Family!
Wow, I don't even know where to start. It has been a crazy week! But also a week of miracles with a lot of powerful experiences. It's transfers today and Sister Magnusson is staying! The other two sisters here are finishing their missions and we're getting elders! Woot woot! The sisters passed off a couple of their investigators to us and so we are BOOKED! I'm pretty sure this transfer is just going to just get crazier. But it's awesome because we have SO much work to do. We are teaching a lot of people right now and they are mostly families! Awesome, right? But at the same time I feel a lot of responsibility for them because of the potential they have - I don't want to make a wrong move or say the wrong thing that will drive them away. I've never prayed more in my while life! I know the Lord will help us. It's incredible seeing them grow in the gospel and I love being around kids so much! (Everyone thinks i'm younger than sister Magnusson and i'm pretty sure it's because I have so much fun with their kids....haha)
The Renterias - They are doing SO good! A week ago we had a lesson with them about the Book of Mormon and we brought some great members. We actually had a little movie night! We explained the Book of Mormon again (Jose still hadn't been taught yet) and then popped some popcorn and watched The Testaments. Afterwards, Lupito said it was so cool and at one point he wanted to cry! We testified, members testified, and we committed them to read every night as a family. At first Jose wasn't super on board but our member was lovingly bold with him and shared some personal experiences and at the end he said, "okay, I'll listen. It might only be with one ear, but I'll listen." Stinker. Then on Thursday we had an awesome church tour with them. Sister Magnusson, okay I, was stressing bad. Haha Neither of us had ever given a church tour in spanish and our goal was to commit them to a baptismal date at the end. AND we asked Diego Quintana to come - ex-MTC teacher, aka amazing missionary - pressure was on! Haha We were praying so hard the entire time and we ended at the baptismal font. We discussed their concerns and told them how we had prayed specifically for their family and feel like they should be baptized January 11. The spirit was so strong and they committed! Then on Saturday, Jose's brother told us he texted him and told him he was about to drink a beer but he doesn't want one - what should he do? "Umm don't drink it." Haha Then they came to church on Sunday and the activity Sunday night! They're doing amazing!
Exchange day -
-Knocked for 3 solid hours without much luck.
-Got pulled over by boarder patrol because they thought we were trafficing drugs or transporting illegals....Nope, just preaching the Word.
-Talked to a guys that was literally crazy. "You want to fight me? You challenge me to a dual!" Haha we left quickly.
-Salvador promised he would start reading the Book of Mormon and Mexicans don't promise to do things very often so I know he will do it. He even crossed his heart:)
The parade turned out SO good! We spent a lot of nights this week helping finish the float (jeans are heaven!) Presidente and Hermano Quintana were not very impressed with the Elders here because they talk more than they work. They told us to bring our fiances to meet them so they can make sure they are hard workers and pass their test. Just might have to do it. :) Hopefully they live through it! The parade was freezing and we were practically running to keep up with the float haha But we passed out over 2000 pass along cards so it was definitely a success! I'll send some pictures.
The dinner and Christmas devotional was a little stressful! We had assigned certain wards to bring certain food but we also had a lot more investigators/non-members there than we had anticipated (probably because of the food but whatever works to get them there) and we were really worried we wouldn't have enough food. Miracle of the loaves and fishes though, right? We prayed. Hard. And I don't know haw but the Lord blessed us with a miracles and everyone ate. The entire activity I was thinking, "I am NOT a relief society president! I don't know what I'm doing! We're NUTS for doing this!" Haha Thankfully we had the Lord's help, and amazing members, and everything worked out great.
To end off a great week (and start another busy one) Evelyn and Julio Martinez want to get baptized this Saturday...! They're going to Mexico for Christmas and so this weekend is the only one we can do it. Which means we're throwing a baptism together! They're so ready, and a little scared, and I am so excited for them!
This week I've studied a lot about sacrifice and obedience. "Sacrifice brings for th the blessings of heaven." If we want blessings, we're going to have to sacrifice - whether that's sacrificing 3 hours on Sunday for church, your time to serve others or your natural man desires for something higher. I've started a 40 day fast from some things that are probably keeping the spirit from being with me as strongly as it could. I'm already having a hard time...haha but I know the Lord will bless me for my sacrifices and my desire to be more obedient. Miracles will come and I will be stronger because of it! Pray for me.
It was so good to hear from you all! Yes mom I got my coat and I almost cried when I saw it. It's perfect and I've been so much warmer! haha Madi and Maren, your dance pictures are so fun! I wish I could have been there to see it! Maybe you'll have to put on a show for me when we skype:) I hope you have a great week and am so excited to talk to you! I love you so darn much:)
Sister Stewart
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