Hermana Laura Johnson: Barcelona Mission: (Hospitalet) Week-07 2012

What a week! It has been quite a change going from sending another missionary home, to training a new one but I am grateful to do it and I have been really enjoying it. I am learning something new every day. The extra hour of studying and not eating with the members for mediodia has been a little tough but I am getting used to it. Our studies sessions for the mornings have been going really well. We have been running to each cita that we have so that we can make good first impressions and not be late. I am grateful that Hermana Rivera has a ton of energy and enthusiasm for the work. We are very similar and we know how to work hard together. We are perfect for each other. It has been a bit difficult getting to know the area and the members. Together we are learning the power of prayer and the importance of relying on the Lord. As a result of extra prayers this week, we have been seeing lots of miracles. The Lord´s hands are in this work and we are His servants.

A recent miracle is about a convert named Maria Rosa. She lives with her 7 year old son and her father. Her daughter (who lives in Ecuador) and her got baptized, but her Dad is not a member. We first met him at our Ward Christmas party on Friday night. We walked into the piso with intentions to talk to Maria Rosa and share with her a Christmas Mormon message. Before starting the video, we invited her father to join us. He said no and went outside to smoke. We watched the video and as I started to talk about it afterwards she interrupted me, stood up, and opened the door calling to her father to join us. After a couple of minutes, he came in and we watched the video again. His heart was softened and he loved the video. We talked about it afterwards and I invited him to church. His grandson started begging him to come to church with them. Maria Rosa was in tears sitting behind him. He said that he would go to his Catholic church like usual and that they can go to their Mormon church. The grandson was sad and Maria Rosa told him not to lose hope that someday grandpa would join them at church. We left them with a prayer and as we were walking out the door, Maria Rosa grabbed me and gave me a tight hug thanking us for coming and not giving up. It was a very special experience. Afterwards I hugged Hermana Rivera and bore testimony to her that we are truly called as disciples and servants of the Lord. Sometimes we don´t even have to say anything, just our presence makes a difference in a home. It is incredible the Spirit we carry as long as we are being obedient. It was a really special miracle.

The most recent convert is a 13 year old boy named Alexis. Hermana Farrell and Hermana Mancera helped him get baptized. It was neat because Hermana Farrell´s last Sunday there Alexis passed the sacrament for the first time. Hermana Farrell almost started crying and it was a special moment to see his progression in the church. We will visit him this week to continue with lesson 5.

Something that we are working on and repenting of is getting into the house by 10 o clock. It is tough! But as we sprint home, we can see the blessings as the Spirit is stronger in our nightly planning sessions and we are better prepared for the next day. At times I feel like we are offending the members as we quickly run out of their house, but at the same time they can see that obedience is something very important to us and they can take us more seriously as missionaries knowing that we are obedient.

We have been watching many District videos this last week to help us learn to be "Preach My Gospel" missionaries. We have been contacting more as a result of following the Spirit. We have been working hard on better our planning sessions-nightly and weekly. We have been putting goals to help stretch us and strengthen our faith.

We have really seen the help of the Spirit as a result of our obedience and following the suggestions and examples from the District videos.

Merry Christmas!

Love, Hermana Johnson