Capitulo 2, Semana 13

Guera familia,

We have worked SO hard this week. We talked to more people, asked for more referrals, and called more members to come out with us than ever before. I have never been more satisfied with the work we are doing (although our numbers don't show it, how quickly I fall asleep at night sure does!) We have seen so many miracles.

Hermana Uscharawadi's turned 25 this week - she's my abuelita:) It was a great day!

-We met Betty - a black woman that is SO soulful. "I believe in the baby Jesus! I believe in the Holy word of God! I believe! I believe! I believe!" Too bad she doesn't speak spanish cause I'd pay to teach her! haha

-We ate dinner as a district at the Sushi Lounge and it was liked we stepped into Japan. Our waiters name was Lee Cho, obviously not American, and I had the HARDEST time not speaking Spanish to him. 

-We gave Los Hombres a tour of the church and it was AMAZING. We ended in the chapel and had a lesson - the Restoration. The spirit was so strong and they understood amazingly. And now the other Pancho and Ernesto have baptisimal dates too!

Tucson had a couple chilly days - 60 degrees and cloudy! We even turned the heat on in the car...haha I'm becoming a wimp. So what do you do when it's cloudy, windy and perfect outside? You tract. All day. We had a blast! We had a really fun lesson with Danna and Nayeli (baptized a month and a half ago) about the 10 commandments. The most common phrase during the lesson was "Ohhhh, they do that in the Novelas..." We decided, if they do it in the Novelas, don't do it! Now I know for sure the Novelas are of the devil. Also when we taught about keeping the Sabbath day holy and not going grocery shopping, they told us that after conference on Sunday, Jesus and Francisca Quijada (recent converts) took them to costco for food...haha guess we know which lesson to teach the Quijada's next!

We were having a lesson with David (20 year old) and were talking about the need to become as a little child. We asked him what he thought it meant to become as a little child. He, after a few seconds and very seriously said, "To have soft skin..." It took everything in me not to crack up!

I love getting members out with us because it gives us a chance to get to know them better, and we have some amazing members in our little branch. We took out Hermana Ambrosio this week to a lesson with Pancho (trying to do a little match making...:)) She told us that before she was baptized she couldn't read. She knew the Book of Mormon was true because people would come read to her but she couldn't read it herself. BUT after she was baptized, she wanted to learn to read so she could read the Book of Mormon. She didn't have any help - she just knew the sound the letters made - and after many hours crying because she was so frustrated, she finally did it! Her dedication and desire to learn to read in order to study the scriptures amazes me. She's on of my heroes. 

I know the Lord knows me - he knows my situation, my desires, my thoughts, my needs - and he wants to help me. I have learned a lot about sacrifice this week. So often we think of fasting, tithing, serving others, etc. as inconvenient - we think of ourselves. For the first time, I really felt and understood Heavenly Father's sacrifice. He not only has given us everything we have but He allowed His only Son to suffer, to be rejected, to cry out in pain "Father if it be they will, take this cup from me", and ultimately to die. And all of this fur us - for me. Comparatively, no sacrifice I have ever given or will ever give can compare to the magnitude of the Atonement or of the Father's sacrifice of His Son. My heart is so full!

I'm so glad to hear Ginger is getting better - I've prayed a lot for her this week! Also do we know where Emily is going on her mission yet?! Thanks for the emails and Sara, I'm happy to hear you're a woman;)...Dad, I'm praying for you! :) Stay strong and be of good cheer! I love you all SOOO much! 

Hermana Stewart