This day has been a little strange for us because our alarm didn't go off this morning and we woke up at 7:30 instead of 6:30. To be honest I was SO thankful. My companion is very proud of her alarm clock because apparently it has successfully woken her up at 6:30 every day since the beginning of her mission, so I feel that this was truly a gift from Heavenly Father that we got to sleep in - He knows how tired we have been. This day is also a little different because the library is closed for the holiday so I am typing on my phone today! Which means my email will be a bit shorter.
I like to call this past week a "member week" because we spent quite a bit of time strengthening members and recent converts this week! We ended up having quite a few more miles left at the end of the month (they give us 1800 each month) so we decided to use them and visit the people we usually can't visit, because they're too far away.
I'm going to explain everything through pictures this week! Sorry they might be out of order but I will try.
1. This is Jocelia, Jolene, Joseph and Seth. I mentioned earlier that we are teaching all of them, but currently Jocelia is getting ready to be baptized (she is the tallest one), and she is 12 years old. Their mom moved here from Libia and isn't a member - but she allows her children to make the decision to be baptized once they turn 12! They've been going to church for like as long as they can remember, because their oldest brother found the church and is baptized. They live in Pipestone (it's technically a different area but we cover it too because there aren't missionaries there right now). We usually do phone call lessons with them because they are so far away but it's truly such a blessing when we can go see them! They are so so so sweet.
2. Sorry this picture is blurry but we had a relief society activity this week and we got to spend some time with the Spanish members of the Branch and we walked to the park for the activity and went down the slide and stuff. Missionaries can have fun too sometimes :)
3. This is the Sas family. They are the ones who I mentioned have a recent convert young son who has autism. He wasn't there when we stopped by because he was in school, but I accidentally left my pencil bag last time we were there so we stopped by on the way home from Pipestone (they live far too) and we got a picture! Cutest family.
4. This is the Wagner couple (also members). Sister Wagner had a stroke a few months ago and has been in the hospital for a LONG time in Omaha, and just recently got transfered to a care center in Worthington so we came to visit! We gave her a basket full of quotes and shared a video with her about hope. She still doesn't talk much and doesn't have the best memory. But as her husband read the quotes to her outloud she started crying. It really touched her heart, and it honestly made my whole week to see her. For relief society on Sunday we all carpooled and went and visited her again as a relief society! We all went one-by-one to give her hugs and when it was me and my companion's turn, she pointed her finger up at us and goes, "Hey, I remember you!!!" It was probably the sweetest thing ever. I think she was surprised that she remembered us honestly!
5. This is the Cruz family. They are moving to California and we are so sad because they are such a bright light in our branch!! We spent like most of the day helping them move out on Friday and it was so fun. Also I don't know if you can really tell but I am wearing a jumper that a member gave me because it was too small for her. So nice huh?! I love members.
6. And now for the BIGGEST miracle!!! This week we were stressing about getting Dora to church again. We had a lesson with her this week and we brought a member named Catalina and they CLICKED so fast. Catalina is a little bit older and she moved here from Guatemala but she has more energy than a little puppy. Dora lives in a small little upstairs part of a house, and Catalina basically sprinted up the stairs with excitement. Dora opened the door and Catalina starts pulling out all of these little tiny chili peppers and started handing them to Dora. She was like "these are from my garden I brought them for you!!" Dora was so confused but it was so cute haha. Anyways we asked if Catalina could give Dora a ride to church on Sunday and she said she could if she could get her car fixed by then. (It's hard because literally every single Hispanic in our branch is having car trouble right now and no one can give rides). You better believe we prayed SO hard that her car would get fixed!!! On Saturday night we had already tried calling and texting Catalina and she hadn't responded all day. We were getting worried that Dora wouldn't have a ride to church and it was a little late notice to ask someone else. We were pulled up to a member's house at 8:00 and looked out the window and you'll never guess who we saw. CATALINA!!!! She was randomly walking outside of this member's home and she literally lives across town. Apparently she was helping clean her son's house that lived next door?! MIRACLE!!! She said her car was working and she could pick up Dora!!! Next crazy thing. We called Dora and told her that Catalina could give her a ride, and she kept saying, "Ohhh no puedo mañana. No puedo." (I can't tomorrow.) She was giving some excuses that she had to clean her house and do laundry and stuff. So I pulled out this evil little trick out of my hat and pretended like I couldn't understand her and continued to tell her what time Catalina was going to pick her and her kids up for church. Suddenly she said "Okay, sí está bien." WE WERE SO HAPPY hahaha, when we hung up the phone we just started laughing because we couldn't believe she changed her mind. Guess who came to church and had an amazing time?! Dora!!!! When we went to visit Sister Wagner in the hospital for relief society she gave her a hug and told me to tell her "Get well soon and God bless you." She had a great experience, I'm glad she was able to come after all!!! This is a picute of Dora and I in the car going to see Sister Wagner!
7. Last but not least, this is the Ayala family (they are members but the girls don't come to church too often). I will tell you more about them later, but we love them SO much. They are the ones that fed us shrimp soup last week and I had to dump it into my companion's bowl when they weren't looking.
It's been a great week to be a missionary. Every day gets a little easier and every day we see more miracles!!! Door approaches and street contacting aren't scary to me anymore. I have come to know that the message of the gospel is the most important thing that these people will ever hear, and if they don't believe it or accept it now, they will find out in Heaven that it is true, and that we are truly messengers of the happiness the Gospel of Jesus Christ brings! Love you all. Don't forget to read your scriptures because they bring POWER and can help us overcome challenges and burdens in our lives. I've really come to know that is true on my mission so far!
Have an amazing week!!!
Con amor,
Hermana Hansen
I think all the pictures were out of order, I'm sorry! If it sent the way it's showing on my phone than this is the order.
1. Cruz family
2. Wagner family
3. Dora
4. Jocelia and her siblings
5. The Sas family
6. Relief society picture
7. The Ayala family
No comments:
Post a Comment