Maywood: Semana 12‏ April 26, 2010

Hola Familia!
 
Yesterday Raquel and her daughters Jaqui and Jessica were baptized and it was so incredible!  We had to work hard to help the mom overcome her doubts and realize that if she had a testimony of the Book of Mormon it meant that she needed to take the leap of faith to change her life and join the church. She was the one I wrote about a couple of weeks ago that told us that she couldn't get baptized. In a way the baptism was even sweeter, because we overcome that opposition and we could tell that she was so happy. I feel so close to that family, and it is so good to see them happy. Raquel gave us both a big hug after the baptism and thanked us for being patient with her. She had taken all of the discussions in the past, but had been dropped after being afraid to be baptized. It made me realize how important it is just to show someone that you believe in them, and ultimately believe in the atonement, and in the ability to gain the faith to do something hard. It has been incredible to see the Lord bless her and her family for their decision, and to hear her bear her testimony. The night before the baptism she prayed and thanked Heavenly Father for this opportunity, and said that she knows this is true, and that this is something that is good for her daughters. I love hearing our investigators sincere and heartfelt prayers and testimonies. It builds our faith as missionaries to see how Heavenly Father blesses them and fulfills his promises.
 
We had president interviews this week, which is a really nice opportunity to meet with him one on one. I think for the most part with a lot of missionaries he has to counsel them about their companionships, because that is mostly what he asks about. Things have been going so well with Hermana Salazar though. I've realized that I am so blessed that she has the ability to just "get it done," whereas I always want to think about things and analyze them and plan them almost too much. We make a pretty good team, because I help think things out and problem solve, but she keeps me from overanalyzing. It is going to be sad seeing her go this week. It is transfer day this Wednesday, and we won't find out what is going to happen until Tuesday night, but the only thing we know for sure is that sister Salazar has to be moved because this is her fifth month here, which is like the maximum. We're thinking that I will probably stay here, but we'll see.
 
We also found out from the President that the Visitor's Center is supposed to open this July. He told us that the reason there has been so many delays is not the building contractors, it has been because they are developing all new exhibits for inside that will be unique to this Visitor's Center. It is supposed to be all state of the art, really incredible exhibits. I am so excited for when it will open! I'm assuming there will probably be a big special opening event. All Visitors are encouraged, so if you happened to show up at the Visitors Center this July, they understand and it is ok apparently. In the Visitors Center training they told us that it actually happens pretty often that the sister missionaries will see people they know. I think it would be pretty weird, but I would be ok with it. Especially if I happened to see one particular new army marine that I'm not going to be able to see for the next two and a half years and that will happen to be in San Diego anyways. :) I'll keep you updated with when it actually opens.
 
We had a sisters conference this saturday at the mission home that was so much fun. Everything was decorated really cute with a catered breakfast served by the office elders and the mission president wearing pastel colored bow-ties and cumber buns. It was really funny. I love that our mission President has a good sense of humor. They had workshops about being healthy, maintaining our beautiful appearance (aka avoiding getting fat), and speaking spanish. It was really nice meeting a lot of the sisters. We are really isolated in Maywood because our area is so far away from the mission home. Its only about twenty minutes, but with traffic it can be over an hour. It is completely different in the patron apartments, which are right next to the mission home. A bunch of the missionaries get to play soccer together every morning and see each other all the time. That is where sister Stout is right now. It was nice to see her at the conference, and to talk about how things are going and the differences in our areas. It is crazy how much variety there is in this mission. Being transferred can feel like you are moving to an entirely different country.
 
We've been challenged a lot lately to study the atonement, and it is such an interesting and complicated subject. How is it that by suffering everything we suffered, Christ is able to help us? I've realized that a lot of the power comes from his ability to understand exactly what we are going through. I used to think that the atonement meant just that Christ suffered more than anyone had ever suffered, but I've since learned that it was actually very personalized and specific- he literally felt all of our personal pains, sufferings, temptations, and sins. ( See Alma 7:11-14. We use this scripture a lot to show people how Christ helps us.) What is it about understanding someone and their pain that is so powerful? How does that really help us? Why is is comforting knowing that someone felt what we felt? I think that it helps us know that we're not alone. We are part of something bigger. The ability to understand is what gives us the power to help others as well. It made me realize that in a way, if we were never to feel sorrow, pain, or temptation, than we wouldn't really be able to help others. Our adversity makes us stronger, and also makes us more capable to love, understand, and help others. I encourage all of you to follow the guidance from general conference and to also study the atonement. It is a powerful way to increase your understanding and will bless your life.
 
Les amo a ustedes muchisimo!
 
Hermana Dansie