The other night we didn't end up with enough time between our appointments to get more so by the time we finally got to one of our members houses and asked for some water, Sister Black and I downed almost an entire litter by ourselves within a couple seconds! We were so thirsty! The members looked so amazed by how much we managed to drink and we all had a good laugh.
Speaking of good laughs, I think one of my biggest struggles here is names. Granted, I have gotten so much better at remembering names since I started my mission but every now and then there is still a name I can't remember no matter how hard I try. Usually, it's not a problem when that happens though because I just ask how to spell their name and figure it out from there (so they won't think I forgot). The problem is when someone ends up with a really obvious/easy to spell name, like Bob for example. Because then you have to choose: do you want to look dumb for not being able to spell their name? Or do you want them to know you forgot? Well of course I don't want them to know I forgot, so our conversations always end up looking a little like this:
ME: "How do you spell your name?"
THEM: *with a look like I am crazy/dumb* "It's Bob... B - O - B"
ME: *With fake surprise but on the inside, feeling really silly* "OH!!!! Pala! I thought it was b - o - O - b!"
Besides that, the kids here are still adorable
and they like to follow us around while we are headed from appointment to appointment.
I have heard them start shouting "Sister Matheny!" as we pass by, which is super cute! (sometimes they call me Sister White, because Sister Black is my companion).
In addition, we have eaten pretty well this week...
and we had some mac & cheese and other goodies my mom sent for Easter.
I was super thankful for everything she sent and I know my roommates were too :) So thanks mom for everything, I love you a ton!
Besides that, we also had lots of really good lessons this week. I think one thing that really helped was the spirit. Recently, I feel like it has been getting easier and easier to recognize and follow the spirit, which really seems to help. And even when I have a bad day or it's really hot out,
I always come home happy
and with a big smile on my face because I'm so full of the spirit! It's AMAZING!
This week, some lessons that stood out to me a lot started with the Ajero family when we managed to offer a little comfort to Nanay Ajero as she cried to us about the feelings she has been having since her husband unexpectedly died two months ago. She was asking why it had to happen to him? He was a good husband and didn't do anything wrong. We comforted her by sharing part of the plan of salvation and before we left, she thanked us smiling. We felt really good about the lesson as we left.
Additionally, I was so happy when we went over to our investigator Mark's house to find he had read through 1 Nephi 7 and really has a strong desire to be baptized. In addition, I remember feeling so hopeless when we went over to Tatay Nagrampa's this week and he still hadn't made any progress with smoking.
I remember not having any idea of what to do or say. He comes to church every week, has read the whole BOM and has gotten down to 1 cigar every other day... but he doesn't want to give up that one! I was at a loss for what else we could do to help him when suddenly, the words just started to come.
Without even thinking, I shared parts of the plan of salvation. I could feel that the spirit was there as we testified of the importance of baptism and the Savior's atonement for us. I could feel that the Holy Ghost was there and as we taught, something weird happened: I saw Tatay change. I saw him start to want to change. By the end of the lesson, I could see a light and determination in Tatay's eyes that wasn't there before.
When we left, the spirit was so strong and I felt so good, I felt that we had made a difference, which is what I came here to do.
Finally, this Sunday I felt so accomplished as Sister Black and I led our "army" into church. We worked so hard this week and I felt it all pay off when we managed to get 10 of our investigators to church this week. Granted, we definitely had a bit of a workout going to pick them all up as we literally ran back and forth from house to house trying to get them all ready and to church on time. At least I can now say that I think I have a little taste of what it feels like to be a mom, trying to get everyone to church or school on time, It's SO STRESSFUL! But I have to admit, I couldn't help but smile as I saw the look on the elders faces as all our investigators came to church.
I have definitely learned a lot since I got here, from these people and their amazing example to me. I know I could not handle half of the struggles they go through every day
and there have been so many times that I have not been able to hold back the tears as I feel only a particle of the problems that weigh on some of the people here. It's so humbling!
But the reason we keep going and working our hardest is because we know that we have a Heavenly Father who loves us so much. And through His gospel, I know that the weight of all life's burdens can be lifted
as we are filled with the light and love of Christ, our Savior and Redeemer. I know He lives and I know He loves each of us so very much.
I hope you all have the best week ever :)
Sincerely, Sister Matheny
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