Olympic: Traslado 7: Semana 3‏ / Nov. 1, 2010

Hola Familia!

This week was amazing! We had some incredible miracles that came out of nowhere!

Our mission President issued a challenge to commit at least one more person to set a baptismal date in this next week, and right after our training we headed over to an appointment with a woman named Norma. The day before Sister Garza and Sister Williamson tracted into her while I was on splits in Echo Park with Sister Nef. Even though it had only been one day she had read the entire pamphlet about the Gospel of Jesus Christ. She told us that she especially liked the part on baptism, and that she really wants to be baptized so she can overcome her past sins, and even though she was baptized in the Catholic church, now that she's an adult she wants a baptism that is "stronger." She just said that she wants a little more knowledge, but she loves and believes everything she read. She believes that we are the answer to her prayers, because Sister Garza and Sister Williamson knocked literally right after she had prayed for guidance. The only problem is that she is only in town for a little bit visiting her niece, but she said that she has always been tempted to go to the Mormon church by her house in Mexico, but she just couldn't get anyone to go with her. She is so amazing! We are hoping she will find a way to stay here a little longer, but if not we are going to teach her and get her ready in the meantime, because she is so excited.

The next day we went over to meet with Leavin. We met him a while ago but have had a really hard time getting a hold of him because of his schedule with work and school. I saw him in the Visitor's Center last Sunday and talked to him about coming to church and meeting with us, and he was able to change things with his work so that he can come to church on Sundays from now on. When we went over for the lesson he told us about how he wants to change his life and get rid of all of his heavy metal music and black clothes and just start fresh. We asked him a lot of inspired questions (that's part of the new method- it involves truly listening and waiting to be prompted with questions from the spirit to find out their real concerns.) We taught him about baptism, and before we could even finish giving the commitment he said yes. His only concern is that he wants to be prepared to really commit and "live the rules." He also feels like we are the answer to his sincere prayers for guidance, and that he wants to have the peace and happiness that he can see that we have. He's been to the Visitor's Center a few times and says that he feels the people there are "mas puro y tranquilo," (more pure and calm) and he wants that in his life.

We feel blessed to be able to teach these amazing people! Heavenly Father has been really good to us.

For Halloween we didn't do anything too exciting. I dressed up as Sister Garza and she dressed up as me, aka, we just switched our tags. :D We went to church and the sacrament program was all about missionary work, so some missionaries gave the talks and we all sang a musical number "Nearer my God to Thee." All of the missionaries had to be in there apartments or in an activity with their zone by six, because it can be pretty dangerous to be out and about, especially with all of the drinking and crazy people in LA. Speaking of which, I went to splits in Down town LA! It was my first time down town and I'm sure I looked like a little podunk Utah girl walking around with all of these fashionable people. I don't think i could handle living in the City. Everything is man-made- even the nature. Its sad because the people just seem so empty. Money is not fulfilling and not worth it! What are these people really living for? A member took us out for dinner at a nice restaurant and everyone was drinking, and it was just really sad for me to think of them and their unfulfilled lives. I'm really glad that this mission is helping to teach me what really matters.

Well, I love you all! I have the best family and friends ever. :) Have a good week! I'll keep enjoying sunny, beautiful LA. I heard there's snow there. Is it really winter already?

Hermana Dansie