Ipads and Transfers!

Zone Conference

This week has been great! Definitely one of the biggest things that happened is that we got iPads!!! It feels really weird having technology again. We can't do much since we only have the gospel library and wifi at certain points during the day. But as the mission gets used to having the iPads, we will be able to do all of our planning and have Facebook! It is crazy how much the work has changed from just a few years ago. I am excited but nervous to be a part of this change. Funny thing: I was literally the last person in the whole mission to get my iPad!

Sisters Together

We had two lessons with our investigator this week. She chose to be baptized the 22nd of August, but her mom won't give her permission. It broke her heart and ours. But, we told her that sometimes Heavenly Father gives a trial of our faith before the blessings. She wants to continue taking the lessons and going to church. Then, when she either comes of age or her mom gives permission, she will already be ready for baptism. She has so much strength, and I love being a part of her conversion and change.

Our other investigator is progressing great! We had two lessons with him this week. When we talked about the Word Of Wisdom (basically it is a law of health. No tobacco,alcohol, drugs, coffee, or tea) he had some questions, as most all people do. But he said that he knew with the Lord's help he would be able to do anything. He has so much faith already. Whenever he has a question about something, after our explanation, he says of course that makes sense! He really knows how to rely on Heavenly Father. It's pretty amazing. And he finally came to church!! He loved it and was able to make some friends in our ward.

Hard to leave this area

We received transfers on Saturday and.......I am leaving! Sister Cordova and I were definitely not expecting it! I am getting double transferred into Los Feliz. A double transfer means that both of the sisters that were serving there are now leaving. I will be serving with Sister Gregson--she just finished training! My new area is actually pretty close to this area; it's just right over the line.  I am sad to leave Ensign but I am very excited for the new challenge. Change is always hard, but we always learn something from it. It is weird packing and having to leave the area that I was "born" in. But I think it will be really fun being in a new area with new people and experiences. I am going to miss my converts, investigators, and ward so much. They really have become family!!

A wonderful friend

 I know this week is going to be absolutely crazy but I am excited! :) I love you all so much and am as always so grateful for your support. Here comes a new adventure!

A Baptism

The Baptism

I cannot believe that another week has passed by. This transfer has honestly flown by....it is crazy how fast the mission is going. Before I know it, I will be coming home (mini heart attack right there). This week has been full of success. The Lord just had to put us through the refiner's fire for a little bit and then we were ready to be given blessings. 

Our investigator was finally baptized!! It feels like it has been a very long time coming. I told him that the reason that there has been so many challenges with his baptism is because Satan knows how strong of a member he will be. After he was baptized, he shared "I feel like I was sleeping and I have just finally woken up." Wow! His baptism and confirmation were so powerful. I could feel the Spirit so strong in both situations. He now is very excited to begin preparing to serve a mission. AAH! I love being able to see the change in people and feel the love that the Lord has for these people. I really feel that the Lord is so proud of Omar and the work that we are doing in this area. 

A treat at MyFroyo

We got a new investigator this week! She is the niece of a member in our ward. She has already accepted a date for baptism (only after two lessons) for the 22nd of August. She has been going to church for a good month now and went to girls camp with our ward. It was a really great experience for her--she already had felt the Spirit before we began teaching her. The first lesson with her was amazing--all of us were crying (her YW leader, aunt, us) because we felt the Spirit so strong. She is already an amazing young women and is just so prepared and ready for the gospel. I don't know if I will be able to finish teaching her, but I will definitely be back for her baptism :) 

Crazy miracle for the week! We got a call Tuesday morning from this man who was looking for two sister missionaries who had taught him about a year ago. He had been cleaning out his room when he found our card and number. We told him that those sisters had moved, but that we could meet with him. He set up an appointment for that day, and it was a really fun first lesson. He talks a mile a minute ( I have no idea how I understand anything he says) but is so excited about the gospel! He can't wait to read the book of mormon and learn more!

P-day!

Some of the crazy funny things that happened to us this week--We had been craving tortas for forever, and were trying to find where we could buy some. We went to dinner on Wed and guess what they had made us..TORTAS!! Other funny thing....there was a wedding going on during our baptism. It was super awkward because we had to ask the bride to move her dress from the font room....makes for good stories later on right? haha :) 

I am excited for the last week here in this ward! I am pretty sure that I will be getting transferred, but at the same time I'm not entirely sure. I am happy to go wherever the Lord needs me :)

--

Love,

Hermana Erickson

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!