Hello everyone!
I'm not going to write in Spanish but I thought it'd be fun to start that way! =)
I
arrived at the CCM this past Wednesday around 5pm my time. We were
given all the materials that we will need for the next 6 weeks, like an
I.D., books (lots and lots and lots of books), and we were then assigned
our companion. For those who don't know, a companion is basically your
roommate at all times. You live with them, eat with them, and do
everything together. One of the mission rules is to always be in sight
AND sound of your companion so it's been a bit of an adjustment, but I
love my companion so I'm doing just fine!
This
past week I have already learned a lot more Spanish than I did in my 3
years in highschool. =) It has been a bit intense but I really enjoy
learning and I have learned how to study so I'm not drowning in Spanish.
I have also learned a lot of new things spiritually. For instance, I
have learned that you are happier when you look for miracles from the
Lord than when you are focused on what you've left. I have also learned
personally that we are ALL children of God and that He loves us. He
answers prayers and He wants nothing more than to help you; all you need
to do is ask, and even then He finds ways to bless you! One miracle I
have seen is my ability to speak Spanish. I know that I would not be
doing as well (though I still have a looooonnnnnggg way to go before I
can understand a native speaker) if I haven't been praying and fasting
for the gift of tongues and the gift of the interpretation of tongues.
I
have also found that as I focus more on others, I have done better. To
be honest, I haven't been very homesick since I've gotten here. Granted,
it has only been a week, but I do know that if you want to be happier,
go and serve. Focus on someone else for a while and you won't have the
time or energy to worry about yourself.
Let me share with you one experience from my week that I have found very powerful.
On
Friday, so my 3rd ish day, my companion and I were assigned our first
investigator. Now, these investigators are teachers who are members, so
we aren't teaching ''real investigators'' yet (we do that in our 3rd
week here) but everything we do is real. My companion and I have pray
before we study out what Jorge, our investigator, needs to hear. We then
make a lesson plan and practice with one another before we go and teach
him. Now, our Spanish is still very weak, but we are getting better
daily. Our first two lessons went well, but it was our third lesson that
I would like to share.
My companion and I felt very prompted
(by which I mean, we were directed and guided by the Holy Spirit) to
teach about prophets and specifically Joseph Smith. When we met with
Jorge, we found out that he had read the Book of Mormon like we had
asked him to from a previous lesson, but that he also went to church on
Sunday. There, he heard multiple people bear their testimony about
Joseph Smith. This was perfect! =) We then spent some time talking about
prophets and about Joseph Smith and how that applies to us. As we
started to wrap up, I felt very prompted to invite Jorge to be baptized.
I turned to my companion and she was looking at me with this almost
excited look. I knew that we had both felt the same prompting so we
asked Jorge to read a scripture from the Book of Mormon. It was 3rd
Nephi 11: 37 and 38; in this scripture, Christ has been resurrected and
is now in the Americas teaching a group of people known as the Nephites
and Lamanites. In those specific verses, Christ is explaining His gospel
and the importance of baptism. I would encourage you all to go read
that scripture for yourself because it is wonderful.
After
reading the scripture, we asked Jorge if he would follow the example of
our Savior and be baptized. He paused for a minute, along with my heart,
but after pondering for a bit, he said yes! =)
Now, I know
that sometimes Mormons have a rap of wanting to get as many baptisms as
possible and that's why we are out teaching. But, I would promise you,
that the only reason we are so excited that people choose to be baptized
is because we know that they are taking the first steps in returning to
their Father in Heaven and their Savior. When Jorge said yes, all I
felt was joy; joy that he has accepted Christ's gospel, joy that he is
willing to make a change in his life, and joy because I know that our
Heavenly Father is pleased with Jorge's decision.
I
am serving a mission not because it is expected of me, or because I
wanted to learn an new language. No, I am serving because everyone
deserves, NEEDS, the gospel of Jesus Christ in their lives. I love my
Savior and I am so grateful to Him and our Father that I have been given
the opportunity to represent Christ. I know it will be hard, I know
that some days are just gonna be rough, but I also know that it's all
worth it because I am helping bring my brothers and sisters back to our
Father.
I love you all and I hope that you're
doing well! I look forward to your responses (though I won't see them
until next Tuesday) and I hope that you all have a marvelous week!
Love,
Hermana (Sister) Lindh
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