Week 8 in Azteca

     So this week was full of its ups and downs.  It was pretty difficult, not because of Spanish, but stress and emotionally.  So primero,  Huracán Patricia...creo.  We definitely heard about it, crazy.  All we got was lots of ran and wind -nothing too serious.  Wasn't even hard rain -just lasted forever.  But, the first day, Presidente Mejorada made us take precautions and we had to buy 3 days worth of food and water -just in case we were unable to leave the house.  It rained all Friday and Saturday morning, but by the time we had to leave the house, (we leave around 12:30-1:00 everyday), the rain had stopped and we were able to have a normal day.  So now we have a whole bunch of food in our house and no time or stomach space to eat it -jaja- oh well.  Had an interesting week.  It was kinda difficult and all because of one investigator, Nicolas.  So he has a baptismal date for the 31 de Octubre. a little less than 1 week now. We have had a hard time getting a hold of him to see or visit.  No se por que, but we call him everyday and he always answers- he's just busy or something or other happens.  ugh.  But, finally he talked to us for a little bit via telefono and he expressed to us his concerns for baptim and was backtracking a bit on his earlier decision to be baptized. So we met with him right away, and the first lesson did not have the spirit.  So we stopped it and told him to come back later that day.  The next lesson was so much better we had two other recent converts with us -Ricardo and Isabel.  They bore their testimonies on baptism and we all bore our testimonies on the truth of the  gospel and the blessings of baptism.  The spirit was tan fuerte!  It was awesome -one of my favorite lessons, so we left it, feeling very optimistic.  Pero, he told us he was coming to church on Sunday and he never showed up... not sure why -so we have to talk to him today.  Its just full of ups and downs with him. He's been an investigator for 3 years and only just started coming to church regularly.  We are hoping we don't have to change his baptismal date, but that just might be what's neccessary.  Although we continue to try and stay optimistic, it's times like these where all we can do is focus on the spirit and what the Lords will for him. What would he have me do.  On another note, we got a new investigator!!  She just showed up to church -she was an antiguo investigador, I met her very very briefly my primer Cambio.  She showed up and asked to be baptized...so naturally we were super excited!! We are meeting with her Martes y Jueves to see what she wants and what she needs. But, should be awesome!

     Ok, so my spiritual thought for this week, actually came from the experience of Huracán Patricia,  I was reading this morning a talk by Presidente Thomas S. Monson,about being prepared, and it came to me the importance of that.  Normalmente I would ohave disregarded a talk on personal preparedness as not as important as other things in my life right now.  I mean food storage, being debt-free.   They are  just suggestions right?..NO! It came to me that we can choose certain storms in our lives to AVOID! Choose to avoid them, by choosing to be prepared.  God cares for every aspect of our lives- both spiritual and temporal.  Entonces, we need to be prepared for both, both are important and connected, like our bodies and our spirits are connected, and at one point will be connected for eternity.  How can we expect to prepare ourselves for the eternities if we can't prepare ourselves for the temporal things we face today?  Also, this is something that Heavenly Father, through many prophets and apostoles, have told us we need to do.  Why is it so easy to disregard.  It is something our Father in heaven has counseled us on and we would do well to follow it.   I realized that our lives can be unpredictable and we need to take precautions now while we can.  

     I love you guys very much it looks like everything is going pretty well at home! tell preston I said HAppy Birthday!!

Con Amor

Hermana Sever

Week 7 in Azteca

 

    So this week was awesome!  I had my first baptism on the 17th, with Citlali.  Elder Capener de Colorado baptized her- he is our district leader.  Her dad showed up which really surprised us and we were super happy about that.  I had the opportunity to sing at her baptism very short notice, but I was a little bit emotional and a lot a bit nervous!  But, the spirit was soooooo strong and it was a great baptism and the speakers were awesome.  Citlali was adorable- she was crying the entire time but beaming too- haha!  She bore her testimony at the end.  It was an awesome experience and I'm so happy for the opportunity God has given me to be apart of the process of helping Citlali come unto Christ.  It was easily the highlight of my week. 

      This week I have felt more than usual the love from others, especially my investigators.  I have received in the past 2 weeks around 8-10 letters and assorted gifts from my investigators and members.  Even from people who don't know us, but we might have helped or taught at one point.  It's been really great.  We also have a new investigator-actually a couple-  4 to be exact -which is awesome!  First Felipe; he is joven (young) of probably about 19, but I'm not quite sure. He works at an ice cream shop that we stopped by to contact. Turns out his sister is a member but he wasnt interested, but he seems interested now.  He's agreed to a baptismal date and has already talked to his parents about it.  On the other side of the spectrum we have an older lady -not sure her age, but definitley older.  Her name is Mercedes and she is a sweetheart.  She loves us and the message of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. She's almost like an older version of Citlali.   She came to church and loved it!  She was talking to everyone and  making friends.  She wants to get baptized.  Her family is going through a rough time right now, and she knows that the gospel can help her --it's really awesome! 

     It's amazing the love you can feel for people you hardly even know. Literally, even the people I have known since my first week or day en el campo (the field).  I can hardly have a full conversation with people, and yet, all I want is for them to be happy.  The mission has a way of doing that to people.  

     Ok- so this week, I have been working on ponderizing a scripture. It's Jacob 4:10, dice "Wherefore, brethren, seek not to counsel the Lord. But, to take counsel from his hand, for behold ye yourselves  know that He counseleth in wisdom, and in justice and in great mercy, over all his works."  Thats one of my favorites because it's always been something that I know is true, but that I have had to seriously work at, and am still working on.  No matter what, when come faced with whatever situation, good or bad, what do you do?  Try to figure out a solution yourself-  go to self-help books, other people even.  All may be good references.  But the ultimate reference is that of your Heavenly Father, who knows all things and knows what you NEED to do in order to receive interminable felizad (eternal happiness).   Don't try to counsel the Lord, saying I know myself and this is what I need to do, but SEEK  ye the kingdom of God first.  Before ye seek for riches seek ye for the kingdom of God.  In every aspect of life, Heavenly Father wants you to come to Him for all things no matter how small or insignificant they might seem.  Don't be afraid to form a relationship with him, and don't be afraid to act on what inspiration or feelings you might receive.  I hope all of you are well, and that everything is going good.  thanks for everything.  

Con Amor

Hermana Sever

Week 6 in Azteca

    

(pictures above are sisters in our area, and pictures of the families in the bishopric)

 El tiempo se va bien rapido.  Its been 3 months!!!! Just ended my first transfer en el campo.  It's loco crazy.  It was super interesting this cambio being my first.  It was super sad and exciting at the same time,  We basically got an entirely new zone.  I'm pretty sure me and Hermana Sanchez were the only companionship to not change, and one of our Lideres de ZOna and un ELder went home! It's so sad because you realize you might not see some of these people again, but it's also super exciting because they get to go home and see there familias, or they get to expereince a new area and new people so its bitter sweet!     
     The ward I live in is decent size-I don't think it's as big as the ones we have at home.  There are more members where we live, so the wards are bigger.  The members and bishopric, even the stake presidency are super supportive.  This past sunday I went to church twice, because one of our investigadores could only go to an earlier session, and I listend to a talk by (I belive) a 12 year old.  Although he looked like he was a couple years younger than jayden.   Mother...It was the most amazing thing I had ever heard...He didn't take notes- just expanded upon scriptures and quotes...his talk was a good 20 min. long!! And he didn't even read off anything!!  He was just speaking -it was crazy!  Literally better than most talks given by adults -easily.  I was so impressed to say the least.       I have my first baptism this week! I'm so excited- Citlali is so excited and super prepared.  I'm so happy for the decision she has made to follow the example of Christ, It's going to bless her life so much more than she knows. I'm grateful for the opportunity I had to be apart of it from the very beginning!  It's bien padre!
      It was great to get your pictures.  I showed it too all of my investigadores!  They were like woah your dad is so tall and why do you have 2 Samoan brothers-  referring to Jayden and Preston- who they think is too buff to comprehend.  haha .  They thought he was black, and this was the elderes!  jaja!  It was really funny.  They also think Sidney looks older than me..no big deal.  jaja.   But, yea lots has been happening, I'm super excited for the opportunity I to stay in Leon for at least another 6 weeks.  Time flies in the mission.  
     So anyway, something I wanted to share with you was the movie, The Other Side of Heaven!  jaja.   Now I haven't watched it, but the mensaje (message) from the president of the mission was about it. If you guys watch it or have seen it you'll realize that this missionary literalmente went through just about every trial possible.  All of us have trials, temptaions, etc in our lives.  It's a part of God's plan and it helps us to learn and grow.  One thing I have learned and want to apply more in my life, is having more fe (faith) en  Jesu Cristo.  Alone, we might not be able to get through trials...literalmente, whats seems imposible, just might be, but with Cristo, all things are posible, ALL is posible, and all can be done where you will gain a greater trust in your Saviour, and be happier and stonger.   It's all because of our Savior and Redeemer Jesu Cristo, whom I am eteranally greatful for.  So trust in Him.  Don't try to get through things alone.  The smallest act of fe en Cristo can bring about many great milagros en sus vidas (miracles in our lives).  I know this is true,  and I hope that  this helps somebody from back home in some way or another.  A scripture that goes along with is Genesis 26:24, look it up!!! haha ¨Fear not, for I am with thee...¨ and I remembered a quote from a talk in the Liahona - ¨True posterity in this world comes from balance of providing for our families while also loving and serving the Savior.¨ Everything requires balance in this life.  Love all of you so much!

Con Amor

hermana Sever

Week 5 in Azteca

    MY address in the Mission is Malinalco #513 Azteca Leon, if you want to look up a pic of where I live!  By the way- fun Fact- I am the only American girl to come to this mission this year so far!! Crazy right!!  There are literally maybe 10 American girls in the mission, really odd.     

I      loved conference and I was able to watch it in English with one other American Hermana and the American Elderes.   The testimonies of the apostoles really confirmed to me that they were called of God.   I'm excited to see whats in store for the church.  Elder Holland's talk was one of my favorites!!!  I am very grateful for you mom! Always have beenI   love and miss you and I am so grateful for the example you and dad have been to me, You have been the main influences in my life,(of course)  This conference talked a lot about, the responisbilty of parents, letting the Lord mold us, and the Sabbath day to keep it holy.  I know that these are the things that we all need to realize the importance of in our lives.  I was blessed with goodly parents just like Nephi, and I'm forever grateful for the opportunity the Lord gave me to be put into such a wonderful, blessed family,and to have known, the gospel my entire life.   THE CHURCH IS TRUE! 

     We have another Fecha!! i(baptism date)  It's for the 31 de Octubre!! So pumped -it's with our investigator Nicolas.  We also committed his sister Angelica, and a couple other people this week- like Aurora and Jorge..(again) and Luis..(again).  We have to recommit them when they don't go to church-it can make things difficult.  But, Nicolas is going to church and wants to get baptized.  When we asked, he was like , ´´Si, ¿Que Necesito Hacer?´´ YAY!  (yes...what do I need to do?)...it was awesome, I think this is it for him! I'm totally pumped!  So this week next week be week 6 in the mission field my first CAMBIO!!  Can you belive it>  I'm in shock...Time flies...El tiemp se va muy rapido.(thats like my favorite phrase in spanish -that and Tengo Hambre.  So yea things have been pretty great here,. Surprisngly it's been really warm this week, and no rain- so no need for a jacket...yet.  But the nights and mornings are getting colder.  Spansih is coming -I'm improving poco a poco.  haha.  I'm having a blast though! I'll send pics!-

Con Amor

Hermana Sever