Milagros and opposition

7/22/2013

 

In the Book of Mormon, it says that there must be opposition in all things or we would not be able to choose the good, or, in some cases, to appreciate the miracles. This week has been one of miracles.

It was approaching transfers, the time every 6 weeks when it is determined if a missionary will leave or stay. The President of the mission determines this and we don't find out until the Sunday before the change. At any rate, we were both worried about this, but in part because we began to see so many miracles! All we wanted was one baptism together.... well, on Wednesday we discovered some records of individuals who did not appear baptized! They were participating members of the church, but had not been baptized with the correct name! Thus, we were able to baptize Winston Gomez this Sunday! I was afraid I wouldn't feel the joy from it because we really didn't have to help him prepare, but I did. I was so happy for him at his baptism this Sunday. It was truly marvelous. As always when we approach something good like that, there was opposition. We had to change the time suddenly because of a training for some leaders at the iglesia and the baptismal clothes didn't fit very well...there were several things that were trying to frustrate the work. But things went smoothly because we were one step ahead on all counts. Thank goodness for the miracle!

 

Also, we have another person who doesn't appear to be baptized. He's less active, so this is actually an amazing opportunity for him. He wants to be cleaned of his sins and Viola! he can be once again. He can start over new! We actually get to teach him all his lessons, but we're going really quickly with it because he already knows it all. Another miracle!

Then, Leticia and her son Gustavo suddenly said they want to be baptized and set a date in August. What! Leticia still has to get married or stop living with her 'esposo' before she can get baptized, but she actually committed to a date!

With all these miracles, Hermana Sanchez and I were incredibly sad at the prospect of her leaving.

But...the Lord loves us A LOT! She's staying with me for another 6 weeks! With faith, we'll be able to help all of our investigators with fechas make the wonderful commitment of baptism!! So incredible!

That is really my biggest news for the week. I just can't help but marvel at how far I have come since I started. I love this area. I love Laguna Seca' (apart from my being eaten alive by possibly the most aggresive and invisible mosquitos ever despite my efforts). I love the people. I truly love it. I am so happy to be able to be here for another exchange with my companion so we can both help our investigators be baptized and continue to live the gospel! I really can't express it enough.

The people here express so much love and are so hospitable! Am I gushing... Perhaps a little.

One more note before I go. The mission zone has changed. Mission Sur where I am now mostly consists of Guatemala City and two other areas that are not in the capital. That means that I could potentially be spending a fair amount of my mission in a city. Not actually sure I'm excited about that. I'd much rather stay in somewhere like Laguna Seca where it's peaceful and beautiful. One perk to the city would be the decrease in mosquitos. But, who knows. :) Ok, I have to go. I love you all! Take care!

A tarantula we found on our front porch one morning. Hermana Sanchez wanted to capture it to be our mascot, but when we tried, we both chickened out and ended up just killing it. 

 

Hermana Francisca and her daughter, daughter in law and grandkids.