Mike's Baptism and the Happy Hookers

Hello everyone, I hope that it has been a good week for you. This week has been so crazy but I would have to say one of the best on the mission! 

Also we have transfers, I am staying and getting a new companion! I am so sad to see Sister Wright leave, she was amazing. But off to a new adventure. 

Monday like I said last week, we went to the 7 Magic Mountains and then and got some food with the district. That night we were able to go and have FHE with our Spanish branch. It was a lot of fun, first it was Día de los Muertes. And so we were able to celebrate that with all of them, we talked about family history and how our families have impacted us. And then we made flowers out of paper that you put on the tables with pictures of all of our loved ones. 

That was a fun activity and a good way to see some of the members we haven't seen in a while. 

Tuesday morning we had a meeting with the social media people. My personal opinion social media is great and all but once I am done with my mission it is going away. I have it, it is a waste of time and has no purpose unless you need to try and talk to someone. But I am glad there are people in this world who know what they are doing and can help me with it, haha! 

And then we ran over to Trishs, she is so cute and is getting ready to go to the temple. We are so excited for her, she has such a big heart and wants to learn more and be better and so we are so excited for her! 

That afternoon we were able to have a lesson with Jason. We are trying to work with him and help him find ways that he can grow. He has a desire to learn more and wants to be baptized; it is just a matter of when at this point. We are working with him and trying to get that figured out. But he is a good kid and at some point it is going to happen. 

That night we had the last English class of the transfer, and it was so sad. Monica was the only one that showed up, so us and the elders taught her. But she is so cute and has a desire. It was so much fun to be able to joke with her and connect with her more. We have grown a great relationship with her and I love her so much! We were able to laugh so much and she was even making jokes. That is one thing that I love so much is being able to have these classes and help all of these people out, but also building relationships with them. Because we are both in the same situations learning a new language and trying to become better. It is amazing the unity and the spirit that you can feel when working together but also having a good time. 

And then we ran to the church and had our last lesson with Mike! Let me just say that he is so amazing. We were getting all of the last touches and everything ready for his baptism that happened later in the week. And we finished all of the lessons with him. It has been fun to see him progress and put the Lord first in his life and what it has done for him. 

Wednesday morning we went over to Monica's house to teach her Spanish. When we told her that one of us might be moving she got so sad and was trying to find a time for us to come over. She was going to be out of town for the weekend so that is why we did two days in a row. But it was good. She is so cute and at the end she told us mi casa es su casa and that we are welcome over anytime and better visit her! It is so sad that it has to be this way and for others to not understand. But the relationships that we build are something else and help at least me to appreciate what I have and try to become better! 

After that we went and practiced our song that I was going to sing for Mike's baptism, but we also got asked to perform in our Spanish branch. So to say the least we needed to get it done and make sure that it was decent! haha After that we had a lesson with Tiffany, she is progressing and trying to take those steps to stop which have been good for her. We were able to show her the song and she loved it. 

We then had a pass off Lesson with Paul and the elders. It was so funny, the things that people share with us sometimes shock me. But they just go for it. It was good though. Even though he talked a lot and got distracted a lot we were able to ring him in and help him get to know the elders and they got to know him.

One of our lessons got canceled and so we were able to have our lesson with the ward mission leader. We went over the plan of salvation and what it means to them. And then at the end we were getting everything ready for Mike's baptism, contacting everyone who was doing something and making everything sparkle. It was also fun because we got to know our ward mission leader and his wife more. What they like to do and about their missions. I love hearing about other missions and experiences. They are all so similar and yet completely different. 

Thursday we had one of our weekly lessons with a less-active in the ward. She is so cute and I love her so much. We wanted to show our song and get another opinion on it and what she thinks. I was not warned up so that wasn't the best that it was also in the morning but it went good. Well at the end she looks over at me and says all I have to say is make sure that you are warmed up. And then whipped a tear from her eye and said it was going to be amazing. It just made my heart melt. She then said, I love it so much and I am so impressed with you. Sunday you talked about how you are a weight lifter and then right here you are musically talented. You are just a well rounded person. She told us about her niece that is the same way but chose a different path in life. But that I am on a mission to serve God and help others come closer to him. It was so nice of her to say and just helped me realize it is not a bad thing that I like all of these things. It makes me who I am and different than others. I need to embrace it and continue with that. 

She showed us that she likes to crochet and brought a hook and yarn for us and taught us how to do it. So for our whole visit we got to sit and practice. At the end of it all she turned to us to give us a goodbye hug and said now you are a part of the happy hookers club. Oh my goodness I am a happy hooker haha, it made me so happy and I couldn't stop laughing!!! 

We had our last weekly planning for the transfer and then went to the Mineros for dinner. They are so cute, we had Venezuelan sandwiches and they were amazing. They are so cute and just have this amazing spirit that I love so much. It was funny after the meal I just felt sick. I don't know what it is but after eating at these Latinos houses my stomach is just not happy. But it is all good food. 

We got out of the lesson and called one of our friends Philly. He is so funny, when we called him for the first time, that is not what I thought his voice was going to sound like. But he just has this true desire to know about the gospel and how he can come closer to God and it is cool to talk to him about it! 

That night we had to make a cake for one of our elders. He is so funny, but has been wanting one for a while. So we told him that we would make him one. When he came to get it, it was so funny his face lit up like a kid on Christmas morning and he was so happy. Boys just make me laugh!!! 

And I also made the programs for the baptism, and let me just tell you they were fire. I was so proud of myself for how they looked! Let's just say that we know how to make a crappy one look nice! Haha. 

Friday we went and help a lady in our ward who had just had surgery. She needed help cleaning her house and it was good for us to be able to go and help her out! 

We then went to district council and that was a blast, the last one and let me tell you it was a party and one that I was so happy for. Our district has grown so close and I love it so much. They are all so amazing and I am so grateful for them and all that I have learned from them!

We went and helped one of our Latinas move her stove. She needed to get behind it and unplug it. She called us in a panic and told us to call the elders. They couldn't come and she didn't trust that we could do it, to say the least when we went over and did it for her she was shocked that we got it so easily. Haha I love when people underestimate me and what I can do!  It makes me laugh!

We had another one of our weekly calls with a member! She is so cute and just a lady who needs someone to talk to, so I am glad that she feels that we can do that for her. We then went and helped our sister training leaders with a service that they had. They were helping one of their members paint their house. It was so much fun to be able to go and help them because they have a big house so I wish them luck with it. My watch got some paint on it but it is in dots so it adds some spice but I didn't get it in any other place, funny. We went back to their apartment and decided to do exchanges it was a lot of fun and made it interesting. Just a moment to get out and do something new. It was fun to also be in another area and see their people and their stories!!! 

After it was over one of the sisters cut my hair, nothing to crazy. I just have been needing something for months and she knows somewhat of what she is going so I said why not! So just a little trim and it doesn't look too bad. We then came home and I surprised my companion. It was her birthday the next day so I pulled out all of the balloons and the streamers and put it all up for her. She was so cute and appreciated it. We called the elders while we did it and asked them a few questions, we just had a fun conversation with them. When we were done we got ready for bed. I decided because the next day was going to be insane that I was going to give her her gift the day before. So when we were all ready for bed before comp prayer I told her to put her contacts back in. She did, I said happy birthday and gave her a little gift. It was so sweet she almost started crying, she said that this was the nicest thing ever and no one has ever done something like this for her before. She said that she has had some rough birthdays and it was so sweet of me. It was so nice and cute. 

I just feel that birthdays are hard on the mission and they need to be made amazing and that is what I wanted to do for her!  

SATURDAY, the big day!!! We got ready and went to the church for the baptism, and practiced for the song. Well Mike was the first one there and that was so exciting. We went and practiced and greeted everyone coming in. There were so many people and everyone who attended Mike's lessons and other members in the ward were there. It was so cool to see the support of the members and their love that they wanted to show him. And guess what, the big dog President Rodarte and Sister Rodarte came to the baptism also. It was so cool to also have them there. 

The program was amazing and it ran smoothly, it is crazy when the sister missionaries take over, things can go as planned, haha! But things were all good, I was able to give a talk on baptism and share my thoughts with him. It felt really good to be able to do that and it was a lot of fun. And then we were able to perform our musical number. We did Savior Redeemer of my Soul. And it went very well, then the rest of the program was amazing. But the best thing was how strong the spirit was, it was so strong and everyone was just so happy and felt so good. It was so amazing I have no words, it was just incredible. 

After the baptism we went out for lunch with the district for Sister Wright's birthday, we went to Zupas and then got Nelson's custard. It was so much fun to be able to spend some time with all of them. And just to have a fun time! 

Then we went to a member's home and were able to spend some time with them. It was so cute we did a little lesson where we drew a heart and wrote what we love in the heart. I love when little kids write and draw what they love. They are so innocent and pure, it is so fun to watch them. 

We then went over to President Whites house and we were able to do a dinner celebration for Sister Wright. She got a vegan pizza and we had Buffalo Wild Wings, which were so good. It was a good night. I just love the Whites and the Murray's, they are so amazing and are just like family to me. 

Then that night when we got home our zone leaders and Sister training leaders came by, brought us more food and sang to Sister Wright for her birthday. It was so much fun to be able to talk to them and just have a good night!  Overall it was an amazing day! Mike is golden and so ready for his next steps. 

Sunday was also good, we got to perform again for our branch meeting. We felt like we needed to do the same song and that was the right thing. People were so nice but it was just a message that they needed to hear at the moment. A few tears were shed but it was an amazing sacrament meeting for all that were there. Then we went to our other ward, we had Mike's confirmation and he had a great support system again. It was so cool when they called them all up for the confirmation, he had so many men go up. It just made my heart so happy to see all of these worthy Priesthood holders that love and support him. And are there to help him to take his next steps! 

After church we had a little meet and greet with Mike for everyone to get to know him. 

That night we went to the Mayers for dinner, oh my goodness another family that is just so amazing. And their kids are so funny, it was crazy and a lot of running around but that is what we love. 

Overall it has been a great week and a lot that has been going on. But it is just so amazing and we love it so much! 

Today I want to share Mosiah 7:333

33 But if ye will turn to the Lord with full purpose of heart, and put your trust in him, and serve him with all diligence of mind, if ye do this, he will, according to his own will and pleasure, deliver you out of bondage.

He is our light and comfort in the dark. Because of him we don't have to shoot an arrow in the dark. As we continue to do what the Lord has asked of us, give him all that we are and continue in faith, He is going to bless us and give us the strength that we need to carry on. It is not going to be easy, because if life was, we would all get along and then we would be the city of Enoch and God would just take us up to heaven and all would be dandy. But we are not, we are humans who make mistakes and go through hard times in life and that is when we have to turn to our Savior. That is how we become better and strive to do what is right. The Lord loves us enough to help us, and that is something that I am still learning to trust him and know that what he has for me is the right thing. I know that He lives and He loves us and that is enough for me some days. And because of Him I can have all of these blessings in this world! 

I love you all so much and hope that you have the most amazing week ever!!!