What a week! Hermana Ruiz and I are seeing so many miracles that I am not sure which experiences to share this week. I love working with her and I feel like we are both so focused that we are seeing some truly incredible things happen here in Conani.
There is a quote from President Monson about how there is nothing more sweet than acting and later finding out you had followed a prompting. I agree. Last week the relief society president asked us to help coordinate a service for the next week and mentioned that one sister might know who needs help. We decided to go to this sisters house instead of call her and we went in street clothes in case she needed help. As we arrived she seemed really flustered and we offered out help. She was reluctant at first but as always, I don't accept no for an answer and grabbed a broom to start cleaning. A little bit later as we helped her get lunch ready she asked us who told us that she needed help that day. We just smiled and admitted it must have been the spirit. She then talked about how sweet It is to know that Heavenly Father is aware of her.
We visited a less active, victor, as well. He got baptized 9 months ago and then quickly went inactive. He is a single dad and has wanted to quit smoking. The branch suggested one sister who had problems with cigarettes in the past to come with us. We talked about the word of wisdom and gave the majority of the time to the sister. She shared such a powerful testimony of someone who came from smoking many packs a day to an active member in the church. The missionaries gave her 4 days to quit and she did it. We invited victor to set a goal of when he was going to stop. He asked his daughter when she would like him to put the date and she said, "today!" So he agreed. He then shared how he wants to set the example for his posterity so that they can be strong and know who Jesus Christ is. The spirit was so strong in the lesson. On Sunday he came to church and it was wonderful to see him with his daughter there.
We taught another less active family this week who have been talking about getting divorced. We felt that we should talk about the anti nephi lehies and burying our weapons of war to be able to follow Christ. We invited the senior missionaries to come with us and e lesson was perfect. For the first time they both listened and weren't looking to attack the other. Then we had the. Write down what weapon they were going to bury to be able to have peace in their home. The spirit was really strong and I felt like we finally touched their hearts. When we put The Lord first everything else falls into place. The wife had to work Sunday but the husband came with their 2 kids.
We are teaching an elderly lady who had a stroke and can't talk very well. She was a reference from the relief society president. It is incredible though to be able to teach her and understand what she says. I know it is the spirit helping us in the same way it helps me understand and speak Spanish. She chose her own baptismal date for June 8 and I am excited to help her prepare to make that covenant.
I talked about Erika and chicos family last week and am pleased to announce that we are seeing progress with them still. We had a couple lessons with them this week that were incredible. The first one the kids were all bathed and dressed and ran out of the house down the mountain to meet us on the way up. It was so cute. The first one we invited a member of the branch presidency with us and we talked about sacrifice. The whole family was there and they all participated. Chico was so open and welcoming to us and commented that you don't notice how many blessings you are missing out on when you don't do as The Lord wishes. Then later he said he realizes that the church is led by imperfect people and that we can't let our salvation hang on someone else and their poor decisions. That is huge since that was the reason he left the church. Then as we were leaving we said we'd see them at church and he said, "if God allows it." (That's a saying here. After everything they say si Dios lo permits or if god allows it). Then Chico added, "Dios lo permitira or and god will allow it." The change in him is unbelievable.
A few days later on Saturday I felt like I should fast for Chico and Erika. I wasn't sure why and honestly didn't really want to but I followed the prompting and started a fast that they would come to church and have the strength to stay active. We decided to pass by and see how they were doing and found out Chico and the baby were both really sick. Erika seemed really distressed. We shared a message with her and promised her that if she would kneel down with her family and pray in faith that Chico and the baby would get better then The Lord would provide the way for them to come to church. She agreed to do it. It was really neat to realize as we left that the prompting to fast for them had been real. They didn't make it to church on Sunday but they were at least feeling better in the afternoon and Erika was able to come to the relief society activity. I am so proud of the progress of this family and amazed at the miracles The Lord is allowing to happen with them.
Of course not everything is perfect. We had our apartment manager come yell at us for not paying the water, which the office should do. We had plenty of soaking wet days when no one seemed to be home so we were in the pouring rain. We had an investigator that was getting ready for baptism give us an hour long lecture about punctuality after we were late for the appointment. My companion and I both started crying because he was so rude to us. He told us he never wants to see us again or hear about the church. That was rough. But the beautiful sweet moments that we have swallow up the bitter ones and soon you don't even notice those hard things. I absolutely love my mission. I love every second of it. I love the people that I serve and who I am blessed to serve with. I invite you all to find a way to fix your gaze upward and have an eye single to the glory of god. As you strive to put him first and make him the center for everything you will find that all falls into place and he provides miracles for you. What a wonderful and humbling blessing it is to be here. I love All. Have a wonderful week!
Hermana Ewell
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