Hi Beautiful family,
Here I am, still in Spain and loving every
second.
It’s funny how the Lord works. He knows
exactly how to push me outside of my comfort zone just enough for me to learn
and grow. This week was full of a few challenging moments and plenty of
opportunities for me to feel uncomfortable haha
For example, I had to lead the music at church
and at the baptismal service this past weekend. Why was that uncomfortable?
Because I don’t have the slightest idea of how to lead music! Especially in a
different language. I just stood up there with a confidant smile and prayed
that the congregation couldn’t tell that I was just writing out my name over
and over again.
This week was also a little more difficult, but
the hard times are always bitter sweet. This week I was a bit of a hot mess.
Literally. It was over 90 degrees Wednesday-Sunday and I swear my feet have
never smelt worse (sorry for the details). I do love the sun though, so it wasn’t
too bad. I was just a little emotional too this week. However, these emotions
of mine happened to come in handy in one of our lesson, thanks to my Heavenly
Father who loves me so much.
So, we had a lesson Saturday afternoon with one
of our investigators, Marlene. I love this lady. She is such a cute little ball
of light haha. She is wonderful and always a joy to talk to. She loves the
church, loves the Book of Mormon, and LOVES meeting with the missionaries.
However, she is not a member. This past week we have been praying like crazy
for Marlene and trying our best to understand what she needs in order to accept
a baptismal date. We needed a miracle. She’s been meeting with missionaries for
foreverrrrr, but hasn’t quite connected the dots between baptism and receiving
the Holy Ghost.
Well, Saturday’s lesson came along and we
had planned to teach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. During the lesson, I felt
impressed to share a personal story about the Atonement and what Christ’s suffering
means to me. Well, I tried my very best to get this story out and I wanted so
badly for it to make sense and to have an impact, but I was really struggling
with the language. I started crying. I was crying because I was frustrated. I
wanted so badly to testify the feelings of my heart, but I felt that my words
were failing me. This was the first time that I have cried out of frustration
since I entered the MTC in Utah. I couldn’t stop the tears, they just kept
coming, but here’s the point of the story. Along with my tears of trial and
humility came the Spirit. I realized in that moment that my words have no
significance. My words are not what Marlene needed; all she needed was for the
Spirit to testify that what we were teaching her was true. Heavenly Father used
me in my weakest moment to rescue one more of His precious souls. At the end of
the lesson, Marlene accepted the invitation to be baptized.
There, on a dusty old hot park bench, yet
another miracle of the Lord’s work was unfolded. This week my faith was tested
and my testimony strengthened. I know that this Church is true with all my
heart. Missionary work is amazing. Every day, as I am walking along these
streets, my feet aching, my head pounding, and my stomach growling, I think to
myself how there is no way this work could go on if the Gospel wasn’t true. It’s
so hard to fully express in words because words are never enough. Every day I
get to feel and see how the Spirit works and how the Lord guides his
missionaries. I can’t imagine being more grateful for this opportunity.
I love you all!!!
Besos,
