Risking life and limb on the icy stairs!
On exchange with Hermana Rife and the icicles on the car!
1/27/14
Hola Familia!! Como estan??
What a FANTASTIC week!! (pun
intended... for my not-so-fantastic, Fantastic Sam's haircut... and then
my somewhat Fantastic Sami's cleanup job… with paper scissors...)
Also, Houston decided to freeze
over... one of our investigators broke her arm because she slipped on ice. It
was actually quite drastic. They cancelled school, and a ton of stores were
closed. But it was just for one day. It was back up to seventy the next day.
Texas. Oh. And our car got towed... that was a fun one. But with all of that,
it really was an awesome week! Because everything happens for a reason!
An update with the missionaries
sister. So she is progressing like crazy, and her daughter is my favorite
person in the world. We have really been trying to emphasize the importance of
daily prayer and scripture study with them, because that is the only way for
them to truly become personally converted. So, on Friday we had a lesson with
them and we decided to watch the movie "Finding Faith in Christ".
Then we did a little challenge for them where we made a chart for one week with
columns for morning and evening prayers, reading ten minutes each day, and
going to church. Then the invitation was to write how they felt about their
relationship with Christ at the first of the week, and then how they felt it
had grown by the end of the week. At the end of the lesson, her cute little eight-year
old looks at me and said "hermana Draper, yo queria preguntarle algo, si
usted podria ensenarme como orar".. (Sister Draper, I wanted to see if you
could teach me how to pray). Ay! We had taught that a while back, and she was
at school during that time. She explained how she didn't want to have to leave
the prayer columns blank on her chart! It was so... cute. Super tender. Hermana
was super happy to see her daughter with this desire to pray, and the spirit
was so strong as she offered the closing prayer for us. Also, on Saturday she
went with the primary on their temple trip and had the chance to see the temple
and meet the temple president! We weren't there, but the member that took her
said that it was super special and she was very happy. It has been so amazing
to see how the spirit is working in this little family. The hermana really just
wants to do what is best for her daughter, and so her daughters excitement is
definitely motivating the whole process!
Also, one night we decided to contact
one of the past investigators that we found in the area book. Unfortunately
they weren't home, but we decided to knock around the circle. I am pretty sure
we met people from all four corners of the earth. Ecuador, Scotland, India,
Venezuela, and obviously Texas! Well, the Indians were so incredibly
hospitable, as always. They let us in, gave us food, and sat and talked with
us. They were super willing to listen to our message, then afterward they also
shared with us part of their culture. We said a prayer, and then she had her
little nine year old son come in and sing one of their supplications for us. It
was amazing. I have so much respect for these people that have so much
dedication to their beliefs and are just so kind.
The next door we knocked right as he
was walking out the garage. He was in a hurry, but he said we could come back
the next day. Well, we went back the next day, and he couldn't meet with us
(because school was cancelled and he had to babysit all his sisters’ kids) but
he said we could come back on Sunday and that his sister would be there too!
Well, we went back yesterday... and it was awesome! They welcomed us right in,
and were so open to listening. They explained that they were raised catholic,
but it was because in their pueblo in Venezuela there is only one church. One
catholic church in the whole city! Then they came up to Texas where there is
literally a church on every corner… sometimes two. (Did I ever mention that
when we give directions to our chapel we have to say it is the third one down
the street?) Well we had a super awesome first lesson. When we explained the
first vision they were in awe. They said they had heard of virgins and angels
appearing to people, so for God Himself to appear, it must be a pretty big
deal! Then after we introduced the Book of Mormon they asked if we were selling
them, or how could they get their own copy. Okay, it's fine. They are free!
Read! They were both super excited to be learning, and committed to read and
pray! Unfortunately the brother was only here temporarily studying English and
is heading back to Venezuela… today. But it is okay. Because it is the same
glorious gospel in all parts of the world!
Well, I don't know if any of this
email makes any sense. I just can never do it justice to try and explain how it
really feels to be a missionary! This past week we had exchanges and I had the
chance to be with Hermana Rife, who is actually heading home in two weeks. It
was such an awesome day, but really she just talked about how blessed we are to
be out here. I am so grateful to be a missionary. Just know that I love it
here. I hope you all have a great day! Remember to replace fear with faith, and
say ten things you are grateful for! I love you!
les quiero,
Hermana Draper
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