Date: Mon, 10 Sep 2007
Hola Familia! Let we update ya'll a bit...Since Wednesday a lot has happened... Let's just say, my greenie will never forget her first week in the mission field! To start it all off, they decided to move me to a different area. I moved just right across the street to Carson B (Before I was in Carson C). So I'm still here in Wilmington and still in the same wards as I have been for the past 3 transfers, just a little different area. Ya, kind of weird! I guess the reason is so that I can be with my greenie for 2 transfers and not just one. So we are starting
from scratch really. This used to be the elder's area, but than that elder got sent home over a month ago and so Hna. Lopez and I have kind of been working it, but not really. Anyways, we moved apartments too and now we live in this huge 2 bedroom apartment with this sweet 70's orange furniture. I love it! It started out a bit rocky- we got to our apartment and had to deep clean it since no one has lived in it for a month, we had no phone (that's very important for missionaries and all our nightly calls), our refrigerator was leaking, one of the elders accidentally took our only set of car keys so we had no car for a day, etc.! It just seemed like everything was going wrong! Here I was trying to be the best trainer and example, but nothing was going as planned! But, I took these things as a good sign that the transfer would start off rocky only because it would be so amazing! So far that has been the case. Sister LaBarge and I have had so many amazing experiences already and the Lord's hand has been undeniable to see. Sister LaBarge claims Logan, Utah as home, although she grew up most her life in Miami, FL. She has been studying Spanish for 10 years and so she has no problems with that. She is very outgoing and doesn't hesitate for a second to talk with anyone. She has great ideas and enthusiasm and I truly feel blessed to be her companion. I'm sure that I am learning a lot more than I'm teaching her. This was exactly what I needed- It's been a breath of fresh air to get someone straight from the MTC and just so full of faith and a desire to work. She has a great attitude and is a super missionary. She really doesn't need me to train her I feel like, but rather I think the Lord knew that I needed this experience. It's going to be such a fabulous transfer!
One of the miracles that we've already seen happened Saturday night. We went to an appointment, only to find out that we needed to re-schedule. Our back up plan was to check on a referral we received and so when she wasn't there either, our last resort was to knock. It was 7:30 on a Saturday night, which is pretty pointless to knock because no one wants to listen. We had set the goal to teach 8 other lessons and one less active and so I decided that we would knock until we taught 2 more lessons to reach our goal and then go find a less active so we could reach all our goals for the day. Around 8:30 we reached our goal of other lessons, but I felt like we should keep going. The next door we knocked, we did our door approach and the lady very excitedly swung the door open and just embraces us both in huge hugs. Come to find out Donna has been less-active for 22 years. She told us how her ex-husband introduced her to the church, but they got divorced 5 years after their marriage. During those 5 years she was R.S President and just on fire. Anyways, to make a long story short, her ex-hubby just committed suicide last week and his funeral was that same Saturday. She told us how just that morning she had a thought, one of those that you know is not your own, that said to her "Danny (her ex) brought you into the church, and his death will bring you back". And than that night, the night of his funeral, here we come knocking on her door! We had such a spiritual experience and Donna and us immediately bonded and felt like life-long friends. She still faithfully pays her tithing and knows the church is true without a doubt and said she has no doubt that she will return one day. It's pretty clear to all of us though that NOW is the day! It still amazes me how aware of each of His children our Heavenly Father is. When you think nothing is going right because it's not the way YOU planned it, know that the Lord has something else wonderful waiting for you and if you listen to the Spirit He will lead you there.
Another little miracle was Sunday this lady we met knocking doors on Friday (once again it was 8:30 at night) came to church! We only met her once and taught her the 1st, gave her a pamphlet, and invited her to church and she came! She said she had the thought on Saturday "wake up a little early tomorrow so that you can go to church" and so she did. I was cringing the whole time because the sacrament talks were about tithing and than R.S about the law of chastity, 2 of the hardest commandments for people to accept. She seemed to like church though (well, her response was "it was interesting!" I guess that's not a negative thing!) I figure if she's an elect than it will all be okay! We meet with her Wed. and I am excited to see how it goes.
There have been so many little tender mercies of the Lord and His hand is everywhere. I feel Him guiding my words and sometimes when I'm speaking Spanish and teaching I think to myself "oh my goodness, what am I even saying right now?". I've noticed so often how the Spirit is putting words right into my mouth. That has got to be the happiest, greatest feeling- to be lead by the Spirit. I am so grateful for the Spirit. I could not be training right now without him, or doing a single thing for that matter! I love this work! I love that I am here in little Mexico speaking in this foreign language with this fresh little greenie! Life just couldn't be much better! (Well, it would be nice to have a few investigators!) I love being a missionary! Well, gotta run- hope all is well! My theme scripture this transfer is 1 Nephi7:12... Miracles are going to happen this transfer with faith! –Love Hermana Crosby
