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I feel like I'm actually fulfilling my calling here. It is just so easy to love these people the second you walk in the door. I am not nearly ready to leave here....
Monday, April 25, 2016
Hey fam.
Sorry I didn't write last week. Also sorry these get more and
more boring every week. I don't journal at all anymore so these have
kind of become that for me.. I wish I had more to report this week.
It's been a rather disappointing week. We hit a major roadblock
with Victor. He's faced with the decision to either get divorced and
risk losing his house, car, and possibly residency here and his kids,
or not get baptized. The problem is that they are already separated,
she has the kids in Texas. There's more to it than that.. But anyway,
this is going to be a much longer journey than we thought with Victor.
His conversion will have to be solid to make a decision like this.
Honestly what I feel is that God will recognize his faith in taking
this step and things will work out. How could they not if someone were
doing the right thing? Obedience always brings blessings, right?
Anyway, it's crazy how much we as missionaries invest in every
person we teach. It's annoying how much I care about them sometimes.
Carlos had a stroke this week, but he is okay. He was not able to
come to church yesterday because of it, but he is already planning on
being back next week. He loves being there, and learning. He wants to
become a better example for his kids and grandkids. Better late than
never? His family is so supportive of him coming, and so grateful to
us. We hope there is potential in the future of his two sons- both in
their 30's, to come. His wife has also not come yet but is so sweet.
She's from El Salvador and has such a love for the Savior. She would
make such an amazing member! Haha. Carlos plans on inviting them when
he feels a little more prepared.
It was kind of a somber week for the branch. A member passed away
unexpectedly and suddenly this week. He was such an amazing guy, spent
his entire life in service of the church. Everyone is definitely
feeling the loss of Hermano Calix. He was on the other side of the
branch, so I only saw him three times since I've been here. Once at a
baptism my first week here- he performed the baptism. The second time
he was volunteering in the DC temple baptistry in temple whites. And
the last was at his viewing, in his temple clothing. Pretty good way
to remember a guy who left such a huge impact not only on the branch,
but the entire Hispanic community here. He came here from Honduras
with his family. He was only 50 when he passed away. But his wife is a
rock. She's a strong lady.
Sorry I didn't write last week. Also sorry these get more and
more boring every week. I don't journal at all anymore so these have
kind of become that for me.. I wish I had more to report this week.
It's been a rather disappointing week. We hit a major roadblock
with Victor. He's faced with the decision to either get divorced and
risk losing his house, car, and possibly residency here and his kids,
or not get baptized. The problem is that they are already separated,
she has the kids in Texas. There's more to it than that.. But anyway,
this is going to be a much longer journey than we thought with Victor.
His conversion will have to be solid to make a decision like this.
Honestly what I feel is that God will recognize his faith in taking
this step and things will work out. How could they not if someone were
doing the right thing? Obedience always brings blessings, right?
Anyway, it's crazy how much we as missionaries invest in every
person we teach. It's annoying how much I care about them sometimes.
Carlos had a stroke this week, but he is okay. He was not able to
come to church yesterday because of it, but he is already planning on
being back next week. He loves being there, and learning. He wants to
become a better example for his kids and grandkids. Better late than
never? His family is so supportive of him coming, and so grateful to
us. We hope there is potential in the future of his two sons- both in
their 30's, to come. His wife has also not come yet but is so sweet.
She's from El Salvador and has such a love for the Savior. She would
make such an amazing member! Haha. Carlos plans on inviting them when
he feels a little more prepared.
It was kind of a somber week for the branch. A member passed away
unexpectedly and suddenly this week. He was such an amazing guy, spent
his entire life in service of the church. Everyone is definitely
feeling the loss of Hermano Calix. He was on the other side of the
branch, so I only saw him three times since I've been here. Once at a
baptism my first week here- he performed the baptism. The second time
he was volunteering in the DC temple baptistry in temple whites. And
the last was at his viewing, in his temple clothing. Pretty good way
to remember a guy who left such a huge impact not only on the branch,
but the entire Hispanic community here. He came here from Honduras
with his family. He was only 50 when he passed away. But his wife is a
rock. She's a strong lady.
Alright how but the funniest part of my week? So one day we
knock
on a door, and this Puerto Rican guy answers the door.. And starts
freaking out because he thought I was Ms. Brazil. For literally ten
minutes solid he was freaking out and taking selfies with me hahah.
When he finally understood that I was American he was still so excited
and trying to show everyone the pictures he took. Then told me I
should quit being a missionary and be Ms. universe a couple hundred
times hahah.
Okay now for a weird story. So, this week we went to the Light of
The World Church.. We are allowed to as long as it doesn't interfere
with our church meetings ,obviously. Someone had invited us on the
condition that they come to ours after. It was the weirdest
experience.. I swear their church is the closest thing to our church.
There were too many weird similarities. Temple similarities, etc.
Also, this week was their general conference with their prophet, which
we were invited to in DC. But yeah, they sure were prepared for us. As
soon as we walked in two men came over and started bashing. One of
them had obviously spent some time studying the Book of Mormon so he
could contradict it with the bible. After thirty minutes of that, (I
just sat and took it like a man) the service started. It was a Spanish
congregation. People were getting pretty rowdy, hahah.
The church (of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints) is true! It was
interesting going to another church though. It was nice being around
other people who do care about the gospel and having God in their
lives, but also sad knowing they lacked a full comprehension of Him. I
couldn't help but just sit and imagine them as members of the church
one day hahah.
on a door, and this Puerto Rican guy answers the door.. And starts
freaking out because he thought I was Ms. Brazil. For literally ten
minutes solid he was freaking out and taking selfies with me hahah.
When he finally understood that I was American he was still so excited
and trying to show everyone the pictures he took. Then told me I
should quit being a missionary and be Ms. universe a couple hundred
times hahah.
Okay now for a weird story. So, this week we went to the Light of
The World Church.. We are allowed to as long as it doesn't interfere
with our church meetings ,obviously. Someone had invited us on the
condition that they come to ours after. It was the weirdest
experience.. I swear their church is the closest thing to our church.
There were too many weird similarities. Temple similarities, etc.
Also, this week was their general conference with their prophet, which
we were invited to in DC. But yeah, they sure were prepared for us. As
soon as we walked in two men came over and started bashing. One of
them had obviously spent some time studying the Book of Mormon so he
could contradict it with the bible. After thirty minutes of that, (I
just sat and took it like a man) the service started. It was a Spanish
congregation. People were getting pretty rowdy, hahah.
The church (of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints) is true! It was
interesting going to another church though. It was nice being around
other people who do care about the gospel and having God in their
lives, but also sad knowing they lacked a full comprehension of Him. I
couldn't help but just sit and imagine them as members of the church
one day hahah.
Things are good. And slow. I'm just dying for transfer calls in
a
few weeks to see if I'm leaving already... President Johnson told me
in my last interview they're not sending out anymore Spanish sisters
to the PPM mission, as in Hermana Smith (my last comp) and I are the
last ones. So there is a good chance my Spanish area will be a short
lived dream and elders will be doubled in. I've only been here for two
transfers though.. And at this point it's going to be 100 times harder
to have served in a real Spanish area, then to leave it so soon ,than to
have never served here at all. I just feel like I'm actually
fulfilling my calling here. So leaving will be a hard, huge
transition. It is just so easy to love these people the second you
walk in the door. The problem is that the areas that are heavily
populated with many Spanish speakers are the most dangerous. Honestly
though I've never felt unsafe here. President Johnson is just very
safety-conscious.
Transfer calls are the fourth of May..... So start praying mom! I
am not near ready to leave here.
few weeks to see if I'm leaving already... President Johnson told me
in my last interview they're not sending out anymore Spanish sisters
to the PPM mission, as in Hermana Smith (my last comp) and I are the
last ones. So there is a good chance my Spanish area will be a short
lived dream and elders will be doubled in. I've only been here for two
transfers though.. And at this point it's going to be 100 times harder
to have served in a real Spanish area, then to leave it so soon ,than to
have never served here at all. I just feel like I'm actually
fulfilling my calling here. So leaving will be a hard, huge
transition. It is just so easy to love these people the second you
walk in the door. The problem is that the areas that are heavily
populated with many Spanish speakers are the most dangerous. Honestly
though I've never felt unsafe here. President Johnson is just very
safety-conscious.
Transfer calls are the fourth of May..... So start praying mom! I
am not near ready to leave here.
Love you guys!
Congratulations to my bf Maddie getting married this week, you made
the most beautiful bride!
Congratulations to my bf Maddie getting married this week, you made
the most beautiful bride!
Hermana Sears
Monday, April 11, 2016
Hello!
Wow... I have two weeks to make up for. I'll start with
conference. I kind of forget everything when I don't send my weekly so
not a lot to report. Well, it was my first time watching it completely
in Spanish obviously. And probably the most spiritual experience I've
ever had watching. When I was more focused on the spirit than on
understanding every word perfectly I found myself forgetting I was
even listening in a second language.
So victor is still doing so great. We are still working with him
towards his baptism on the 30. It's been cool bringing different
members from the branch out to all his lessons to share their unique
testimony of each principle we teach. One in particular we actually
had with Hermana Landa and her parents.. They came to pick her up from
her mission, so we invited them to come teach with us! It was perfect,
Hermana Landa's dad is from Mexico as well, and as we taught the word
of wisdom he was able to relate with the struggles and history of
Victor. The branch president- President Gogna, and his wife also came
out with us as we taught tithing. The fact that Victor has accepted
all these principles without question is a huge sign of how much his
faith has grown. He is always so excited to talk about what he's
reading in the Book of Mormon, and he listens to general conference
talks by President Monson every day at work. He loved conference.
Afterwards he asked us to show him the font, and when we showed him
you could see how happy it made him. Hearing him share his experiences
about praying nightly is also so humbling. He and his wife are
currently in the process of a divorce and she has the kids with her in
Texas, he struggles a lot not seeing them.
Carlos also came and enjoyed conference. It has been so different
working with him, he is in his seventies. We move very slowly with
him, but he is making changes also. His wife has no interest herself
but always just says she's glad that he's finally changing.
Hermana Busath is great. I have quite a bit of responsibility on
me right now in the area and with those we are teaching as I am the
only one that can communicate with them right now.
The work is going well here. We're keeping busy, that's for sure.
And working with some amazing people. Sorry for such a boring week but
I sent lots of pictures to make up for it!
Wow... I have two weeks to make up for. I'll start with
conference. I kind of forget everything when I don't send my weekly so
not a lot to report. Well, it was my first time watching it completely
in Spanish obviously. And probably the most spiritual experience I've
ever had watching. When I was more focused on the spirit than on
understanding every word perfectly I found myself forgetting I was
even listening in a second language.
So victor is still doing so great. We are still working with him
towards his baptism on the 30. It's been cool bringing different
members from the branch out to all his lessons to share their unique
testimony of each principle we teach. One in particular we actually
had with Hermana Landa and her parents.. They came to pick her up from
her mission, so we invited them to come teach with us! It was perfect,
Hermana Landa's dad is from Mexico as well, and as we taught the word
of wisdom he was able to relate with the struggles and history of
Victor. The branch president- President Gogna, and his wife also came
out with us as we taught tithing. The fact that Victor has accepted
all these principles without question is a huge sign of how much his
faith has grown. He is always so excited to talk about what he's
reading in the Book of Mormon, and he listens to general conference
talks by President Monson every day at work. He loved conference.
Afterwards he asked us to show him the font, and when we showed him
you could see how happy it made him. Hearing him share his experiences
about praying nightly is also so humbling. He and his wife are
currently in the process of a divorce and she has the kids with her in
Texas, he struggles a lot not seeing them.
Carlos also came and enjoyed conference. It has been so different
working with him, he is in his seventies. We move very slowly with
him, but he is making changes also. His wife has no interest herself
but always just says she's glad that he's finally changing.
Hermana Busath is great. I have quite a bit of responsibility on
me right now in the area and with those we are teaching as I am the
only one that can communicate with them right now.
The work is going well here. We're keeping busy, that's for sure.
And working with some amazing people. Sorry for such a boring week but
I sent lots of pictures to make up for it!
hermana sears
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