feliiiiiiiiiz lunes

 With Hermana Townsend

Our "Mini Temple Square" trip!

12/09/13

Buenos buenos mis queridos! Feliz lunes! 

What a week of miracles! Well remember the Cubans? Well I found out they are actually doctors, and that is why they work so much, because they are starting up their own clinic and I didn't quite catch it all, but it is so the uninsured can receive medical care. He actually taught me quite a bit about perspective when he was explaining it. They said that in Cuba everything medical is free, so when they went to University to study medicine, it really was with pure intentions to help people, definitely not for the money. How Christ like is that? And he shared a miracle that on Saturday they treated an eight year old boy, then on Sunday they called back to make sure he was getting better and the dad just bore his heart to Hermano about how it was a miracle that they were able to help them, because every other doctor they went to said they couldn't treat him for their lack of insurance or time. But with that, they are also working out papers and such so that they can be closed on Sundays! The text from hermana actually said they were doing it all so that they can come to the house of God with us and worship. Well. We had a lesson with them yesterday and read in Alma 32. And she just opened up about how much that chapter related to her. Like I said a few weeks ago, all growing up she had been indoctrinated to believe that there wasn't a God, but she always had "the desire to believe". And with that, after much prayer, her seed of faith grew! She said that right now she still isn't sure about prophets, but she has that same desire, and she knows that if she continues to nurture it and it's a "good seed" that it will grow. They are so humble, and so excited to know the truth. 

Also, yesterday, Hermana Cano had her baptismal interview!! She is so ready. Last Wednesday we reviewed the commandments and went through the interview questions. When we talked about the Sabbath day and the importance of taking the sacrament every week, she said that now when it passes her, she feels anxious to take it. ANXIOUS. Well she said ansioso. But it just made me think, "is that how I feel about the sacrament?". A personal check. But the most incredible moment was on the final interview question. It essentially explains that to be baptized, you are making a covenant that you are willing to take upon yourself the name of Christ and keep His commandments. Are you ready to make this commitment? She broke down in tears and said that she has never been so sure. She is so ready. This has been a nearly thirty year process of investigating the church, because of her husband. Many of the members have been congratulating us on being the missionaries to finally "convince her"... but I know it has absolutely nothing to do with us. This has been completely between her and the Lord, we have just had the privilege to be the little catalyst. I am so excited for her and can't wait to come back to Houston in a year to go to the temple with her (... I guess I gotta get saving). :) 

Well, on Saturday we had an appointment way up in the north of our area. We called to confirm, but they didn't answer. So we decided to head up anyway. Well… they weren't home. But their yard was cooovered in leaves. (Yes, the leaves here are just barely falling). Well I don't know if they are really leaves, they kind of look like what would fall off the lorax tree. Well... we decided to do some service. We knocked around the neighborhood first and tried to share a message, but if they said no, we asked if we could borrow a rake! We ended up getting the necessary supplies, and ended up raking quite a few lawns. (I guess I had to find something, since I can't shovel driveways this year!) It was so fun and we actually got a few potential investigators out of it! 

So everyone, find ways to serve! It softens hearts and it just makes you feel great. After all, when you are in the service of others, you are in the service of God! 

Have a great week! I love you all so much! Remember who you are and all you stand for. Make good choices. Replace fear with faith! 

les quiero demasiado,

Hermana Draper