March 9, 2015 - Week 62

Well, this week was awesome!! First of all... We are having a baptism on Saturday! Samuel, the son of one of our recent converts, Tito, will be getting baptized on the 14th of March! We are so excited for him and he is super excited, too. He is 9 and just loves the church and stuff.. So, we are super excited for his special day. Also, our other investigator, Lucia, will be getting baptized in two weeks! Her date is the 20th of March. So, that is cool, too. I actually love the difference I have seen in her. It is the coolest thing. We have actually been working super hard with her so that we can help to her REALLY know that the church is true.

 It`s been so cool! Like ever since we have stopped counting numbers in the mission so that we can really FOCUS on the people and their needs... I have seen like miracles! It is really awesome. I remember when we first started teaching her (with her husband, Joel) that she was just kinda interested... But when we really get in there and find out was SHE needs as a person and how we can help her... We have seen the blessings! And that`s when I know and when I am sure that this really is the Lord`s work. Like it`s gotta be! He really is serious when he says, time after time in the scriptures, that He will help us in the work if we just do our part! We do everything in our power to help the people.. And he does the rest! I love it cuz it shows me that the promises really are true cuz I have experimented with it and IT WORKS! Haha that is just what I have been feeling lately. I love that we can teach and help the people not just to baptize so that they can just go inactive.. That does nothing. But to help them so they can know for themselves that this church is true and that it is the only true church on the face of the earth and to have a strong testimony to always endure to the END!!  So... We are super excited about her baptism!! And for Sam`s baptism..

Hermana Betty, Daihana & Micaela (Aratiri) and Julie (Itaugua)

Now I will talk about the Stake Conference we had... Remember how I have been in the same stake my entire mission?? Well, you can only imagine what it was like at the conference this week! I just know EVERYONE! But, really... It was so cool to see all the people I love in one place. I was just nonstop smiling for like 3 hours!! But, I got to see everyone from Itaugua and it was so cool... Including Lourdes, Sandra, and Natalia Maldonado.. Who were the first people I taught that got baptized! So, that was sweet! And guess what... Sandra is going on a mission!! She is just waiting for her call! So, I told her that si o si when she knows where she is going and when she goes to the temple... She has to let me know so I can go with her to see her and all! I am so happy!! They are the coolest people ever. Then, I see Angel!! Remember him?? He is that little 14 year old boy that was the first to get baptized in his fam... He went ALONE to the conference. He is the coolest kid ever!! Still strong! It was literally amazing to see all of these great people that (after a year!!) are still going strong in the church!! I can`t even express how happy I am! Then, I also see like everyone from Aratiri. Hugo with his daughters, Malena and Luz were there and they`re still going strong!! And, I find out that Hugo has received the priesthood now! WHAT?! Cool, right?? I am just so happy for all these people. I love them with all my heart and I can`t wait to visit them again... :)

Anyways... That was my awesome experience at conference.. Oh ya... And all the talks and stuff were great. President and Hermana McMullin were there and gave good talks as well. And so that is that! It was fun. Also, we just had a good week. I am so so so HAPPY with my new companion. Scratch that... She isn`t even my companion cuz she is my BEST FRIEND. But for realz.. Hermana Valenzuela is the coolest and we just kill it together. Not only is it like the best friendship just in like regular life when we talk and stuff... But also I have just learned like so much from her on like missionary things. We teach so well together!! I love it :) But, she is the kind of person that si o si will be in my life like probably... Forever. Haha but we are just insanely happy and excited stuff to be together.

 

So, that is my week! We are going to like the zoo or something today for p-day with our zone...  That should be fun.. Maybe. But, I`m excited. Also... We found a scorpion in our house last night!! In the bathroom. And we killed it. Well, Hermana Valenzuela killed it. But, it was scary! Have a great week! LOVE YOU!

Love, Hermana Whittaker