Whistle- Something not actually encouraged as you walk the streets trying to talk to people (weird, right?). I actually still remember the moment I learned how to whistle. I was very young, crossing the street to Elementary School, and the Crossing Guard taught me while we waited for a bulldozer to pass. Strange memory.
W- This email is sponsored by the letter W (thank you Sesame Street)... which doesn't actually exist in Spanish. (Just another fun fact for you, there...)
So this week started with a mission-wide conference. Something they've never done before and probably won't do again (unless the need arises). It really was a once-in-a-mission opportunity. And it was fantastic. We participated, heard some really inspiring talks, talked about using technology as a tool, and examined the difference between Agents (acting for themselves) and Objects. Objects must be acted upon, we must act for ourselves and be Agents (We are not Agents of nothing! We are Agents of SHIE... anyway...)
It was great to be able to see other missionaries and shake their hands and although we didn't have tons of time to talk, just being there in unity was incredible.
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| Alayna and her companion are on the left side of the middle section the 2nd row back. |
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| Hermana Manotas is on the 2nd row back in the section on the right. |
Last Saturday we worked for 3 hours, and they were grueling for Hermana Terrazas. That Sunday was a little bit better (we stayed for all of church without a lot of pain on her end). Monday I was worried (as was greatly reflected in my last email), but I was amazed to be by her side as she sat through most of the 3 hour train ride (whereas before, even 10 minute stints caused pain) without problem or complaint. She also made it through the whole mission conference with only a short stint standing by the door.
The first few days of this week, I still wanted to take it slow (taking the elevators, walking slower, checking in every now and then) and I felt just like that New Testament man, "Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief."
And he has.
My companion is incredible. Prayers are incredible, as is the power of a faithful fast. Miracles are real, and Hermana Terrazas is basically healed. We didn't get a call from a Doctor or another X-ray, and no one had to tell us anything. It just stopped hurting. So we brushed off our stuck-in-piso [apartment] dust and went out to work. I believe in Miracles.
And everything is back to normal. We're enthused to be contributing again in this great work. It's surprising how normal it is to go out and work again. Making plans and watching them fail or seeing unplanned miracles, keeping your head up the whole time.
We haven't been able to get in and actually TEACH as many of our investigators as we'd like to, but that will be our focus this week.
I also had to give a talk this week, as I found out when I called on Friday night to ask our Ward Mission Leader if he could help us with a cita (I guess that's how you pay for member present lessons...). I didn't face it with the best attitude (I've already GIVEN a talk in this ward, I can't even speak SPANISH, grumble grumble) but I'm actually glad with how things turned out. I spoke slowly, clearly, and with great love. I do much better talking in church than in other places. Probably because the Spirit knows more Spanish than I do.
We Skyped with the family after church which was an incredible and good experience. They are such good people, they are growing (I asked my brother to recite an Article of Faith because I didn't really believe his voice was THAT LOW!), and I love them SO so much.
And I didn't cry, or even feel like I needed to.
And the work goes on.
Whistle while you work with a smile on your face and a song in your heart.
Spiritual thought:
My talk...
True to the Faith: Happiness (Paragraphs 1,2,5,6)
Testifying of God’s “eternal purposes,” the prophet Lehi taught, “Men are, that they might have joy” (2 Nephi 2:15, 25).
Heavenly Father desires that we find true, lasting happiness. Our happiness is the design of all the blessings He gives us—gospel teachings, commandments, priesthood ordinances, family relationships, prophets, temples, the beauties of creation, and even the opportunity to experience adversity. His plan for our salvation is often called “the great plan of happiness” (Alma 42:8). He sent His Beloved Son to carry out the Atonement so we can be happy in this life and receive a fullness of joy in the eternities.
As you seek to be happy, remember that the only way to real happiness is to live the gospel. You will find peaceful, eternal happiness as you strive to keep the commandments, pray for strength, repent of your sins, participate in wholesome activities, and give meaningful service. You will learn to have fun within the limits set by a loving Father in Heaven.
Your happiness can be contagious. As others observe you, they may desire to know the source of your joy. Then they can also experience the happiness that comes through living the gospel of Jesus Christ.
True to the Faith: Missionary Work (2,3)
“If it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father!
“And now, if your joy will be great with one soul that you have brought unto me into the kingdom of my Father, how great will be your joy if you should bring many souls unto me!” (D&C 18:15–16).
(that´s how you plan a talk in a foreign language)
1Peter 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:, substituting the last word "fear" for the footnote Awe or Respect.
Les quiero! [I love you!]
Hermana Een
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