Ok lets just start off with the funny things of missionary life.
Ok. The first night I was in Laredo we met Hiram. The sisters before us had taught him, but he wasn't too interested in learning more. However, that night, he told us how he was reading the Book of Mormon. He said, "The more I read, the more I understand the truth and power it holds."
It has been a month now, and Hiram has come to church every Sunday. He has made frineds with all the members and is pretty much a part of the congregation. He partcipates in class and is very excited for his baptism this coming Sunday. (What a wonderful birthday present on the mission, right?.. if you didn't know, my birthday is November 24)
Also, I have been thinking about prayer this week. We probably pray at least 20 times if not more every day. Since we are representatives of Christ, what better thing to be doing, right? In prayers you can ask for forgiveness from any of your mistakes, give thanks, and also ask for guidence. As a missionary, we need as much help as we can get. So Hermana Cano and I decided to say a prayer every hour of the day. Pedimos por perdon de nuestros pecados and guia este obra. It's crazy how in that short, yet powerful prayer, we will look up at the end and know exatly where to go and who to talk to.
Prayer unifes us, and keeps us on the same page. One of the sisters told me yesterday that she and her husband have prayed everyday since they were married 7 1/2 years ago. Even if he was going to work at 4 in the morning, she'd wake up to say a prayer with him. Or if he went on a business trip for a long weekend, they'd call and say a prayer over the phone. She said it seems so simple, but it has made her marriage so much easier.
Prayer is one of the greatest gifts God has given us. We never loose signal, or can go over minutes. It's free and available to all who are humble enough to bow their head and ask their God for forgiveness.
In conference, we learned that prayer is like preparing for a battle. Which parent in Book of Mormon times would have let their sons march out to the front of battlewithout a breastplate and shield and sword to protect them against thepotentially mortal blows of the enemy? But how many of us let ourchildren march out the front door each morning to the most dangerous ofall battlefields, to face Satan and his myriad of temptations, without theirspiritual breastplate and shield and sword that come from the protectivepower of prayer? The Lord said, “Pray always, … that you may conquer Satan” - Tad R. Callister
So here's the challenge. One day this week, set an alarm on your fancy little phone for every hour of the day. When it goes off, find a few minutes to say a prayer, even if it's just in your heart. I know it sounds a little rediculous but why not? Test it out! There's no harm in trying! And then also when you leave your house in the morning, make an effort to pray with whoever is in the house. Leave wearin' the armor of God as you walk out to battle the evil world. Look for the blessings and appreciate the details God added to your life to make it easier and enjoyable. I promise you won't regret it.
Paz out.
ehemm
Shout outs:
Lauren Ossola, now known as Hermana Ossola. Leavin for la ciudad de Mexico.
Danielle Wilkinson because I love her.
Anyone reading this from Port Isabel, miss you guys!
- We were at an investigator's house and she realized that her daughter had fallen asleep in a bedroom with the door locked frrom the inside. She had to leave to pick up her children from school, but she couldn't get the toddler to wake up and answer the door. We tried everything to pick the lock: bobby pins, metal hangers, credit cards, steak knives (she broke it in half). So finally she just turned around and said, "Imma break it down". She dropped her shoulder and broke the lock free from the doorway. Splinters of wood scattered the room, she grabbed her kid, and walked out the door. Funny thing is that the daughter didn't even wake up.
- I thought the wreaths here were bad.. oh no. People are already decorating for Christmas. It's not even Thanksgiving, people! I don't want to sound like Scrooge, but I hate those blow up Crhistmas things. (Everything else is pretty.) They're just tacky and I just want to pop 'em. They're everywhere!
- We got a proselyting dog and named it Arnold. He followed us around for days and waited for us whenever we went into a house to teach. Then some random person asked if she could have it... we didn't say anything, so she grabbed Arnold and took him inside. Ok?
- Everyone here watches Spanish Novelas (soap operas) They are so poorly made. It makes me laugh so hard. Watching a couple will definately be a priorty when I get home.
- Our car's driver side door doesn't open frrom the inside so either one of us has to come over and open it like I'm a princess, or I have to open the window, stick out my arm, grab the handle, open the door, reclose the window, and then get out.
- Saturday mornings we wake up early and play basketball with the elders. Last Saturday I was so tired that I fell asleep on the court standing up. The ball came at me and my mind told me to move, but my feet didn't. I just kinda fell over. Classic Elizabeth falling down moment.
Ok. The first night I was in Laredo we met Hiram. The sisters before us had taught him, but he wasn't too interested in learning more. However, that night, he told us how he was reading the Book of Mormon. He said, "The more I read, the more I understand the truth and power it holds."
It has been a month now, and Hiram has come to church every Sunday. He has made frineds with all the members and is pretty much a part of the congregation. He partcipates in class and is very excited for his baptism this coming Sunday. (What a wonderful birthday present on the mission, right?.. if you didn't know, my birthday is November 24)
Also, I have been thinking about prayer this week. We probably pray at least 20 times if not more every day. Since we are representatives of Christ, what better thing to be doing, right? In prayers you can ask for forgiveness from any of your mistakes, give thanks, and also ask for guidence. As a missionary, we need as much help as we can get. So Hermana Cano and I decided to say a prayer every hour of the day. Pedimos por perdon de nuestros pecados and guia este obra. It's crazy how in that short, yet powerful prayer, we will look up at the end and know exatly where to go and who to talk to.
Prayer unifes us, and keeps us on the same page. One of the sisters told me yesterday that she and her husband have prayed everyday since they were married 7 1/2 years ago. Even if he was going to work at 4 in the morning, she'd wake up to say a prayer with him. Or if he went on a business trip for a long weekend, they'd call and say a prayer over the phone. She said it seems so simple, but it has made her marriage so much easier.
Prayer is one of the greatest gifts God has given us. We never loose signal, or can go over minutes. It's free and available to all who are humble enough to bow their head and ask their God for forgiveness.
In conference, we learned that prayer is like preparing for a battle. Which parent in Book of Mormon times would have let their sons march out to the front of battlewithout a breastplate and shield and sword to protect them against thepotentially mortal blows of the enemy? But how many of us let ourchildren march out the front door each morning to the most dangerous ofall battlefields, to face Satan and his myriad of temptations, without theirspiritual breastplate and shield and sword that come from the protectivepower of prayer? The Lord said, “Pray always, … that you may conquer Satan” - Tad R. Callister
So here's the challenge. One day this week, set an alarm on your fancy little phone for every hour of the day. When it goes off, find a few minutes to say a prayer, even if it's just in your heart. I know it sounds a little rediculous but why not? Test it out! There's no harm in trying! And then also when you leave your house in the morning, make an effort to pray with whoever is in the house. Leave wearin' the armor of God as you walk out to battle the evil world. Look for the blessings and appreciate the details God added to your life to make it easier and enjoyable. I promise you won't regret it.
Paz out.
ehemm
Shout outs:
Lauren Ossola, now known as Hermana Ossola. Leavin for la ciudad de Mexico.
Danielle Wilkinson because I love her.
Anyone reading this from Port Isabel, miss you guys!