We have truly been blessed and humbled this week.
We contacted Evelyn, a media referral. She sounded about 30-40 over the phone, and had requested a Bible. We called her, set up an appointment, and brought the Bible, along with a Book of Mormon and a Restoration Pamphlet. She answered the door. Turns out she's 23, has a three-year-old daughter, and has sincere desires to come closer to God. We taught that God is your Loving Heavenly Father and shared the Prince of Peace video - the spirit was so strong!! She's had some rough times lately - she told us she had a miscarriage and several resulting health problems. She's worried that if she dies, her sick mother won't be able to take care of her daughter. She's an amazing daughter of God and we are so blessed that technology allowed us to find her!
On Tuesday, we got 5 new investigators! That was a miracle - and two of them, Irma and Sergio Granados, now are on date to be baptized May the 13! We had an amazing lesson with a member in our ward also named Granados, funnily enough, although they're not related. We had planned to teach God is your loving Heavenly Father, but the Spirit guided our member to testify of the restoration and Joseph Smith. We testified of the Book of Mormon, and asked them to be baptized, and they, as a couple, agreed to be baptized May 13! It was a miracle, and I know if we missionaries had gone in there by ourselves, we would not have been blessed with that miracle.
My companion's stomach has been suffering because of all the chile, dairy, spice, and gluten of El Paso, so on Wednesday after our interviews with President Guffey, two amazing members, the Ferrons, drove us an hour and 45 minutes both ways to see Doctor Larken, a member doctor she had seen before in her last area. We couldn't take our mission vehicle, because of restricted miles. Even as we drove, we could tell the Ferrons were having a hard time - their son, who is living in Juarez, was on the phone with them. Hermana Ferron was crying. It truly was a huge sacrifice by them to drive us to the doctor. Hermano Ferron is a trucker - he'd just gotten back from Georgia and hadn't yet rested. Then, we dropped him off on the way back so he could drive to Juarez to pick up their son. Go, go, go without a break! They are outstanding.
We've been seeing some success from going to seminary once a week. The youth say hi to us when they see us now - and they're sharing the gospel with their friends! Miracles are everywhere.
Valeria is very excited - she's officially getting married on April 22 so she can get baptized on April 30! She's already rented a salon to have the wedding in - and we try to go and read with her daily in the Book of Mormon. She's a bit stressed, but once the craze and the party's over, hopefully she'll be able to calm down and focus on her goal of being baptized and sealed in the temple.
To further the Prince of Peace effort, we printed off slips of paper with #PrinceofPeace and mormon.org on them, cut them up, and put them inside plastic Easter eggs. We gave two eggs to each youth and challenged them to share it with their friends. We've been sharing the video with everyone, and one of our investigators, Nalleli, who's been struggling to read the Book of Mormon, went online and watched all the Principles of Peace videos and tried some of the activities! It was a miracle.
We found a new investigator named Mary Sol. She's living with a member in our ward and has read a good chunk of the Book of Mormon! She's so prepared, and we hope to baptize her soon! :) Miracle.
Irma and Sergio came to church! So did Fernanda, our 15-year-old investigator. So did the Sidas, a less-active family we hardly ever see at church. Easter miracles!
On the subject of Easter, I'd like to bear a simple testimony:
He died so we can live. He lives so we can follow Him.
In His sacred name, even the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Lots of love,
Hna Smurthwaite
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