Yes! This week was transfers. I've been blessed with another six weeks to further the Lord's work here in El Paso.
This week has been a week of training.
So the reason I took a picture was because this train took 20 MINUTES to pass - that's right, 20 MIN. It began to be hilarious - my comp and I laughed and took a short video about 10 minutes in (see attached)
This week has been awesome! We received new tools to help us help our investigators keep commitments - one is a church card, and one is a baptismal calendar. The baptismal calendar is just what it sounds like - a calendar for our investigators to keep track of their appointments with us in relation to their baptismal date. The church card has space for them to write three reasons why they should go to church, when they need to get up, when they need to go to bed, and what they need to do to prepare to come to church on Sunday. It's pretty sweet!
Miercoles (Wed) was an AWESOME day!! We started reading the Book of Mormon with Linda, a less-active sister, and committed her to read the whole book by next Christmas! We went to the Family History Center to do some online training. There were three "viejitas" - little old ladies - there. One had a strong Mexican accent, but refused to speak Spanish with us. One had a very raspy voice, not unlike Ross from Monsters Inc, and one kept scolding herself: "Focus, Alice." "Alright, Alice, what are we doing?" "Get it together, Alice." It made concentration nearly impossible as we tried to suppress laughter. "These girls [us] must fink we're crasy, mija!" "Well, we are." "You're right my dear." :)
We then ran the hamster wheel trying to contact former investigators, potentials, referrals, and slippery investigators. We briefly saw Letty, who actually read!! We were super excited and so was she - she's understanding more and more. We'll see how far she gets next time we see her!
We had an AWESOME first lesson with the Familia Zamora. Eddie, 15, recently was baptized by the Montana Vista sisters, because his uncle lives in their area. Eddie and his family, however, live in our area! For an hour, we had a rapid-fire Q & A session. Julio, Eddie's sister Celeste's boyfriend, expressed a strong desire to change. He's done marijuana, as has Eddie, and feels like he wants to be a "better person." We testified that through the Atoning power of Christ, he could completely change his nature. Celeste and Esperanza, Eddie's other sister, had a lot of good questions as well - and Eddie, who was technically the member-present, offered input and clarified doctrine without being asked. We left them with a commitment to read Mosiah 27 for Julio and Mosiah 2 for the girls.
We saw Valeria. Her intended, Nefi, can't get divorced from his first wife without paying a huge debt of child support. The court was pushed out until March. We were afraid Valeria would push out her baptism until then, and continue living with Nefi. We went in, all ready for the bad news. We sat down. Before either of us could speak, she said to us, "I know I need to get baptized - I will talk to Nefi about moving out."
We were shocked, pleasantly surprised, and so very proud of her! What a shining example of faith. She's truly ready - and she's on date for Diciembre 17!
Jahayra and Oliver are preparing to be married. It's either going to be this weekend or next weekend - and then she'll be able to get baptized! She's so solid - every lesson we have with her is an on-fire testimony meeting. Super excited for her!
We had dinner at the Aguirre's. Talk about a confidence booster! Hermano Aguirre talked to us in rapid Spanish - and I was able to answer in (drumroll please...) RAPID SPANISH!!! Yes, It was awesome! We talked about the ward, certain less-active members - it was great.
I had several thoughts and feelings as I fasted yesterday. I thought, "I need to feel the Spirit more - oh, how I wish I could invite the Spirit more!" And then, the Christmas Devotional happened. Prayers are truly answered!!
That same night, our member cancelled last-minute. We scrambled - we begged the Mendozas (ward missionaries) to come with us, and they were able to come!
NEVER do that, by the way; always ask members to come with you as soon as the appointment is set, preferably a WEEK ahead of time.
Speaking of time, I'm out.
Love, love, love,
Hermana Smurthwaite
More photos -
SO there is a huge oil refinery near our house- and they decided to change their lights from white to Christmas colors.
It's HUGE- this picture, the 4th one, is only about a quarter of the refinery.
We did a service project! It was fun!
(I know, I blinked)
Awesome angle-shot, there.
It's... a-DOOR-able!
Little joke there. Love you!
(long day+the Lord's work=awesomeness!!!)
Love!
Hna S
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