Paul: Paul is still working on gaining his testimony of the Book of Mormon. We brought him to the Visitors' Center again and watched a movie called "How Rare a Possession" about a preacher who finds a Book of Mormon without the title, prays to know if the book is true, and starts using it in his sermons at the expense of his career. It takes him years to find out the origin of the book and finally join the church. It's a really powerful film - a little outdated but still super interesting. We brought a member with us, Hermano Cordova, who had a hard time believing the Book of Mormon was true as well but he bore a powerful testimony of the truth. I think it stuck with Paul. He didn't make it to church because he was in Antioch, but we'll keep working with him.
La familia Lopez: We started teaching the whole family just yesterday - before that, we just taught the mom, Carmen, a couple of times. The elders gave them to us - we're still not really sure why, but we're grateful. They're an awesome family and they've been reading the Book of Mormon, but it's really hard for them to get to church. That's our next step with them.
Carmen Palomar: We've been trying to get in touch with Carmen since I came to the area. She came to the VC with her husband and their daughter Melanie but her work schedule is really crazy. She went to church one time before we started teaching her and hasn't been able to come since but we finally dropped by her house last week and she was miraculously home! We were able to have a first lesson and set a return appointment, even though she might have to cancel it depending on her work schedule. She works in San Francisco and doesn't know her work schedule until the day of. So it'll be rough but this family is so ready for the gospel.
Saira: MIRACLE FIND. I had an exchange with Sister Ferguson in my area on Saturday. It was my first time by myself in my area - Sister Ferguson is also a Spanish-speaking missionary so I wasn't completely on my own. We had a couple lessons planned, but we had an hour open for contacting. We were on the same street as a potential that I had wanted to visit so we stopped by. Saira let us in and we talked and we have a return appointment to go back! She has had missionaries in two different instances and the next day at church, the elders told us that this family had all had baptism dates! I had no idea but the Spirit told me and Sister Ferguson that we needed to go there. We're going back tonight and expecting to meet her husband and her four kids too. We're so excited!
Rosa: ANOTHER MIRACLE. We met Rosa while tracting a couple weeks ago and she told us to come back at the same time next week. She wouldn't even give us her phone number or open the door much. For a few days, we debated if we should even go back, but we decided to. So on Thursday at 3:30, we stopped by. She was home and she let us in immediately. She said she had forgotten that we were coming over but asked if we could come back the next day. She also told us that she met with missionaries 3 years ago and we had no idea! When we went back to her house she wasn't there and we kicked ourselves for not getting her phone number. We stopped by again that night and her husband was home so he gave us her number. We're going there tonight too! We're so excited - it's going to be a busy night of new investigators!!!
Last big news: Chris' baptism! At Zone Conference, President Meredith announced a new rule effective next transfer that we can't go back to old areas for baptisms. It didn't apply to this transfer because there were already people - like me - who had promised old investigators that we could come. So I got to go! And it was at the ISC across the street from the VC so it didn't take much time away from working in my area. She was so happy :) it's so amazing to see how she's changed and how much happier and confident she is.
I know this is Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ's work. It's amazing to see the power that people gain through the Atonement of Christ when they trust in Him and His Church. I know that I've received the power to be guided by the Spirit to find these people at just the right time. And we couldn't do it without Him. I know we can all follow His guidance as we are obedient, as we work hard, and as we listen to the Spirit. Missionary work is that simple, the gospel of Jesus Christ is that simple. And "by small and simple things are great things come to pass" - that's how we see miracles.
Have an awesome week!
Hermana Hunsaker
