A week of learning

 I cannot believe that yet another week has passed. It feels like I was just emailing yesterday. It is crazy to me that this transfer is almost over. It doesn't even feel real! This week has been interesting to say the least. Honestly, we have had little success. It has left me emotionally, physically, mentally, and spiritually drained. At points, I felt like nothing I was doing was making any difference. But, I have learned a lot of important lessons from my Heavenly Father this week. Maybe not the easiest, but definitely needed :) 

Three generations of trainers

Thursday we received a text from our investigator saying that he was not going to be baptized. We went over to his house as fast as we could to see if there was something we could do. We just didn't understand what could have changed within 24 hours (we meet with him daily). Turns out that he felt pressured by different family members, and it was just too much. We decided to fast right then and there to know what Heavenly Father's desire was for him. I really felt like he was still going to get baptized on Saturday, but when we talked to him on Friday, he had decided to wait. One lesson I learned--we have to look at things from the Lord's perspective. I was going with my plan for Omar, and it wasn't what the Lord had planned for him. He still has a strong desire to be baptized, so he is planning for Aug 8. If it is the Lord's will for him to wait, everything will work out. 

I finally saw the sign!

Another lesson I learned! The invitation is the success. I had been thinking that baptisms were the success. But that is so not true! As long as I am inviting people to listen to the gospel, I have succeeded in the Lord's eyes. Sometimes I will be planting seeds. At other times, I will be able to harvest seeds. Both are so important to the work! Everyone has their agency to decide whether or not the gospel is for them. I cannot take that away (no matter how much I want to at points ;)). Sometimes the Lord is preparing people for a later time, and I am coming in at the beginning of that process. Also, obedience does not correlate with success....haha. I have felt more obedient than ever, and I didn't understand why nothing had been working out for us! But my President taught me something very important--just because we are super obedient doesn't mean we get the key to the gold door, and then less obedient people get the key to the silver door, etc. The Lord expects us to work hard and be obedient always! Then the blessings will come :)

Even though it was a not so great week, I did have 3 pretty amazing experiences. 1--We went to Tacos El Gordo, and basically everyone was speaking Spanish. This guy came up behind me and asked how the lines worked. I turned around and responded in Spanish. His eyes got so big, it was pretty hilarious. Him and his wife both complimented me on it! 

2--We were able to take lunch to an older single woman in our ward. She has been having a hard week as well, and she really appreciated us taking the time to stop by and have lunch with her. It was a very sweet experience, and I felt so good afterwards for the service we gave. 

Lunch with our mini's

3--Our mini-missionary asked me yesterday if I would go to the temple with her. She is a recent convert of 8 months, and will be going through the temple for the first time this December. I feel so honored that she asked me--I almost started to cry! :) 

 Thank you for all of your prayers, support, and love. It means the world to me. I am ready to have an amazing week!