Natalia and Patient Perseverance

Twas a good week! 

We have an investigator named Natalia.. she is 7 months pregnant. She says she really wants to raise a happy and strong family. So obviously the gospel is what she needs. She always listens and likes our lessons, now we`re just hoping she`ll actually read the BOM. 

We visited this guy named Ariel that Sister Allred and I used to teach, and he accepted a baptismal date! He's had problems in the past with keeping commitments, but I'mm hoping this time it works out. He is struggling and really needs a change in his life. 

Sister Hall & Sister Coleman

The work was a little hard this week because we got a ton of rejection. But we`re keeping the faith and trying to use prayer a lot more in the streets, to be guided to people who are prepared. I've been asking Spanish questions to all the members and Latino missioneros.. because I  have no other way of learning-right? Spanish is still a struggle at times, but I'm confident I know enough to survive here. 

During a lesson this week, I was teaching about Joseph Smith and a bird just splat pooped right on my foot. It was huge hahaha.. so i just looked down, sighed, and kept on explaining. Gotta try and keep the spirit there, right? freaking birds. The weather is really heating up. I've never sweat so much in my life. 

Our old investigator Country dropped us again this week. We will not teach him anymore.

We participated in a stake choir this Sunday, and it was great! Also the anniversary Nadia and I knowing each other is now 3 months! Oh how time flies! 

I studied in the BOM Mosiah 24 yesterday, which is one of my favorite chapters. It teaches us a lot about how we should handle ourselves and trust God when going through trials. It said we should endure with....

patient perseverance. Read this chapter! No, don't read it... study it! 

Love you all - Hermana Hall 

First Week as a Trainer...H. Coleman

My first week as a trainer! 

And guess what? its actually been super good. I have felt the Lords help more than ever this week. I was so stressed out, that the day before picking up my new comp, I actually made myself sick with a fever and chills from worrying too much. But ever since i picked up my new comp, I've been blessed to be able to communicate with people and understand them so much better. Its insane...

And our mission president reminded us that we have this time as a trainer to do plan our days and the work the way we feel inspired to do it....to be the most effective we can. And so I took that to heart and tried to plan the past few days in a way where we can talk to as many people as possible, and set up return appointments.  It is amazing how much more successful I've felt. Sometimes as a junior companion you feel "along for the ride" and I'm finding out now how stressful it can be to be the senior comp.  I"m basically doing all the talking, but when I get home at the end of each day, I feel I've given my best and that feels good. We found a couple people with real potential!

Also, we´ve had a couple more lessons with Country, and they went well. He said a bunch of nice stuff... and basically said that he always feel peace and love in my countenance when I'm talking to him. It made me so happy :) because I do.  He said he believes everything I teach, and he doesn't doubt my testimony.. he is looking for that change of heart for himself.  He is still unsure, but growing in faith. 

My new comp is great! (Hermana Coleman) She has 3 days here, so obviously she´s struggling a bit, which is normal. Shes sweet.. but was stressed out the other day because she couldn't understand a word all day. So I got her some cookies and milk and we watched Ephraims Rescue (church pioneer film) the only way I could think of to comfort her haha. She seemed cheered up after that.  

So yeah all in all this week has worked out great! Its been such a testimony to me that God is listening to my prayers, and blesses me as long as I'm being dilligent. I testify that the Lord knows what each of us needs and is always with us. Love you all! 

Chau

You have to read to know....

Another week, flew by!!! Weeks go by so fast out here, its crazy! And crazy that transfers will be next week! I'm slightly nervous, but I'm trusting that the Lord knows what I need. Even if what I need is a Latina companion, so I can only speak Spanish 24/7. I guess we shall see. 

We taught Luci again, and she has a lot of doubts, and still isn't praying or reading the Book of Mormon. What I testified to her is that she can't  know the truth if she doesn't do those two things- read and pray. Our witness of the truth comes from the Holy Ghost and nothing else.  It's the only way to find out. So I think we´re really going to focus on reading the Book of Mormon with her this week. The problem I've seen with people here is that they have a hard time following through on their commitments.  They like to talk about it, but have a hard time putting forth any effort of their own. They all say they´ll read, but hardly ever do it. I've had to have patience with that.  

Country came to church yesterday, but still wont let teach him any more.  We´re a little confused. But his birthday is tomorrow, so we left a note in his gate! Hopefully he can soften his heart, and let us keep teaching him. 

"Big Country" 

I´ve been fed like a gallon of dulce de leche this week... also 2 elders in our district are going home in a week, so we´re all having a bunch of treats tomorrow in district meeting. Wooooo... dulce de leche everything! 

Something cool that happened today is that I had prayed this morning to have the opportunity to talk to someone about the gospel, even though its Pday, because sometimes I find myself just having this be a day to myself. And we were in a store, and this man started talking to me, and I gave him a pamphlet. He said that I radiated peace :) 

One thing I noticed the other day while reading the story about lots wife... is that the story is so short! Only a few verses really.. but we can learn so much from it. And I got thinking, about how all of Christ's parables are usually only 10 or 15 verses.. yet we learn so much from them. But we wouldn't have that knowledge if we didn't study them out. It would be so easy to pass by something of great worth, because its just a short story. So I´ve been thinking a lot about how important it is to really study and ponder our scriptures, and not just take them at face value, because that is when the Lord can open our understanding, and we can receive personal revelation. 

Sister Missionaries in Formosa

"When you reach up for the Lords power in your life with the same intensity that a drowning person has when grasping and gasping for air, power from Jesus Christ will be yours. When the Savior knows you truly want to reach up to him- when he can feel that the greatest desire of your heart is to draw his power into your life- you will be led by the holy ghost to know exactly what you should do" -Russel M Nelson

Love you all! I think next week I´ll be writing on Tuesday, because we have transfers. Wish me luck. I think I'm staying.  

Ciao :)  Hermana Hall