¡Saludos a todos!
We had some absolutely amazing things happen this week! It began with another zone meeting on Tuesday, and the next day, we hit the jack-pot with contacting. Super weird and cool, but within an hour, we met a Colombian, an Arabian, and an English-speaking atheist. The only other atheist I've found was a Spaniard while I was still in the CCM, so I was expecting this time to not go too well, either, but the guy nicely said, "Yeah, we can talk, what's the theme?" It totally caught me off guard,and I was like, "Uh, your salvation." We laughed, and he was really awesome as I briefly explained the nature of the Godhead on his doorstep. And guess what? He was actually interested in passing by the Church on Sunday! Una experiencia loca y divertida:)
So last week when we went to the doctor's office...well, that was because I was covered head to toe in a hideous, red rash. We don't know the exact cause, but the doctor said it was a fungal rash, so he gave me a special soap, and it worked! It was from a fungus and not a virus because it was on my hands, apparently, but now I'm healed, yippee!
The other Hermanas in the house had a baptism Saturday night that we went to, and the teenager who got baptized works in my area. When Hnas. Balls and Villegas went to visit him at his job a few days before, they met his boss who was really interested in the Church! He said he's always been intrigued by "the gold man with the trumpet," referring to the angel Moroni on top of the temple,and he's heard a bit about "that Smith guy and his book." So Hermana Perez and I went over to meet him, and he straight-up asked for a Book of Mormon!! People, that does not happen here! His name is Alex, and he is pure gold!
We set up an appointment for the next day, which was when I got to go on splits with an Hermana from the CCM! Hermana Johnson and I had a total blast together; she's from Texas, joined the Church just over a year ago, and leaves for Puerto Rico today. It was my first time being the older one and lead Spanish-speaker, plus I only have 3 weeks in the area, but we didn't get lost, I survived being in charge of the Spanish and helping her, and we had lots of fun! We put an investigator named Adolfo on date for baptism: May 7th, wahoo!! My first date in the area!
Then we got to teach Alex in English, and wow, he is so prepared to hear the gospel! He went to school in the States and saw a good influence by the LDS community. He said, "Do you know what I like about the Mormons? You're always serving people. Whenever anyone needs help, you guys are there to do whatever you can." I can't tell you how excited I am to teach him more!!
We received permission to have a special lesson on the temple grounds on Saturday with Elena and Rosa, our investigators who came to General Conference! We're only 15 minutes away from the temple:) It was amazing getting to teach in such a spiritual setting; we talked about the Law of Chastity, temple marriage, and the purpose of temples. Then we got to enter just the lobby, and they could definitely feel the calming spirit there. It was an even more special experience because...Hermana Perez's stake was there, and she got to see her mom and brother! I was so happy for them:) We had no idea they'd be there, honestly. Her mom was still in an endowment session during our lesson, but her brother, who's preparing to serve his mission, helped us teach. Then, when she saw her mom after, it was the sweetest moment:)
Last night, we had a surprise birthday party for Hermana Villegas, who turned 22 and is going home in a couple of weeks:) Also yesterday, I got to give a talk in sacrament meeting about the joy of living the gospel through obeying the commandments. Mosiah 2:41 sums up my thoughts perfectly:
"And moreover, I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out faithful to the end they are received into heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness. O remember, remember that these things are true; for the Lord God hath spoken it."
I hope you'll keep that powerful message in your hearts this week:) Love you so much, and good luck to all my BYU buddies who have finals this week!! ¡Buena suerte!
Con amor,
Hermana Melissa Randall
We had some absolutely amazing things happen this week! It began with another zone meeting on Tuesday, and the next day, we hit the jack-pot with contacting. Super weird and cool, but within an hour, we met a Colombian, an Arabian, and an English-speaking atheist. The only other atheist I've found was a Spaniard while I was still in the CCM, so I was expecting this time to not go too well, either, but the guy nicely said, "Yeah, we can talk, what's the theme?" It totally caught me off guard,and I was like, "Uh, your salvation." We laughed, and he was really awesome as I briefly explained the nature of the Godhead on his doorstep. And guess what? He was actually interested in passing by the Church on Sunday! Una experiencia loca y divertida:)
So last week when we went to the doctor's office...well, that was because I was covered head to toe in a hideous, red rash. We don't know the exact cause, but the doctor said it was a fungal rash, so he gave me a special soap, and it worked! It was from a fungus and not a virus because it was on my hands, apparently, but now I'm healed, yippee!
The other Hermanas in the house had a baptism Saturday night that we went to, and the teenager who got baptized works in my area. When Hnas. Balls and Villegas went to visit him at his job a few days before, they met his boss who was really interested in the Church! He said he's always been intrigued by "the gold man with the trumpet," referring to the angel Moroni on top of the temple,and he's heard a bit about "that Smith guy and his book." So Hermana Perez and I went over to meet him, and he straight-up asked for a Book of Mormon!! People, that does not happen here! His name is Alex, and he is pure gold!
We set up an appointment for the next day, which was when I got to go on splits with an Hermana from the CCM! Hermana Johnson and I had a total blast together; she's from Texas, joined the Church just over a year ago, and leaves for Puerto Rico today. It was my first time being the older one and lead Spanish-speaker, plus I only have 3 weeks in the area, but we didn't get lost, I survived being in charge of the Spanish and helping her, and we had lots of fun! We put an investigator named Adolfo on date for baptism: May 7th, wahoo!! My first date in the area!
Then we got to teach Alex in English, and wow, he is so prepared to hear the gospel! He went to school in the States and saw a good influence by the LDS community. He said, "Do you know what I like about the Mormons? You're always serving people. Whenever anyone needs help, you guys are there to do whatever you can." I can't tell you how excited I am to teach him more!!
We received permission to have a special lesson on the temple grounds on Saturday with Elena and Rosa, our investigators who came to General Conference! We're only 15 minutes away from the temple:) It was amazing getting to teach in such a spiritual setting; we talked about the Law of Chastity, temple marriage, and the purpose of temples. Then we got to enter just the lobby, and they could definitely feel the calming spirit there. It was an even more special experience because...Hermana Perez's stake was there, and she got to see her mom and brother! I was so happy for them:) We had no idea they'd be there, honestly. Her mom was still in an endowment session during our lesson, but her brother, who's preparing to serve his mission, helped us teach. Then, when she saw her mom after, it was the sweetest moment:)
Last night, we had a surprise birthday party for Hermana Villegas, who turned 22 and is going home in a couple of weeks:) Also yesterday, I got to give a talk in sacrament meeting about the joy of living the gospel through obeying the commandments. Mosiah 2:41 sums up my thoughts perfectly:
"And moreover, I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out faithful to the end they are received into heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness. O remember, remember that these things are true; for the Lord God hath spoken it."
I hope you'll keep that powerful message in your hearts this week:) Love you so much, and good luck to all my BYU buddies who have finals this week!! ¡Buena suerte!
Con amor,
Hermana Melissa Randall
Hermana Villegas' birthday!
Splits with Hermana Johnson from the CCM!
(How she loves the temple! It makes us so happy)
Our lesson with Elena and Rosa at the temple:)