¡Hola!
¿Como le va su dia? ¡Espero que todo este bien y esten disfrutando el principio de verano! So I guess if there was a theme for the week, it'd be Hermana Balls, who is one of my two best friends from the mission. She got really sick, so we took turns doing splits with her and Hna. Villatoro so that some work could still get done in their area. The next day was her 1 year mark, and she was still sick, but we totally celebrated and had fun! She and I were scheduled to have normal splits in my area the day after, so we had a great day in Bella Vista together:) I know I've said it before, but man, our English really has gone downhill; we're such a pathetic pair haha:) I'm glad we live super close back home because we're really going to need to help each other out:)
Okay, so I never have to eat weird food here, but I broke the streak and ate cow's stomach (not that I knew what it was until after I ate it haha :D). Also, Hna. Balls and I had a hilarious Spanglish conversation with this drunk guy from Ecuador haha let's just say it was memorable:)
While on splits in Quisqueya with Hna. Villatoro, we first went to visit the bishop's less-active daughter. We taught about prayer, and it turned out that right before we knocked on her door, she had been praying for someone to come visit her! She was like, "Wow, that was quick!" It was a wonderful testimony-builder to all of us that God really does want to help us and will answer us when we pray in faith.
Hna. Ventocilla and I visited Yamilka for the last time yesterday. She had actually read different parts of the Book of Mormon and found out about the 3 Nephites who are still here and the resurrection, so her questions started out perfect for what we were going to teach (finishing the Plan of Salvation). Well, she doesn't believe we should get a second chance to accept the gospel and repent in the Spirit World, thinks the BOM completely contradicts the Bible (false: they go completely hand-in-hand), and bashed everything we said. It was probably the hardest, saddest lesson of my life. I can't believe how hardened her heart has become. Mentally, this whole situation has been really hard for us as missionaries; when your pure gold investigator, who is one of your only investigators, flips the switch so forcefully like that, it's definitely disheartening, and not gonna lie, my faith wavered a bit. But I have to be strong and trust that there's someone who's truly prepared and ready to accept the gospel. I know we can find them, so we gotta keep searching like crazy!!
Well, we do have someone new, a mother named Yennel! She was raised by a Jehovah's Witness, and she married a Jew (I've actually never encountered that religion here), so she doesn't understand who Christ truly is. I've never gotten to explain so thoroughly the nature of our Savior--it was really cool. And typically in teaching, I refer to Him as "your" or "our" Savior, but Yennel asked me to explain my personal relationship with Him. I guess since I've never had an older sibling, the most personal way I can imagine Christ would be as my older brother--my perfect example who's always there for me; who will comfort, counsel. defend, and protect me; whose love will never falter or fail. I'm so grateful to know that He will never give up on us, never leave us to wander in darkness, and is always ready to help us when we humbly ask for it. I'm incredibly thankful for this opportunity to be His representative. I love my Savior, and I love each and every one of you!
Con amor,
Hermana Randall
¿Como le va su dia? ¡Espero que todo este bien y esten disfrutando el principio de verano! So I guess if there was a theme for the week, it'd be Hermana Balls, who is one of my two best friends from the mission. She got really sick, so we took turns doing splits with her and Hna. Villatoro so that some work could still get done in their area. The next day was her 1 year mark, and she was still sick, but we totally celebrated and had fun! She and I were scheduled to have normal splits in my area the day after, so we had a great day in Bella Vista together:) I know I've said it before, but man, our English really has gone downhill; we're such a pathetic pair haha:) I'm glad we live super close back home because we're really going to need to help each other out:)
Okay, so I never have to eat weird food here, but I broke the streak and ate cow's stomach (not that I knew what it was until after I ate it haha :D). Also, Hna. Balls and I had a hilarious Spanglish conversation with this drunk guy from Ecuador haha let's just say it was memorable:)
While on splits in Quisqueya with Hna. Villatoro, we first went to visit the bishop's less-active daughter. We taught about prayer, and it turned out that right before we knocked on her door, she had been praying for someone to come visit her! She was like, "Wow, that was quick!" It was a wonderful testimony-builder to all of us that God really does want to help us and will answer us when we pray in faith.
Hna. Ventocilla and I visited Yamilka for the last time yesterday. She had actually read different parts of the Book of Mormon and found out about the 3 Nephites who are still here and the resurrection, so her questions started out perfect for what we were going to teach (finishing the Plan of Salvation). Well, she doesn't believe we should get a second chance to accept the gospel and repent in the Spirit World, thinks the BOM completely contradicts the Bible (false: they go completely hand-in-hand), and bashed everything we said. It was probably the hardest, saddest lesson of my life. I can't believe how hardened her heart has become. Mentally, this whole situation has been really hard for us as missionaries; when your pure gold investigator, who is one of your only investigators, flips the switch so forcefully like that, it's definitely disheartening, and not gonna lie, my faith wavered a bit. But I have to be strong and trust that there's someone who's truly prepared and ready to accept the gospel. I know we can find them, so we gotta keep searching like crazy!!
Well, we do have someone new, a mother named Yennel! She was raised by a Jehovah's Witness, and she married a Jew (I've actually never encountered that religion here), so she doesn't understand who Christ truly is. I've never gotten to explain so thoroughly the nature of our Savior--it was really cool. And typically in teaching, I refer to Him as "your" or "our" Savior, but Yennel asked me to explain my personal relationship with Him. I guess since I've never had an older sibling, the most personal way I can imagine Christ would be as my older brother--my perfect example who's always there for me; who will comfort, counsel. defend, and protect me; whose love will never falter or fail. I'm so grateful to know that He will never give up on us, never leave us to wander in darkness, and is always ready to help us when we humbly ask for it. I'm incredibly thankful for this opportunity to be His representative. I love my Savior, and I love each and every one of you!
Con amor,
Hermana Randall
Missionary in training: Bishop's son, Moises Polanco:)
We found this fabulous car sign, which says, "Alert--signs indicate that Christ comes." Love it!!
-Our ward mission leader, Neal Reyes
Hermana Polanco is such a fabulous cook! In Bella Vista, we have the blessing of eating with members each Sunday:)
Happy 1 year to Hermana Balls! As of today, she and I have exactly 6 more months in the mission!