1. I had to drive for the first time in crazy San Fernando
California and that is scary all on its own.
2. I HAD TO SPEAK SPANISH THE WHOLE TIME ALL BY MYSELF!!!
Ya, no big deal, just only 5 weeks in the mission field with
a companion who is fluent. So with this being said Hermana Carlson and I planned
this exchange day like crazy! We made sure I was having dinner with people who
also spoke English and had Spanish members come to the lessons we had scheduled
so I wouldn't have to talk and teach the whole time.
I will give you the play by play of what ACTUALLY went down
on exchange day. First we did knock out which is where we pick a street and
knock for 2 hours. It went good and we left knock out with a yoga ball and some
other random stuff this lady was trying to get rid of.
Then we went to this awesome place called Salsa and Beer
where one of our members Hermana Mexicano, yep that is her name, works and so
she fed us dinner! It was sooooo good and a ton of food! Three words: Bacon
Wrapped Shrimp. Dang there was a lot of meat... and more meat... we got fed
plates and plates of just meat. Next week I will send pictures because
this week Hermana Mexicano didn't email them to me.
After the meat, we had a lesson scheduled with one of our
investigators and we had a member set up to come and help me teach and then the
member canceled. So we even had a back
up member to help me teach and they canceled. So guess who had to teach the
whole lesson all by herself like a big girl to a family that knows zero
English... ME!!!! This was one of the
most spiritual moments I have had on my mission so far! I testify to you that
the gift of tongues is real! The lesson went amazing and we picked up her 17
year old son as a new investigator!
The next day once again all of the plans we had set up
didn't work out so I sat down in front of our white board and prayed for
direction. Three names came to my mind of people to go visit, two part-member
family's we hadn't met yet and then one less active we didn't know.
For a quick run down of what happened through out the day I
taught another lesson all in Spanish and then found a girl and taught her the
first lesson and committed her to baptism with a specific date. Then went and
taught the less active family and helped them realize how important going to
church really is. We also picked up one other new investigator from a part
member family. Miracles were in the air that day!
The amazing stories from this week didn't just end there!
The best part was this last Saturday we went to go visit a referral that we had
gotten from Church Headquarters. It was a self-referral that basically means
they turned themselves in ;) and that they were interested in learning more
about the gospel. So we picked up Hermana DeLeon, our Relief Society President,
and went to go find them.
They are an amazing family that just moved from Peru 5
months ago! They have a 21 year old daughter, 15 year old son and a 9 year old
son. After we taught the lesson we invited them to be baptized on November 19th
and they agreed and THANKED us for inviting them to baptism!!! The Lord
prepares the people!
Most of the family came to church this week and the others
had work already scheduled but they are a golden family! I am so happy I get to
be apart of teaching them! We had so many investigators at church this week
that Hermana Carlson and I were running around like crazy while I played the
piano for all three hours! That's what happens when you are the only one who
knows how to play and they have the primary program next week. It was
crazy!
Sunday I was also asked to play the piano for a baptism for
one of my district leaders investigators. This was one of the most sacred
experiences I have had. I didn't know who the baptism was for but when I got
there I realized what a special day this really was. The man who got baptized
has been an investigator in the mission for a very long time. He has only some
movement in his left hand and other than that he is totally paralyzed. The
spirit was very tangible in that room. I am so blessed to have been apart of
watching 4 worthy priesthood holders help this amazing man make this covenant
with his Heavenly Father.
Last little highlight, I found Charlie Brown fruit snacks at
the store this week. It was probably the best moment of this week… I am kidding!
The other stuff was at the very top but finding these fruit snacks were a
pretty close 2nd. For those of you who know me really well you probably
understand why finding these fruit snacks were the best thing ever!
Anyways I love you all!! This church is true and I know that
without a doubt! I love this gospel!
- Hermana Hadley
Hermana Carlson and I, really LOVE this girl!
Baptism in Sherman Oaks that I was blessed to provide music for.
