Back to Hermana

Hola familia, como estan todos? Well this week was busy, but I can't remember a lot from it. It was good to be back in Irvine after being in Anaheim on Monday, and then I guess the rest of the week just flew by! Let's see, we visited a lot of less-actives, some part member families, and of course, our normal progressing investigators. Here are some highlights from the week.
We taught Paula about obedience this week, and originally were going to try to “soft commit” her to baptism, but then decided it wasn't right and to instead also talk about the word of wisdom and commit her to living that. When her husband Randy sits in on the lessons, sometimes he makes most of the comments and I don't know if she focuses as much, but it was good this time and when we asked her to live the word of wisdom, she said that she had a feeling from the beginning of the lesson that we were going to ask her to do that. And that funnily enough, she had decided that not drinking coffee should be her new year's resolution. So she said she'll do it! This is great because we think she often makes a lot of excuses, saying she doesn't believe in other things, like Joseph Smith, when really, it might be that she didn't think she could live the word of wisdom. So progress there!
With Pete and Dana, after they fed us some ribs (!) we read from the BOM intro and started watching “The Testaments” with them. We thought it would be good because for some people you need some type of visual idea of what you're reading, and it makes it more interesting. They said they really enjoyed it and are going to read ever day. And they came to church this Sunday. Pete is always up for coming, but Dana is the one with the excuses. Oh yeah, and they told us that they are eloping after Christmas. To Las Vegas! They haven't told anyone-why do people tell missionaries their secrets? But we're really excited because now they will really be able to progress and see blessings for this decision.
Thursday night we got to go to the temple. The first man who was baptized on S. Moore's mission went through the temple. How lucky to be able to be there for something like that only a few days before going home! And this man also baptized his own father and step mom this weekend. We got special permission to go because we weren't going to be home until after 10, but it was so nice to go. Nice for S. Moore, and nice for me because it's really pretty awesome to see someone progress like that, that's the real vision as a missionary, not for them to stop at baptism, but to continue on to the temple. Plus, with transfers coming up, and thinking about that a lot, I got to have some time to refocus. We also had a little district meeting party on Thursday with Costco pizza, apples to apples (Bible edition!) and cheap Christmas karaoke music! Bringing that Costco card came in handy! Ha ha ha.
Friday was crazy. The Friday before missionaries leave, they get to go to the temple with president. So once again, I was on an exchange. S. Carranza came down with me to Irvine for some appointments, then we went up to Anaheim for some in her area. Only one of our scheduled appointments actually happened, so it was sort of a frustrating day for S. Carranza and I. I've never driven in Irvine, or Anaheim. It was interesting, I am grateful for carpool lanes in CA though. We were both very grateful to be going to our areas by the end of the night.
Transfers were Saturday night. We had sort of discussed some of the possibilities of what would happen with the sisters at transfers (because with 3 sisters leaving and only one coming, they would have to close an area to sisters) and I was trying really hard to not worry about what they would do. They chose to close Irvine and I now have two new companions. Okay, not new. Old. S. Ochoa and S. Fatkin. Yes. They have moved me right back to the same area. Oh man. I had a feeling they were closing Irvine, but never did I think they would send me back to Santa Ana and Orange. EVERYONE was very shocked. So on Sunday we had to call everyone and let them all know and the bishopric had us bare our testimonies and we prepared everyone to accept the incoming elders. One of the elders was already in our district, so we know him, and he's a good missionary. Because we're low on missionaries, they are doubling up a lot of companionships with multiple wards, so that's what my now old district is doing.
We ate with Stephanie's family this week which was good because her husband was there and we got to talk to him a little. We also had a really good lesson on recognizing the spirit that went really well. Then on Sunday she ate dinner with us over at the Moons. Sister Moon always is there when we teach Stephanie and they're becoming good friends. So we broke the news to Stephanie that not only was S. Moore not going to be here (she knew that) but I was also leaving. As much as it makes us sad that I won't be here to carry on the work with our investigators, we can see how maybe the elders can do things that we couldn't. We're hoping the elders will be able to help Stephanie get her husband to take the lessons. It will be good. Stephanie will eventually be baptized, but we hope it's sooner, so she doesn't get any more content! We asked Stephanie if she would meet with our mission president and talk to him, and she said she would. He's a convert, and he has a really strong testimony of Joseph Smith (which is what Stephanie says she struggles with) so we think maybe he can help her. I will really miss Stephanie, she's so sincere and honest and would do anything for us. She's like family, like an aunt. When she joins the church she will really do a lot of good.
Ironically, when I left my old/new area, I was sad because I was going to miss the baptisms of some people we had been working really hard with, like Eulalio and Lupe and Lulu. And of course, I only missed it by a day-they were all just baptized yesterday. I can't believe it! But I am very excited to go back and see Lupe and Lulu, I really loved them. And I'm sure the ward will be confused when I show up next week. Their pianist is back. And the district is the same except for one elder is gone. It's crazy where the Lord needs you to be and when. It definitely doesn't make much sense to me, but I'm going with it I guess. Maybe I just needed that little time to be in Irvine, to meet some of those people, maybe it was just to have the opportunity to be companions with S. Moore, and definitely maybe I needed to learn some lessons in Irvine about patience and humility! Back to Spanish I go-after not really speaking it for 6 weeks. Ha ha! And they've just realigned the boundaries for our area, so it's a lot of new area we will be working in, and that's exciting!
Well that's it from here, from Orange/Anaheim/Santa Ana. Happy birthday to Braden and Roger this week and happy anniversary to the Ryan and Melanie! I hope everyone has a wonderful week and I will talk to you all soon! Love you!
Love,
Hermana Emily (yep, back to Hermana!)