Lessons Learned

I'm kind of really jealous that Daniela came over for Sunday dinner. Good thing though, that yesterday we had dinner with a family who's cooking is almost exactly like Mom's. So bueno. I thought I had lost my hymn book at the beginning of the week. I couldn't find it anywhere and I was a little frustrated because I couldn't just hop in our car and look for it. Don't worry though, I said a countless number of prayers, I even got creative with my prayers and one night said, "Heavenly Father, maybe you can just give me a dream to show me where it is." A hymnbook isn't even a huge deal, but still, it bugged me. On Tuesday night we had an appointment planned at the church, and while we were waiting I searched the entire chapel for it. Somehow, that made things better I just felt calmer, and as we pulled up to our next appointment Hermana Canova (who's our designated cell phone person) smiled and read aloud a text that said, "Did one of you leave a hymnbook here?" The greatest rush of relief came over me, and I am happy to say my hymnbook is safe and sound with me.
   This week was tough, we had a goal of six lessons with a member of the church present and every single lesson that we had planned fell through. We're struggling in our search for solid investigators, more like progressing investigators. This week was a learning week (but isn't every week?). Something I saw this week was just how much stronger families who are united in the gospel are. We visited several homes where only one parent is a member or everyone is practically inactive, it was just hard to see. There's no way really as missionaries for us to show investigators just how much the gospel can bless lives, ultimately I guess the best examples of that are the members themselves. We read Mosiah 27 with a number of less actives and part member families with a special focus on verse 14 to try and provide hope and bear our testimonies that the Lord is mindful of us, mindful of our desires, mindful of our prayers. 
   Have no fear though, Victoria is doing SO great. This week as we taught her she actually asked if she could move her baptismal date up to this Sunday, so we're going to be working hard this week for that one. Victoria noticed just how much of a difference it makes in her life when she reads the Book of Mormon as opposed to not reading it. We came over for a lesson one day this week and she had read for an hour. She started talking about a chapter in Alma and I whispered to Hermana Maughan, "did you leave her that chapter to read?" Nope. Turns out, Victoria looked at the GEE in the back of the Spanish scriptures looked up "repentace" and read the chapter on her own. She loves church, she loves learning about the gospel, and we love seeing the change the gospel has made in her life. We're learning from her really.
  Next on the learning line, we went to Mi Tienda after district meeting and while I was perusing the tres leches slices of cake, I started a conversation with a man and his wife. I'm a little more approachable I've found that anyone else in my district just because my skin isn't as pale. BUT, I could have kicked myself, I didn't have pass along cards on me. I was SO mad at myself. I'll be repenting on that one for a while, that's my new goal.
   Last bit, of learning. I Hermana Lauren Marie Flores had to translate two talks in sacrament meeting yesterday. I was completely caught off guard and the first talk, not the easiest to translate especially since it was all about comparing and contrasting the Holy Ghost to wireless communication devices. Ask me how many times I've talked about that in Spanish? Zero. The high councilman who spoke came out to the foyer before sacrament where we were all waiting and he said, "Elders, Sisters, who's got the better Spanish and wants to translate for me?" Of course all heads turned to me, of course the brown girl gets volunteered. It's okay, it was a learning opportunity, and I definitely had divine help. It actually turned out to be kind of...fun. Maybe there will be more of that in the future. I miss you all!

Con todo mi amor, 
La Hermanita Flores