Week 44: La Rosa

Hey everyone! This email is from Thanksgiving week:))

So we started last week still in quarantine in Raymond. I love Hermana Votaw. Even though it was hard being inside so much, I think there were definitely some reasons we were supposed to be companions longer. I learned so much from her. 

Highlights from the week:

-Zone Conference was so inspiring, as always! Hermana Votaw and I were  We talked about the importance of using the Lord's time wisely and preparing powerful Christmas messages to share with families. 

-Thanksgiving miracle! We were finally feeling better so we were able to get back to normal missionary work. We write cards for our friends and members and delivered them. Then we got to have dinner with the Garcias (my favorite family) and the Elders! It was so fun to spend time with them!

-On Saturday we finally exchanged to our original areas so now I'm in Huntington Beach! We were able to find a new friend named Sandra. She lives with her sister Myrna who has dementia. When she let us into her house and I saw Myrna, I recognized her! Turns out Myrna and Sandra's cousin is Hermana Medina, one of our favorite members in Raymond! We were able to share the Christmas message with her and find her (set up a return appointment)!

I am so grateful for this special time of year that we have to remember our Savior Jesus Christ. 

Matthew 2 recounts the story of the wisemen, who saw the star in the East signifying that the Savior had been born. Verses 9-11 say: "When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy." They saw the star and recognized it, but most importantly, they followed it so they could feel the joy of standing before their Savior Jesus Christ. We have so many stars in our life- family, friends, church, Scriptures, answered prayers- that guide us to the Savior, but we have to choose to follow these stars so we can have the fulness of joy that comes from knowing Christ. Just like Moroni invites us, we have to actively "seek this Jesus" (Ether 12:41). I invite each of you to consider how you are going to seek & find Jesus this Christmas season. 

Anyway thats all for today! I am so excited to be here in Huntington Beach! I love the La Rosa Spanish Branch, and I love my companion Hermana Amezquita. 

Love yall!

1. Last night in Raymond- In n Out hot chocolate run w/ my beastie!

2.Hermana Votaw and I wrote cards for all our friends and some members to deliver on Thanksgiving day

3.I just love Hermana Votaw!

4.Thanksgiving Dinner at the Garcias w/ Elder Clark and Elder Garcia

5.Dinner/Saying goodbye to Hna. Patiño with los elderes

6.Hna. Patiño

7.the first member I met in La Rosa, Hna. Lopez!

8.Making Deliveries

9.Hna. votaw and I went out to Cafe Rio. Delicioso!

10. Planning w/ the ZLs Elder Wheeler, Elder Shumway and Elder Plante and Elder Gunn