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
