Dear People,
first
things first: Dentist business. Here's the deal. I have a cavity, which
I assumed. And I also have a lil bit of TMJ or whatever going on. My
gums are also mad that my teeth haven't been cleaned in a while so
they're all swollen around my back teeth and whatnot. I grind my teeth
too much and they suggested a mouthgaurd which would cost like 200
billion dollars or something so forget that! Sister Huch is having a
heart attack and she lectured me about my teeth being ground to bits or
something. I just told her I'm gonna find my zen and stop stressing out
and not grind my teeth ever again. I'm not paying 200 bucks to chew on a
piece of plastic while I sleep. That's crazy talk.
Last Pday our less-active moved to Arizona. I was super sad to see
her go, but very excited for the possibilities ahead of her. Moving, for
her, will be a bad thing or a good thing depending on her diligence and
obedience. (Sabrina: I shed a single tear for her that fell into my
hand, turned into a dove, and flew away). I will miss her a lot, we've
been working with her meeting several times a week since December. I
have watched her fall time and time again, but I have also watched her
use the atonement of Jesus Christ to get back up and to restore hope.
And that had made it all worth it. Working with her has strengthened my
testimony of the atonement, and the power it can have in people's lives.
Everyone is salvageable. Christ does not believe in "too far gone",
pretty sure Satan came up with that one. I have learned so much from the
things we have been able to teach her, and if anything else, I have
been changed for the better. She left without saying goodbye which was
heartbreaking, but I trust that God will take care of her.
Tuesday was Zone conference, super exciting and inspiring.
Maybe I bore my testimony and cried like a baby. I also saw Sister
Fackrell (MTC comp) again! The opening song was Nearer My God to Thee,
which we used to sing in the shower every morning and walking to classes
every day, and even though we weren't singing together, we were still
singing together. Make sense?
Wednesday our lessons all canceled! We got lost driving to Aztec.
Look up a map of Aztec and tell me why anyone would decide to name every
street after NUMBERS. NUMBERS!!!! That is a deathtrap for Sister Valdez
who needs to find an address and only has a ripped up map with VERY
tiny numbers all over it. We laughed when we got there though and they
fed us something with a lot of green chili in it, so all is well.
Thursday, we finally got a new investigator! Adam (not real name)
was a referral from the Elders. We had given them one earlier in the
week and they returned the favor. He told us he has been to quite a few
churches and they feel good, but none of them quite feel right. CUE
LESSON 1: THE RESTORATION. We taught the first half and the spirit was
there so strong. We ran out of time because he had questions and
comments and the member there shared her testimony (amazing!). But in
the end we asked him to pray. He said he hadn't prayed in years. And of
course, the spirit hit us all like a ton of bricks when he got down on
his knee and started talking to his Father in Heaven. Moments like that
are what the week is all about. Moments like that is why we knock on
doors and spend hours planning and hours practicing and preparing.
Moments where God can connect with one of His children.
I was reminded of the prodigal son. The cheesy gospel art shows the
father holding his son tightly, and they both shed tears. That is the
moment it felt like. It felt like a son coming home. You could feel the
relief of a desperate father. And I felt the Lord whisper his thanks to
me, through the spirit. We all left that lesson with soggy eyes. He came
to church on Sunday and thanked us again and again. He says he felt
peaceful. We told him that peace is the spirit.
Easter was great. Whoever put the eggs together but
the wrong things in the wrong eggs however, but I thought it was
hilarious and very typical Valdez behavior. We made baskets and dyed
eggs and hid them around the apartment when we could find spare moments
to do so.
I am grateful for the atonement of Jesus Christ. For the
opportunity I have to share His joyful message with the people of New
Mexico.
I miss and love you all
Sister Valdez
Pictures:
Me with a dog named Tiny Dancer (to whom I sang the appropriate song)
Tiff with the words tiniest shivery dog
A
family of Nutella jars (I think I'll be good for a while) to which
several people have contributed. (dont worry some of it is Sister Huch's
too. Sister Heck also got me a jar at one point. And one of them is
pretty much empty)
And me being a fantastic dishes do-er during our lunch hour (mom, be proud of me)
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