Week 72: La Rosa

Buenas tardes!

Transfer schedules changed so instead of happening tomorrow they will happen on Friday. I'm usually really nervous to get transfer news and although I'm anxious to know what's happening, I feel like every possible option is great. I'm glad that God's in charge because I know he'll make a better decision than I could make for myself!

This week we had some really cool experiences! 

In our area (La Rosa), we were prompted to go visit some hermanas that we had no idea were struggling but are worried about their "lost sheep children." Hermana Green said we answered a prayer she didn't even know she had! And she was so grateful we came that she gave us a whole box of See's chocolates! That made me so happy!

We also went to the Long Beach East stake conference because they needed Hermana Echeverria to play the piano and me to translate. While Hermana Echeverria was translating (she was in the same room as two other sister missionaries, Hermana Romero and I went into another classroom and taught Antonio a phone lesson. He is our most progressing friend right now. He couldn't come to church yesterday but is going to try to come this next week. Please keep him in your prayers!!

But my favorite part of this week was that I met the coolest person ever! Her name is Jill. When I was on exchanges with Sister Wheeler, she told me "let's go visit Jill. You'll love her." And she was right!

Jill is a member of the Church and a mother of 4 children. About 10 years ago, she had some complications after giving birth that left her in a coma for months. 

In the coma, she went to heaven. She saw her daughter who had passed away and she saw the Savior. I asked her what He was like. She could describe Him so specifically. She says that most of all she remembers that His eyes were so very blue. 

The Savior gave her the option to stay there or go back to earth, but he told her that it would be really hard. Jill chose to go back to earth. And since then, her life has been really hard. She is paralyzed, her husband left her, and she doesn't get to see her children very much. 

She lives un an assisted living home and spends all her time in a hospital bed. Even through the hard times, she has hope that through the atonement of Christ, all injustice and unfairness will be made right. I admire her faith and optimism despite her trials. 

And the most amazing thing? She is one of the best member missionaries I have ever met. She genuinely loves the gospel of Jesus Christ. She says it's saved her. To every person who comes into that room-friends, neighbors, workers- she shows so much love and shares her testimony of the Book of Mormon and Jesus Christ. Everyone around her can hear of her faith.

Here's the coolest thing!! These sisters have been searching for 3 months for a new friend to teach and guess what?? When we were walking towards Jill's room, this lady named Rosie stopped us and said "are you here to read scriptures?" And when we told her that yes, we were going to read scriptures with Jill, she said: "Oh! Can you read scriptures with me afterwards?" So cool!!

So when we told Jill that her friend Rosie wanted to learn more about the Book of Mormon, she was so excited!! We invited Jill to share her testimony with us so we could write it down on the front page of the Book of Mormon. She said:

"Rosie, I'm giving you this book because it's made me happier than anything in my life, and I know it will do the same to you. I have a testimony that this book is true and if you read it and pray about it, you'll know the same. You're a good example to everyone in this house. I know you go through a lot of trials, but they'll hust make you stronger. You are strong. I love you. Everyone does. I love Jesus Christ and I know you do too. This book testieis of that fact, and I wanted to share it with you. Love, Jill"

Shortly after our meeting with Jill, we taught Rosie the Restoration and gave her the copy of the Book of Mormon. As we read her Jill's testimony, she was touched. She was so excited to read the Book of Mormon! 

Sister Wheeler and Sister Hileman met with Rosie again on Saturday and yesterday she came to church!!

It's amazing the impact a true disciple of Jesus Christ can have around her by lovingly sharing her testimony!!

It reminds me of the urgency that the Boi of Mormon prophet Lehi expressed when he said:

"Wherefore, how great the importance to make these things known unto the inhabitants of the earth, that they may know that there is no flesh that can dwell in the presence of God, save it be through the merits, and mercy, and grace of the Holy Messiah, who layeth down his life according to the flesh, and taketh it again by the power of the Spirit, that he may bring to pass the resurrection of the dead, being the first that should rise. Wherefore, he is the firstfruits unto God, inasmuch as he shall make intercession for all the children of men; and they that believe in him shall be saved." (2 Nefi 2:8-9)

I know that it is only through Christ and His Restored gospel that we can return back to God. It makes me so happy to be able to share these good news every day!!

Love you all!

Hermana Dudley

1. Hermana Green gave us See's chocolates!

2. Lino Family pt. 1

3. Lino Family pt. 2

4. The Book of Mormon's true! Taking the Book of Mormon to Jonathan and Luz

5. An Hermana gave us money to go to Olive Garden!

6. Empanadas en Santa Ana

7. Exchanges with Sister Wheeler

8. Outside of the mission office after the My Plan meeting...

9. With Sister Platt after LBE stake conference

10. Olive Garden pt. 2