Witnessing Miracles

Hey everyone! So not a whole lot to talk about this week!

My compy & Me

But we did have a baptism!! Yay!! G-----s!!! She was our very first investigator here in playas. Her sister is a member and the only member in the family which consists of, X--e (member), G-----s (now a member!!) and her two daughters who are 6 and 1 years old, J----a (nonmember), and their Dad (nonmember). Their mom passed away 7 years ago.  We taught G---s-s for a few weeks then had to stop because she said she didn't want anything to do with a baptism. And she was firm in her decision. A few weeks ago our mission president told us to return to our investigators that we had stopped visiting and the first person that came to mind to me and my comp was G---s-s. So we returned and started visiting her again. She committed to be baptized two weeks from the third visit!!!!!!!!!!!!! We were shocked! She said she still didn't believe in the prophets but she was going to read the Book of Mormon and pray about it. So she did. And she said that she knows they are true. That everything is true and that she is so excited for her baptism! TALK ABOUT A FREAKING MIRACLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I could've cried!!!!! It was great. Her baptismal service was beautiful, and we are now teaching the last sister! She has committed to be baptized on the 28th of this month!

My compy and Me with G---s-s

Up next the.... the dad! He kinda scares me haha but I know that he too will be baptized. Then they can all go to the temple together and one of the girls can be baptized for their mom and they can all be sealed together!!! omg! I'm crying just writing that!!!!! :)

G-----s reborn sin-free

G-----s is my 10th baptism!!!!! Less than three months in the field and I have 10 baptisms... Sorry if I sound prideful, but I'm def proud of myself!! I've witnessed so many miracles and I am so grateful for this opportunity!!!!!

On Sunday J---e was ordained into the Aaronic priesthood!!!! I totally cried! (idk if you can tell but I'm very emotional this week) Seeing that was just amazing. A week after he was baptized he received the priesthood. Before we know it he'll be baptizing our converts… The church is soooo true!!!!!!!!

So my new companion should be here next week!!! The 24th I believe is when they come!! :) woooo hooo! We won't be moving till the end of this month though so we will all 4 be living together in our tiny little apartment haha that should be interesting! But it's only for a week :))

Not much else going on here! I love you all! Hope all is great!

Send me letters if you can!!

KISSES

XOXO

Me drinking Mate! Its like a family/friend tradition to drink this together in Argentina and thats where my comp is from so at night we drink it together!

 

    Me and my companion being broke! haha

Me and a different G-----s! She's due in October! Having a little boy and naming him Dylan!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm gonna be a trainer

Hello everyone!

This week was freakin loco! 

We can start with Tuesday, I was in the hospital alllllllllllllll day! 

I had an infection in my stomach. They said it was from something I ate, but me and my comp eat the same things and she wasn't sick and one of the investigators we are teaching had the same exact symptoms so honestly I think its something in the air here. But yeah, so they had me hooked up to an IV, took my blood for a blood test and after 6 hours sent me on my way with some antibiotics. By the time we got out of the hospital it was too late to take a bus back to the playas  so we stayed the night at the mission president's house. He is literally the best mission president ever. He and his assistants, and the mission nurse and her companion all stayed at the hospital and waited there for me all day. He came in and talked to me about struggles I was having.  Every chance he gets he demonstrates the love he has for all of us and his calling. I am so grateful.

So the people at the hospital wouldn't let my comp come back with me so I laid in my little curtained off room and sang hymns.  I actually taught my nurses a little bit about the church and left two pamphlets for her to read! It was super weird being alone for such a long period of time, but kind of refreshing at the same time. But I did miss my compy a little bit!! Crazy I know. When I got out of the hospital they were all outside and when I walked out they all cheered it was so cute! I gave my companion a big hug and told her I missed her. And off to president's house we went!

In the morning Sister D----s (wife of the mish president) took us to the bus terminal. As we were driving there she told us about a historic announcement that had been made! That missionaries in selective areas were now able to use iPads, and some people were being called as facebook missionaries! This is to preach the Gospel in places where we don't have missions. Do you guys know what that means? THE GOSPEL IS NOW IN EVERY NATION OF THE WORLD. Do you know what that means?! JESUS CHRIST IS COMING! AND HE'S COMING WITH THE QUICKNESS!!!!!!!!!! When we were talking about this my whole body was covered in goosebumps. I couldn't believe it. This is huge! Not gonna lie I've always told myself Christ can't come yet, they haven't opened china mission up yet, well think again!! People the gospel is being preached there! Just in a different way! All ya´ll betta be gettin yo stuff together! Cause He's comin!

So talking to President D----s really opened my mind to something that I am really trying to work on. First off, I have the choice to be offended by the things people say or do. And I am from now on choosing not to be offended. It doesn't punish them or make them realize anything but the fact that I'm sensitive or a drama queen when I am offended by those things. But what it does do is make me sad, angry, and unfocused on the real purpose of me being here. And let me tell you I am SICK of feeling like that. And secondly, I am focusing on alllll the good in people. I'm not gonna look at the bad or focus on it. It just breeds contention and makes me an ugly person. 

This week I finally got down to the nitty gritty of my companion. We talked about her childhood, and clearly its personal so I'm not going to tell you anything about it but it really helped me see why she is the way she is sometimes. And it just makes me love her even more. We had a little bit of an argument this week about love.  One of the questions on my verification for my 12 weeks of training is "I have sincere love for all of the people that I teach" and you have to rate yourself 1 to 5. And I kinda chuckled at the question and asked my comp how could someone not have sincere love for the people they teach?! That's why we are here! And I circled 5 (which is always) and she said, "Well I don't." And I was kinda taken back, and said, "Really?" And she said, "Yeah I don't think its possible to have sincere love for someone when there are things about them that I don't like, or when I don't always have nice things to say about them." And inside, in my personal view it kinda made me really sad for her… I replied by saying, "Well if that was true then it would be impossible for anyone to have sincere love for any other person... because in every person there is something that we don't like. And its human to not always have positive things to say.  But that doesn't mean that you can't love that person sincerely. I honestly have so much love for all the people we teach. That's why we are here! To bring that sincere love of Christ to their lives! And it's through us that they can feel it!" And she replied with "Well excuse me"… And I said, "Wait, for what?" And she just rolled her eyes and said, "Sorry that I can't love everybody." And I just said, "No, I'm not telling you you're a bad person I just want you to see that you don't have to like everything about a person to love them!" And she just said, "Look we're different people with different views." And I just said, "Okay." And that was the end of that conversation. So I've made a goal to really just show her the most love possible, to not focus on the things that bother me and to choose not to be offended by anything. I just want to be able to feel the spirit, and have peace in our home and in our lessons. So hopefully this is the start of something beautiful!

Although it won't be for long, because...........................… I'M GONNA BE A TRAINER!!! YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm literally SO EXCITED! We got a new house that is huge here in playas. And we are getting two new sisters hopefully next week!! Me and my comp will both be training. But the only sad part is they are splitting the area up into two sections and if the investigators that I have now aren't in my new section I cant teach them anymore :( but hopefully I'm not in playas 2!! I really want the upper section!! So pray pray pray! 

So the best part about becoming a trainer is the fact that it really makes me wanna better myself as a human and as a missionary. I really want to get to the point where I hardly think about home, and all I wanna do is work work work! I need to be an amazing example to this girl so I'm setting lots of goals for my self and working really hard to be better. 

Us with J---e!

This week we had a baptism...........................…best baptismal service I've ever witnessed. The soul that was saved this day was a soul that saying was lost is an understatement. This man had been involved in some EVIL EVIL things in the past. All of his brothers and sisters and his parents and nephews and nieces are all members. He was the only one in his ENTIRE family who wasn't a member. He had been taught by the missionaries before but didn't want anything to do with it. Then one day he came to church on his own. We set up an appointment with him and two weeks later he was baptized.  I invited him to be baptized on the first visit and he accepted right then and there and literally didn't have one problem or question after that. Everything was so perfect and smooth. He was ready. At the baptismal service his brother who is also the president of the elders quorum in the branch gave the "Welcome to the branch" thing at the end.  Everyone was balling. Literally balling. The past of the man who was baptized is very personal and not something I am willing to share publicly.  But I just can't explain how REAL the Atonement of Jesus Christ is. EVERYONE can change. EVERYONE can be forgiven! GOD WANTS TO FORGIVE YOU! And he WANTS you to come unto him!!!!! My heart is so full this week… He was baptized at the beach! It was such a beautiful moment! He wanted an Elder to baptize him so Elder R-------z and his companion who is also Elder R-------z (fun fact they're both from Columbia too lol) came down from Guayaquil to baptize him! AND it was Elder R-------z first time EVER on the beach! After 21 years he finally got to experience the beach in the most beautiful way possible! 

J---e entering the waters of baptism 

       

 All fresh and clean from all his sins. Haha look how happy I am!

This ones a little dark and blurry but he's smiling! So I had to send this one! This is the cake we bought and after the beach we all returned to the church and ate cake together! :) 

X--e is one of our best friends here in the branch! And she wants to serve a mission! She comes out with us almost everyday!! Its great! She put on my Hermana Beyouncé tag and we took this picture! Haha so cute! 

A---l and C----s paid their tithing together for the first time today!!! I wanted to cry! So cute! A---l isn't even baptized yet!!!! 

We have family home evening every Friday night at the church! This week we watched Faith In Christ and made pancakes! One of the men in the ward and my ward mission leader asked us if we ate these every morning and we said no, only like once a week and they looked at me and said oh that's why you're so fat. And continued to point and laugh at me. Full grown men… But I chose not to be offended! And just slapped another pancake on their plates. :)

After a very long and crazy week we rewarded ourselves with empanadas last night :)

Not much else going on. Spanish is great. Life's great. Its super freakin hot here. But other than that... I'm super happy! I got a lot of emails this week so I will be printing them out and replying next week! I love you all!

Kisses

I've officially been on my mission for 4 months!!! Yay!

On Fire

Hey hey!

Snuggling with Ford... thanks for sending him Dad

So I'm currently sicky icky pooo :( so lame. I've had a fever for two days now and I feel like someone has beaten me with a stick all over my body. But other than that, I'm great! Lol no I am feeling better today though. So hopefully this doesn't last long.

Sooo, we have 4 new baptism dates! Me and my comp are literally on fire! It feels so good!

So something I wanted to share this week is about the people that we meet and teach here. So many people in the CCM told me that I would find people that can only receive the gospel of Jesus Christ through me, and that is why I am called to where I am. I can truly testify of this, I have seen it so much this week! 3 out of the 4 people we are teaching and have committed to a baptismal date were taught in the past by other missionaries and didn't accept the gospel. But when we teach them they are so excited and so ready and the connection that we can feel in our lessons is indescribable. I know for a fact that I knew these people in the pre-mortal existence and promised them I would bring the gospel to them one day.

So this week I've been thinking about my past a lot... things I've done, the way I used to dress, who I represented myself as, how much I used to hate myself, all the struggle I went through… And at first I started to get down but then I snapped out of that real quick and realized where I am today, how far I've come. I think about my past and I am grateful for it, the good, the bad and everything in between. I know that everything prepared me to be who I am and where I am today. I am so grateful for the Atonement in my life. I know that Jesus Christ is my Savior and Redeemer and that He loves me. 

Shout out to Lynn Weisinger for my AMAZING ipod full of songs that relate to me on levels that I cant even explain!!! As I was laying in bed dying this morning I was listening to my amazing ipod and a song came on called "Beautiful Heart Break" the lyrics touched my heart so tenderly and applied to exactly how I was feeling. The chorus says, "All the fear, every doubt, all the pain I went through was the price that I paid to see this view, and now that I'm here. I would never trade..the grace that I feel and the faith that I find through the bitter sweet tears and the sleepless nights. I used to pray He'd take it all away...but instead it became a beautiful heart break." 

We go through things so that later on in life we can help someone, whether its ourselves or someone else. I am so grateful for the life I have. For the opportunity that I have to repent daily of my sins so that I can represent my Savior Jesus Christ in the best way possible. I love this Gospel so much! 

I hope everyone had a great Labor Day weekend! Don't worry I still LOVE AMERICA! I'm still my patriot redneck self!!! Love you all! 

xoxo

This is X--- Gave her a haircut and some bangin bangs!

Selfie of the week!

Can I Get A Hallelujah...

Howdy Errrrryone! 

This week has been simply amazing! But my oh my ohhhhhhhh so awful at the same time! haha

Lets begin with the awful... 

First off my companion is driving me INSANE. Like to the point of tears. She gets so frustrated when I don't understand her. It's gotten to the point where if I don't understand she just pretty much says, "Whatever, it doesn't matter"...uh yes, yes it does. So finally I lost it... okay not what you guys are thinking, I didn't completely crazy Morgann lose it. I just said "NO hermana! It does matter!" and "I want to understand so please have some patience with me and explain it again!" she rolled her eyes and explained it until I understood. Well, again with not being able to understand she was explaining a place where we could buy toilet paper that was close to our house cause we didn't have much time. From what I understood she was talking about the bakery....? So I asked "the bakery?" And she rolled her eyes and said "Noooooo" in a voice that was imitating a stupid person. I just said "Wow hermana forgive me for not understanding", walked into the bathroom and shut the door. And she continued to say "What hermana? Really?" I stayed in the bathroom for about 10 minutes so I could gather myself...  so no blows were thrown. After I came out she said "So explain to me what happened." And I said "It doesn't even matter hermana its over." (there was really no point in explaining cause she was still pissed and being rude so there was no getting through to her). She continued to complain about how I always give her dirty looks and she never says "Wow hermana" or "What hermana" *note that all of these quotes are in that same voice imitating me as a stupid person and mocking me for confronting her.  I just took a deep breath and looked her in the eyes and said "Well then maybe you should ask what happened, cause clearly I'm upset or a reason." She just looked away and we went off to buy toilet paper. When we got back to the house she tried to act like nothing happened. It's so hard. If you know me, you know I'm not the type of person who is afraid to confront someone or talk about a problem. But she's so unapproachable!! And the Spanish makes it harder for me because I can't really express how I feel. And she ALWAYS has to be right. But I'm pretty sure in 2 or 3 weeks we will be split up. So with lots of prayer and serving her I know I can make it. 

Another rough moment: 

So we had three baptisms this week, I'll share those details in a little bit. One of the men being baptized is a little bit bigger than the rest, and we didn't have white pants that would fit him. we searched ALLLLL OVER the town for a place to buy white pants for men in a large size and couldn't find them anywhere. Finally at 8 o'clock the night before the baptism I bought white fabric and took it to a seamstress and asked her to make a pair of pants! She said she could have them done by 3 o'clock the next day. The baptism was at 6:30. So the next day at 3 o'clock we return praying they came out okay... well, $25 and a lot of faith later we had the perfect pair of pants!  Struggle one: check! 

So we go to see the man who was getting baptized and he tells us he isn't ready, he has all these doubts, and isn't going to be baptized............... what? So we sat with him and talked with him and answered all his questions. Still a little fragile and unsure I said O-----o! We have something for you, and continued to take out the white shirt and pants we had for him and for his son J---s too. His eyes LIT UP! They both tried on their clothes and were completely glowing. And BOTH so excited for their baptism!   

Secondly, because they were all so special and come such a long way to be baptized I really wanted to make the service special. So we called all the members we knew to come to the service and I bought stuff to make a cake for afterwards! We don't have an oven so we had to do it in the house of a member. So we are teaching the sister of one of the members we are close to. So while the cake was baking we taught her. It was perfect! So after the lesson we went to check on the cake, as the girl was taking it out of the oven, what happens? It falls. Yup. Cake batter everywhere. The cake was ruined.  I literally started tearing up. It just sucked. I spent the last money I had on the pants and the initial stuff to make the cake and I was trying so hard to make this baptism perfect... and I felt like everything was just falling apart. I was at my wits end. I didn't have any money to buy a cake or the time to make a new one. I just wanted to cry. And my companion had no care in the world. I felt so alone. But I told myself that the fact that they are taking the step to become closer to our Savior through baptism is so special in itself.   I prepared a song and sang it at the baptism. The spirit was so strong and all three were baptized without any doubts!

Okay so my favorite tender mercy of the week! 

We were walking in the street and I hear someone yell "How are you!!!"(in English) I quickly turn around and see a sweet old man waving me down! So I walk towards him and he continues to speak in English to me and asks what am I doing in Ecuador.  I replied loud, proud, and for the first time in English "I am a missionary!!! for the church of Jesus Christ of latter day saints!" The feeling that over came me is indescribable. Something so little like that just changed my whole day around. We continued to chat and he told me how much respect he had for me and for what I was doing. That he knew how hard it must be to be away from home for such a long period of time, that he admired my faith and what I was doing. It was literally exactly what I needed. He didn't even know me but he expressed how much he appreciated what I was doing. Such a tender mercy and such a precious moment for me.

Me and my comp at our activity!

This week we had an activity in the park here! Me and my comp set up two tables with pamphlets, Book of Mormons, and all kinds of materials from the church.  We had members from the branch there with us to help us talk to people. We ended up talking to almost 20 people in the span of an hour! I sang in English and it was just so amazing! We are doing it every Tuesday now! 

Okay so the three baptisms! Yay!!!!!!!!! 

Me with O-----o and J---s at their baptism!

First O-----o and J---s:

So one day we came out of our apartment and as we walk out the door a man stops us and says "sisters! I need to talk to you! I've been praying for light and happiness in my life and I wanna know if you can help me".........…UH YES WE CAN HELP YOU! He continued to explain how his wife left him for another man about 4 years ago and ever since then has been trying to really find a church to attend and find the light of Christ in his life. He wasn't even supposed to work that day or in that location but someone asked him to cover for them and he said it was by the grace of God that he found us. We continued to teach him and his 9 year old son J---s. Two weeks later they are both baptized and confirmed members of the church! Well O-----o wasn't confirmed, he had to work on Sunday. But this Sunday he will be confirmed!!! 

And next R----r:

Me and R----r at his baptism!

We have been teaching R----r for a looonnngg time now! And during his whole process he really struggled with knowing if this was the true gospel of Jesus Christ. He was attending an Evangelist church and really felt that both gospels were true. We encouraged him to read the Book of Mormon and to pray specifically for his answer. One night he told us that he received an answer that he knew the Book of Mormon was true. And we asked him how he felt about his baptism, he said he felt cold and didn't think he should be baptized. Such a sad moment but I knew that eventually he would receive his answer that this is what he needed. I just didn't know how long that would take. I invited him to pray again specifically about his baptism. The next night when we visited him (three days before the baptismal date) we asked him again how he felt.... he replied, "good, calm, and happy" WHAT. OMG. TALK ABOUT A MIRACLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I literally just shouted "R----r I could cry right now!!!!" although in my head I really wanted to shout CAN I GET A HALLELUJAH!  He giggled and we planned the program for his baptism right then and there. The next day we brought him his clothes for the big day, he tried them on for us, and was simply glowing. You could see the light of Christ pouring out of him! I honestly didn't think I would personally see the day when R----r was baptized. Little did i know... tender mercies...tender mercies...

Witnessing these three men put their faith in the Lord has really strengthened my testimony! I think with all of us who are members of the church or who are learning more about the church, sometimes we don't know everything, we don't understand everything, and some things just seem plain crazy to us. But I KNOW even though I don't know everything and some stuff is mind boggling to me, I know that this church is the true church of Christ. Never have I ever come across another religion or church that has every single answer we need, in details! Even though I don't know all the answers I KNOW that they are there. And I know that when we put our faith in Jesus Christ, we are strengthened. 

Me and my companion filling up the baptismal font!

Another tender mercy I forgot to mention!!! 

Soooooooooooooo I taught the lesson all by myself in Sunday school on Sunday!!!! Completely in Spanish with no help! Planned it all by myself too! And the lesson was on our talents. I had everyone in the class right down their own special talents and explained how we all have them! And how we need to better them daily and share them with others! Well, the tender mercy part, during my lesson my mission leader rose his hand and said that he would just like point out that while we are talking about talents, this sister is here from the USA and didn't know any Spanish before she came. She's only been in Ecuador for almost 3 months and she already is teaching the lesson in class with confidence and great Spanish. This is a great demonstration of her talents and how she is sharing them with us. 

It really was such a sweet moment! 

I almost forgot!!!!! this week we also had a ward activity "a night of values" and me my comp and our ward mission leader were in charge of a value. So we chose charity or otherwise known as the pure love of Christ. 

I did the make up on our mission leader to make him look homeless. He wore grungy clothes and brought a card board sign. We had him sit out side of the church right next to the entrance reading a pamphlet about the gospel of Jesus Christ. The object was to see who reached out to him, showed him love, and invited him to join our activity. Every person that tried to show him love received a red paper heart during that hour that he sat outside the church while the members entered. Most walked right past him, only two young men stopped to reach out to him. Both whom are preparing for missions. The first young man brought him out two hot chocolates and some crackers and the second young man sat down and started to invite him inside. (still didn't even recognize it was a member of the branch until after they received their red hearts.) 

When the activity started we brought our mission leader inside and the branch was shocked when he revealed himself.  Later when it was our turn we talked about how every person no matter how they look, who they are, or where they are, needs the love of Christ in their lives. And because we have that love and have a testimony it is our responsibility to share it with the world. I did most of the talking...  I was pretty impressed with myself. Haha but it really was so spiritual and it really hit home for a lot of the members. Such a success. 

Our Branch Mission Leader

Me and my comp with the branch president's family! Don't worry I'm just a giant!

There's only una via or one way we should follow! And that's God's way!

I want to end this email with my testimony of something that has been heavy on my heart lately, the plan of salvation. I want to testify to you that I know that our Heavenly Father has a plan for all of us. That he knows us all personally. I know that after this life, there is so much more. I know that this life is preparation, a time to learn, and to grow and to try our best to be like our Heavenly Father and our savior Jesus Christ. I know that we are preparing so that one day we too can obtain exaltation, an exalted being, becoming exalted beings just as a Heavenly Father is. I know that our Heavenly father created not just this world but many worlds, and that one day we will too be able to do the same. Although I don't completely understand how, or understand the concept completely, I know it is true because I know that this Gospel is true. I know that if we understood it all, there would be no purpose in having faith. I know that it is when we don't understand or are mind boggled, is when our faith is most important. I know that God loves us. That Jesus Christ is my Savior and Redeemer. I am beyond grateful for the opportunity to serve, and to bring the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ to lives of many. 

I testify of these things in the name of my Savior and brother, Jesus Christ, 

Amen.

Answering a few questions....

This is for the girl who asked on my blog! 

Hermana Younce - I am heading out there in September and just had a few questions if you get time to answer that would be great! 1) What is the power outlet like? Do you think I'll need a converter? 2) Are there CD players in the apartments? 3) What is something clothing wise you forgot or would suggest for your new area? 4)Any other advice or tips?

The power out let is the same as it is in America! But if you're going to the Peru MTC its different. You won't need a converter! We have a cd player in our apartment! But I brought an ipod and a mini ihome for my music.

Something clothing wise I wish I had... would be more garments! I only brought 14 pairs and I wish I would've brought more!

Other advice and tips would be stay positive! It's rough out here! But the strength and faith you build as a missionary is unbelievable! Get in the habit of studying your scriptures. Don't let Spanish be your first priority! Make your testimony and your knowledge in English be the first!

Eyes of Faith

Hey Hey Heyyy! 

Lots of tender mercies this week! The Lord loves us! And boy oh boy is he always with us!!  

My struggle of the week was this past week was the 5 month anniversary of Brandon's death. My heart was heavy this week and I couldn't get him off my mind. I was also sick again this week and the nurses here gave me a sick day so i slept alllllllllllllllllllllllllllll day. One day and I literally had dream, after dream, after dream about B. Some of them were just flash backs to memories we had together and others were just dreams with him in it. When I woke up all I wanted to do was cry. I ended up calling the missions president's wife so i could just let my feelings out in English. Talking to someone about it helped a lot. But I was still in a weird funk. Then I really wanted a blessing. But a blessing in English that I could really understand and hear the things I needed to, to be okay. The mission president was supposed to come to the playas this week so I figured I could get one from him when he came. Well he didn't end up coming... a little bummed I just tried to shake off the funk and be strong. We went to our district meeting on Thursday. We had a new zone leader! FROM THE USA! AKA he speaks ENGLISH! Soooooo I asked him for a blessing after the meeting in English and it was amazing... just what I needed to hear. The next day I was reflecting on my blessing and all the other melt downs and what not I had this week and I remembered a tender mercy that I didn't even realize at the moment. When I was crying and melting down before I called the mish president's wife, my companion hugged me and said I don't know what your going through, but you know the plan hermana. Referring to the plan of salvation... our Heavenly Father's plan for all of us. And it hit me. What a blessing it is for me to know where Brandon is, what he's doing, and all the blessings he is going to be able to receive while with our Savior.  Hermana D---s (the wife of the mish president) taught us something a couple weeks back that we are to look with eyes of faith and to have a vision of the eternities not just right now.  So I closed my eyes and I imagined B dressed in white, with his cowboy hat on, sitting side by side with Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. And now every time I think about B I can't even try to cry tears of sadness. In fact I'm a little jealous of him! haha. But really,  I can't help but smile so big... not only because I know the plan God has for not only him but for all of us, but because i know he's here with me allll the time. I can feel him protecting me daily. And I couldn't be more grateful for that.

In memory of my perfect guardian angel B 

We have three baptisms coming up this week! I'm so excited! The people we are teaching right now are soooo amazing! 

Me and my comp are planning some suuuper awesome activities for the branch! First, this Tuesday, we are setting up tables in the main park here and we are gonna have hymns playing, pamphlets, Books of Mormon, pass along cards and all kinds of other church materials for people to look at. We are gonna teach them, explain things to them, invite them to come to church on Sunday, and get their info so we can visit them and continue teaching them. We are trying to get the branch more involved with working with us, so we invited them all to attend, to have the opportunity to share their testimonies and their knowledge of the gospel with others! 

Second, every Friday we are going to have family home evenings at the church for the branch and their friends! This gives us an opportunity to get more references so we have more people to teach! And the branch an opportunity to become more unified and family like. 

Third, we are planning a talent show!!!!!!!!!!!!! WHAT! So excited! 

These activities will really help the branch become more active and hopefully our chapel will have more than the normal 60 people in it. 

A mission isn't just about baptising people, it's about helping them endure to the end. And with allllll the MANY inactive members in the playas that's what we are trying to do. reactivate, and help endure to the end. 

Don't have a whole lots else to say! Things are great here! Spanish is great! We didn't end up getting new sisters this week! But for sure in September! Woo! 

Love y'all! Thanks for everything!

xoxoxo

Me and Y---y! Remember her? She was baptized a few weeks ago!

Me and J----! He's being baptized this weekend! Such a special boy!!!!

I made this sign to put on my backpack it says "Want to be happy? Ask me how"

 Hopefully it has the effect I want it to! 

Me and Morgann!!! The Avile's family kitty! They named her Morgann :))

 Okay well I made them name her Morgann, and I'm pretty sure they only call her Morgann when I'm there hahaha but it still makes me happy! haha

HAHAHA I just thought this was hilarious! How the kitty reacted to my comp