The One Where I Reminded Her that She is HIS Daughter

We finally found ice cream like what we ate in the Santiago MTC!

We visited an investigator – Margarita.  She just had a baby and was struggling to get everything done.  After offering so many times, she accepted our help and we helped her clean and organize her kitchen and family room.  It was amazing to follow the example of Ammon and show her how much we care through service.  I truly believe that if Christ were here, He would look for every opportunity to serve.

Today was so GOOD!  Our new district leader is Elder Llavilla and he is supper smart with helping investigators.  And Elder Carneiro is the new zone leader. It was so fun talking to him again after being together in Santa Cruz and then after a few transfers, being back in the same zone!  I promise I’ve never met a more capable missionary.

            As we were up front presenting our investigators and their challenges and our plans to help them, President Harris walked in.  (I love that he just pops in and out randomly).  So as we were discussing how we are going to help these people, I decided to take advantage of having President there to ask him a question.  Lately he has really been encouraging that we don’t spend too much time with members.  That we should teach something quick – ask for references, and then go.  I love that.  I agree that we are not fulfilling our purpose by spending a ton of time with members.  But, I also know that people don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care, and no one is going to trust us with references if they don’t feel our love.  The problem is that these members are used to spending a lot of time with the missionaries that love them, and when the missionaries don’t spend a lot of time with them then they don’t really love the missionaries.  So my question was, how can we show the members (and investigators – including quick contacts) that we love them without spending a ton of time? I LOVED his answer.  He said: SERVICE.  It doesn’t have to be big and extraordinary – small and simple service can go a LONG way.  So I am going to pray harder for service opportunities and the ability to recognize them, and when they come, have the strength to quickly take them.

They had an activity in the ward, and the YW represented the United States. They danced country and talked about Thanksgiving and made pumpkin pie. It was DELICIOUS! I got to wear a cowgirl hat for 30 seconds because MERICA.

            I had to write a note to Nayade.  She has been sad lately so I decided to write her a note just reminding her how amazing she is.  Also we found so many new investigators this week and it’s so EXCITING!! It’s like all of our efforts and prayers and fasting have finally paid off!  I hope I never forget the joy I feel when I help people.  It’s a joy that doesn’t exist when I think about myself.

            Today we FINALLY were able to come into contact with an inactive member that one of the members asked us to visit.  We started talking to her and she began telling us all of the terrible things that she had happen to her and why she left the church.  She would be talking about one problem she sees in the church and then it was almost like she thought of something else and starting talking about that problem. Literally, for 20 minutes, she didn’t even stop to breathe.  She just went on and on with problems she has with the church and the members.  And then she finished and looked at me like “yeah, you can’t solve all my problems – try me.”  I didn’t know exactly what to say, but the words kept giving me hope from an EFY song, “all the world’s problems aren’t hard to beat.”  I knew that all of these problems are linked to something much deeper – a deep need that is not being met.  Instead of trying to battle with her one little problem at a time, I decided to just go for the deep need.  I thought about everything she told us and I listened to what she was saying and it hit me, so hard I almost started crying.  She forgot who she is.  She lost contact with her Heavenly Father.  She doesn’t feel loved or important.  It’s a need so deeply unsatisfied that she has searched the darkest roads to try to feel loved and important.  Nothing she has been doing has been able to meet these needs. I looked at her with my teary eyes and asked her, “Do you know who you are?”  After a few silent seconds, she looked down and said, “I know what you are going to say, and I don’t believe it anymore.  Because if I really were a daughter of God, wouldn’t he help me and talk to me?” I literally reached and grabbed her hand and said, “Just because you can’t hear Him anymore doesn’t mean He isn’t talking to you.  You are His daughter.  He loves you so much more than you can comprehend.  He will never give up on you.  Don’t give up on yourself.”  We cried together for a little and talked a little longer.  Then we prayed with her and for her.  I don’t know if she is going to come back to church forever, but I do know that we are going to do all we can to help her strengthen her relationship with Christ.

Here is just some landscape of Chile. A field that is BEAUTIFUL and pictures don't do it justice.

Ice Cream! This one is for Dad!