Week 44

Woohoo!  It’s been a great week and I hit the 10-month mark.  So weird.

But some random things from the week...

1-We finally bought gas so we haven't been dying from the cold as much

2-We performed 2 musical numbers for our district conference

3-We made cinnamon rolls in a mug (Thank you Hermana Hyland´s family)

4-We have been trying to learn Kreyòl in our free time (the language they speak in Haiti)

5-We played with a cute stray puppy in the street (Every time it sees us it gets so excited and runs up to us and jumps all over us.  We love it)

 Anyway as always, it was another super great week!  We found some INCREDIBLE people!!!!  One of them is a woman from the Dominican Republic and she lives alone here.  She is married and has a family but she had to come here to work and save up money so the rest of her family can come.  We went to a lesson with one of our investigators who had a baptismal date but she wasn't there.  We felt prompted to leave sticky notes on her door with nice notes.  That was key because instead of leaving right away we stayed at her door for a little bit.  When we were leaving we noticed that someone had recently gotten home so we knocked on her neighbor’s door. The woman from the DR opened up!!  She let us in and wanted to know a lot.  She had seen missionaries in the Dominican Republic but never heard anything about what we believe.  Most people say "I believe all religions are good and lead us to God and salvation".  She told us that her mom believes that, but she said "But I think there is only one way that leads us to salvation and I need to find it.".  We were blown away hahah.  We explained that we are here to do just that.  It was a big miracle.  She accepted baptism but not a date yet.

We also went to one of our investigators houses this week who is Haitian.  She ended up inviting us in but didn't really want to share.  There were about 4 others watching a big soccer game and when we walked in they all turned off the TV and gave us their full attention.  They told us that "God is more important than anything in our lives, even soccer.  We always have time to hear what you have to share".  They are so full of faith.  They are so humble and love God.  It has been such a privilege getting to work with the Haitians here.  I love them so much!!  It’s hard because of the language barrier, and Hermana Hyland and I can't study Kreyòl yet because she’s still in her training (a mission rule until they are out of their training), but we find ways to teach!  They are so excited to hear from us again.

So all in all we are seeing lots of miracles!!! Thanks for your prayers!!!  I love you all!!  Keep learning about Christ and becoming His true disciples!!  Love you!

Hermana West

Week 43

Hi Fam!!

Wow.  What an eventful week it has been!!  some things that happened...

1-We didn't have electricity for 3 days (so fun hahah)

2-There was an earthquake (lasted for like 15 seconds and I slept through it dang.)

3-We almost got attacked by a HUGE sea lion

But man it’s been a great week!!  We were able to put Ernesto (the husband of an investigator) with a baptismal date.  He is so cool.  He is blind and has tons of faith and even traveled 1 HOUR BY HIMSELF TO CO  He is soooo golden.  We love him.

ME TO CHURCH AND HE CAN’T SEE!!!!

The temperatures are dropping big time here, or, it feels like it.  I have never experienced a type of cold like this.  It is so humid so even if you wear 3 coats the cold cuts you to the bone.  We bought Alpaca sweaters to try to help with that hahah.  We will see how that goes. BUT WE LOVE IT!!

I have been studying a lot about the family this week and wanted to just share some thoughts.

1- I am SO grateful for you guys.  Heavenly Father really blessed me with such an incredible family that tries to put God first, and it really does help us be able to feel a little peace of heaven on earth.  I love you guys!!

I know that Families are central to Heavenly Father´s plan for the happiness of His children--us.  When we live the teachings of Jesus Christ as families it’s an extension of heaven.  We can be so happy.  I also know that we are put in families to bless and help each other and work together to help us all get back to Heavenly Father.  It’s our sacred responsibility.  For this reason the relationships we have with our family members are so important!!  We promised God we would love and take care of each other.  Keep doing the things that will bring you closer together.  Spend time together, pray together, hold family home evening and read the scriptures, and LOVE EACH OTHER!!!  I love you all so much and hope you are doing so well!!!! 

--Hermana West

Week 42

FIRST OFF,

CONGRATS KEVIN ON YOUR MISSION CALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Bolivia Santa Cruz is the luckiest mission!!  Actually, the Elders from my CCM group went there and they are LOVING it!!  I'm so excited for you!!!!

Conference, Easter, and my birthday were all super great!!  I am the luckiest person in the world!!  I love you all so much and I'm so grateful for each of you!

For my birthday we got to watch conference (so good), then the missionaries held a surprise party thing for me at their mamita´s house then we went to our mamita's house for round two.  In the morning Hermana Hyland decorated the house and I opened the presents you guys sent me.  Thanks so much!!  I love the temple necklace especially.

Conference was incredible!!  I know that it is Jesus Christ´s general conference!!

Some of my favorite things I learned were...

¨-Go about doing good like Christ did

-You must keep Christ at the center of your life at all times and in all places

-Learn of and follow the Savior so that you can come to know your father

-God sanctifies your most painful days

-Overtime you can learn to have a forgiving heart

-Reach out to the poor, the sick, and even all individuals

-Make sure everybody feels like they are your favorite

-No one is more on our side than the Savior.  He keeps allowing chance after chance.

-A prophet does not stand between you and the Savior, rather he stands by you and points you to the Savior

-Meekness is an essential quality that I need to keep developing

-Casualness leads to casualties.  KEEP YOUR COVENANTS

-Take opportunities to teach in informal settings.  The Savior teaches by example.

-You will find healing for that which needs healing through family history

-Be proactive in your prayers.  Ask what YOU can do to help a situation.

-BE ONE

-Love is a sign of a true disciple of Christ

-As we participate in the Sacrament every week it is a testimony before the Father that we always remember His Son.

-After taking the sacrament your eyes will be opened.

-The common place tasks have the most powerful positive effect in our lives

-Increase your spiritual capacity to receive personal revelation

-With us in the beginning, He is with us till the end

-If the prophet asks us to do something, there will be a way to do it

-LOVE ONE ANOTHER AS I HAVE LOVED YOU

-Be the person that people want to call when they need help

-Do everything for the ONE

-Behold Jesus

-none is exempt from the obligation to do family history work

-MAKE THE TEMPLE A PRIORITY!!!!

I know that what we learned in conference is what Christ wanted us to learn!  I invite you guys to follow the Prophets council and make the temple a priority and study and use the conference talks for the next 6 months.  I love you all!  Have a great week!!

--Hermana West