The BOM is the best. Read it.

Dear fam,

Last week feels like a month ago. So much has happened this week I can't even believe it. We had mission council on Tuesday, on Thursday we had intercambios with the Móstoles Hermanas Moyle and Vannucci, Friday we had interviews with president, and Saturday we had a ward church cleaning activity. So yeah, really busy and a lot of running around.

Right now our mission is focusing on using the Book of Mormon and teaching the message of the Restoration simply and clearly. President Pack has challenged us to read the entire BOM by the end of the transfer (July 24) in order to do so we need to read like 20 pages a day. He has also invited us to teach the message of the Restoration to every single member in our mission in under 4 minutes. It's been really fun practicing and improving in teaching in this way, as we make the time we have less we are able to really focus on what's important in the lesson and it has also helped me in improving my Spanish to speak more clearly.

But more than anything, we've been focusing on receiving revelation and acting on impressions by the spirit. On Saturday we had a few plans and some back up plans in the evening. And like any usual Saturday night, the people who actually "have time" to meet with us, failed us and we were left to pass by a few old investigators. As we were switching trains in the metro (subway) we found the Elder's recent convert Alexandra. Although we had planned to go to the other side of town, when she asked us where we were going and what we were doing, without hesitation I replied, "We're going to go get some ice cream and you're coming with us." My comp had the same impression so we just went with it. Alexandra's the only member in her family and has been working a lot. With all the other trials she's been facing recently, she felt overwhelmed and confused. We were able to share a small message with her and more than anything, we were there to listen to her. It was a really small thing and may even seem insignificant, but I knew in that moment that I was exactly where the Lord wanted me to be, doing exactly what He wanted me to do.

Although not everything went our way that night, it went the Lords way, there is always a reason and always a solution to everything we go through in our lives. As we look out and think of others we will be more able to find those reasons and we can become the instruments in the Lord's hands.

I'm so grateful for the opportunity I have to serve a full-time mission. It's such an incredible blessing that I wouldn't trade for the world. I know that God lives, He loves us so He sent His son to show us the way. He has given us living prophets to lead us and direct us today. May we all have the courage to serve others and share with them this marvelous message. Thank you for all the prayers and support!

Have a fantastic week all of you!

-Hermana Warner

Rainy good week

Well I don't have any time left to write but a ton has happened since last week...

First things first, Sandra's Baptism. It didn't happen. We met up on Wednesday and she told us that she was having doubts about her life and that she didn't feel ready to make all the changes necessary in her life to enter into a covenant with God. 

     Selfishly, I never felt so crushed. I was completely heartbroken. I love her so much and I know how much this Gospel truly will bless her. But we didn't give up. We fasted and met with her again on Thursday and she told us she would reconsider and tell us her decision on Friday, the night before the baptism. As we ended the lesson she told us of her decision to not be baptized. It was really hard to be strong but I kept on smiling. I wanted to make sure she knew how much I love her and of the joy of the gospel. We walked all the way to the Metro stop together and talked the whole time. The second she was out of view the tears wouldn't stop flowing. Hermana Snyder and I just walked in silence in the rain to the church until we decided it would probably be a good idea to inform all the members about the cancelation. 

     The next day was difficult but we stayed positive and creative, coming up with different ways to work with the members and find new investigators. We tried calling Sandra and sent her a text but didn't get a response.  We wanted to keep meeting with and help her learn more so that one day she will be able to take that step. I didn't know what to do. I'd never felt so heartbroken. All I could do was pray. I prayed a lot. We were worried a little about what would happen for church. One of the members told us that she had told her that she didn't plan on coming due to embarrassment. I tried calling her one last time as we started singing the opening hymn, she answered.

     As we saw her walk into the chapel to sit with us I thought of the words of Alma, "20 And oh, what joy, and what marvelous light I did behold; yea, my soul was filled with joy as exceeding as was my pain!" Everything will be okay. I feel at peace and full of love toward her and the work. This week has been really difficult, but I wouldn't trade it for anything. She stayed for each hour even though she was also a little sick.

      We met with her again on Tuesday and she wants to continue to work with us. I'm so grateful for her humility and faith. Although now wasn't her time I know she will be baptized one day.

     I hope you have a great week all!

Hermana Warner 

Intercambios with Hermana Moyle

Cochinhas with our Brazilian friend Maria