capitulo 1, Semana 2

"There is no growing in a comfort zone, and there is no comfort in a growing zone." This is the MTC. This week was a little more relaxed but WAY harder. Always in a good way though! 

Last Tuesday night, we had a district meeting with Brother and Sister Monson about that night's devotional. At the end of our discussion, Brother Monson got a little solemn and said, "If you all would like, you can write a small not to Tom about the passing of his sweetheart Francis. The funeral is Thursday and I would gladly hand deliver the consoling words of twelve great missionaries to him." WHAT?! I almost peed my pants. How do you comfort the prophet?! I'm telling you, my district has the hook-ups! 

Hermana Richards and I committed our first investigator to baptism this week! The spirit was strong, I cried (thanks for that gene mom), and afterwards we were ON TOP OF THE WORLD! And he isn't even a real investigator! It is the best feeling EVER. The field is white and I'm ready to harvest. The day after we committed Enrique to baptism (also our last lesson with him) we weren't really sure what we were going to do during the time we usually teach - and our teachers kept acting secretive when we asked about it.  We were hoping to get to meet Enrique and get feedback about our lessons/teaching but all the missionaries said we wouldn't get to and we were bummed. So after lunch we went to class and some other teachers were in there talking with us when Hermano Wiest sticks his head in and says, "Are you all ready to meet your new teacher?" and in walks Enrique (aka Hermano Harris)! Best surprise. We were all pumped and then I realized how much he knows about me and all the super embarrassing moments in those lessons...I even called him guapo at one point. Oh shoot. At the same time he knows us all so well - on a friendly and professional level - and knows our teaching style/strengths/weaknesses. It's still weird to ear him speak english and then to do Enrique's facial expressions. Hermano Harris is so great though and such a good missionary, teacher and example. Our first investigator is our new teacher! And all those missionaries that told us we wouldn't get to meet our investigator need to read 2 Nephi 9:34...

Saturday our district decided to do a fast from english. Solo hablabamos espanol todo el dia. It was probably the hardest, most frustrating fast I've ever done.  In class we couldn't really discuss because the things we wanted to say and express we couldn't translate into Spanish. It was a quiet day to say the least. That's sometimes how I feel in lessons too. I limit myself to say the things I can definitely say in Spanish and disregard everything else. Some days I wish I were English speaking...But at dinner that night we found a sister learning Chinese and man, I'm so blessed to be learning spanish!! 

We have two new investigators now - Julio Cesar Lopez ("Pollo") who is 16 and awesome; and Leonardo who is 25 and has had a terrible life and doesn't have any reason to believe in God. Challenge accepted! We were also able to get feedback from "Enrique" and he asked us where we had already served our mission...:) He said our companionship was awesome and that we were good at keeping our personalities even in the lessons - ahhhh yeah! My goal of not becoming the cookie cutter missionary is working so far! 

I ran into Bishop Justice from Campus Plaza on Sunday! (I think that man only gets cooler with time.) And I see Gwen Parish from the stake CONSTANTLY. 

Anyways, thanks for the pictures and letters - they made my week! Madi, you ROCK the braceface and it looks like the trip was a blast. Especially sleeping in the camper - man, I miss that thing (heaaavy sarcasm). Mom would you find and send me Brynn's, Adam's, Camron's, and Stephen's addresses for me? Gracias. Also, clothes are still welcome. I love you all so darn much but I'll love you more if you don't go on any more trips without me. :) 

Hermana Stewart

P.S. It shouldn't be "endure to the end" but "enjoy to the end!"

"I'm not what I want to be, I'm not what I should be, but I'm not what I used to be."