A Voice From the Vineyard: 22 July 2013

Hola,

How is everything going out there in the normal world? Time is flying here so I am sure that you are accomplishing just as much there too. Life here is always pretty crazy. We do so much in a day most of the times I can't believe it.

On Monday we had a good p-day. Soccer is always a good break for me in the week and I am slowly getting better since we do it so often. We had dinner at a member's house. Well... a kind-of member's house. He is in the English Ward but used to be the Branch President. The odd thing was that we ate at their house with out them in it. He was busy, so we used the door code to get in, ate, did the dishes and walked out. We taught a lesson in the evening with our part member family, the Rodas. The husband that is an actual investigator didn't attend so we did a little FHE with the family. Man, I definitely did not think that I would need to use my Recreation Management games, but I already have a few times. We made a contact of this single mom out on a walk. We went into her apartment and had a nice little chat. Sometimes I think that it is weird that people actually let you in the door, but I guess when you are a Servant of Jesus Christ it shows in your countenance.

Tuesday we had District Meeting. Can I just say, it so nice to have our little support system to progress in the work. We talked a lot about contacting and talking to everyone we see. So, my advice for future missionaries today is to start now. Talk to people. You don't have to talk with everyone, but if you have the basis already it would be that much easier to do when you are talking to someone about the Gospel when you would have just been comfortable in real life. Afterward, we had a mini-exchange with the Elders. Our Zone is so small that we only have two sets of Elders, so two are Zone Leaders and two are District Leaders. The other 8 missionaries are all Sisters so the Elders have no one to exchange with. Their solution is to have a group study session after our meeting. It was so helpful. I am glad that I got to learn so much from them. Then in the afternoon we taught a lesson to Gabriel and Maria. They are good investigators but they are caught up on a few key doctrines, so we are just trying to clear that up. We didn't have any more lessons, but it was still a good evening. Oh, one thing that I have forgotten to mention is the 10, 3, 1. It is our daily goal of having 10 contacts, 3 lessons, and 1 baptismal invitation. We don't accomplish it every day but we really do try. Usually, out of 1 of the contacts comes someone good so it is nice to always have that in mind.

On Wednesday we had a no show appointment, but we had some interesting contacts. ( Family: Then the weird part was setting up Facebook. I had to go onto my old Facebook and deactivate which was weird and then had to create a new one. I am so interested to see what the future of Facebook in the missionary work. We didn't have any lessons but we did have out 10 contacts.)

On Thursday we had an FHE with another part-member, less-active family. The weird part was that the member was not there, but it went well and it was fun to teach the kids. We helped some of the Sisters in Woodland switch apartments. We had to clean up a lot because the Church had owned the apartment for 10 years. It was fun. We went to dinner at the Lomeli's. The food was really good and the company was even better. We finally saw Ada again. She was the investigator that we committed to baptism my second day. We had not seen her since then but finally she was home and we taught her. She told us that she wasn't ready for baptism yet so she didn't get baptized like planned on Saturday. She said that she is close.

Friday we did our awesome weekly planning. It is exhausting but good. We had another lesson with Gabriel and Maria. The problem we found was that both of them don't understand the need for baptism. The are Catholic and think that their old baptism should count. We have hopes for them and hope that we can help them to understand. We had this slightly interesting and kind of awesome contact. She is Pentecostal and has a lot of the same beliefs. She talked about repentance, the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and preaching the gospel. Most people just don't know about those things so it was interesting for someone to know them when they don't have the fulness..

Saturday morning we did service for Celia, a member in the Ward. She asked us to come by to clean her back yard. It was fun, but it was dirty. Then we had an introduction to service. It is an interesting story. So we were referred to this woman by a contact but the funny thing is her brother is a member of the church. She wants us to help with her aged mother so we will see what comes of it. She wanted us all to meet just to see if it would all work out. Who knows what will happen but I am sure there will be more to come. We had the baptism of one of the other Sisters investigators. It was special to see one close up and personal. She was so nervous and excited and afterwards happy and tired. She is a wonderful girl and I might get some pictures next week to show you all.

Well I love all of you so much. The Church is true and that is the only reason why I am out here serving. Thank you so much for all of your love and support and also the prayers. Keep them coming I couldn't do it without you. Have a wonderful and missionary filled week.

Love ya,

Hermana Cornwall