Week 14, Nov 10, 2015

¡Hola mis amigos y familia!

Okay, this past week has been interesting (As most are). We had two
investigators who were doing really well! We were excited for them
because they've had all the lessons, kept their commitments, and
everything seemed on track. But, this Sunday we learned from one that
she wants to wait till January for various reasons and the other, who
is 11, her mom wants the dad to baptize her and he's in Mexico so
she'll have to wait until January as well. We weren't excited at all
after that. We had actually been fasting (fasting is when we go
without food and water for 2 meals so as to better communicate with
the Lord and show our willingness to listen to Him) for them, that
they might be baptized on the 14th so when we learned that, we were
both a bit....antsy.
The major thing that I'm struggling with is the personal revelation
aspect; when we set our goals for the month and coming week, we felt
like the Lord confirmed them. Yet, we were thrown this curve ball
which changes our goals. I know our calling gives us the authority to
receive revelation "for" these people (meaning we are inspired in what
to do and say to and for them) but they're saying that their
revelation is saying something else. In the case of the 11 year old,
it's her mom saying and doing this, not the girl herself. And the
other is 19 and has said that every time she prays she feels like she
needs to wait until January.
How does revelation work? Did we not have enough faith? Did we miss
revelation throughout the week? Are we supposed to be pushing still
for their original date? I'm just struggling with the disappointment
that they may not be baptized soon when we thought they were going to
be, and also the understanding behind revelation. I'm not upset at our
goals changing or anything like that. I'm sad that these two precious
daughters of God, who are ready to be baptized, seem like they have to
wait. I feel like I haven't done my job well or that I could've
done/said something else that would have changed this.
But, I still have hope. I'm not exactly sure how things are going to
work out so this is when faith steps in. The Lord is asking me to take
this next step forward with faith, knowing full well that I like
seeing where I'm going but asking me to trust Him anyway. I'm still a
bit upset to be honest, but it's all good right now. We'll keep
working with these two and help them in any way we can and let the
Lord take care of it. This isn't easy or natural for me; I like to be
in charge. Thank goodness though that we have an all-knowing and all
loving Father who is there to guide us. This work wouldn't be possible
without Him.

Besides this kinda hard topic, this week has been great. My companion,
Hermana Lewis, is a Sister Training Leader (she's a sister missionary
who other sisters talk to and report to. She's kinda like a mom for
some of the sisters here. =) ) and so she goes on exchanges fairly
frequently (an exchange is when missionaries change companions for
usually no more than 24 hours at a time. It's to give us an
opportunity to see how others work and how they're doing). This means
that I'm left in charge of our area which is a bit overwhelming to me,
but is also really cool! It gives me an opportunity to see how well
I'm doing with Spanish and also how comfortable I am with planning and
leading lessons. Basically, it's a great checkpoint for me because my
next transfer (which is Dec. 9th) I am most likely getting a new
companion and I'll need to step up. I'll also no longer be a newbie
(12 > weeks old) but rather a greenie (12-18 weeks old). This means
that, technically speaking, I could be able to train a newbie.
Another highlight of the week is that it snowed for the first time
this season!!!! It didn't last for very long but it's supposed to be
snowing again soon! Oh, I've missed snow! I think in a few weeks I'll
be over it and cold, but for now it's magical for me =)
Um, what else........I guess I'll share with you how I'm changing my
small habits. There are things that everyone does because that's just
who they are and for me, it's playing with my hands while I am
thinking or concentrating. This small habits are not bad necessarily
but they can drive someone else insane, like my companion =) so, I am
learning how to have charity for others and control my little habits
better. This is a good skill to have not only for now, but for
college, marriage, church callings, etc. Any time I could be around
others, I just need to have a little more self control. I know it's
possible (see Ether 12:27) and I want to love others enough to do it,
so I'm doing it, just one day at a time =)

Overall, I'm still doing great, I'm working hard and enjoying life.
Thank you again for all your love and support; I need it.
Be good and remember who you are!

Love,
Hermana Lindh