Capitulo 2; Semana 8

Family!

My heart is so full right now! I think this week has been my favorite week on the mission so far. President Killpack extended a challenge to get as many member present lessons as we could, promising that it would up our baptism numbers and help really convert people. You know how determined I can be when I'm given a challenge... But what was amazing was that the success we had came because we changed our motivation. I didn't even think about getting member presents for the numbers, rather the motive was helping our investigators have friendships, a support system, and to get the members more involved. We got 19 member present lessons this week! And it is all thanks to Heavenly Father.

Also I had the awesome opportunity to give a talk in church yesterday! I really love giving talks in spanish because it's so simple but powerful. And jokes are 10 times funnier in Spanish!

Had an exchange this week that was great! It was with Hermana Usharawadi and a little birdie has told us were going to be comps next transfer!! I'm so excited! She hasn't been in a spanish area for a year so I didn't have Hermana Jenkins as a crutch to lean on and it was neat for me to see that I really do speak spanish! Everyone kept saying, "remember when you first got here and you couldn't speak ANY spanish?! Now you can't shut up!" haha I love hispanics:) 

I am SO ready for fall! I think I have decided it is my favorite season. People are already putting out pumpkins, Walmart is selling fall decorations, we made cinnamon rolls with the Quezada family (taste of home. aka heaven), and it's been rainy for the last couple days! I'm ready to buy a pumpkin spice candle and eat some soup - even if it is still 90 degrees outside:)

Danna and Nayeli are getting baptized! They are the 9 and 11 year olds we have been teaching for the last month and they are so ready. Their families aren't super strong but that's all the more reason they need the gospel, right?! They don't have church clothes so they are going to be little mini hermana Stewarts and Jenkins, dressed in our skirts! They are so excited but not as excited as me! Friday at 6:00 105 N. Norton Avenue Tucson, AZ if you can make it:)

I can't express in words my true feelings about the mission, but it is the greatest gift my Heavenly Father has blessed me with. It's crazy how more than anything we are disappointed as missionaries - investigators not being home, people not keeping their commitments, losing interest, etc. But I never remember these moments. However, I can remember in detail the times I have felt the spirit's quiet impressions, when I have felt the pure love of Christ for God's children, and when I have seen the Lord's hand in this work as he has performed miracles every day. Every disappointment is SO worth it! This is the Lord's work and I, no WE, have the blessed opportunity to take part in it and to be molded more into the person, missionary, and daughter my Heavenly Father wants and knows I can become.

I feel good! I feel great! I feel wonderful! 

You are the best - we're so lucky we have eternity together!

Hermana Stewart