1. How are you increasing in "wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man?"
Lately I've been reading my scriptures only in Spanish. Why not? I'm at the point where I can understand it almost as well as I do English. It's been a great experience and I like how I get to look at the scriptures in a new way when it's in a new language.
2. A spiritual experience you had this week?
I was so proud of my companion, Hna. Jensen this week. She invited an investigator to be baptized for the first time! The Spirit was really strong and it was great to see her feel the spirit as she invited, and affirm to her that this is what the mission is all about, preparing ourselves so we can feel the spirit, and get those we teach to feel the Spirit and act accordingly. It's about leading people to baptism and beyond. It's moments like this that remind me "This is what it's all about". I feel the same way when I go to baptismal services, take the sacrament, go to the temple, and overall do what my Heavenly Father would want me to do.
3. What successes have you had lately?
Well, I'm not exactly proud of the number of lessons we had (I don't understand why it's so hard to find and teach people here), but the ratio between member present lessons and other lessons was more like what it should be (4-3). And the lessons we did have were high quality. And a less active member came back to church for the 2nd time and it looks like he's going to start coming on a regular basis! He really liked it and he really wants to be sealed to his family, serve a mission with his wife one day, etc.
Also, we have been working more with the members, particularly the spanish speakers in the english wards in our stake, since we don't have too many members to work with in our area.
4. Have you experienced any disappointments and how did you overcome them?
Another of our solid investigators dropped us. This time it hurt more than any other time when an investigator dropped us because I loved her so much, and she was saying such terrible things about most of the things I hold dear and sacred (like Joseph Smith, temples, church leadership, Book of Mormon, the role of women in the church, all sorts of anti-Mormon misinformation). At the time I was so angry I didn't dare say anything because I knew I wouldn't have said anything nice (not that she would have let us get a word in anyway). So I was just sitting there while Hna. Jensen was crying and bearing an incredible heartfelt testimony in broken Spanish. But, on the bright side, every time we lose an investigator we have more time to find other people who are more ready. And luckily for me, I always feel better, calmer, and more optimistic after taking a nap. Life goes on. This was one of those times where I was glad that I am more detached by nature. I don't let things bother me much. But at the same time, sometimes I want to care more or cry when people expect me to cry but I just don't. Like an old dysfunctional car that just won't start. But oh well.
Oh, and here's a little piece of trivia. In Mexico, Mother's Day is May 10. I totally forgot that it was Mexican Mother's Day until it was evening and we just couldn't find anyone to teach. No luck whatsoever because everyone was either about to go to a party, was not home, or was at a party with blaring mariachi music and lots of beer. Yep. Mother's day is a big deal.Lately I've been reading my scriptures only in Spanish. Why not? I'm at the point where I can understand it almost as well as I do English. It's been a great experience and I like how I get to look at the scriptures in a new way when it's in a new language.
2. A spiritual experience you had this week?
I was so proud of my companion, Hna. Jensen this week. She invited an investigator to be baptized for the first time! The Spirit was really strong and it was great to see her feel the spirit as she invited, and affirm to her that this is what the mission is all about, preparing ourselves so we can feel the spirit, and get those we teach to feel the Spirit and act accordingly. It's about leading people to baptism and beyond. It's moments like this that remind me "This is what it's all about". I feel the same way when I go to baptismal services, take the sacrament, go to the temple, and overall do what my Heavenly Father would want me to do.
3. What successes have you had lately?
Well, I'm not exactly proud of the number of lessons we had (I don't understand why it's so hard to find and teach people here), but the ratio between member present lessons and other lessons was more like what it should be (4-3). And the lessons we did have were high quality. And a less active member came back to church for the 2nd time and it looks like he's going to start coming on a regular basis! He really liked it and he really wants to be sealed to his family, serve a mission with his wife one day, etc.
Also, we have been working more with the members, particularly the spanish speakers in the english wards in our stake, since we don't have too many members to work with in our area.
4. Have you experienced any disappointments and how did you overcome them?
Another of our solid investigators dropped us. This time it hurt more than any other time when an investigator dropped us because I loved her so much, and she was saying such terrible things about most of the things I hold dear and sacred (like Joseph Smith, temples, church leadership, Book of Mormon, the role of women in the church, all sorts of anti-Mormon misinformation). At the time I was so angry I didn't dare say anything because I knew I wouldn't have said anything nice (not that she would have let us get a word in anyway). So I was just sitting there while Hna. Jensen was crying and bearing an incredible heartfelt testimony in broken Spanish. But, on the bright side, every time we lose an investigator we have more time to find other people who are more ready. And luckily for me, I always feel better, calmer, and more optimistic after taking a nap. Life goes on. This was one of those times where I was glad that I am more detached by nature. I don't let things bother me much. But at the same time, sometimes I want to care more or cry when people expect me to cry but I just don't. Like an old dysfunctional car that just won't start. But oh well.
Sunday was good too. In the last few sundays, everyone has been recruiting me to play the piano. Even for a last minute mother's day primary program. I guess people really trust in my sight reading skills. But I am getting a lot better since I'm stretching myself (I used to pick the hymns I wanted to play beforehand, but not anymore). It's been stressful but I love it at the same time. Thanks for teaching me piano, Mom!
