It's official - I never thought this day would come. Today marks the one-year mark from when I entered the Provo MTC on the first day of my mission. If I was an elder, this wouldn't be such a big deal - I'd still have another year to accomplish everything the Lord needs me to do here. But I'm a sister. And being such, I only have six more months. When you're not on a mission, six months sounds like a really long time. But when it all comes down to it, it actually just means four more transfers, six weeks each. And when weeks fly by like days, that's not enough time.
I made a huge mistake and forgot my planner today, so I don't have much to report from the past 1 1/2 weeks. Except that I love my companion Hermana Ayala. We have so much fun and we're working so hard. They totally changed up our area so now we have more time to go to Berkeley and all the way out there. It's been fun, but it's definitely presents some new challenges. Unlike Oakland, Berkeley doesn't have latinos bursting at the seams. It takes a little more work to find them, but we have been able to find a few potential families. We're still teaching Martin and Luis and Marilu even though they're outside of our area until they all get baptized (because they all will get baptized) but we've had more time to dedicate to finding families in our area.
Dunia and Hugo and Hugo Jr. set a new baptism date for next month so we're excited about that. They're coming to the Visitors' Center Saturday night, and we know it's just the kick they need to get them to church as a family. We have a couple more people in our area, Milagro and Adulio, that we're working with as well.
One miracle story that I do remember: just yesterday, we were street contacting in Berkeley. It was the middle of the day and no one was home. We tried visiting less actives and potentials in Berkeley and we got nowhere. So we decided to visit a member who lived close by. We got into the building and knocked on the door and someone answered, but it was not the member. We were confused as to why we visited the wrong address - this member was very active and we thought that she would have updated her address with someone. But the Lord led us there for a reason. We met Janet who moved here three weeks ago from Mexico with her family. She didn't have time to talk right then, but she invited us back and we're planning on going there Saturday night. A couple of hours later, we found the new correct address for our member. The Lord works in mysterious ways. In 1 Nephi 4:6-7, Nephi says, "And I was led by the Spirit, not knowing beforehand the things which I should do. Nevertheless, I went forth." As we do His will and ACT before the answer, even if we don't know how to do it, He will lead us to where we need to be.
Today, we went to the temple. The temple is the best place ever. I didn't want to leave. The world is hard. Missionary work is hard. But we can find peace, even outside the temple, as we do what the Lord wants. We have to be willing to change and put His will above our own, but I know that's what brings us a "fullness of joy". I've felt pieces of that joy as I've learned to love and serve His children in the past year, and I'm grateful for all the opportunities I will have in the next six months as well as the rest of my life to help others feel of the love of Christ. This is His church and the only way we can find true happiness.
Have a great weekend!
Hermana Hunsaker
Thursday, September 19, 2013
Wednesday, September 11, 2013
Transfer 8!
We're already in a new transfer. And I'm staying here in Oakland! With a new companion - Sister Ayala from Mexico. It's her third transfer and she's awesome. I'm super excited to work with here.
So today is crazy - three of the six missionaries from our district are leaving: Elder Gonzalez, Elder Hill and Sister Pena. Elder Gonzalez and Elder Hill have both been here for at least nine months so it's weird having them leave. I'm going to be the missionary in the ward who's been here the longest - and I've only been here for three transfers. So that's weird. I know the ward for the most part, but there are still some people I need to meet. Elder O'Farrell, Elder Clark and I should be able to get everyone on the same page.
It was week of mixed emotions - some days, sad tears; other days, huge smiles. Martin finally accepted a baptism date and came to church again! Without his family unfortunately - Ryan is learning but didn't come to church, and Guadelupe is lacking desire to change right now, even though she knows it will be good for her family. And little Martin is still being a pill. But this family will get it one day - maybe coming to the baptism will change Guadelupe a little bit.
Dunia and Hugo are having a tough time - we didn't hear much from them so we stopped by Friday night to get them excited to learn. Dunia's been reading and praying but Hugo still keeps saying that he'll change and he hasn't. They didn't come to church so.....we'll see what happens.
Marilu and Atzidi came to church again! And I had to keep the two little boys quiet. It was so hard. There are a few people in our ward that are inactive because they have little kids with too much energy. I finally understand that a little bit more. I didn't pay attention to anything in sacrament meeting - we need a great fellowshipper to take care of her kids so that she can focus and feel the Spirit. I can't do that every week.
The Granados family dropped us. The dad wants to go back to his Christian church, and the mom doesn't want to create confusion in her family by attending our church. She still wants to learn, and mentioned that someday they might come back to our church, but I don't know when. I just have to have the faith that the Lord will continue to prepare the people so that they will be baptized in the future. I am going to miss visiting this family so much. We're still visiting Marilu's sister Bella and her aunt Virginia (new investigator!) so when they get baptized, Marilu's family will still have that link to the church and they'll come back someday!
Luis, the Preciado's nephew, is doing pretty well. He knows the church is true, but he doesn't feel the desire to be baptized at this point. We're going to work on helping him understand the Atonement so he does feel that desire and he makes the needed changes. He went to San Fran tomorrow so he didn't come to church. Bummer.
Also Veronica, Hermana Preciado's friend who was living with her, up and moved out last Sunday. Right after telling us that she would put in the effort to learn the gospel. So that was hard. Someday she'll get it.
Anyways, it's going to be a great transfer! It's also going to go REALLY fast. We have interviews with President Meredith, and the temple, and a mission tour with Elder Aidukaitis. So.....it's going to be crazy. But there will be miracles all around and tons of revelation so that we can better serve God's children!
Life is good. The church is true. And it brings us the peace and joy we need to get through everything.
"What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?" - Romans 8:31
Remember that :) have a great week!
Hermana Hunsaker
So today is crazy - three of the six missionaries from our district are leaving: Elder Gonzalez, Elder Hill and Sister Pena. Elder Gonzalez and Elder Hill have both been here for at least nine months so it's weird having them leave. I'm going to be the missionary in the ward who's been here the longest - and I've only been here for three transfers. So that's weird. I know the ward for the most part, but there are still some people I need to meet. Elder O'Farrell, Elder Clark and I should be able to get everyone on the same page.
It was week of mixed emotions - some days, sad tears; other days, huge smiles. Martin finally accepted a baptism date and came to church again! Without his family unfortunately - Ryan is learning but didn't come to church, and Guadelupe is lacking desire to change right now, even though she knows it will be good for her family. And little Martin is still being a pill. But this family will get it one day - maybe coming to the baptism will change Guadelupe a little bit.
Dunia and Hugo are having a tough time - we didn't hear much from them so we stopped by Friday night to get them excited to learn. Dunia's been reading and praying but Hugo still keeps saying that he'll change and he hasn't. They didn't come to church so.....we'll see what happens.
Marilu and Atzidi came to church again! And I had to keep the two little boys quiet. It was so hard. There are a few people in our ward that are inactive because they have little kids with too much energy. I finally understand that a little bit more. I didn't pay attention to anything in sacrament meeting - we need a great fellowshipper to take care of her kids so that she can focus and feel the Spirit. I can't do that every week.
The Granados family dropped us. The dad wants to go back to his Christian church, and the mom doesn't want to create confusion in her family by attending our church. She still wants to learn, and mentioned that someday they might come back to our church, but I don't know when. I just have to have the faith that the Lord will continue to prepare the people so that they will be baptized in the future. I am going to miss visiting this family so much. We're still visiting Marilu's sister Bella and her aunt Virginia (new investigator!) so when they get baptized, Marilu's family will still have that link to the church and they'll come back someday!
Luis, the Preciado's nephew, is doing pretty well. He knows the church is true, but he doesn't feel the desire to be baptized at this point. We're going to work on helping him understand the Atonement so he does feel that desire and he makes the needed changes. He went to San Fran tomorrow so he didn't come to church. Bummer.
Also Veronica, Hermana Preciado's friend who was living with her, up and moved out last Sunday. Right after telling us that she would put in the effort to learn the gospel. So that was hard. Someday she'll get it.
Anyways, it's going to be a great transfer! It's also going to go REALLY fast. We have interviews with President Meredith, and the temple, and a mission tour with Elder Aidukaitis. So.....it's going to be crazy. But there will be miracles all around and tons of revelation so that we can better serve God's children!
Life is good. The church is true. And it brings us the peace and joy we need to get through everything.
"What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?" - Romans 8:31
Remember that :) have a great week!
Hermana Hunsaker
Let me think........
I have the worst memory ever. I don't know what it is, but I can't even remember what happened. Last week went so fast! I'll try to think of some highlights.....maybe I'll just include a few short entries from my gratitude journal and that will trigger my memory.
8-26-13: I am grateful for......the beautiful nature that gets me away from the world.
- We had a zone activity where we went on a small hike in Tilden National Park in Orinda. Orinda reminds me of home - it's only a ten minute drive from Oakland, but it seems so secluded. From this park, we can see our whole entire mission. There's a beautiful view of San Francisco and there's just so much peace. Even as a missionary, it's hard to find peace here in Oakland, especially when you teach huge Spanish families with rowdy little kids.
8-27-13: I am grateful......that Huge and Dunia accepted a baptismal date in the first lesson! And for all the things I've learned about myself as I've served my mission.
- We found Hugo and Dunia last Saturday but they were having a family barbecue so we couldn't teach them. We decided to just stop by because we hadn't gotten in touch with them over the phone and they were home! And accepted a date for the end of the month! Dunia is much more interested than Hugo and they need to get married but the Lord will make it work. Dunia's been looking for a church for a long time, and the Lord was just saving them for now!
- I've had a lot of quiet time to think this week and I've made time to write in my journal. I can't sum up everything I've learned and everything else that I'm still learning but I'm slowly uncovering more and more of who I am and who I want to become. It's an interesting self-analysis.
8-28-13: I am grateful.......for the opportunity to find and teach families.
- We went and saw Dunia and Hugo again and their son, Hugo Jr., was there and accepted a date right off the bat! The gospel is for families. And God gives us families so that we can learn to understand the gospel. They work together oh so well.
8-29-13: I am grateful......for less-than-perfect experiences teaching district meeting that humble me. A lot. And for golden Hispanic families that cry in God's Plan.
- Yes, I taught my first district meeting. It didn't go as smoothly as I hoped, but it taught us a lot. Our district is working on being more united so we can help the ward be more united in missionary work.
- I love the VC. And I love non-member Spanish families that feel the Spirit so strong that they bring their friends to come see the presentations. We got referrals from two golden Spanish families this week in Hayward and I just know that they'll accept the gospel. I just know it.
8-30-13: I am grateful......that they let Jose out of jail! Him and Bella are reunited!
- We stopped by our investigator's house, Bella, and she told us that her husband would be released from jail that day! He had been there for two weeks because of immigration problems. It had been a rough time but she thanks God in her prayers everyday that we met her right before all this happened so she could have the support. She was talking about how she's lost so many people in life due to death and other awful circumstances and she just could not have lost her husband. It was a great miracle. She said that even though she couldn't concentrate very well while reading the Book of Mormon because of everything that was going on, she felt peace as she read. She's well on her way to understanding our message - we're teaching her the Plan of Salvation today and we're so excited! It's exactly what she needs to hear!
8-31-13: I am grateful.........that because we forgot he was coming, Hermano Padilla (member) surprised us with food at the VC!
- It was SO good. There's nothing more I can even say. It was heavenly.
9-1-13: I am grateful.....that our investigator Luis came to church for the first time!
- Even though no one else came, he followed through. Helping people get to church is the hardest part of missionary work, but we'll get them all back. We had 2 families last week and we can do it again. Every family needs this gospel.
So, that's a pretty good summary of everything. There's more, but those are the big things. It would be impossible to list them all here. I'm grateful for the opportunity to see miracles everyday. This is the Lord's work - He'll take care of it as we do our part.
Love you all!!!
Hermana Hunsaker
8-26-13: I am grateful for......the beautiful nature that gets me away from the world.
- We had a zone activity where we went on a small hike in Tilden National Park in Orinda. Orinda reminds me of home - it's only a ten minute drive from Oakland, but it seems so secluded. From this park, we can see our whole entire mission. There's a beautiful view of San Francisco and there's just so much peace. Even as a missionary, it's hard to find peace here in Oakland, especially when you teach huge Spanish families with rowdy little kids.
8-27-13: I am grateful......that Huge and Dunia accepted a baptismal date in the first lesson! And for all the things I've learned about myself as I've served my mission.
- We found Hugo and Dunia last Saturday but they were having a family barbecue so we couldn't teach them. We decided to just stop by because we hadn't gotten in touch with them over the phone and they were home! And accepted a date for the end of the month! Dunia is much more interested than Hugo and they need to get married but the Lord will make it work. Dunia's been looking for a church for a long time, and the Lord was just saving them for now!
- I've had a lot of quiet time to think this week and I've made time to write in my journal. I can't sum up everything I've learned and everything else that I'm still learning but I'm slowly uncovering more and more of who I am and who I want to become. It's an interesting self-analysis.
8-28-13: I am grateful.......for the opportunity to find and teach families.
- We went and saw Dunia and Hugo again and their son, Hugo Jr., was there and accepted a date right off the bat! The gospel is for families. And God gives us families so that we can learn to understand the gospel. They work together oh so well.
8-29-13: I am grateful......for less-than-perfect experiences teaching district meeting that humble me. A lot. And for golden Hispanic families that cry in God's Plan.
- Yes, I taught my first district meeting. It didn't go as smoothly as I hoped, but it taught us a lot. Our district is working on being more united so we can help the ward be more united in missionary work.
- I love the VC. And I love non-member Spanish families that feel the Spirit so strong that they bring their friends to come see the presentations. We got referrals from two golden Spanish families this week in Hayward and I just know that they'll accept the gospel. I just know it.
8-30-13: I am grateful......that they let Jose out of jail! Him and Bella are reunited!
- We stopped by our investigator's house, Bella, and she told us that her husband would be released from jail that day! He had been there for two weeks because of immigration problems. It had been a rough time but she thanks God in her prayers everyday that we met her right before all this happened so she could have the support. She was talking about how she's lost so many people in life due to death and other awful circumstances and she just could not have lost her husband. It was a great miracle. She said that even though she couldn't concentrate very well while reading the Book of Mormon because of everything that was going on, she felt peace as she read. She's well on her way to understanding our message - we're teaching her the Plan of Salvation today and we're so excited! It's exactly what she needs to hear!
8-31-13: I am grateful.........that because we forgot he was coming, Hermano Padilla (member) surprised us with food at the VC!
- It was SO good. There's nothing more I can even say. It was heavenly.
9-1-13: I am grateful.....that our investigator Luis came to church for the first time!
- Even though no one else came, he followed through. Helping people get to church is the hardest part of missionary work, but we'll get them all back. We had 2 families last week and we can do it again. Every family needs this gospel.
So, that's a pretty good summary of everything. There's more, but those are the big things. It would be impossible to list them all here. I'm grateful for the opportunity to see miracles everyday. This is the Lord's work - He'll take care of it as we do our part.
Love you all!!!
Hermana Hunsaker
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