Hola Familia y Amigos!
Como han estado?? FELIZ CUMPLEANOS Mamacita:) I hope you have an incredible Birthday. Alex any news from BYU? And the verdict is I am moving out. Hermana Jarman is staying here and training a new missionary. I am going to a place I know nothing about in South Albuquerque called Alvarado Park??? South Valley...hmmm more humble I am told. A nice way to put it. Don't worry. I will be careful. I am going to be with Hermana Batchkoff my MTC companion...woah!!!! We are replacing Elders so who knows what we are going to find. It will definitely be an adventure.
Seeing as this is my first area, it has been an interesting experience leaving behind people i've gotten so close to and really didn't even know I had. And of course, la vida de una misionera...when you start to see all the good things start happening you get transfered out:) One thing I have learned though is Heavenly Father most definitely knows what He is doing. This transfer has been incredible. I have learned so much. And Maria Gonzalez, Bob Marley Loving lady...LOVE HER, has a baptismal date and I really think she is going to be baptized. Yesterday was incredible. Tender mercy from Heavenly Father after 4 months of hard work here. Maria has been impossible to get to church. But recently her attitude has really changed. She has started to realize how important this is for her. Maria Gonzalez is a part of my mission. I learned that yesterday. She came to church my LAST Sunday:) She fit right in and absolutely loved it. This lady rocks oh my gosh. Anyways after the meetings she asked if she could have a Priesthood blessing. She had blessings explained to her then received a blessing to help her overcome the things she needed to and be able to find the answers she is searching for. After the blessing she just looked at me tears going down her face. She said, "Does Everyone cry after these!" Then I gave her this huge hug telling her how sad I was that now I had to leave her just when things were getting good. She said to me, "Now you can go on and change other people's lives like you've changed mine." I love her so much. It breaks my heart to leave her. But I just hope she will remember the important things she needs to do to help her testimony grow every day...just like we do. I consider that experience with Maria yesterday a huge gift from Heavenly Father. Despite all my many weaknesses I know I have and all the things I need to improve as a teacher, as a representative of Christ...I know he allowed me to see that miracle for a reason. And I know I will see Maria Gonzalez again:)
One of the greatest lessons i've learned this transfer with Hermana Jarman, is the importance of not only being a missionary that works really hard, but a missionary that works really smart. Involving the members, developing relationships with them, loving them, making daily contact with your investigators as annoying as that sounds, committing everyone you teach to do something...really helping them progress. Not just adding and dropping people. I am so grateful I've learned this lesson. Now I have to go apply it again. I have a feeling we will be starting from scratch a little. It breaks my heart just a little that when things started getting good with the branch..this movie activity we organized for them to invite their non-member friends...having members willing to come with us to lessons...I have to leave. But it is time to go learn some more lessons.
I've learned some important lessons here. First and foremost, the Love that we can develop as missionaries for these people if we focus on them. I am still working on that obviously. And also, how important it is to not only look at the problems but also what went well. And how we can solve the problems....man oh man there is so much I could say. But I know I could be more bold. The missionaries who are bold are the ones who are remembered. I've never been so bold in my life. But there is more I could do.
I know with all of my heart that this Gospel is true. There are so many confused people in the world. Shouldn't there be one way that is right for everyone. I think so. And there is. You just have to figure it out for yourself. I love you Family more than you even know. I know I say this a lot and it is easy for me to say being a Missionary and focusing my life on the Gospel but remember that every achievement we make we owe to our Heavenly Father. He gives us everything we have. Try to read the BOM together when you can. You will see a difference. I know it is one of the most clear ways our Heavenly Father speaks to us. Just open it. And you will find your answer if you have the faith.
I have to run and pack. I love you all so much. Happy Birthday again Mom. And Congratulations Alex:) And good job on the hockey game Connor!
Con Amor,
Hermana Holland
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