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
