I don't even know where to begin!
My heart was so full this last week. Full of love,
humility, happiness, and also smoke.
So there's 30 active fires in WA right now. It is insane!
The state is like on fire or something. Baptism by fire.. Hahah no. But this
last Friday was probably the worst. There was heavy smoke everywhere. It was so
difficult to breathe. I think I understand how smokers feel a bit now. Or maybe
I don't, because these "Washingtonians" were still out smoking their
joints! I don't understand how, but okay.
Anyway, there was ash all in the air. I've never dealt
with anything like this. Never had trouble breathing in my life, but hey.
There's a first for everything, right? President Dymock instructed everyone in
those areas to immediately go inside and update things unless we had set
appointments. In that case, we could go to those. We found a way to get into
people's houses. We wanted to keep teaching! The air quality was hazardous. He
also instructed us all to prepare 72 hr kits in case we needed to evacuate. Sis
Norcross (roommate) and I were on it that night. I tried to throw my whole
closet into a carry on bag. No comment. So yeah. People are fasting for the
fires to cease and all that. It's been really neat to watch everyone's faith
enhance through such a humbling experience.
Oh yeah. I got my darn "trunky papers" that
day. It was the saddest thing of my mission thus far.
Not only did that happen on Friday, but such a huge
blessing occurred that day too. Thus, making it the best day of my mission.
Jose de Jesus. He went into the temple for the first time! Easily the happiest
moment of my mission. I had waited my entire mission for this to occur. He took
a few of his family names with him. I got the opportunity to do proxy baptisms
with him too, so I took some of our family names. I had him do the male names
on our behalf. I was so happy that he got to do it! He was the only male there
so he had to do 15ish names. Poor guy wasn't even expecting it. As he was
"dunked" for the 10th time, he asked "Are we done yet?" One
of the temple workers asked him if he was doing all those family names I gave
him, and he turned to me, pointed and said, "I'm just doing her a
favor". He also referred to that worker as "Mr. Clean" because
he was bald and in all white. I cracked up so hard. There was a special point
right before I went, that I was waiting and talking to him. I asked him how he
felt and he explained that it was a peace he has never felt before. The way he
felt outside of the temple compared to the inside was drastic, and that he
didn't wanna leave. I about cried for the millionth time. The Spirit was so
strong at that moment. Music to my ears. He was excited to find out there were
further covenants and ordinances he could make in the temple. Easily the
greatest, sublime, moment of my mission.
This whole past week was so filled with miracles.
Edgar. He is soooooo golden! He has the greatest sincere desire
to change and become better. He knows that the way is through Christ, and
that's what he wants to change. He had so many crazy events lead him to this
point, and he expressed that he knows we're here to help him and how he's so
blessed for that. He thinks we're "angels". He is just so ready!!
Dylan. He's a YSA referral we received. Holy smokes. I
have never met anyone so hungry for the gospel and baptism in my life! We
texted him to contact him and he immediately said, "I want to be baptized
into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints". I know this is my
answer and the way for my eternal happiness. We put him on date via text for
September 26th. He said he was so ready and he wanted to know everything he
needed to do to make it possible. He said if he needed to be abstinent on
whatever, he would do it. We met with him yesterday, and confirmed Sept 26th.
He had met with missionaries before, and when we taught the Restoration, he
knew EVERYTHING. He asked what he needed to do to have the Priesthood, cause he
wants it so badly. It was incredible. The Spirit was so strong, and he easily
recognized it. He told us it's testifying of complete truth and that he can't
wait to grow his testimony and be baptized. This was such a first for me. Never
met anyone so ready like he was! We're meeting with him tomorrow. Our members
who were at the lesson were so impressed bu him and his desire. He blew each of
us away!
Transfer calls. Okay so get how crazy this is. We get
transfer calls Sunday night. President Dymock called me Saturday night and
asked me to go off speaker. Asked me how I was doing. Told him I was nervous
now that he was on the other line. He laughed and said that he wanted to
personally deliver my transfer call to me via phone. He told me that after much
thought and prayer, he needed to put me with Sister Ballif. An English speaking
missionary. That he confides in me and knows that I need to be her companion.
He's had quite a crazy last transfer and that he wants me to second train her.
I'm excited to have an opportunity to grow. It's such an honor that President
thought of me. With that said, I'm staying in Cheney YSA English and in
Southwest Spanish. Solo STL of 4 sister companionships, and doing Spanish work
by myself since my comp doesn't know Spanish and wasn't assigned to serve in
Spanish. I'm so humbled and grateful.
Here's a quote that has been my motto the past few
weeks. "To thine ownself, be
enough" -David O. McKay.
The key is to follow the Spirit and obey it with
exactness. That's when we know we're successful. Whether we are or aren't
missionaries. In order to grow and progress, we must follow the Spirit and
learn to do so. That's why we have all these commandments. To make it possible
to do that.
The Lord doesn't care if we baptized a million or none.
He cares that we did our best. In and out of missionary work, and that we
followed the Spirit. I testify this is true.
I invite you all to cut something that hinders your
communication from recognizing the Spirit. I know you'll recognize miracles and
wonders.
Love you all! 2 more transfers to learn and serve my
Lord. Wow.
Con amor,
Hermana Robles
No comments:
Post a Comment