Hello Family! I've got a civil war of emotions going through my heart right now. I'm ecstatic to see you all again. I miss you. But I'm so sad to be leaving. And I'm just a little bit terrified to start real life again... but, I know that all will be well.
Can you ask Pres Stutznegger to tell me when you get the letter from the college. I'm pretty sure that's what I want to do, I just haven't really thought much about it for a while, so I want to pray about it first.
Addison! Happy 1st Birthday! It's really strange to think that there is a new person in my family that's been there for a whole year, and I don't know her! But I'll meet her soon :)
So a lot of stuff happened this week!
To start : Alejandro.
We visited Alejandro a lot this week - then on Thursday, he told us that he still wasn't sure, but that he was more decided to do it, than to not. But, he also told us that he was going to have to go out of town. He was leaving that night, and wouldn't be home till Sunday or Monday. He had to leave for work, but it meant that once again, his baptism was going to fall through! Grrrr. But we couldn't do anything about it. Don't tell him this, but as we were leaving that day, I was praying that his car would break down so he couldn't leave lol. So we spent the next few days calling him, and sending him messages. We had left him several chapters in his Book of Mormon to read during his trip. But he never answered any of our calls or messages! So we were a bit nervous, and we were praying a ton for him. Finally, Saturday morning he answered when I called him! And it turns out, he never even went on his trip because his car broke down!! (oops - be careful what you pray for lol) He wanted to see us immediately, but we were in the mission offices (I'll explain more about that ahorita) so we couldn't until later that day, and then he was busy working, so we ended up meeting around 5. He had seemed really down on the phone, so we were both a bit terrified. I was praying for him all day. When we talked, he started it out by telling us that he had prayed and read, and had a huge fight with his wife, and a lot of work problems... and he had decided that he was ready and wanted to get baptized! He said he didn't want to have to wait and wanted to do it that very day! We were so happy! I teared up I was so happy. But, unfortunately it was too late to arrange a baptism for that day lol, so we planned it for Sunday after church. Our District leader came over that night to interview Alejandro and we called everyone and got it all arranged - and then on Sunday he was in church in a suit and tie, and was super nervous. He left before the last class because he had to do something at home, and said he'd be back at 2 for the baptism. So we got everything ready... and then 2 came and went.... and I was getting really nervous that he wouldn't come, and he didn't answer when we called him... but then at 2:15 he arrived! It was a great baptism. Elder Choc came to baptize him, because it was he and Elder Evans that started teaching Alejandro. I love baptisms! And I was so happy to see Alejandro finally make that step! It was a miracle!!!!
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| The baptism! Hna Ingram and I, Elder Choc, and Alejandro. |
This week we also had several reunions - on Tuesday we went to a training meeting to train the new trainers... lol. That was a lot of fun.
Then on Friday we had the mission Leadership council meeting - I love this meeting. It's all the Zone Leaders, the Assistants, the Sister Training Leaders, and the President and his wife, and we talk about plans for the mission and different concerns that we may have. Elder Perea and Elder Kelshaw gave a capacitation, which was really good - they talked about how we can work with the ward to advance the work. At the end, Elder Perea talked about how, when we go home, we have to work hard. We can't go home and go back to being the people we were. We've changed here, and we need to never become complacent, but we should keep working hard to become more like the Savior and we should help others to become more like Him too. The spirit was really strong, and I just about started crying as it hit me that this message was for me. Then the President ended the meeting, and asked a few of the people going home to bear their testimonies - and he asked me to bear mine too! This time I did start crying. My whole mission I've had the chance to hear the testimonies and advice of the missionaries who are about to go home, and to learn from them. And I couldn't believe that it was my turn to do that.
Then on Saturday, we had our goodbye interviews. (That's why we were in the offices when Alejandro wanted to talk.) Those are normally our last weekend in the mission, but the President's son is here this whole next week to visit, so we all had our interview last week because the President wouldn't have time this week to do them. That was so crazy! It was the best interview ever. We talked about what I had learned in my mission, what my plans were for when I go home. He gave me some really good advice. I cried (I do that a lot these days). Then he gave me a blessing, which said exactly what I needed to hear. After that interview, I feel a lot better about coming home. I love President Stutznegger so much. I feel so blessed to have had him as my mission president. He has taught me so much and has helped me so much to become a better person. And his wife is amazing too. I feel so blessed to have both of them be a part of my life.
And on Sunday, our Ward Mission Leader invited us to come eat pozole at the church. I LOVE pozole, so of course we went. A whole bunch of our favorite members were there, and they held a tiny devotional in which several converts bore their testimonies, then the WML sang to us! We've butted heads a bit, but I've just always tried to love him and help him out, and it seems like somewhere along the line, we worked our way into his heart, because while he sang, he cried! He sang ''I'll Find You My Friend'' by Janice Kapp Perry, but in Spanish, and it was so touching. It made me cry. Then we all ate pozole and took a bunch of pictures, which was a lot of fun.
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| The pazole party - all the sisters. |
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| La Familia Sanchez - I love this family! |
I feel so blessed to be here. I love this place, and I love being a missionary. I have no idea what I'll do when I get home, so mom, your schedule looks good for a start. In the words of an Elder that said it so poignantly - ''I love my ghetto mission''. It may not be the prettiest place in the world, but the people here are good, and I love them. I feel blessed to be here. I know that God loves me, and I love Him. I think that is one of the biggest lessons I've learned here. I know that He loves us and will help us overcome whatever trial that we are called upon to face.
I hope you all have a great week. I love you all. Be good, say your, prayers, and always put your trust in Him.
Con amor,
Hna Taylor
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