Transfer 4 Week 2

This week was an amazing and hard week. Last Monday our recent convert (code name: Shanaynay) met with us before family home evening. She told us what she had told the branch president as well, she wanted to be excommunicated from the church. She wants her records removed. She has it in her head that she'll leave the church, and the persuade her family to come into the church with her. She kept saying she will live the gospel and says she knows its true with all her heart. But she told us, her face wet with tears, "I need my family. I need them." She is so torn between the gospel and the ones she loves. She finally "came out" to her parents as a baptized Mormon and I can only imagine that it wasn't pretty. We all cried. All three of us. I cannot describe the heartache I felt for her. Godly sorrow is the only term that seems fit.

On one hand, I cannot blame her for taking the "easier" route. On the other hand, I know all the blessings that await her if she stays strong. We shared all that the spirit directed us to. We pulled out every scripture, every valid doctrinal point we could make. But you could see in her eyes that her mind had been made up. The last commitment we extended was after we shared the scripture: Seek ye first the kingdom of God. We asked if she would trust the promise that the Lord has given, that he will add all things unto us if we do so. There was silence for what felt like eternity. Then she responded, "I know what the answer should be." More silence. "I won't." She shook her head, tears streaming down her face, "I won't." 

My heart crumbled as I realized her faith was not sufficient. I questioned whether or not mine would be in this situation. I told her that, like she said, she knows what the answer should be. She only knows that because it has been told her to by the Holy Ghost, and that, as she knows, the Holy Ghost speaks for God himself. She nodded her head. She offered a closing prayer in which we all whimpered and sobbed. 

We then all met with President Frost, who refused to take her records out of the church. He bore a heartfelt testimony of the precious truths of the gospel. He said to her "Do what you need to, but I won't remove your records. We'll be here when you come back".  President Frost then offered the most heartfelt plea to the Lord. Absolute peace filled the room. I cannot describe how strong the love of God felt. President then said "Yes, thank you, Lord. I can feel that Shenikah knows now the love that you have for her." And we as the missionaries were filled with the unbelievable peace knowing that no matter what, it'll all be okay. And I know it will. I trust in the Lord and in the plans he has set. I know that I have done my best as a missionary, and that now is the time for faith.

It goes without saying that this week had a lot of heartbreak. But I trust that the man upstairs knows what He's doing. I trust Him.

We had a hard time meeting with people because it's spring break, but we have an awesome member who went to lessons with us all day on Wednesday! She is a sweetheart and often sends uplifting texts in the mornings. It was very windy this week as the pictures show. One morning we had a couple members join us for our morning studies, one of them to prep for his mission, and another because she needs the spiritual boost! They even role played with us and then afterwards, as the picture shows, picked me up! I have started to make papusas and hope to perfect them by the end of my mission! If anyone has solid advice on how to make them delicious let me know! I also would love the recipe for meat papusas. 

We also have lots of stuffed animals. 

Other than that the week has been great! One of our investigators bore his testimony in sacrament meeting and he's on date for this month so we're really excited. I love you all and I'm so grateful for the package I received this week. The granola is delicious, mommy! 

love you all!

Sister Valdez