Oct 11, 2021
Last Monday we didn’t really do much, but I got a haircut! It was very needed. Then we went to Bojangles. It is more common here than McDonalds. It was all right. It was a milestone I had to have in my life. Afterwards, we went and visited Bella. She gave us this cookie cake with fruit. The cookies soak up milk… so soggy, but it was really good.
On Tuesday it was raining so much! (My umbrella, boots, and raincoat are being put to use.) Then we had DCM but it was a bit different. It was us five sisters running it because everyone else was gone at another meeting. We split the blackboard into two and wrote good things on one side and bad on the other. There were so many more good things than bad. When we focused on the bad, we started to feel worse even though we had this bigger list of good. When we focus on the good, how little it may be, we can be so much happier. We can be grateful in any circumstances. After that, we had a lesson with David. He gave us each a painted card. He explained mine that it represents how I am always sharing (the flowers strewn on the ground). It made us all happy that he took the time to do that. Then we went up to Esteban’s for a lesson with Hna. Rosas. It went really well and we had more animals join us. Esteban earlier had called bambi a borracha and I didn’t believe him. During the lesson I look over as she shoves her face into a beer can and drinks it!! At least the puppies didn’t do that. Later, we had a lesson with Maria and Diego. We played “don’t eat pedro” with him and explained the importance of church, scriptures, and prayer. It was super cute and they loved it. Something gross is that I found a cockroach in my bed that night.
Wednesday morning it was still raining, but this time even more. We went out and danced in our little parking lot river. For an earlier dinner that day we went to the Mejias. It was a surprise from them. We got to eat pupusas and then learn how to make them. It was super fun! Their dinners are turning into cooking lessons. Hna. Mejia said the students have become the masters. After that, we had a lesson with Jerlinson. They contacted us and asked us to come over again. We are hoping they are interested and are ready to keep learning. Then, we went and sang a song to Bella to help her feel better. We read 2 Nephi 22:2 with her. It says, “Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid; for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song; he also has become my salvation." I love this scripture because it is so true. I know that I don’t have to be afraid. I trust that everything will be all right. He is always with me and He gives me strength. When ever you feel alone just remember this scripture. :) The climax of the night was we did two lessons at once. I was doing a phone call lesson and then Macario called. So they taught him while I kept going with the phone call. During that call I caught two roaches. Straight after I found three more in the bathroom. Hna. Marvin was just cracking up as I was trying to kill them with our cleaner. Throughout the rest of the week we killed two more. You would think that our apartment is not clean.
On Thursday, we had a lesson with David again. It went great and at the end he told us he would do anything for another apple pie. So we told him if he doesn’t drink coffee for a week, we (meaning me) will make him one. Afterwards, we drove all the way up to Gaffney to do Esteban’s baptismal interview. We were 30 minutes late because of rain and traffic. We did it over video call and we expected everything to go well… it didn’t. We were really caught off guard. Please send prayers for Esteban, so he can have a stronger testimony. We decided to postpone his baptism for a week or even longer. Then to make the day even better, all of our lessons canceled. So we went to Popeyes for dinner and then taught English Class. Alex was the only one that showed up. We taught about weather and I think I learned more than he did.
I can’t remember if it was Friday or not but in the morning I heard this loud knock on the door. I went and opened it and this lady said our keys were in the door. Hermana Hanson forgot them overnight. I think this is the second time that this has happened. Hence this picture down below. Then we went and had our interviews with President Monson. I was in there for 30 minutes which is way longer than usual. We were figuring out things to help our area. After that we came home for lunch and to plan for our week. Hermana Marvin did a rendition of Napoleon Dynamite’s dance and it was hilarious. All of our lessons canceled again, but Macario’s and Daniel’s lesson. They went great. They have come to church and love learning! We are super excited to help teach them and bring them closer to Christ!
Saturday afternoon we went to another funeral. Brother Bright’s wife passed away. It was a really nice service with beautiful music. Brother Bright has told us that he can’t wait to come out and help us teach people even though he is going through this. There are so many wonderful and amazing people out here. To keep up the pattern of the end of this week, all of our lesson canceled again but Esteban’s. A good thing that happened is we finally saw Rene at fútbol night. He wants to be taught and come to church!
We had Spanish Testimony meeting on Sunday. It was super amazing. I was scared that we wouldn’t have anyone there like last time, but we had 30 people there! Maria came with her baby and Bella drove her. Esteban, Daniel, and David came as well! We went and visited Johany after church and sang a song to this guy with a ukulele. We went and taught Bella about church, praying, and reading the scriptures. We emphasized the sacrament because it is the most important part of sacrament meeting. We renew our covenants and we remember Jesus Christ and what he did for us. Right after that, we also had another lesson with Macario. He told us he is so grateful that we are helping him. After that, I taught an english class over video while Hna. Marvin finished prepping our late night Cheez-it Chicken. We are now going to start teaching this guy english and about the gospel!
During my study this week something that really stood out is the small and simple things. Alma 37:6 says, "...by small and simple things are great things brought to pass." This phrase is repeated many times throughout the Book of Mormon. I have seen this as I have been away from home. Doing the small things that we think are insignificant is so important. For example, reading the scriptures, going to church, praying, little acts of service, giving more of yourself to God, etc. I know that doing these things and more will bring blessings. I have seen them come to me. I want to invite you all to think of a small thing you can do. I promise it will help and you will see a change. :)
Here are some pictures!:
