Hard work and hope....

I hope that you guys are not like all through at home! Here everyday its about 75 degrees and beautiful!! Yesterday we had the confirmation of Naomi, the investigator that was baptized last week, it was pretty cool. Let me tell you guys, the missionary work is not easy!!! We seriously have been working so hard, and the results are slow to come sometimes. I have been trying to refocus my mind to not be so hard on myself when we don’t have immediate success...but its really hard when the work is the only thing we worry about.

This week, we had the crazy cool opportunity to have a 'Gira Misional' (Mission training) from our Area President Elder Mendoza. It was super cool, and the Spirit was really strong there. I got to think a lot about who I am as a missionary, and how this was a calling given to me before I came here to the earth. How amazing is that? We each have callings that we have received a looonnggg time before it was our time to be here. I have been so blessed in the mission, and I am learning things that are truly changing who I am.

President Titensor sent out an email last week, with new Standards of Excellence, which are crazy high. I think that I mentioned them in my last email, but we have been striving SO hard to achieve them every week. It has been a huge push on our part to reach them, and we have had to rely a ton on the Lord to provide or our faults. I know that we have been super blessed, and will continue to be blessed here in Joyas!!

I hope that you guys are hanging in there!  I was thinking about you a lot this morning when I was washing all my clothes. (We wash them all by hand now). It is super crazy that I have one-third of the mission complete! I feel like I am getting into a good groove, but I am still working so hard not to just worry about everything. I think that’s been a problem for my whole life. Worrying (...mom...thanks for your trait...) it is something that is really hard for me not to worry, and you guys know very well, I get really wound up with everything.

It has been a new level of stress for me to be out here in the mission, and really a saving grace for me had been talking with you guys every week, even if it wasn’t about anything particularly important.

I have really had to rely on my Heavenly Father this week to manage a lot of my stress, and I have a lot to work on still. But, it is amazing to be in our danky little house freezing to death and to just lay in my bed and think about the day and know  that it was all of the effort I had. I know that everything will work out, and if I am obedient, He will provide. I was reading in Alma 57 and  58 some pretty gnarly war chapters, that are only cooler in Spanish. I love love love in chapter 57 v21

 21 Yea, and they did obey and observe to perform every word of command with exactness; yea, and even according to their faith it was done unto them; and I did remember the words which they said unto me that their mothers had taught them.

 Also, in c58 v 10-11

 10 Therefore we did pour out our souls in prayer to God, that he would strengthen us and deliver us out of the hands of our enemies, yea, and also give us strength that we might retain our cities, and our lands, and our possessions, for the support of our people.

 11 Yea, and it came to pass that the Lord our God did visit us with assurances that he would deliver us; yea, insomuch that he did speak peace to our souls, and did grant unto us great faith, and did cause us that we should hope for our deliverance in him.

Those have really been my saving grace this week.