The first day of the year was incredibley hot. 37-40 degrees celcius. I have no clue how hot that actually is, nor do I remember how to spell celcius, but I do know that after a week of walking all day long in such hot weather is exhausting. We saw many miracles this week! As usual, none followed through, but the important part is recognizing the hand of the Lord in our day to day.
One time we were walking in one of the richer neighborhoods and decided to stop in a bakery for some water, and as we walked in all the workers were crying but wouldnt admit to anything going on. We bought our water and left and asked the people outside the bakery what had happened, and minutes, almost seconds before we arrived two men with guns tried to or achieved robbing that bakery. As very obvious foreignors would have been huge targets, and our timing was most certainly a tender mercy.
The last day of the year, Tuesday we decided to look in the Area Book for all the people who had been to church twice, that we could baptize in the same day. There were only four in our area. Two had moved, one was doing crack, but Agnaldo let us in. We had a very spiritual lesson, completely based on what the spirit was telling us to say and he accepted to be baptized! In the same day! So we made arrangements for him to be interviewed by our district leader during our meeting that night.
So because at this point in my mission I am supposed to be developing my faith, learning to always do my best and never lose hope, the baptism fell through. He had killed somebody 30 years ago and had problems with homosexuality, none of which was apparent. We arent positive he even can be baptized.
So I added another story to my book of incomplete miracles. But after reading his teaching record later that week, many missionaries had visited him and written that he was closed off, didnt want to change, dont return but with us he accepted baptism in the same day so though it didnt happen, I know that we followed the spirit and that we did everything in our power. I know that people have their agency to accept or deny our message and the teachings of God, and it is our duty only to invite them and to invite the spirit who ultimately does all the work, and if we do this we can be satisfied that we are successful.
Geraldo continues to be a cute old man who wont be baptized without full consent of his kids. We brought the bishopbric to his house, and they gave him a blessing of health and dedicated his house, which was a really neat experience. During testimony meeting he got up, rambled a little, laughed a little, and left.
Sister Torrez is the best companion I could ever ask for! Transfers came and went, Sister Fjord left, in which I am sad, we were great friends, and have Sister Miller, another American! We are most certainly doing everything in our power, learning how to recognize and follow the promptings of the spirit and how to do more and always be seeking that extra kilometer.
To the new year!
Sister Holmes
One time we were walking in one of the richer neighborhoods and decided to stop in a bakery for some water, and as we walked in all the workers were crying but wouldnt admit to anything going on. We bought our water and left and asked the people outside the bakery what had happened, and minutes, almost seconds before we arrived two men with guns tried to or achieved robbing that bakery. As very obvious foreignors would have been huge targets, and our timing was most certainly a tender mercy.
The last day of the year, Tuesday we decided to look in the Area Book for all the people who had been to church twice, that we could baptize in the same day. There were only four in our area. Two had moved, one was doing crack, but Agnaldo let us in. We had a very spiritual lesson, completely based on what the spirit was telling us to say and he accepted to be baptized! In the same day! So we made arrangements for him to be interviewed by our district leader during our meeting that night.
So because at this point in my mission I am supposed to be developing my faith, learning to always do my best and never lose hope, the baptism fell through. He had killed somebody 30 years ago and had problems with homosexuality, none of which was apparent. We arent positive he even can be baptized.
So I added another story to my book of incomplete miracles. But after reading his teaching record later that week, many missionaries had visited him and written that he was closed off, didnt want to change, dont return but with us he accepted baptism in the same day so though it didnt happen, I know that we followed the spirit and that we did everything in our power. I know that people have their agency to accept or deny our message and the teachings of God, and it is our duty only to invite them and to invite the spirit who ultimately does all the work, and if we do this we can be satisfied that we are successful.
Geraldo continues to be a cute old man who wont be baptized without full consent of his kids. We brought the bishopbric to his house, and they gave him a blessing of health and dedicated his house, which was a really neat experience. During testimony meeting he got up, rambled a little, laughed a little, and left.
Sister Torrez is the best companion I could ever ask for! Transfers came and went, Sister Fjord left, in which I am sad, we were great friends, and have Sister Miller, another American! We are most certainly doing everything in our power, learning how to recognize and follow the promptings of the spirit and how to do more and always be seeking that extra kilometer.
To the new year!
Sister Holmes