The letter is a bit earlier this week because we have a conference with the President of the Caribbean tomorrow all day. And I was chosen as one of 2 missionaries in my zone to have an interview with him. I don't know why or what it means but the opportunity to sit down one on one with the area president is pretty cool and I am excited.
This week was filled with its ups and downs as always (but don't worry...I still love my mission and wouldn't trade this experience for anything). I'll start on Wednesday. Every single Wed we teach 2 families. One at 6:30 and the other afterwards and then we head home again. The first is Enrique and Rosa and their 3 kids. They aren't married but said that they've been talking about it. Rosa is pregnant right now though so they're going to wait a bit if they decide to get married. They kids are super cute and so prepared. We watched a movie with them a few weeks ago about the blessings of the gospel and it shows a family getting baptized in it. Afterwards the little girl asked why baptism is essential and if it is possible for anyone to get baptized. She's 7. We've been teaching them for almost 11 weeks now and still not a ton of progress but we think that Rosa is softening a bit and we just want to see them accept the gospel so we continue on. For the last 6 weeks we have invited a family from the ward to come with us to the visits. They are recent converts with young kids who weren't married when they were being taught by the missionaries (basically the same situation). Every week they tell us they'll come on Sunday and then cancel on Wednesday. Finally, this week they said they could come. We were overjoyed because maybe their testimony and friendship can help this family finally accept the gospel.
On our way to the appointment, Enrique called and said that they couldn't visit with us. The first time in 11 weeks...the time that the other family FINALLY could come...they weren't there. I watched Hermana Ozuna's face fall as she was on the phone and my heart sunk too. After she hung up we called the other family (Marcos and Juana) to see if we could still visit them. This family is basically the same story. Their nephew is a less active that we were visiting (I'll tell you more about Alfredo later) and then we started teaching everyone. They have 2 kids and are fantastic! They are saying family prayer and reading a bit together. Our only struggle with them is getting them to come to church at 8:20 in the morning and still have yet to accomplish this after 10 weeks of teaching them. But we know that with time they will understand more and want to come. Unfortunately, Marcos and Juana were randomly not home either...for the first time in 10 weeks...the time that the other family FINALLY could come.
We walked to the member's house where we were meeting the other family. As we sat down I watched Hermana Ozuna put her face in her hands and after so much time together I went over and asked her to step into the other room with me (of the 2 room house). We sat down on the bed and she started to cry. Hermana Ozuna never cries. She expressed how much she wants these families to accept the gospel and how frustrating it was that when we finally had someone to come with us that might help change things that they couldn't visit with us. I felt her frustration and the sadness of this whole thing. We said a prayer, cleaned ourselves up, and walked back into the other room. We asked the members if they would be willing to have a family home evening with us because the other family couldn't meet with us. We had an improvised lesson on the atonement and shared our testimonies and it was actually really spiritual.
We left that appointment with our hearts a little down. We still had about 45 minutes before we went back to the house. None of our other investigators in the area were home and we still felt a little down from all of this. There is no way to describe the great love and hope that you develop for others in the mission. You want so much for them and put everything that you have into the work and when things like that fall through it's hard.
We started walking and passed a row of apartments. After a few minutes we decided to turn back and go visit one. Only one had a light on and so we went there first. The lady welcomed us in even though she was cooking. We had just planned on putting another apointment with her but she asked us to share a message (sign number one of a good visit...when THEY ask YOU). We started to teach her a bit about Jesus Christ and then she interrupted us and asked us to explain what our church was like. She has been looking for a church closer to her with programs for her son who is 12. We explained the 3 hour block and the young men's program and she said, "When can I come?" We left that visit so full of gratitude and in tears once again. She didn't end up coming to church and we can't get ahold of her...but in that moment Heavenly Father knew that we needed something to help lift our spirits again. And even though nothing may ever come of it, in that moment we were able to have a good lesson with someone interested. Our prayers were answered and we found the motivation to keep going once more. Our Heavenly Father definitely is aware of us and our needs and our worries.
We have many people right now that we are teaching that don't seem to be progressing or super interested but we just feel good about it so we keep going. We always remind ourselves that maybe some people will take months or years to accept the gospel. One of them is Alfredo. When we contacted him he pretended to be an investigator. After 3 visits we finally had a member with us who informed us that he's a less active. haha. I feel like something happened to make him change his mind and he won't tell us but you can tell when someone has hurt in their eyes. We keep teaching him and I think that with some more time he will remember the testimony that he once had.
We are teaching one lady who agreed to let us teach about Christ but not religion. So we always go and talk a little about our Savior. Yesterday however he husband was there and asked about the Book of Mormon. We were stoked because she can't get mad at us for answering her husband's question and we were able to teach them about the book. I know that with time she will feel the spirit of the message and maybe have questions like her husband and then we can teach more of the gospel.
One other girl we visit is named Lisbeth. Hermana Ozuna has been visiting her since she came to this area (6 months). Lisbeth used to be a successful girl. Graduated from college, was really put together, social. Then something happened and her parents say she just came home one day and didn't talk anymore or get ready and dropped out of school. When Hermana Ozuna met her she didn't talk at all. When I came she talked very little and when we invited her to leave with us she always had a reason not to. But lately we have been able to have a bit of a conversation with her. On Sunday she came with us to a fireside at the institute and afterward asked if she could visit the insitute more. We told her of course! and showed her the game room and told her about the activities. She isn't very interested in religion but we are helping her first by being her friend and then someday I know she will accept the gospel.
Well everyone, the church is true! I know that if we are humble and try to accept the Lord's will and His direction in our lives then everything will work out the way that it is supposed to. He is so aware of us and His needs. He loves us and wants us to come back to him so badly. This week look for someone that you can befriend. Maybe you can't share the gospel right away but with patience and love you can share the message of the Savior through your example. He loves us and with Him we can do all things.
Con mucho amor,
Hermana Ewell
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