Working Hard, or Hardly Complaining.

Knowing myself, I'm going to forget to mention this, so I'll do this first. I'm going to the temple June 30th, so that'll be my P-day rather than next Monday. Whew. Happy to get that out of the way.

 

So about my week. 

Well, let's see...

 OH MY GOSH.

Jose de Jesus is getting baptized July 11th!!!!!!!!

This has to have been the happiest and greatest news of my week!!! I remember the day we contacted Jose de Jesus like it was yesterday.. It was the greatest miracle. Beauties of obeying promptings from the Spirit. So yeah. I'm super stoked about that.

 

Also, remember Leo and Leoniel? They're also getting baptized within a few weeks! I am so stoked for that! They moved into the Elders' area, so they've been teaching them and everything. That's okay though, because they're getting baptized!! I'm so excited about this.

 

Let's see. This last week I hit my year mark. I guess I can tell you about that. It was Weekly Planning day, so we were at home planning for a good 5 hrs. I guess the exciting thing about that was going out to dinner with the Spanish missionaries in the branch. We went to a Mexican restaurant. We had a great time. I love the missionaries we serve in the branch with. There's 3 sets of us in one little branch. It was so nice to see Hna Whipperman. I miss her to pieces. It was cute to see both my "daughters" engaged in conversation with each other. After that, we worked.

 

I realized I'm at the point where I should be making goals for myself for these next 6 months of my mission, and for what will happen right after, so that was really hard for me. I didn't wanna do it, but I knew if it didn't happen then, it'd never happen. So, I have a long list of goals sitting in my journal, waiting to be accomplished. I feel like reality is setting in slowly. I still shrug it off, so I think I'll continue to do that for another 6 months.

 Oh! We had crazy fires in Cheney this whole past week! So many houses got evacuated and everything! Luckily ours didn't. Perks of being a missionary I suppose. However, we had a whole day where our power was out, so that wasn't too fun. Actually, it kinda was. We kept falling over stuff because our flashlights weren't enough. It was hilarious. 

 

The Mullins leave next week. It's so sad! The nice thing is that they live in Utah, so we can see them whenever, but there's something about the fact that they won't be with us that makes it sad. I've learned so much about them. I just love how much they love and respect each other and their roles. They have been such a positive influence and example to me. I've taken a ton away from them. They gave us one last training this last week. Sis Mullen trained on Self mastery, which was so good! It's completely changed my perspective of so many things! President did on the key to happiness, and that's by living the gospel! When we have faith, repent often, renew our baptismal covenants through taking the sacrament each week, and endure to the end by making more covenants and fulfilling them, then we'll be eternally happy. The great thing is that it was Christ that made it possible. It's Christ who's our main source of happiness and peace. That's why us Latter Day Saints are so happy! Why we share this with everyone. So everyone can have a shot at that. I just love the gospel!

 

Okay, so out of that list of goals I made, one of them is to replace when I have the urge to complain about something with a blessing that I have. I have failed to recognize my blessings as much as I should, so I thought this was perfect! Part of self- mastery because if we intake and only recognize the things that bring our mood down, then we let it affect us and who we are and can be. Those little things lead to that. 

 Anyway, so we have this awful device called a "TiWi". It monitors our driving. Now I'm not saying I'm an awful nor superb driver, but I'm average. The darn TiWi has driven me crazy with it's constant reminders to "check my speed". It's like taken over my life. Because of that, I decided that each time TiWi freaks out at me, I list a blessing I have rather than complain, and BAM. My mood isn't killed. Who knew the solution was to recognize your blessings! I think it's been a great tactic. I've used it for any discouraging or upsetting situation. It's great! 

 

Aside from that, it's been a rewarding week. We've talked to sooo many people about the gospel this week. The YSA ward is so engaged. Like, we seriously have the greatest WML ever! So missionary focused. He's been an answer to my prayers. I'm stoked to see how the Summer in Cheney will work for the YSA ward! 

So a vast majority of my friends have emailed me about how they're on their last few transfers or are already finishing their missions. I can't believe Elder Fraley is home this week. Aw. Time is so crazy! I'm so blessed for it though!

 
I cannot believe the Lopez stopped by our house and visited the familia! It made me so happy that one of my favorite families I've met on my mission had the chance to visit home!! Such a huge tender mercy! (:

 

invite you all to recognize and countour blessings! Oh, and read John 15, because that has been the chapter of my week. It's also my favorite chapter in the Bible. Testifies of God's and Christ's love for us. It's super good!

 

Love you all!!

 

Con amor,

 

Hermana Robles