Wednesday, June 19, 2013

6/17/13


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, 

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