Week 4

Another week down. Only two weeks left in Mexico from today! Este es muy loco. 

Este semaña has been so wonderful. SO wonderful. The Lord has really blessed us. We've had some amazing lessons with our investigators. We are getting more comfortable with the language and with simplifying the gospel. Hallelujah. Instead of planning for hours, we are now able to just walk in with our spanish scriptures and teach whatever the investigator needs. It is so much fun! 

This week has really been a week for service. On Friday, we had planned to teach our investigator, Carlos, about the Restoration. We were so excited and so prepared! We get in there and he starts off with asking us a question about the tree in Lehi's dream. Right then I knew we weren't going to say anything about the restoration, but I was SO excited! I could teach that one. I had no idea how I was going to say it in spanish, but at the moment that really didn't matter. I had shared my thoughts on this with Hma. Gates earlier so she just looked at me and urged me on. I started explaining how the tree is the love of God. The scripture John 3:16 says "For god so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son." Therefore, we can concur that the tree (being the love of God) is really Christ and the fruit is the Atonement. Therefore, our journey on this earth is really to partake of the Atonement and to know God. Oh my cupcakes. I didn't think my heart could feel that much joy. The look on his face when he understood it was priceless. All of a sudden, we weren't teaching Carlos, we were teaching our teacher. Man it was just really awesome. The spirit was there and the spanish just came. The gift of tongues is real. We left that lesson feeling so good. Later that day, I found out that one of our elders was having a really tough day, and was really considering going home - I didn't know that at this time. His companion came and told me he was having a rough time so I wrote him a note to help. Hma. Gates and I went outside to study the scriptures and of course, began with prayer. I just felt really strongly we needed to go in and talk to him. I wasn't sure about what, but we went in anyways. When we got to our classroom, only the two elders were there, (which was perfect) and I suggested we all read Alma 26 together. We sat in a little circle and started reading. A little side note, I absolutely LOVE reading the scriptures as a missionary. I learn something new everytime I read. Anyways, the spirit was super strong and that chapter pretty much outlines our whole mission experience. It was pretty cool. Half way through, the rest of the elders came in the classroom. I expected them to be super rowdy, but instead, they pulled up a chair and our reading circle grew. We all chimed in different comments and thoughts. It was so powerful. At the end, this elder that was struggling just broke down and told us what was going on. It was so cool to feel the love we all had for him. We spent another 30 min boosting him up and telling him he was loved. These boys are seriously like my other family. We are all there for each other. This elder wanted a blessing so they gave him one. It was the most powerful, spiritual, experience I have ever had in my life. What a sight to see 7 worthy preisthood holders surround this missionary as he called on his companion to give the blessing. We were all bawling by the end. I have never felt the spirit so strong. All but 4 of us ended up getting blessings. I loved how each one that asked for a blessing, asked their companions. It was just really cute. I just couldn't pass up the opportunity to be surrounded by these angels. I love them and I know they love me. It was so cool to have all of them around me. I didn't really think I needed a blessing because we had had such a successful day, but boy was I wrong. I think because I wasn't preoccupied with something that was bringing me down, or that I needed help with, the Lord took advantage of it and told me what I needed to hear. I asked Elder Backus to offer the blessing because his blessing remind me the most of Dad, Jake, and Dustin. It just felt right. The Lord truly had a lot to tell me. I received answers to prayers I offered years ago. It just strengthened my testimony that Heavenly Father truly does answer prayers. I would count that blessing and experience as my conversion. It was pretty cool. 

That was really the highlight of the week for me. Ever since then our district has just gotten closer. It kind of scares me because I have to leave them in two weeks, but it's so fun. 

I'm getting a little nervous thinking I'll be in the field so soon, but with these experience I've had this past week, I'm so ready to go find people. It's time to storm the castle. (in Dad's words.)

I love you all, and am so, SO, grateful to be an eternal family. Hma. Gates and I starting talking about our families and we both ended up sobbing. Our elders were a little worried when they came back and saw our faces. It was funny. But really, the love I feel for all of you has only grown more and more with each week. You are all my inspiration. 

I know that this church is the true, restored church here on the earth. I know that my Savior, brother, and friend, Jesus Christ, lives. I know that Heavenly Father has a plan for each of us to return to him and to become like him on this earth. I know that prayer is real, and the Lord will answer in His own time, when you are ready for it. I know that my Heavenly Father loves me, knows me, and helps me. I love this gospel. En el nombre de Jesucristo, Amen.