September 16, 2013

Hola Familia!!!

What a week. We taught 24 lessons, and were just running all over the place! It was a ton of fun. And MIRACLES every day. Last time I mention S- she is still going strong, being amazing, and is just always one step ahead of us. S is preparing for her baptism this upcoming Saturday and we are getting excited.

So Wednesday we were biking away from a lesson when this lady stopped us and said, "hey I have an investigator for you! It's my husband - he wants to be taught!" So we went by that night and got to know Sa little. Basically he's been taught by the elders before, but now the time is right. We set a date for October 19. When we were talking to Elder Bennett (DL) that night he seemed a little wary because he'd taught him before. Friday we had an incredible lesson. He told us about some experiences he's had that have led up to this point - he was crying as he talked about his father's death and how he knew God was there. It was so powerful. We found out later that he stayed up for four hours that night just crying because of what he had felt during that lesson.

Saturday night both S and S came to the adult session of stake conference. It was so crazy when they met each other. This is pretty much how it went:

S: "so you're gonna get baptized too?"

S: "yeah!"

S: "me too!"

Sitting in between them was surreal. Our experiences with S and now with S have just humbled me so much, to see how the Lord prepares people and puts them in our paths. We are just his instruments. 

So Elder Bennett, who was skeptical before, talked to S for a while after. When talking to us later he said he was amazed by how changed he is. He's more humble and ready. Now's the time! We had a lesson with him last night and brought T this hilarious and on-fire recent convert of the elders. He and S connected on a lot of things, and he bore powerful testimony. We didn't do much talking. :) But at the end of the lesson we asked what S thought about his baptism date. He said, "Honestly, I feel like it's too far away." So... new date is in two weeks! Speed teaching. 

It's hard to include all that's happened this week. Stake conference was cool, because the adult session was all about missionary work (woohoo) and then Sunday was a regional broadcast from SL for 116 stakes in the valley. Elder Nelson spoke about how this is the heart of the church, so there is great responsibility to be strong in righteous living and also knowing the doctrine. It's funny because people joke about missionaries in Utah, and members wonder what exactly we do here, but honestly this is the coolest mission in the world. This is the heart of the church! There is SO much work to be done, and to be so close to headquarters and have 4 temples in sight is incredible. I have a ton of Salt Lake City South mission pride.

Every day this week we learned more and more reasons as to why we are here in this area. It comes especially from the sisters. We've been working with one Relief Society a lot in particular, and she just has so much on her shoulders and we can be a great help for her in teaching and serving the sisters. They are so happy to have sister missionaries! Everyone is, and at times it’s a little overwhelming but very humbling. 

We already have so many close friends here. The B family is one of our favorites. Sister B was so excited to have us here from the moment we arrived (they were the first members we met - her husband is the High Councilor over missionary work in the stake) and loves when we involve her in the work. Sister B wasn't feeling well one night so we did splits and Sister B was my companion. It was so much fun! We had dinner with them last night and it was a blast.

Speaking of dinner, here's a food story for ya. So I have come to realize how much I hate cheesy things (I'm a cheese snob - it has to be done tastefully). My comp knows this. So we went over to this family's house for dinner and we were all excited and hungry when she says, "I thought we'd have soup tonight!" and pulls out a bag of cheesy broccoli soup. I died. And then, "I'll make some grilled cheese to go along with it" and she proceeds to throw slices of Kraft singles on slices of bread smeared with butter. I could feel the heart attack coming. Sister Bingham was trying hard not to laugh at my face. Suffice it to say that I make it known now how much I love vegetables.  

So that's the sparknotes version of the week! It's been amazing, we have so much fun, are getting rained on all the time, and the miracles keep comin. Oh and last P-day we went to boondocks in Draper with our district - go karts and laser tag! It was so much fun.

Love you all! Miss you!

Hermana Nelson