Week #11 - Granados

Feliz Año everyone!!

I hope that these last two weeks have been full of family-time and happiness. I loved being able to Skype my family on Christmas. It is such a blessing to have so much support from a wonderful family and to feel of their love while I´m so far away. Love you so much!!!

Last night was prettty crazy here celebrating the new year!! Peruvians go absoultely crazy with the fireworks. It was like WW1 just outside our apartment. I´ve never heard so many fireworks going off in my life. But somehow, I got some sleep. Thank heavens they keep us super busy as missionaries so that we´re absolutely exhausted at the end of the day and don´t have trouble sleeping, usually! 

This week, Hna. Inmunda was very sick and had a fierce cough so we made a trip to the clinic. Turned out that she had an infection in her throat so she needed to take lots of medication. She pretty much lost her voice completely, and couldn´t talk. The doctor told her she needed to rest and not talk at all, so we didn´t proseylte Tuesday or Wednesday. That meant lots and lots of studying for me this week and using the phone by myself!! I know the only way I can really learn and improve is through placing myself in uncomfortable situations, and these opportunities will present themselves  pretty much throughout the whole mission!

On Thursday, we had the chance to visit Napoleon who´s a super awesome investigator. He is a policeman and lives with his wife and kids but he has cancer and is having surgery this week. We´ve been praying for him and their family during this super difficult time, but we know the Gospel of Jesus Christ will provide them with so much strength and comfort.

On Friday when we were contacting, Hna. Inmunda found a lady for us to talk to, then in that exact moment, a man with his grandchild in a stroller came up to me and asked if he could have a card about Jesus Christ too. I said of course!! I then proceeded to talk to him about our purpose and about the Gospel of Jesus Christ while Hna. Inmunda was talking to the lady, and we finished with two new investigators. It was awesome. At times I look back on how much my confidence and Spanish has improved just in these passed 6 weeks and I am so grateful for the help and comfort my Heavenly Father has given me to get to where I am now. 

Saturday, we visited Estrella, who´s been taking the discussions for a while but now she has a baptismal date on January 20th!! We´re super excited for her and are working to help her feel comfortable at church. She´s almost 12, so she will be heading into the young women's program so we´re trying to get her familiar with the young women in the ward to find some friends. 

This is my 6th week here, which means the following week is cambios. I´ll most likely be staying here in Granados and finishing up my training, but I´m not sure if I´ll be finishing up training with Hermana Inmunda or another Hermana. These first 6 weeks have flown by, and I´ve learned so much. It´s been really tough at times, but I know that when we constantly look for ways to improve ourselves and truly humble ourselves to be more like our Savior, we can find happiness even during our darkest days. I really like the scripture in D&C 1:23, that explains how the Gospel will be preached by the weak and simple. That´s us! As a missionary, it´s super easy to feel really small, and at times like our influence isn´t doing anything for others but I know that the message of the Gospel is powerful and can change people´s lives. No matter what, if we´re trying to be like our Savior, we can be a light for others to follow, and we´re making a difference in their lives. I love you all, and hope you strive to set goals for this new year to be more like our Savior in one way or another.

Mucho amor,

Hermana Doney