December 11, 2017

White Christmas

Well Charleston... it's been real. We outtie. President Innes told us that he wanted a white Christmas. Well he got it. We are being “white washed” out of Charleston. I was 90% sure that I would be staying in this area so when we got the call I asked "Are you serious??" at least 12 times. We were both shocked! We thought for sure they weren't going to white wash this area. But there will be a lot of blessings from it I am sure. I don't know where I am headed I only know that I will not be with Hermana Bowers. 

I actually was really sad and mad when I found out about transfers. I really wanted to stay because I really love so many of the people here. The transfer started out slow with the work but this week we really got things going and it was awesome. We were in a lesson with Raiana and Elmir and she told me that she has been praying that at least one of us stays to keep teaching them, we told her we were both out and it was really sad. Elmir said a prayer for us and Raiana and I cried hahahah... But I left just feeling a little defeated like... "ahhh Heavenly Father.. I can do it.. Let me try!! I can do it!" I realized just how much I really love these people and how they have become my family away from home. I.realized that I had made a difference and that these people were my friends. But I later realized that it isn't me at all and the big man upstairs will take care of them.

The next day when we were in church Raiana was with one of the Brazilian members that we work with and I realized that it wasn't a matter of whether I could do it, whether or not people wanted me here, it was that God needs me somewhere else. I saw how Raiana and Hermana Neves interacted and realized she was in good hands and I needed to accept that. It has already started to be a lot of goodbyes, and man they are exhausting. But I am grateful that I got to serve here in Charleston and I am excited to meet my new family wherever I go. I am also really grateful for the time that I have had to be companions with Hermana Bowers. She did a lot for the area and I am glad she was my trainer. 

Lately I have been praying to have more faith in God and his timing for things. Last week there were a lot of things that fell through and I was very frustrated and then being transferred was really hard to swallow at first as well. But I realized that having more faith is going to go hand and hand with being humble. So cheers to working on allowing myself to be an instrument in God's hands

I feel like my Spanish is coming! I know that it is getting better and better but I definitely need to work more diligently on expanding my knowledge. I understand almost everything but then speaking is sometimes really hard. There are days that we do not have language study, and sometimes it is several days in a row and I notice a big difference when that happens. 

Well now more about the week. We had a group activity Monday night for the light the world. We had sooooooo much food. A pinata, music, and we did the most American thing: we decorated cookies to give to our neighbors. hahhahahah. It was definitely the first time most of them had ever done that because it was completely new to them. One of the pictures is crazy Miguel and he just got a plate full of cookies and started dumping frosting on them. We agreed that his were the prettiest. 

So two weeks ago we met the cutest couple!! Their names were Onesimo and Isaura. We talked with them on their porch and they were so welcoming and really love Jesus. They told us all about their family and their sons. Their son Junior is 22 and they kept telling us how great of a guy he is, what he likes to do. Oh come back Tuesday night and the whole family will be home! We went back this last Tuesday and the whole gang was there. It turns out they didn't want to hear our message. But they were actually just trying to get me to marry their son. They had told their son all about it and honestly it is up there on the most awkward moments so far. 

I restarted the Book of Mormon about a month ago and as I have been reading it I have really tried to focus in on how it is another testament of Jesus Christ. It has been so amazing and I feel like my knowledge of him has increased so much. One of our new investigators is so close to being baptized and wanted to be a member of the church with her whole heart but is addicted to smoking and has been trying to quit. Her testimony of the atonement has been amazing to see!!! Christ really is our savior and will help us overcome all. I love being a missionary and am grateful that I can share my testimony with people every day!!!

Con Mucho Amor

Hermana Crofts

Antonio left for Mexico this week and almost took my heart with him. I hope that the missionaries down there can track him down somehow.

Lily and I taking a selfie after church

Antonia is the cute little lady and she is so sweet to us

Luis

Magdalena y su ninas. I don't know why they aren't smiling in the picture because they are two of the happiest and funniest little girls I have met.

Joanne y Graciela!! They just moved here from Reno Nevada!!! Hailey Daniels actually worked a lot with them and now I get to!!

Raiana and Elmir at church. We have been teaching them for a while now and they come to every soccer night and English class.  They are my 2nd family here and every missionary's favorites.