Hi,
We are doing well here. Many miracles happened this week; enough to
get the Standards of Excellence again. We are really seeing the hands of the Lord
in our lives and many people are being blessed.
One big miracle story that I can think of was from a referral from the Elders. They found a man named Bright. We had been trying to get a hold of him for two weeks. He finally called us back and we set up a visit with him in a plaza. He told us that he had been to many churches but said he didn´t feel comfortable with any of them. We taught him about the Restoration and he said that it made sense. He came to church on Sunday and even brought a friend and our great Ward Mission leader picked them up. They enjoyed church, even though his friend was a little lost because of the Spanish but Bright was catching on real fast. He even participated in the Gospel Principles class along with our other African investigator, Solomon. It was great to see them participating and understanding. Afterwards he said that he loved church and that he would come back next week. Now we are working with helping him live the Word of Wisdom. He is coming a long way. He told us that he wants to be happy. He wants to live up to his name and be a "bright" person. He is really willing to change and knows that he has a long ways to go, but we are willing to help him every step of the way. His baptismal date is for September 15th.
Our recent convert Engracia is amazing!! She keeps continuing to surprise
me and is preparing herself to go to the temple and do baptisms for the dead-specifically
for her daughter, her parents, and some of her siblings. She heard about patriarchal
blessings and wants to receive hers. She gave a talk last week in Sacrament meeting
and shared her conversion story and her favorite hymn. She gave a prayer in Relief
Society and is helping us teach some investigators. She is INCREDIBLE!! Her faith
is huge and I feel so blessed to know her and had the opportunity to teach her.
She has visiting and home teachers now. She´s often lonely and loves the visits.
We are working our hardest and trying to be the best we can be. We
have many faults but we are progressing. I know that the Lord´s hands are in this
work. We have been seeing many miracles big and small.
Last week we got invited to a nice dinner to celebrate Carla and Ignacio´s
family getting sealed in the temple. When we got there we realized it was kind of
a private gathering on the balcony of the Primary President´s house. We felt honored
to be there and all of the leaders of the Branch and their spouses were in attendance.
It was a wonderful opportunity to mingle with them and get on a more personal level
with them because we haven´t had many opportunities to eat with them at their houses
(they all live far away). Anyway, the next day Hermana Reeder and I felt that we
should write a few thank you notes to some of those leaders, including the Branch
President. We have seen miracles happen through those little thank you cards. "Thank
you" can go a long way. That same day I read in Alma that by small and simple
things are great things brought to pass...that´s what is happening here in Zaragoza.
Big changes are eventually happening as results of small actions throughout the
4 transfers I have been here. I feel blessed to be here.
Tomorrow we are traveling to Lleida for a Zone get together and then
next week we have Zone Conference with the Paces again. It´s been great traveling
and it makes the time go faster. Lately it´s been a bit tough with Hermana Reeder
preparing to go home in a few weeks. It´s a very interesting situation; the person
going home and the companion trying to keep working.
I love you so much and know that God loves us. He is watching over
you, even if it doesn´t seem like it at times. Pray. Read. Go to church. I know
I say that every week, but those are really the keys to keep moving forward and
to receive the help from above that you are seeking and needing. I love you.
Love,
Laura
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