August 13th, 2012

My new area is so different from Denver.  Its so desert looking....and a bunch of mountains.  It's about 5 hours away (mas o menos) from Denver so I'm right next to the Utah border.  We ride a van to get to different areas of the mission.  My new companion is Hermana Rios.  She was born in Mexico city but she came to the US when she was 10.  I LOVE her.  She reminds me of all my favorite people mixed into one person.  She's a hard worker and we're just so excited to serve with one another.  Her last companion (who was an english sister than turned spanish because we were short with spanish sisters) was SUPER disobedient....actually apparently 95% of the zone is.  Which is super sad.  I felt the difference too when I first arrived.  They would do horrid things and it makes my heart ache that these missionaries would waste the Lord's time.  But I know that I was sent here to help the area.  I received a luke warm welcome from the branch...makes sense since they don't trust missionaries but Hna. Rio's and I prayed alot to know what the Lord would want us to do here.  So we made awesome goals...we have a great vision.  On Wednesday I met a lady named Denise.  She's actually american but married to a mexican so she likes going to the Spanish branch so that he can understand better.  So we teach her in English and all of our lessons with her have been powerful.  She's a really doubty person...meaning she thinks she has no faith yet we teach her things like the word of wisdom and that same week she stops drinking coffee and alcohol...talk about faith, right?  As I was teaching her, I felt the Spirit testify to me very strongly that I came here specifically for her.  We just have just a strong connection and as I reflected back on my set-part blessing, it said "you will master the language quickly so that you can teach better in English."  I thought...well that's weird...maybe God will switch me English speaking.  But I know my prayer was finally answered this week...I can testify more fully and boldly in English (thanks to my spanish..if that makes any sense) and I know she can feel the spirit too.  The missionaries have tried putting her on date to be baptized but she always said no.  Well Hna. Rios and I prayed to know which date and we told her September 16th and she finally said yes!  We also but another lady named Amber on date this week for the 26th of August!  We are so excited...we're already seeing the tender mercies of the Lord.  Also one of my investigators back in Denver gets baptized this Sunday (the 19th)!  I'm just so happy.  I love being a missionay.  It's been a tough week, I'm not gonna lie...I'm just so use to knowing the area...not needing a gps...knowing the members...serving around obedient missionaries..always having something to do.  I mean here...the work was bad...and Hna Rios has only been here for 6 weeks but because of her last companion, they never worked so she doesn't know alot so I feel like we're white washing...we get lost every hour haha it's fun.  I'm grateful for this challenge...I've learned alot this week and I hope to stay in this area with Hna Rios for 3 transfers.  But who knows...well God knows but you know what I mean.  Ok I love you all a ton. I need your prayers!  You're always in mine :)