A BETTER WEEK

I can honestly say that this week was one of the best weeks of my mission! It started out pretty rough....one day ALL of our appointments fell through so we walked around the city for HOURS trying to find investigators, less active members, or references who had time, but every single house was busy. We tried to visit with at least 12 families and by the end of that night we were so tired, stumbling over our own feet when we ran into some members in the street who told us that Estela had broken her arm!! Poor thing, she was more worried about the fact that we might have to postpone her baptism than by the fact her arm is in a cast!! And then, we got a call from Antonia who said she was called into work outside of the city and wouldn´t be able to return for TWO WEEKS! Two weeks! What is happening to our investigators!?! So now both their baptism dates are set for the 25th of this month (cross your fingers)!) But I have faith that everything will work out and Heavenly Father loves them both and has His plans for them!

But here comes the good part! So this Saturday, our ward had a baptism! The Elders have been teaching Juan Carlos for months now and his story is truly a miracle story! This man has been attacked by the adversary from every angle possible but he has kept strong and has said over and over that He will always put God first! He´s been ready for weeks and we have fasted and prayed as a District for him and I know that because of our faith, his faith, and by Heavenly Father´s will, it happened! It was probably the most spiritual baptismal service I´ve ever been to. I was tearing up only a little during the baptsim and then I looked overat Sarah (aunt of Estela--the Elders are teaching her family) and she was sobbing because she felt the Spirit SO STRONG and knew that this was right for her and her family so then of course I started bawling and there was lots of hugging and crying and girly emotions and it was beautiful. Estela and Sarah´s daughter, Judith (cousin of Estela) were also there at the baptism and they kept talking about how excited they were for their own baptisms! AHHHH I love it!

And then on Sunday, we had even more miracles. We have also been praying and fasting so hard for our Investigators, less active members, and recent converts to feel the desire and have the ability to come to church and on Sunday so many came! We were overjoyed!! We were even able to pick up Merli (remember her?) and Erika and take them with us and that was so special to me to see them both in their dresses, just GLOWING. I´ll try to send pics later. Estela was even there too!! We´re still working on her mom, but Estela is rock solid. Oh man, it´s miracles like these that just strengthen my faith and give me energy each and every day!!

I know that the power of prayer and fasting is real. So real....and I know that Heavenly Father listens to our prayers and answers them, in His own time and His own way. I know that He cries with us when we cry and is happy when we are obedient and follow his commandments and the example of our Savior. I love my Savior and my Father and I pray every day to be able to know them better and truly understand all that they have done for me. 

I hope you all are having a great week! And I hope you are all reading the Book of Mormon! December 31! I love you ALL so much!! Thank you for the prayers and love!!

HURRAH FOR ISRAEL!