Hermana Dodge and Hermana Ostler
So last Sunday we decided to go over to
Mari's house. Mari is a lady that the Elders contacted and referred to
us because she lives in our area. she wants to find something that will help
her and her family, especially her sons. so we've tried contacting her but she
works all day and her husband just lost his job so it has been a little
difficult. Last Sunday when we went over she answered the door and immediately
invited us in. It was so cool! I had to ask her twice if we could come in just
because I was like, "Oh, wow, we're really going into her house!", so
we sit down and start sharing the gospel with her. I offered to say the opening
prayer if she would like to say a prayer before we leave and she just beamed
and said, "Yes! Can you teach me how to pray? I just don't really know how!" And I
said, "Yes of course!" We went through the steps and I prayed to give an example
and she just loved it. We shared the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ
with her and she soaked it up. Angels have really been preparing her to listen
to us. Right before we shared Joseph Smith's experiences with her, she stopped
and said, "Hold on! Let me shut off the music!" (there was soft music
on in the background that we didn't even really notice) and so she went and
shut it off and then said that she really wanted to pay attention because she
could tell this was very special. So, Hermana Ostler shared the First Vision
and the Spirit was there with us. It was amazing. We introduced her to the Book
of Mormon and explained what it was and before we could even commit her to read
a specific part she held the book up to her chest and said, "Thank you very
much! I work every day but I will read this book every single day at work when
I have time or before I go to bed!" and we just looked at each other like...
"Did you hear that?!" and so we marked Chapter 10 of Moroni to read
in the Book of Mormon and she said she would definitely read it before the next
time we came. We asked her to give the closing prayer and she knelt down and
scooted closer to us and said "I want to pray by you!" and she
offered one of the most sincere prayers to our Heavenly Father I have ever
heard. She forgot how to end and so she looked at me and I opened my eyes and
whispered, "En el nombre de Jesucristo, amen." to her and then she said
it. She opened her eyes and said I feel this cool feeling on my body, kind of
like cool water inside of me. I've never felt this way before, and I looked her
in the eyes and told her that was the Holy Ghost testifying to her that what
we've shared is true, and that she can feel good feelings like that every
single time she reads and prays. Her eyes started to fill with tears and she clasped
her hands together and closed her yes and said "Gracias, Padre.
Gracias". It was one of the most amazing things in the whole world. We
didn't even have to ask her to kneel and pray, she just did it. She beat us to
making commitments! Of course, we still made them, but SHE is the one who
brought them up! The Lord is preparing people to hear this message of the
Restoration. People are looking for the truth to fill the part of their hearts
and souls that cannot be filled by anything else.
This dog just kept wanting to shake my hand. So funny!
Then, yesterday we were visiting
some potential investigators and referrals. There is a specific apartment
complex that we have a lot of contacts in. So, we were there and we were about
to walk out and there was this younger (20s or 30s) Mexican guy working on his
car. The Spirit said "GO TALK TO HIM. NOW." So I said
"Well, alright!" and walked over. Hermana Ostler just turned around
and I was already half way across the parking lot, and she just hurried after
me! (She's getting used to me doing stuff like that.) Anyway, I walked over and
introduced us and asked his name and he said, "Angel!" (pronounced ahn-hell)
and my jaw dropped. We had been trying to meet Angel for a few weeks now! He
was a referral from some other missionaries and every time we went over he
wasn't home, was working, or something. We had only talked to his wife! And
so we set up a time to meet with his wife and kids on Tuesday (tomorrow) and
then we would try and meet Angel later. So, there we were, talking to Angel in
the flesh! I looked at him and my jaw dropped and I said, "WE'VE BEEN
LOOKING FOR YOU! NO WAY!" I explained that I saw him and felt really
impressed to come talk to him right now and that was why! We talked to him about
his belief in Christ and He told us about how in a lot of churches they preach
about Paul and John, and other apostles and a lot of churches doctrines
contradict each other and that he just really likes learning about Jesus Christ
because he is "the way and the truth!" It was amazing. We talked about how
the Savior is the head of our church and how everything we do as missionaries
revolves around sharing his gospel-the original gospel that he set up when he
was on the Earth and he really liked that! Anyway, we told him we were going to
stop by on Tuesday and visit his wife and then set up to teach his whole family
and He loved that. We talked about how the Gospel of Jesus Christ blesses
FAMILIES. It brings us all closer together. It was wonderful. I am so grateful
for the Holy Ghost and how he leads us to the people who need this message. I'm
grateful for the guidance He gives us. All we have to do is ask for it and
listen to it. I love his work. I love being a missionary!
You cannot believe how many people have dogs here.
Everyone has at least one dog, many have many dogs,
and they LOVE to take pictures holding their dogs. LOL
and they LOVE to take pictures holding their dogs. LOL
The weather is crazy, it's over 110 out here about half the time. We only see under 100 in the mornings and evenings. Hermana Ostler is great! She's doing good. She's learning a lot. Being a trainer is so hard but really awesome all at the same time. My mind never stops. I'm always thinking and praying as we walk down the street. We're getting 20 new sisters in the mission this next transfer, and because of the split, there are only about 20 sisters here in the mission! And, they want to keep all the Sister Training Leaders together in companionships to make it easier, so some Hermana's will have to train 2 new sisters at once. And, the Assistants asked Hermana Ostler if she was ready to train at the Zone meeting a few weeks ago and she just looked at them with a deer in the head-lights type of look and said, "I'll do what God wants me to do!" So, she might be training too! I've been really focusing on her getting ready. I might have 2 new missionaries next transfer! Crazy!
Studying, and planning. I LOVE being a Missionary!
We're going to get pedicures with the English
Sisters after our zone activity today. OH MY GOSH. Aunt Lynn sent me a beautiful
birthday card with a $100 bill taped inside! Can you believe that!?!?! I was
SHOCKED. I am so grateful. Don't worry, I will be sending her a very nice hand
written thank you note. I am so grateful. It's crazy. She is such an angel! I
don't think I'll have time to go get something today, but next week I might go
buy a new pair of shoes with it. All of my Toms are just worn out! I washed them
this morning so hopefully they will look nicer. I don't need anything (for my Birthday) I'm doing
great! I'm a missionary! Missionaries don't need stuff! All we need is people
to teach, the Spirit, and a copy of the Book of Mormon! :)
I'm absolutely loving
life right now. God is so good to me. YOU are so good to me, mom and dad! I
love you both so incredibly much.
This is Estrella (Star in English) she wanted to wear
my name tag so bad...and who can refuse this face?
Bahahaaaa
