¡Saludos de la locura en Ivan Guzman!
This has been, without a doubt, one of the most insane weeks of my mission, and that's saying something! So buckle in as I mas o menos go in order:)
Our Hermana Leader, Hna. Gines, came here on Tuesday to go on splits with me! Too many crazy things happened to tell, but the most significant one was that Natasha dropped us hard core. Super duper sad, but it just goes to show that she wasn't truly ready for her baptism; better that she didn't make that covenant now and then break it right after. On Wednesday, we had too many people to visit, so Hna. Vazquez and I went on splits with members and had an absolutely amazing Plan of Salvation lesson with investigator couple Katherine and Juan. Plus, we went over to wish Victor happy 17th birthday! Thursday, Hna. Vazquez completed 100 days in the mission! My baby is growing up so fast:)
Throughout the whole week, we were organizing Wbert and Mariela's wedding, a process that is much more stressful in real life than imagined as a kid haha:) Well, Friday finally came, and after two and a half hours of waiting while eight other weddings happened, the judge married Wbert and Mariela!! It was fantastic!! They were both so cute and happy:) There was a stake thing that night, so we had to wait until the next day for the reception. Saturday morning was spent decorating the chapel, and the plan was to have Wbert's baptism at 3, the reception at 4, end and clean up at 5 to have everything ready by 5:30 for stake conference at 6. Nutsy, right?? But then Mariela took way too long to get ready and arrive, so she didn't show up until 3:45 ahhh which is when we finally started the baptism, and somehow, everything turned out okay from there. The first Elder to find and teach the family (who's now the AP and finishing his mission this week) baptized Wbert, and ti was so sweet:) He has sacrificed so much to get to this point, it's unreal. Many people came to support him and Mariela, and the reception was a hit! Yippee!
The week wasn't over yet, though. We had one last choir rehearsal on Sunday morning for stake conference. I had been asked just last Sunday to accompany the first song--AHHH--but thankfully I could sightread it:) I got to co-direct one of the other songs, and everything went beautifully! The new Caribbean Area president, Elder Gonzalez of the Seventy from Uruguay, spoke, along with President Nuckols and temple President Flake--amazing! And investigators Paola, Glori, Virginia, Eduardo, and Angela came! We got to eat lunch with familia Mercado and President & Hermana Flake afterwords, who will b finishing their service in two weeks. Get this: they are from Centerville!! And they know both my grandpas from working for the Church!! Like when Grandpa Q. was in charge of Welfare Services, he was the one to interview President Flake for his job haha what a small world:)
While our apartment is being hacked apart today to fix the water system, we have been organizing everything because something very special and absolutely insane is going to happen. Friday night, President Nuckols called and said that our area is going to be split/have two companionships...and he asked both Hermana Vazquez and I to train new Americans!!!!!!!!! I AM GOING TO BE A MOM AGAIN AND A GRANDMA AT THE SAME TIME!!!!!!!!!!! I am seriously living "Father of the Bride 2" hahaha can you believe it?? We can't! As you can imagine, Hermana Vazquez is scared to death--she's just finishing her own training and now has to do it with someone else. We are going to need lots of your prayers this week for everyone to stay calm and adjust okay.
These past two transfers with my daughter have been the best two of my entire mission. Never have I been happier or had more visible success. In less than three months, four investigators have been baptized--all of whom are or will be worthy Priesthood holders. We pulled off a wedding and survived--even enjoyed:)--whitewashing our area. In addition, an investigator I found and taught in Bella Vista (Alberto) was baptized on Saturday:) The Lord has poured out His blessings more than I've ever been able to imagine. This truly is His work and glory. As I head into the last transfer of my full-time missionary service, I have to work harder than ever to do His will. This is the time to use everything I've ever learned and sprint to the finish line. If I'm obedient and give everything I've gt as I help my second daughter in these last six weeks, I know the Lord will strengthen us and bless this area more than we can comprehend.
Doctrine and Covenants 4:2
"Therefore, O ye that embark in the service of God, see that ye serve him with all your heart, might, mind and strength, that ye may stand blameless before God at the last day."
Nos vemos pronto,
Hermana Randall
This has been, without a doubt, one of the most insane weeks of my mission, and that's saying something! So buckle in as I mas o menos go in order:)
Our Hermana Leader, Hna. Gines, came here on Tuesday to go on splits with me! Too many crazy things happened to tell, but the most significant one was that Natasha dropped us hard core. Super duper sad, but it just goes to show that she wasn't truly ready for her baptism; better that she didn't make that covenant now and then break it right after. On Wednesday, we had too many people to visit, so Hna. Vazquez and I went on splits with members and had an absolutely amazing Plan of Salvation lesson with investigator couple Katherine and Juan. Plus, we went over to wish Victor happy 17th birthday! Thursday, Hna. Vazquez completed 100 days in the mission! My baby is growing up so fast:)
Throughout the whole week, we were organizing Wbert and Mariela's wedding, a process that is much more stressful in real life than imagined as a kid haha:) Well, Friday finally came, and after two and a half hours of waiting while eight other weddings happened, the judge married Wbert and Mariela!! It was fantastic!! They were both so cute and happy:) There was a stake thing that night, so we had to wait until the next day for the reception. Saturday morning was spent decorating the chapel, and the plan was to have Wbert's baptism at 3, the reception at 4, end and clean up at 5 to have everything ready by 5:30 for stake conference at 6. Nutsy, right?? But then Mariela took way too long to get ready and arrive, so she didn't show up until 3:45 ahhh which is when we finally started the baptism, and somehow, everything turned out okay from there. The first Elder to find and teach the family (who's now the AP and finishing his mission this week) baptized Wbert, and ti was so sweet:) He has sacrificed so much to get to this point, it's unreal. Many people came to support him and Mariela, and the reception was a hit! Yippee!
The week wasn't over yet, though. We had one last choir rehearsal on Sunday morning for stake conference. I had been asked just last Sunday to accompany the first song--AHHH--but thankfully I could sightread it:) I got to co-direct one of the other songs, and everything went beautifully! The new Caribbean Area president, Elder Gonzalez of the Seventy from Uruguay, spoke, along with President Nuckols and temple President Flake--amazing! And investigators Paola, Glori, Virginia, Eduardo, and Angela came! We got to eat lunch with familia Mercado and President & Hermana Flake afterwords, who will b finishing their service in two weeks. Get this: they are from Centerville!! And they know both my grandpas from working for the Church!! Like when Grandpa Q. was in charge of Welfare Services, he was the one to interview President Flake for his job haha what a small world:)
While our apartment is being hacked apart today to fix the water system, we have been organizing everything because something very special and absolutely insane is going to happen. Friday night, President Nuckols called and said that our area is going to be split/have two companionships...and he asked both Hermana Vazquez and I to train new Americans!!!!!!!!! I AM GOING TO BE A MOM AGAIN AND A GRANDMA AT THE SAME TIME!!!!!!!!!!! I am seriously living "Father of the Bride 2" hahaha can you believe it?? We can't! As you can imagine, Hermana Vazquez is scared to death--she's just finishing her own training and now has to do it with someone else. We are going to need lots of your prayers this week for everyone to stay calm and adjust okay.
These past two transfers with my daughter have been the best two of my entire mission. Never have I been happier or had more visible success. In less than three months, four investigators have been baptized--all of whom are or will be worthy Priesthood holders. We pulled off a wedding and survived--even enjoyed:)--whitewashing our area. In addition, an investigator I found and taught in Bella Vista (Alberto) was baptized on Saturday:) The Lord has poured out His blessings more than I've ever been able to imagine. This truly is His work and glory. As I head into the last transfer of my full-time missionary service, I have to work harder than ever to do His will. This is the time to use everything I've ever learned and sprint to the finish line. If I'm obedient and give everything I've gt as I help my second daughter in these last six weeks, I know the Lord will strengthen us and bless this area more than we can comprehend.
Doctrine and Covenants 4:2
"Therefore, O ye that embark in the service of God, see that ye serve him with all your heart, might, mind and strength, that ye may stand blameless before God at the last day."
Nos vemos pronto,
Hermana Randall