27 October 2014

Hola,

This week was a more chaotic one with lots of service and parties for the members.  It was still really good! My companion and I were just laughing through it all! It was a plain old, good week!

Last Monday we had a good p-day and we taught the Gomez family. They welcomed us in but are not willing to come to church right now, because they have there own religion.  The thing is that we think they would be offended if we didn't come back, so we hope to have some Book of Mormon study with them and help them see the truth! They are so kind and sweet so we will see where they go!

On Tuesday we had a wonderful district meeting and I went on exchanges with Sister Murphy. It was nice for her to have someone to talk to, someone that understands her a little better than her companion. They have been having a few struggles so she just laid it out on me! I was glad because then we could talk it through and I hope I gave the help she needed. We taught a few of their investigators. It is always so interesting to teach in English, obviously the words come out, but it is just a bit different! It was a fun day and night! We went to Laytonville, which was fun and had a good lesson with a less active family. They are very interesting, but willing to talk with the missionaries.  They have some unknown barriers that keep them from church. The children did come to church, but the parents didn't, so we will see when they finally decide to recommit!

Then on Wednesday we were finally able to go and do service at the thrift store again and get Hermana Navarro signed up! It was fun and our help was needed.  It was really enjoyable! We didn't teach any lessons, but we did get our 20 contact so that was nice!

Thursday it was raining so our usual plan of going to the Farmer's Market to talk about family history was canceled. We were able to help out one of the less-active members that were moving. She was repainting her apartment and so we got to help. I must say it was fun to paint! I don't think I have ever painted walls before.  Well I actually painted a closet.  It was fun! The help was definitely needed! Then after dinner we went to see the Tepale family. It was kind of an awkward time for them, but we left a short message and then we started talking the "vibrations" they have been feeling ever since we have been meeting with them and in my head I just thought, "IT IS THE SPIRIT!". So we were very excited to talk with them more. They like us and are willing to listen because it makes them all feel better so I am excited. We keep having these mini lessons so we hope to have something more concrete next week! Then we went to see PJ, who told us all the Drama going on. She just moved into a members home and there was just so much going on, that I knew a lot about already, but we were just talking about it and I was letting her unload.  It was not good for my little companion. It was just too much information too fast and she kind of got overloaded. It was good to know that the drama is too much for her. Oh, people really do have problems out there, and isn't it interesting how 100% confidence in the Lord makes life run just a little bit more smoothly!

Friday was our weekly planning day.  We had a fun morning to start it off. First we had comp. study with our district leader in Ukiah, then during language study I was checking out the new apps. for spanish missionaries that we are piloting. They were super fun and interactive ways to practice and go over the spanish! Then we went out to lunch at a pizza buffet which was super fun too! Then we did our weekly planning and we were actually pretty effective, which was nice!

 

Friday night we went to the Halloween party for the Primary. Instead of trunk-or-treating they decorate doors in the building and do it inside. We were asked to do a door, well not decorate it, but just to hand out candy and that was fun.  We dressed up as fairies! It was fun and there were a lot of non-members who came. We actually invited a few of our investigators, but none of them came. I had felt impressed to see one of our potential investigators, but we got there and she wasn't home so I thought, leave the flier with a note.  We did and they came! It was so cool to see that we did something so simple, but it actually helped someone! It was so cool to have them there, so we will see what happens with them in the future.

Then on Saturday we were planning on doing service, but it got canceled because of rain so we finished our weekly planning.  Then our investigator, Jesus, canceled his lesson so we went and saw PJ to tell her we wouldn't need her for the lesson.  We had a good chat with her, while she was making cookies and with the members there and so it was a good little moment. Then we went to the Ward Luau for the Southwicks as a goodbye for them. They start on Saturday at the Oakland temple.  It was a bitter-sweet moment. We helped a lot with food and welcoming all the visitors and dancing a little. It was a really fun night! We helped with the clean up because there was a lot to do.  That was our whole day! It flew by.  I was glad that we could help serve the ward! We were pretty tired after, so I can't imagine how tired they all were.  It was fun! 

Sunday was of course lovely. We had a lot of meetings and things after church so we just had a quick lesson before dinner with a member. It was actually really good because we were able to talk to her less-active son and help them to feel uplifted and strengthened and learn a little bit more about the member. Then we ate at the Mcfadden's house which is always a treat and did studies in the evening.  It was a very calm night and it was good.

I definitely see the next 2 weeks as an opportunity. I am excited to try my hardest, and work like I have never worked before to leave it all out on the field, I am so grateful for the opportunities I have to serve. I love this Church, but most of all I know that Jesus Christ lives and is guiding and directing us!

Les Quiero,

Hermana Cornwall