Hello friends from across the world! This is Hermana Hemmingsen coming at you live from Laredo, Texas.
More facts about Laredo.
So love people for how they are. Don't criticize, that's not our responsibility.
More facts about Laredo.
- We live next to an airport.. that's about all I need to say.
- Everyone decorates their door according to the season. I have seen so many Halloween skulls and witch wreaths to last a life time.
- The weather drastically changed in November. I was so happy to walk outside to a cool breeze; I felt like I was home.
- First. As missionaries it is our responsibility to teach and love people: our investigators, members, companions, neighbors, leaders, and so on. Some people are easier to love than others because we just naturally get along with them. For example: Sister Cano and I. But then there's other people who you might struggle getting along with. I want you to look at it from this perspective: we are all children of God individually created with our own talents and abilities. He made us who we are for a reason and he loves us more than anyone can fathom. My dear friend, Kendall, sent me a quote that sums up how you should love people.
So love people for how they are. Don't criticize, that's not our responsibility.
- Second. Our zone leaders committed us to eat with a member of the church every day. They promised us that by doing this our relationship with members will strengthen and trust will increase. I'm not going to lie, it's a really hard challenge. We don't have many members here and the ones we do have are always super busy. Plus there's 8 sets of missionaries just in North Laredo.. so yeah.. we are trying. Do me a favor and feed the missionaries this week. I promise it will bless your family and bring love and happiness into your home.
- Third. Yesterday I realized that I already have four months on the mission. Weird. I also realize my Spanish is not so great. It has been frustrating because I am at the point when I understand what people are saying, but my brain can't move quick enough to respond. So yesterday I fasted to ask for divine help from my Heavenly Father to learn Spanish. In Sacrament meeting during the testimony part, before I could stop myself, I was on my say up to the front. I got to the microphone, looked out at the people, and realized, "Oh shoot. These people speak Spanish." But I told myself, "Ok, just buckle down and do it."
"Hola, soy la Hermana Hemmingsen. Estoy agradecida por esta oportunidad para server aqui en Laredo.." and then the words just kinda flowed. I didn't say anything fancy, or make an amazing analogy, I just bore my testimony of what I knew to be true.
Later, I read Omni 1: 25
exhorting all men to come unto God, the Holy One of Israel, and believe in prophesying, and in revelations, and in the ministering of angels, and in the gift of speaking withtongues, and in the gift of interpreting languages, and in all things which are good.
Speaking Spanish is good, God will help those who come asking. So this month Sister Cano and I are doing a TON of Spanish days. I know that by the time we get to Christmas I will be confident and feel like I can express myself.
- Fourth. Halloween night we had to be done working by 6pm. All the missionaries were gathered together at the church and we had a little "jam sesh". I am in awe at how talented people are. Some of the elders brought guitars and ukuleles. They can play what ever song someone names. We just hung out, singing. It's fun to see different sides of people. We are all are just kids out teaching the most important message ever known to this world. It's amazing that God chose and trusts us to do his work. We are here to bless the lives of the people in Laredo and bringing them to their Savior. And our talents are ways that will help us do that.