19 August 2013

Wow! Thanks Wendi for the photos of the rain. That is SO awesome!! I am glad to hear that you guys are experiencing a little bit of the same weather as me. We have been in some special type of storm this week down here that has  caused it to be cloudy and rain a lot more than usual. Due to this, I have had to battle a little bit of the flu, fevers and all. But the work must go on whether I feel good or not. Luckily, after only a couple of miserable days it went away and I feel back to normal again.

Due to the fact that we are training Hermana Morales we spend all morning in the house studying. We used to be able to work until 9 or 9:30pm but they changed the rule for us sisters this week. Now we have to enter at 8 or 8:30. Now we have very little time to accomplish our weekly and daily goals. But because we are a trio, it is super easy to do divisions. Normally Hermanas Morales and Mendoza go together and I get to work with the member that is helping us. At times it is fun but both Hermana Mendoza and I miss working together teaching the lessons. We have enough time together now that we have figured out how to teach together and where the lesson is going. That is the wonderful blessing of having a companion for more than one transfer.

We as a ward are trying to improve the Sunday experience for the members and the investigators that come. Yesterday we did an activity that everyone had to write what they were grateful for on a post it when they entered the church. Then with all of the post its we  made a big heart on the bulletin board for everyone to see. The activity was very successful because it helped people leave behind their negative feelings and be in a good mood for the meetings. People were also more friendly with each other for the whole three meetings. It was something small but really did have an impact on the ward. A young sister, Stefany, and I got to figure out how to put it up on the bulletin board. It was an adventure but turned out well. We are hoping to do something simple like this each week to help the members bring the spirit and leave the distractions at the door. This will help them have a better experience in the church and have more desire to come back. Little by little we are increasing our ward attendance. We have a ton of inactives on our ward so we are focusing a lot in rescuing the lost sheep. There is so much work to be done that is makes me want to be a normal member of the ward with a normal calling so that I can help them in the cause. We as missionaries are helping, but we cant be the permanent help that they need. Oh there is so much to do!

I hope that you all are doing well. Keep me informed of the goings on back in Arizona and Utah. I love you all so much!!

Random event: We were contacting in the street the other day and I wanted to stop and contact this man who was selling earrings. So I casually started asking him about his earrings and in the end I ended up buying the loudest earrings that I have ever bought in my life....all for the opportunity to talk to this man. Ha!