Hola Everyone!
This week was crazy! So much happened!
It all really started on Wednesday...
At district meeting we had MLC (Mission Leadership Council)
Bring Back and the zone leaders got to give us some updates and
reminders. One of these included the rule that we could no longer
participate in the branch choir because it cuts into proselyting time. We
were a little bummed because we love helping them out, but we
understood....this is where it gets interesting...
The huge stake Christmas program was yesterday...we were
told that after practicing with the branch choir, we couldn't sing Feliz Navidad
because it isn't centered around Christ...when we told the branch this, it was
not taken very well. Some people understood, but there was still a little
tension.
Our zone leaders had told us that we would be able to sing
as long as we had investigators there at both performances, which we totally
understood and were perfectly okay with abiding by that. We had told the branch
and they were supportive of it, until the night of the actual performance
(yesterday). None of our investigators came to the first concert and President
Parra got really upset. He had told us that he had invited so many people and
that none of them showed up, so we should get to stay because of the effort
that was put forward. He ended up calling President Castro and he gave us
permission to sing "Noche de Luz (Silent Night)" in both
concerts. It turned out really well! When the branch sang Feliz
Navidad, I almost started crying. I had never been so proud of the
branch! They did amazing!
We also told the branch that we couldn't participate in
choir anymore because it cuts into proselyting time and they understood, but
were still a little upset. I've loved being able to help them out, but I
definitely understand that we have rules for a reason and I totally support
them. I want all the blessings that I can get for being obedient. There was
another bright side to this though. We told the branch that we'd be able to
come if we brought investigators and used choir as a fellowshipping activity.
They got really excited about this and were determined to bring more
investigators to events! If their need of our musical abilities is what it's
going to take to get them more motivated about missionary work, then I guess
it's a good thing.
Our investigators are doing pretty good. Two of our investigators that had baptismal dates no longer do because they won't come to church. I really love working in this branch and in Spanish branches in general, but it gets really difficult when it comes to getting people rides to church or fellowship. Yesenia is currently our only investigator with a date, but we haven't seen her in over a week and we think she might be avoiding us. We texted her and asked if she was still serious in wanting to meet with us or continue being taught. We still haven't heard back from her.
Sandra and Reuben are still really enthusiastic about learning, especially Sandra. We were supposed to have a lesson with both of them on Saturday, but we found out that Sandra is in Texas currently trying to help her brother out with something that she doesn't want her family to know about. We talked to Reuben about it for a little bit, but he told us to come back when she was there so that they could continue learning together. He told us he would come to the Christmas concert at 5:00, but obviously that didn't end up happening even though we called him and reminded him at 4:00. Like I said earlier, he doesn't seem as interested as Sandra does, but we're still trying to figure out what is going to make him want it even more; what we can say to spark his interest.
We've been doing a lot of knocking this week because of the dwindling numbers of our investigators. We were knocking at this one apartment complex and decided to just hit every apartment in it. On the top floor of one of the stairwells, we met this really nice lady (who spoke English), Morgan, who invited us in and told us that she had lived in Utah when she was little and was one of the only Catholics on her block. She's a single mom who's working really hard to try to support her son and she told us that she didn't really get involved in religion in the past because it takes up a lot of time. She told us that when she gets involved in something she doesn't want to do it half-heartedly. However, she also told us that she wanted to get more involved in religion now that her son is starting to be able to communicate better. She wants to raise him with good morals. Even though she only speaks English and we had to pass her info on to the other sisters, she's so golden and ready. It's amazing how the Lord places people in our path who are ready. I'm definitely ready for a white Christmas! (D&C 4:4)
Our investigators are doing pretty good. Two of our investigators that had baptismal dates no longer do because they won't come to church. I really love working in this branch and in Spanish branches in general, but it gets really difficult when it comes to getting people rides to church or fellowship. Yesenia is currently our only investigator with a date, but we haven't seen her in over a week and we think she might be avoiding us. We texted her and asked if she was still serious in wanting to meet with us or continue being taught. We still haven't heard back from her.
Sandra and Reuben are still really enthusiastic about learning, especially Sandra. We were supposed to have a lesson with both of them on Saturday, but we found out that Sandra is in Texas currently trying to help her brother out with something that she doesn't want her family to know about. We talked to Reuben about it for a little bit, but he told us to come back when she was there so that they could continue learning together. He told us he would come to the Christmas concert at 5:00, but obviously that didn't end up happening even though we called him and reminded him at 4:00. Like I said earlier, he doesn't seem as interested as Sandra does, but we're still trying to figure out what is going to make him want it even more; what we can say to spark his interest.
We've been doing a lot of knocking this week because of the dwindling numbers of our investigators. We were knocking at this one apartment complex and decided to just hit every apartment in it. On the top floor of one of the stairwells, we met this really nice lady (who spoke English), Morgan, who invited us in and told us that she had lived in Utah when she was little and was one of the only Catholics on her block. She's a single mom who's working really hard to try to support her son and she told us that she didn't really get involved in religion in the past because it takes up a lot of time. She told us that when she gets involved in something she doesn't want to do it half-heartedly. However, she also told us that she wanted to get more involved in religion now that her son is starting to be able to communicate better. She wants to raise him with good morals. Even though she only speaks English and we had to pass her info on to the other sisters, she's so golden and ready. It's amazing how the Lord places people in our path who are ready. I'm definitely ready for a white Christmas! (D&C 4:4)
Also, at district meeting, the zone leaders also told us
that we're going to have a Christmas Devotional this week with President Castro
and two other zones. I'm pumped!! We get to sing as a zone a
special musical number and we get to have to two other additional musical
numbers per zone. I get to play the flute!!! I'm so excited!! I'm doing a
flute duet with Hermana Brown and we're doing a medley of "The Nativity
Song" and "The First Noel". I hope it turns out great!!
Oh yeah!! And I love my companion!!
Well...I have to go now, but thank you so much for all of
the love and support that I've received.
Con amor,
My Christmas Card I Sent Out
Pretty Picture of the Nauvoo Temple in the Ensign
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