Really, this week the Lord has blessed us SO much. We have begun to see the fruits of our labor here in Paraguay. When we found out we didn't have changes, we were kind of bummed, especially with the whole situation with the ward, but we have seen so many miracles this week. I made a goal with myself to do something for my companion every day of this change. And it has made SUCH a difference. I began to make her bed, or make her breakfast when she didn't have time to make something, or little things like that, and it is so amazing to see the difference in our relationship. We are good friends now, and it is so much easier to bring the spirit into our lessons when we testify and support each other.
So to start off, a family that we found in Marambure (my last area) with my trainer was baptized this Saturday. Maria Lopez and her husband were baptized, and with more of her nine children to follow. We worked with her when I was still in training, and she and her husband were baptized this Saturday! One thing that was cool was that she had talked with the missionaries before, but after a couple of visits just started to hide from them. When we began to visit her again, we found her when she was very sad, and when she needed something to hold on to. So, moral of the story, even if someone is to the point that they hide from you, they always have potential, it just has to be the right moment. We had 5 new investigators this week, and EVERY SINGLE ONE seems like they have potential for baptism. Here in this mission, it isn't really that hard to get people to commit to baptism, but it is very rare to find someone who really feels that it is important enough to change their lives and repent of their sins. We found a lady named Paula, who was visiting with the elders before, but when they put in hermanas, they didn't return to visit her. We had an amazing experience talking about the Atonement, and I loved the feeling that we had while we were with her.
Another miracle was that Hilda came to church AGAIN this week! We tried to put a date for her baptism, but she didn't want to commit, so we decided that we wouldn't visit her as much and just give her some time to think and pray about her desires and her decision to be baptized. We honestly weren't expecting her to come, but hey, she came. It was such a wonderful feeling to see that she acted on her faith and is ready to take more steps and progress.
A funny thing is that I went swimming! On accident. In a hidden hole underneath a rather large, deep, lakelike puddle. I had invested in flipflops so that I wouldn't get my shoes as wet in the dirty water so much, so I had my flipflops so I wouldn't get my shoes wet, and my companion headed around the puddle but got to a point that she couldn't cross. So I, being the good companion that I am, walked over to help her cross and turns out, there was a hole. So, wearing my flipflops so my shoes wouldn't get so wet, I stepped right into a hole and went into the water up to my waist. And on top of all of it, I GOT MY SHOES WET. Dangit. Well, I just thought of what my mom always told me...you can laugh or cry. So, we laughed like nuts. And washed my clothes REALLY well.
Anyways, all in all, it was a good week. I was reading in Jacob 5, with the allegory of the olive tree, and something caught my attention. Always, the master of the vineyard was doing things to help his plants to grow. Nourishing them, pruning them, digging around them, always aware of what is happening and what the needs of His plants are. It is the same with our Heavenly Father. He is always with us, helping us, pruning us, cutting us down if needs be, and always aware of what we need. I know that He is here at our side. That is His work and joy, helping us to achieve our exaltation so that we can be happy with Him FOREVER. I am so happy to be here working, and I know that if we are worthy, He will be there, always working with us to progress and help others do the same.
With love,
Hermana Farish
No comments:
Post a Comment