun:):):):) I just stay in my areas forever!!!! and this transfer is a 7 week transfer, so wow. Super fun!!!! I'm super stoked to be with Hermana Hofheins again. She's adorable and the sweetest person on the planet. We have a lot of fun:) I'm a little crazy, but she accepts me hahaha:)

We have the coolest, golden investigator EVER!!!!!! Her name is Jennifer and she wants to get baptized asap. We can see her everyday and she already has gone to church and she loved it!!!! If she wants to be baptized this week, she can or next. How legit is that????? She's sooo cute :) me hace muy feliz. We just keep getting lots of blessings. 

Right now it's raining. If you wanted to know, and I forgot my rain jacket.... that will be fun. hahah, I like stuff like that though, so it will be great.

hmmmm que mas paso. Hermana Hofheins ate a giant mosquito. it was DISGUSTING! but she lost what are the odds, so she had to do it. hahahahaha, I laughed pretty hard because it look groooooooosssssssss. 

I'm super excited for my dentist appointment when I get back!!!! My comp thought I was crazy because I was sooo excited when I saw the dentist. I have been talking about how I've been wanting to go to the dentist for a while. Good times. 

Antonio IS AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!! He wants to come out with us every day!!!!!!!:) he is the beeeeeeeeeest. He's my Mexican brother. :) hahaha Manuel is doing so good too. He's such a good guy. Iris should be getting two Sundays free every month to go to church!!! woooooooooot!!!!!!!!

Life is awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! but do you want to hear a funny story??? Yep, you do. anyway, so we went to see Manuel and everything and there were some drunk guys in a balcony and they were just being.... well dumb drunk guys, ya know? but Antonio was with us and he turned around and said what do you want? and then Manuel came out and they both went over and had a talk with them..... it was kind of intense. I didn't know what to do. just a fun story for y'all

I can't think of a ton of stuff that happened. It's been a good work, but rather normal. Which is good, I guess. 

So I think that's it. Love you all!!!!!! :):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):) 

Hellooooooo 16 February 2016

We had a baptism!!! Zoila se bautizo!!!!! Ella es tan linda y somos muy buenas amigas :) it was super cute because she totally felt like everything washed away. That's what you want to see in a baptism. Someone who truly feels the difference and then you know they will keep going. I never want to have a convert who falls away. That would be devastating. But so far, everything is super good!!!!!

and Jorge is doing AMAZING!!!!!!!!! :):):):):):):):) President Hall mentioned him and how he's so excited to go on a mission and I am soooo happy. Everyone tells me how amazing he is and me alegre mucho!!!! he's going to bring so many souls until Christ. I really was so blessed to be able to be his missionary. He's planning on putting his papers in August. How cool is that?????

We had an amazing zone conference this week and it was phenomenal as usual!!! We're really focusing on repentance. Not just the how, but the why. So thinking about this, why do you all think we repent? Why should we repent? and what will happen if we don't? (speaking of repentance, as missionaries we invite people to commit to things and then follow up, so DID YOU READ THE SCRIPTURES??????? 

So why do we repent?? You should read this talk https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2009/10/repent-that-i-may-heal-you?lang=eng but one of the things I love about repentance is found in the scripture 3 Nephi 9:13--this was my ponderize scripture last week--will ye know return to me and repent of yours sins and be converted that I may heal you??? Repentance is a way of healing. a way of putting everything behind us and being able to move on and do the things that we need to. Who wants to live with guilt and shame??? Who wants to be living in regret??? 

For us as members, we need to partake of the sacrament every week and keep the commandments. Basic stuff, right? and for non members, they need to get baptized by the authority of God. That's where we as missionaries come in!! and it's such a blessing to see people getting baptized that are truly repentant. It brings me so much joy to hear that they feel completely clean and like they are starting again. LOVE IT!!!

I love the mission!! Life is so wonderful. 

Also, Elder Gardner got a cake in his face. it was awesome. I will send pictures. Elder Stout threw it. and it was hilarious. I got a video of it, but unfortunately videos don't really work. but what are the odds is awesome. super funny game. I can't believe this transfers almost over though!!!! Ahhhhhhhh, time goes by so fast!!!! I think I'll be staying one more here, but lots of people think I'm leaving. I guess we'll see what God thinks :)

the gospel is true!!!!!! Keep going strong. Love you all so much!!!!!!:):) and I hope you had an amazing valentines day!!!!!!

Wonderful Week Again 8 February 2016

So this week......... we have sooooo many awesome new investigators!!!!!!! Eduardo who is so excited to pray about the Book of Mormon. He's also retired, so that means we can visit him all the time and he doesn't have to worry about workon sunday!!! What a blessing, verdad??

Then we have Luis.... he's this 80 man from Columbia and he is SO cute and funny!!! He's like a grandpa to me. He's gone through some crazy things, but he has a date and we are working with him so he can get baptized!!!! Awesome!!!! I really like spending time with him and he definitely has charmed the members that we have!!!! 

SOILA IS GETTING BAPTIZED FOR SURE THIS SUNDAY!!!!!! it's all set and she is ready!!!!!! :) she's so cute and I'm so happy for her!!!!!!!!!! I really really like her. :) Teresa wants a little bit more time, so we re-extended  a date for the 28 because she really wants to have a strong testimony of the gospel, so she'll keep going in it. We are working a lot with her because she really is so ready. She's wonderful and I love her to death. After every lesson, I am just so happy because she truly has real intent and she really wants God in her life. I'm so impressed with her and all that she is doing for her family. 

Rolando came to church!!!!!!!!!! and Antonio totally was a missionary and sat with him :) he showed him where to go and everything. Can I just brag about Antonio for a second? He's a 16 year old guy and he has never missed a Sunday. even if he has to call someone, he still goes. His testimony is so strong and I'm so excited for his future. I can definitely see him going on a  mission. In fact, I'm pretty positive that's what is going to happen because he's too amazing not too!!!!! Manuel is also doing really good. He sent us a scripture last night and said he is going to work really hard to change somethings. Awwwwwwww love him a lot :)

We had the atonement training this week!!! Have y'all ever read the infinite atonement??? That's on my reading list for when I get back, but i love the way he teaches the atonement. If you really understand the atonement, you will do everything possible to have it in your life. Some important things to remember about the Atonement:

It saves us--from death, way to have an eternal family

it redeems us--way to be clean from sin

it enables us--through his grace we can do all things. without it, we are nothing

heals us--all the hurt and frustration and bad things that have happen to us, He can heal us of those things

we need this so bad because of our fallen state. We deserve nothing of ourselves (Alma 22:14) really what we deserve is a lot of suffering because we are sinners (Mosiah 2:38-39). but God doesn't want us to suffer, so "He sent His Only Begotten Son" that we don't have to suffer if we but just repent (D&C 19:15-19) and that through his mercy we can be saved (Alma 42:15) We should all work to remember His atonement even more in our lives and do all we can to have it with us.

Will you please read those scriptures for me???? and reply???? I want to get your ideas on them. I won't forget I promise :) I'll be my missionary self, following up, and making sure you do it :) I do it because I love you!! Just like I do with my investigators hahaha

I love this ward and these members!!!! I never want to leave :) hahaha, pretty sure I say that about every place I've been (except I only have 2 areas) that's kind of crazy, right? I just stay in one place for a really long time!!!!! but I love it!!! I get to know the people really well and it will be easy for me to come back! 

Oh I forgot to mention we dropped off Hermana Rivas at the airport!! She's now at temple square. How crazy is that??? but I know she's really happy there because that's her mission, mission :) so that's good!!!

So guess what. One of my really good friends Fernando is super sick:(his back is really bad. we went and visited him and he is so sweet. I really really like him. He's pretty old, but he is so strong. the first question he asked was will I get the Santa Cena manana? Wow, can you talk about amazing testimony?? and Arturo gave him a blessing. The very first blessing he had ever done. It was a special experience. I'm glad we got to visit him. 

Oh I forgot to mention my comp and I did a musical number is sacrament meeting. She is AMAZING at the violin. Wow. I'm so impressed. I think it turned out well although being in front of people and playing freaks me out..... (I wasn't violin, I was piano if you were wondering;) hahaha

and HAPPY BIRTHDAY GREYDON!!!!!!!!!!!! I already sent you a little email, but I just think that everyone should know you're turning 13!!!! I can't believe you're a teenager tomorrow................... whaaaaaaaat. 

Love you all so much!!!!!! :):):):):) tengan una buena semana!!!!!!!

Konnichiwa--1 February 2016

ELDER RUSSELL M. NELSON IS AWESOME!!!!!! He's 91 years old, but he has so much energy. He started off by talking about how "I love to bounce out of bed and see what the Lord is gonna do today!!" I want to have that much energy when I am his age! and I GOT TO SHAKE HIS HAND!!!!!!!! :) and usher!!!! wooooooooot. super lovely. and I also learned a lot of course. One thing he focused on a lot is family history and going to the temple to do that work. Speaking of that, how are y'all doing in family history??? Are you going to the temple as much as you can?? Because if not............... DO IT :) it's awesome and I promise you'll find a lot of joy in this life and even more joy in the life to come. and isn't that what we want? To be happy?? True happiness comes when we forget about yourselves and we focus on others. (still working on that of course, but I've definitely noticed a difference) 

One thing I loved from him is that he said "You can strengthen your family more by serving a mission than you can at the dinner table" how profound is that! and funny too. but really I know that being out here can really help y'all and eventually I'll come back of course, but it gives me some peace to know that God is watching out for you all :) (that was mostly for Senior Couples, but I can apply it to myself!!! but one day when I'm on a Senior couple mission, I'll be able to look back and apply it to that as well!!) 

and my favorite quote "Be so devoted that the Lord has to bless them" (family, investigators, companions) all of that. When we give our all to the Lord and we try to do all we can, the Lord has to bless them. That's a pretty amazing promise. I absolutely love it. I promise I'm trying my best!

TERESA IS AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! every prayer she says she asks for help to get baptized and that she will be able to feel clean!!!!!!!! SHE IS AMAZING. I know I've said that a lot but I really love her. She is working really hard and has a date for the 14th. So we should be having two baptisms that day!!!!! How cool is that????? :) me alegro muchisimo!!!!!! She is really progressing and she needs this gospel. It will help her so much in her life.

We had a lesson with her on the Atonement and Repentance. Wow, powerful stuff. I love teaching those together because really repentance is a blessing, and we only have that blessing through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. I really love the Atonement and I love studying about it. and just as it says in PMG " as your understanding of the Atonement grows, your desire to share the gospel will increase" or something like that. I don't know it exactly. but it's so true. If we truly understand the Atonement, we will do anything and everything for each person and ourselves. It is such a gift that Jesus Christ has already paid for. We just have to take the step and apply it in our lives. 

WE HAVE AN AWESOME NEW INVESTIGATOR!!!!!!! His name is Rolando and he is basically golden!!!!!! He was in the same jail as Jose Smith and that's where he heard about our church and started to read the book of Mormon while he was in there. how legit is that???? He is reading and he has already read a lot. He is super smart and he has a date for the 21 of February. He is so cool and he is getting baptized!!!! WHY ARE WE SO BLESSED?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!!?!?!?!?!? :) 

We had interviews with President this last week. Pretty good. Pretty normal. It's always how are you? I'm really great. I love my area and I never want to leave!! haha :) but we'll see what happens. 

Our ward is so cute! They made all the missionaries a full on dinner and it was delicious. They are so cute. I really really like them. again BENDICIONES!!! 

What else happened....... Hermana Rivas is heading out this Wednesday and we are taking her to the airport! That's kind of exciting! 

One thing that is so hard for me is that we can't go and see our family everyday because there are lots of other people who need us. We still go by and visit them all the time, but not as consistently as we did. They are all so upset about it. but we can't spend every day with them! ah. We go by like 3 times a week or something because we still need to work with them. They're new in the church and they need to stay strong. 

One thing that I was thinking about during Sacrament meeting is that (for people who didn't go to church) how would you feel if you died tomorrow without taking the sacrament? What would God say?? If you didn't have a legit reason, I'd assume you'd definitely regret that, right? The sacrament is the way to be clean again every week, so obviously it's really important (you should read the Last Sacrament Cup that was in the Ensign) but it's ESSENTIAL FOR OUR SALVATION TO PARTAKE OF THE SACRAMENT EVERY WEEK!!!!!! but that's all for that :)

Love life and I LOVE THE MISSION!!!!! :) The Gospel is true and I know that we will be happy here and for the eternities. LOVE YOU ALL :):):):):):)