Cudahy: Translado 4: Semana 1 / June 14, 2010

Hola familia!
 
So, we just had transfers, but I'm still in the same place, they just changed the name. I'm so glad I get to stay because I have come to know and love the Maywood branch so much. They feel like my second family. My companion is still Sister Garcia, the fiery little mexican. I love her, she is really loud (in a good way) and not afraid to get in there and talk to people really bluntly and honestly. The only thing that changed was that sister Cass was put in Vernon with another companion. Its funny because they are both very white and blond and learning spanish, and they're in an area with about 80 percent hispanic and 20 percent black, so they have people shouting at them and whistling and they draw a lot of attention. It was sad having sister Cass leave and feels a lot lonelier with just the two of us now, but we're excited to be able to focus completely on one area, and now that the mission has been changed back to separate english and spanish we've been made a spanish area, and so we only have to focus on the Maywood branch. it has taken a lot of stress off os us. Last transfer was really intense, and I hate the feeling of not being able to do my best because I feel stretched too thin. In the same respect it forced us to rely a lot more on the Lord, and we saw a lot of amazing miracles because of it.
 
I love working in the Maywood branch because they have been getting so excited about missionary work. We just had two more baptisms this past Sunday. One was Hermana Naranjo, who I told you a little about- she has basically been a member for the past couple of years but just hadn't been baptized. What finally helped motivate her and change her mind was that we found and started teaching her best friend, Maria, and Maria convinced her to get baptized together. Maria is so amazing, she just barely got baptized, but as soon as she came to church that first time she started helping with the Relief Society and all of the activities as if she was one of the presidency. She is so motivated and good at organizing events and decorating and all of those kind of things, so she is going to be a big strength to the ward. We found her because she is actually Felix's aunt, and they referred us to visit her, and the first day she did not seem interested at all and was super busy and seemed really frustrated- so it just goes to show that you need to be careful not to judge someone right off the bat. It was so amazing to see them be baptized, especially when Hermana naranjo's family has been waiting for so long for her to do it. Her 17 year old daughter and her husband were baptized about 3 years ago, so they were so happy to see her finally be baptized and see their prayers answered.
 
It is so sad to see families where part of them gain a testimony and join the church and are so focused on the importance of being with their family for forever, and then they have part of the family that just chooses not to accept or even try to listen. Felix has been having a hard time because his dad doesn't even want to try to come to church. He doesn't mind his kids going and that Felix has made the choice to join, but he just doesn't even want to think about changing from what he is used to. The mom and daughters also want to be baptized, so he is the only one that is choosing to be left behind and it has been a big challenge for their family. They have a lot of faith though that Heavenly Father will help them, and that little by little the dad will come around.
 
We also got to see Jisell be baptized this past Sunday. She was a little girl we were working with in Vernon that we finally got permission from her mom to baptize. It was sad though because her mom didn't even go to the baptism, but at least Jisel has a really strong support system from her aunt who is a really faithful member and always takes Jisel to church.
 
We are so excited and happy to be out here working the field still for this last transfer, because we've heard that they're trying to get all of the Visitor's Center sisters in to the Patron apartments by the temple because they are trying to open it by mid-July. I'll be glad to go there when it does open though, I'm sure I'll probably be sick of working out in the summer heat by then.
 
Well, have a good week everyone! Don't forget about me while you're all out having tons of fun this summer. :D I miss you all, but I'm doing great and I'm loving my mission. I know this is where I'm supposed to be. I love you all!
 
- Hermana Dansie