This week I experienced a miracles and desafíos (difficulties). The first experience that I had, was at a baptism, me and one of my companion went to of one of the investigators of the Hermanas in our district. As a goal of our zone, we planned to invite our nuevos fechas ( investigator with Baptismal date) to the baptism so they can experience what the service is like. We planned to invite 3 of our fechas including 3 menos activos. Only 2 of our menos activos came, and 0 fechas. It was a bummer, however, the miracle happened with the menos activa Elsie. She has been inactive for most of her life, she 16 years old, and doesnt even remember her own baptism. We have been trying really hard to get her back to church, so far she has been really closed off and shy. I think it has been hard for her because she knows she has to change her life to come back to church. The truth is hard to hear. For a while, we werent sure if she was going to progress. But the Lord showed us people can and have desires to change.
She on her own went to a Noche de Hogar activity and she went with us to the baptism! So after we got to the church, we left her with the people who were attending the baptism and walked to get our other menos activa. When we came back with our menos activa, Elsie's little 8 year old brother was there with her! This was a miracle because this little boy wanted us to teach him, he had desires to be baptized! We didn't even think to invite him. The Lord inspired someone to bring him, it was super chévere! Elsie was welcomed by all the youth, and gave her kisses and hugged her (latinos are very touchy and loving, this is the way that they show love) They welcomed her as if she was already apart of the family and she wasn't even gone! The Lord wanted us to reach out to this family, I still believe that they have a long way to go, but at least they know that there is a way, and they have people that can help them.
Also Giovanna, got baptized this week!!! we were so happy for her and she was definitely prepared for us! I took some pictures before the baptismal service!
My second experience was really difficult. Sunday mornings, some of the members and the missionaries in the ward meet to go walk to menos activos and investigators houses for church. We planned on inviting 6 amigos, only 2 came. We could not get anyone out of their houses. One of investigators with a fecha, was not able to come for some strange reason, and she never came. Giovanna and Francisco came to church, but did not stay the whole 3 hours of church. That was really frustrating, they do not understand the importance of going to church yet! Then We went to go plan Francisco's week before his baptismal date which is this Saturday and the family told us that Francisco cannot be baptized this week because they have a really trip to take to see a relative and will not return until Sunday. We were devastated and frustrated because there are cambios this Saturday (transfers) and we may not be able to see him get baptized...lots of not so easy things happened that day.
One thing I learned is that, through the good and bad times, the Lord is blessing us. and even though we are not perfect, and people reject us, and not understand the importance of their salvation, we still have ours. We still know that this church is true, and if it is not going to get through to them, its going to get through to us. There is only one way to happiness and eternal life, and that is through the Savior. He descended below all, so we can be raised up and live with our father in Heaven. I love this Gospel and I know my Savior lives. This work is so hard, but Vale la Pena. Vale la Pena means it is worth it...Salvation isn't easy, but its worth it!
I love you all
Hermana Arnold
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