Staying Strong

HELLO MY DEAR FAMILY AND FRIENDS!!! Guess what? I hit my 4 month mark! And I´m finishing up my training this week- and as part of the training, the last week I am giving the cellular. Yup. Just when you think you can start to almost understand what people are saying, they hand you a cell phone (which is like 3 times as hard to understand.) I had my first conversation with an investigator on the cell the other day- about 5 minutes. I was so happy, I almost cried. (not really, but you get the picture.)

Anyways, the work is going. We ALMOST had a baptism. I´ll explain. Our investigator´s name is Wagner (pronounced Vagner) (about 25 or 30) and he was suuper interested. We handed him a Book of Mormon, and marked a day to pass by. Well, he came to church LAST sunday, and when we went to his house to teach him later, he had a bijillion questions. Good questions too. Anyways, he is eating up the Book of Mormon. One night when we called to see how he is doing with keeping the commandments and reading, he told us that he read 40 pages of the Book of Mormon. 40 PAGES!!!! And as of yesterday, he was in the middle of Alma. He had a baptismal interview Saturday (which lasted and hour and a half!!!) He wants to be baptized but he wants to tell his mom first (who is a devout Catholic.) And the other problem is that he is basically in love with Sister Finlinson. Like he wants to date her when she finishes her mission (and he even asked about marriage!) soooooooo basically we have to make sure he´s doing this for Himself, and not just to please her.

Speaking of Sister Finlinson, we had a conference call with our zone yesterday, and they told us that in our next transfer (next week) NOBODY is being transferred!! So I am still with Sister Finlinson. 3 transfers is a longggg time with one person. She said she´s necer been with anyone for 3 transfers. It´s a good thing I like her. haha

hmmmm highlights of this week:

-We went to teach a man this week who´s house is behind another (common here. called "fundos") well he didn´t tell us this, so when we showed up (DOWN POURING) we saw a woman in the front house, and she invited us in. After talking to her for a little while, we asked where this man was, and she told us that he lives in back. So we went to talk to him, and he was furious with us. So mad that we were late and that we were talking with his enemies." He refused to listen to us more.

-We taught a family of 3 sisters (only 2 were there) and they ended up making dinner for us. People here are really giving.

- One night I had a dream about a woman (wife of a member) who we were going to lunch the next day. She smokes heavily and has almost no desire to quit. She has gone to church in the past but doesn´t feel like it is very important. Aslo, she has a fear of leaving the house. Many missionaries in the past have taught her but have had little to no success. Anyays, I talked to sis. Finlinson that morning in our Weekly Planning, and I told her that I had a dream about this woman. Then Sis Finlinson looked at me and told me that SHE had a dream about this woman too. We didn´t have the same dream, but I felt impressed to share this experience with her when we went to lunch. Oh man, the spirit was strong, but she didn´t show any signs of emotion. (she´s one tough cookie!!!!!!!!!) but when we got to church on sunday, she was there with her granddaughter, siting in RElief Society.

It´s hard when we don´t have baptisms- like I feel like I´m not a good missionary. But It´s experiences like these when I remember that I am here to help others come unto Christ.

Vale a pena! (It´s worth it!)

Love you all, hope you have a wonderful week!

Love,

Sister Eliason