The Holy Ghost is the Teacher

My family came to visit and took me to breakfast.

 

Large Plates 

Busy, busy, but what's new? 

It was another very good, very busy week! We had lots more good lessons, and again I don't want to bore you with details, so here are some of the highlights:

Rosalba is still so awesome! She reminds me a lot of Lucero from my last ward. She just has a heart of gold and the spirit really has been working in her! We won't be able to meet with her this week because she has family in town, so we're praying super hard that she doesn't lose momentum!

We also had a few lessons with Graciela and Juseli!! Holy moly I love them. We were talking about the Plan of Salvation and Juseli explained to us that baptism is essential to get to the kingdom of God, etc. We asked if they've been thinking about baptism and they said yes! Then we asked them if they wanted to be baptized and they said yes! We set some goals and made plans to help them be baptized on November 19th. Everyone please pray that they can stay strong and keep progressing! And that their families' hearts will open so we can start teaching them too:)

We also met multiple women this week who just seem so prepared for the gospel. Our friend Dayana has a bunch of connections to the church. Her family members just moved from her country to Utah, and they are talking with the Elders there! I have really high hopes for her. Our friend Nyda was found by English missionaries and then referred to us. When we called her she said she'd been reading the Book of Mormon a little already!! We told her about what it is, and she was like, "of course Christ would visit the Americas too, because he cares about everyone" and we said AMEN! It's so refreshing when people just get it. 

Besides having awesome lessons and meeting awesome people, we had our apartment painted (by some members of my old ward, actually!), got an oil change that took a while, and had a doctor's visit that should have been 5 minutes but was multiple hours. It's okay though, we got to talk to people in the waiting rooms:)

We also went on an exchange this week! I spend the day with Sister Madsen, who just got to the mission. She reminds me a lot of my friend Ashley from Ridgeline! She's super smart & I can already tell she has so much potential. I taught her how to make arepas. That has become my signature exchange meal haha. Most people I've served around know how to make arepas, and they learned it from me!

Overall, it was a really good week and it went by so fast. I can't believe the transfer is halfway over already! I really hope I don't leave this area at the end of the transfer. It's a good place to be and I love Sister Peterson:))

Also! My parents and Addison and Alissa came to visit this morning before their cruise! Thanks for breakfast!

Small Plates

The Holy Ghost is the Teacher 

One of my favorite things to see and feel and experience is the Holy Ghost working in the hearts of the people I love. It's crazy.  We teach all of the same principles to everyone, without too much variation in how we explain it--not because we have to memorize the lessons, but because we teach all of the doctrine at a very simple level. You can tell when people have been prepared for the gospel because their hearts are so much more open to the spirit.

That's how it is with Graciela and Juseli. They know things about the gospel that we haven't told them. They just get it. I've seen that before in other people we teach. The Spirit teaches them, far more than we do. That's how it should always be. The Spirit is a way better teacher than I could ever be. Graciela and Juseli are being converted by the Spirit, not by us. 

That's how you know people are ready for the gospel. When the Spirit works in them. 

I'm so grateful for Graciela, Juseli, and the opportunity we have to help them learn. I'm so grateful for the Holy Ghost, Who testifies of my Heavenly Father and my Savior. If it weren't for the Holy Ghost, missionary work wouldn't be possible. If this church weren't true, missionary work wouldn't be possible. Us missionaries would have messed this all up a long time ago. We are just kids, you know. For me, that's evidence that this church is true. There's no way any of the things I've had the privilege to see and be a part of would be possible if it weren't true. 

Sister Madsen

The Holy Ghost is real

Being Silly with the Primary Children during the Father's Day Song practice. 

 Large Plates

Quick summary:)

This week was also a busy week but I don't want to write a giant email like I did last week, so here are a few highlights:

Alba and Lucero have been preparing diligently for their baptisms next week! We've had a few good lessons with both of them and I love them both so much! 

I got to play piano for the primary kids because they were practicing their Father's day song. The ward pianist didn't end up coming to church either, so I played the hymns and the primary songs in church haha. 

We went over to this cute member family's house & helped the mom with some things around the house. They have 3 cute crazy boys and they both have big callings and he works in management for Jetblue so they're so so busy. It felt so good to help them out! 

We had a really fun Father's day activity on Saturday! Basically we just made the men play minute to win it games and we all laughed at them while they did it. We had yummy food and bishop's wife was so sweet and made us vegetarian chili.

Last, but not least, Kevin was baptized this week! See more in the Small Plates:)

Small plates

The Holy Ghost is real.

Kevin was baptized this week! The Elders in our ward were the ones who taught him, and we are so happy to be adding him to our ward family! His baptism was a really special experience. 

We had a ward activity right before the baptism, so there were quite a few people who stuck around to support him. Right from the start, the spirit was so strong. Kevin was really nervous but really excited. The YSA Elders brought their friend Emma, a really sweet girl they're teaching, so me and Hermana Jackson sat by her to make her feel happy & comfortable. She's so awesome. 

The Elders asked their recent convert of about a month to give the talk on the Holy Ghost. Just to give you some context on this man, he comes from very humble circumstances and a very humble education in his country. Back when the Elders were teaching him, they used to say they felt like he only had about 3 default phrases that he would respond with. That may have been an exaggeration, but the idea is that he was not very well-spoken. He had the biggest heart, but he's a man of few words. 

We've seen a change in him since he was baptized and received the Holy Ghost. We see a change in everyone after their baptisms, but I was just really struck by this man's experience. 

He got up to give his talk, and the spirit that was already there just filled the room with power. He spoke about the Holy Ghost and his talk was so beautiful and eloquent and I was blown away. I had never heard him express himself so well. 

The Spirit can take our weaknesses and turn them into strengths. Especially when those strengths are to be used to bear testimony of Truth. 

I felt the spirit so strong. And it wasn't just because of the words he was saying. It's because what he was saying is true. When we receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, we are promised the constant companionship of the Third Member of the Godhead. 

The Spirit always testifies of truth. So, if the Spirit is present, that means whatever is being taught or shared is true. And the spirit will testify whether we understand the words that are being said or not. 

That's what happened for Emma. She doesn't speak Spanish, but she came to the baptism to see how it is. She didn't understand a word of what they were saying, but the Spirit touched her heart. At one point in the baptismal service, she turned to us and said, "wow, I'm so emotional right now." All I said was, "can you feel it?" And pointed to my chest, which felt like it was about to burst open with joy. She nodded.

After the baptism, we stayed by her side and talked to her for a little while. She explained how she had felt. She said "I don't understand Spanish. But that spirit was so strong." She's so motivated to keep learning and keep progressing towards baptism! 

I love that the Spirit speaks to us regardless of whether or not we understand the words it is testifying of. There is a lot I don't understand, even in English. For the sake of illustrating an example, temple ordinances and covenants pretty much go over my head. But, I feel the spirit when I'm in the temple. Because the things we hear and learn and do in the temple are true and of God. And it's okay if we don't understand it all yet. If we just pay attention to how we feel, and recognize the testimony of the Spirit, that is enough. 

Knowledge comes line upon line throughout eternity. But after we receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost, truth can be known in an instant, so long as we are worthy of the companionship of the Spirit and in tune with His whispers. 

Although I don't know everything about this Church, I know it's true. Because the Spirit has told me so. And that is enough for me.

"Floating Activity" ( Sailor hats while dipping Oreos in milk )

Last Activity with one of our Senior Couples

Buena Ventura Primary- Father's Day Song Practice