Week 59: La Rosa
This week flew by. I can't believe it's Pday already!! The fifth week of the transfer is always fun. I also hit one year in California!
Highlights
☆We had follow-up Zone Conference on Wednesday where we received training from our mission leaders, shared miracles from this transfer, and the departing missionaries (including Hermana Storm) shared their testimonies. We also got to do a special musical number! Hermana Echeverria and Hermana Storm sang "Peace in Christ" while I played the piano.
☆After follow-up, I kept up the tradition and we took Hermana Storm out to eat at the Habit. I never thought I'd have traditions that I do with departing missionaries but now that I'm on my third companion that's going home I guess I do...
☆Exchanges with Sister Hill!! Sister Hill is in training and I love her so much. She is diligent, obedient, and eager to learn and improve. It was my first day as a bike missionary! We biked and walked several miles, talked to lots of people, and had 3 spirit filled lessons!
Milagros
☆We had a great lesson with Maria. We prayed and felt it was best to pause teaching her for awhile because she hasn't been progressing. The Spirit was really strong in the lesson and she recognized that this is a great opportunity to really reflect, seek revelation, and decide if she's going to be all in.
☆Edgar finally responded to us! We sent him a text thanking him for meeting with us and inviting him to reach out when he's ready to meet with us again and then he showed up to soccer and church this Sunday!
☆José y Luzmila also came to church! They joined the church a year ago in Santa Ana (Hermana Young was one of the missionaries who taught them). Since they moved to Huntington Beach in December, their work on Sundays has prevented them from coming to church. But they were finally able to come for the first time yesterday!!
☆A few years ago, the missionaries received the information for an inactive member, Dora Rico, from her mother. They had tried so many times to get in contact with her (we only had her address) with no luck. Finally we tried one last time and left a note with our number. For some reason, Dora decided to call us. Turns out her mother has since passed away and she has no family or friends. She has stopped believing in God. For the first time in years, she was able to unload her feelings on friends who were willing to listen (us ans Hermana Perkins). She's not quite at a place where she's ready to come back to church, but she is willing to take baby steps.
☆We had a super spiritual lesson with Omar last night! Omar is a self-referral we've been teaching for a couple of weeks. He recently moved here from Mexico (his wife and children are still there). He contacted us because he felt guilty about some things he has done in the past and wanted to feel relief. The greatest miracle of all is the atonement of Jesus Christ. He has the power to heal us. Omar's told us how peaceful he feels when he meets with us. Last night, we were talking about the Plan of Salvation. As he expressed his strong desire to live with God and his family forever, we had the prompting to invite him to follow the example of Jesus Christ and be baptized. He agreed to prepare to be baptized and confirmed on April 15!
Please keep this people in your prayers this week:
-Edgar
-Omar
-Maria
-Familia de Rosendo y Maria
-Hermana Storm
This week I've been thinking about how agency and personal responsibility. One of the most difficult things as a missionary has been accepting the choices of my friends and my companions when I know that it is a choice that will not result well. But the ability to choose is an essential part of God's plan.
The Book of Mormon prophet Lehi teaches: "Wherefore, men are free according to the flesh; and all things are given them which are expedient unto man. And they are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil; for he seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself. And now, my sons, I would that ye should look to the great Mediator, and hearken unto his great commandments; and be faithful unto his words, and choose eternal life, according to the will of his Holy Spirit."
I know that by choosing to follow Christ, we find happiness. His way is what brings lasting joy.
I invite you all to choose Christ this week!!
Love you!!
Hermana Dudley
PS. If you want to listen to a good talk about agency and responsibility, I recommend this BYU speech: https://speeches.byu.edu/
1. Exchanges with Sister Hill!
2. Last lesson with Maria
3. Mis compas after departing testimonies
4. Sister Langi after departing testimony! I was on the same zone as her for 5 transfers
5. HB Zone on Bolsa Chica Hike
6. Even though it's California, I still get really cold here, especially at night. I've never been more grateful fro daylight savings in my life
7. Bike sister/hermana!
Comments
Post a Comment