Work, work, and a little more work

This week was a miracle week. We worked our little hearts out and Heavenly Father blessed us SO much. We kicked off the week with a cool experience and it just got better from there....

CONTACT SOMEBODY

So a while back I made a personal goal to always sit next to a stranger when we take the bus to be able to make the most of out time and contact them. We dont hardly take any buses or taxis in this area because there really arent any but every week we have to take one to make it to our district meeting. So always on our way back I tell my comp, "You going to contact somebody today?" For language barriers and sometimes because no one sat down next to her shes never had the chance or the guts to go for it. But as I chatted with the person I was next to I glanced over and saw my darling and BRAVE companion contacting the person she sat next to. Such a proud mama moment. This Hermana Hancock is making leaps and bounds. So next week when we get to take the bus again and I say, "so, you gonna contact somebody today?" Im pretty sure I know what the answer will be.

BEST DAY EVER 1

We had divisions on Wednesday and I sent little hna Hancock off with one of the sister training leaders to go work in another area for the day. The other sister training leader came with me and we got right to work! We contacted, we found a new family and invited them to all be baptized with a specific date and they accepted, we taught a powerful lesson to some of our progressing investigators who finally have been succeeding with their goals to stop drinking coffee and alcohol! It was one great thing right after the other. So this family of progressing investigators are amazing. They started out strong but there was a time when things just got hard, the trials came and they stopped praying, reading the scriptures and completing their goals but after a powerful lesson on Sunday they picked themselves off the ground and have been on fire ever since! They have been reading the book of mormon as a family every night! And they havent drinken one drop of alcohol or coffee in a whole week! Weve been sending texts of animo and even dropping by with little sodas or cookies to help them out with the temptation. We love them so much. They have come so far! We also ran into the father of the family on our way to another appointment later on that same day. We stopped his motercycle and came over to talk to us. He was beaming. He proudly told us how well he has been doing with his goals, especially leaving alcohol behind. He literally seemed to glow as he told us of all the miracles and blessings they are beggining to see. Then halfway through  a sentence he stopped and began to silenty cry, "Hermanas, Im just so thankful and so happy. I know its not going to be easy but I taped the plan of salvation drawing on our wall and Im keeping my sights set. We are going to keep fighting and staying strong just like you told us. Thank you so much hermanas." I was smiling so big I thought my mouth might fall off my face. I love them so much my heart just about melted. God is working miracles with them. At the end of the day we reported as usual. Our leaders were so thrilled with the success we had that they ordered us tlayudas and had them delivered to our house. BEST zone leaders ever.

TRIALS (BEST DAY EVER 2)

So we had a hard morning the other day. Studies were hard. Animo was down. We were just plain old tired. We left the house and it was HOT and no one was home. The food was late. But once we got to the afternoon things took off. 

We found another new family and invited them all to baptism and they said YES. We ended with a kneeling prayer and as we left the mom stopped us. "I think God sent you guys here today." I grabbed her hands, "I know he did." I assured her. 

We also went around searching for a contact we had made the other day just to set up an appointment for another day because we can't enter into a home where a man is alone. And lo and behold, as we wandered around very lost in a new part of our area that we had never been to before, looking for this guy we said a little prayer in our hearts, and in that very moment he drives past and happens to have a member in his car. Glory glory. 

We ended up teaching him a fabulously powerful lesson and he accepted a baptismal date and is more than thrilled about reading the Book of Mormon. These are only a few on the marvelous and amazing things that happened this day. 

The day started out hard but turned out being the best. It's a pattern I've seen a lot on the mission. Just when you feel like giving up and that you can't handle one more rejection or can't take one more step THATS when the miracles happen and when the prepared people are put in your path. It reminds we of a scripture

2 For verily I say unto you, blessed is he that keepeth my commandments, whether in life or in death; and he that is faithful in tribulation, the reward of the same is greater in the kingdom of heaven.

 3 Ye cannot behold with your natural eyes, for the present time, the design of your God concerning those things which shall come hereafter, and the glory which shall follow after much tribulation.

 4 For after much tribulation come the blessings. Wherefore the day cometh that ye shall be crowned with much glory; the hour is not yet, but is nigh at hand.

 5 Remember this, which I tell you before, that you may lay it to heart, and receive that which is to follow.

D&C 58:2-5

Good stuff. It was an amazing week. Probably the best week I've had in maybe my whole mission. The zone leaders personally called to congratulate us. But we all know who really was doing all the work. Christ. We just came along for the ride. We gave Him our all. Heart might mind and strength. I LOVE being a missionary.

*we took a lot of pictures..

 *these bowls are hand painted and 20 years old. Its a cultural tradition in the pueblos here in el Itsmo to dress up in these fancy HAND STICHED outfits and fill these kinds of bowls with fruit and candy and throw them to the crowds as they walk through the street. It takes full time work of 6 months to be able to finish one of these kinds of outfits. The ones they let us try on today are worth 1000 american dollars. It was a fun monday spent chatting about cultural traditions! I love Oaxaca.

*sometimes the houses we go visit have a limited number of chairs so sometimes we teach people sitting in a hammock. EVERYONE has hammocks here. This particular hammock is an arch enemy of mine. Its really hard to get out of and it makes my legs fall asleep. But it always gives us a good laugh! Good memories.

*Our zone leaders bought us Tlayudas for working so hard and having such success! Best day ever. Here where we live they have tlayuda delivery. All you have to do is call and 20 minutes later a delicious tlayuda with a variety of salsas shows up on your porch! Best ever.

*more tlayudas

*best fish tacos ever. I also ate the eyeball. It was...interesting.

*everyone here carries things on their head. I tried it once with all my scriptures, its not as easy at they make it look...

Right Place Right Time

RIGHT PLACE RIGHT TIME

This last week we studied planning a lot. How to make a good plan. How to set a good goal and how to make it happen. We watched some training videos on our tempermental (and ancient) dvd player and Richard G Scott said some inspiring words on how if we can come up with a solid plan and take it to the Lord and ask for His help, just about anything is possible. 

So we gave it a try. We made a really awesome plan to find prepared and chosen people. We kneeled down and we prayed a fervent and powerful prayer. We told God the plan and then we got up off our knees and made it happen. We contacted every breathing thing in our path and we found 2 solid new people. 

The first was a reference from a contact that didn't want anything to do with us. We taught her a really great lesson. Something that stood out to me was her answer to a common question I like to ask people. 

So as missionaries our job is to teach to the peoples needs. It's not just a list of doctrine we've come to throw in their face but we're really here to heal and change eternities so we ask questions in order to help know what it is that this person needs to hear. So we asked the common question, "what is your greatest desire/biggest goal in life?" 

Most people say, graduate from high school, or get a good job, or be happy or other obvious/common things. This girl's answer was different and surprised us. She responded "live with God someday." Wow. Thats not something you hear everyday. We were able to help her see that as representatives of Jesus Christ we can help her get to know Him and that He is the way to make it back to God. She was pretty pumped about that.

The second woman we found we contacted in a whole of 5 seconds or less. We were late for an appointment, but I had made a commitment to talk to everyone in our path so we told her who we were and what we do and asked if we could come by another day. She looked surprised but said sure!

She told us she lived close by on a hill next to a big tree. I scribbled that down and off we went! Later that day an appointment fell through and we found ourselves near a hill with a GIANT tree at the top. Then I remembered the random person we talked to for 5 seconds and off we went. And sure enough, below the giant tree was a house and inside that house was the woman we contacted. 

As we got to know her a little better she confessed that as she was walking along that morning she had been praying in her head and asking God for help and direction. In the middle of that silent prayer we showed up. Pure luck? Fate? Nope. Prayers answered. Two prayers answered at once. Right place, right time and all thanks to HIM.

THREE 

This last week we stopped by to see the family of deaf/mute people. It was an interesting mix of three languages. English, Spanish, and Spanish sign language. I was surprised at how fast I was able to learn and apply the signs. Whatever signs I didn't know I made up, and my facial expressions also helped. By the end of the lesson we were all laughing. It was a great time. Maybe I'll pick up sign language when I get home too. Three languages would be nice.

ARMIES

Our bishop shared a quote in sacrament meeting yesterday that really hit me hard. I loved that. Times are rough. God needs strong women on his side. Proud to be one of them. He has made me a lot stronger in these last 16 months. I'm not who I was. I'm better. Stronger. 

Yes I still talk too much and like to take advantage of a good photo opportunity. Yes I still have fears and hopes and dreams. Yes I have bad days and sometimes a bad attitude. I make mistakes. But thanks to HIM, It's ok. My best is enough. And yours is too. So give yourself a pat on the back. Right now. And congratulate yourself on all that you are doing right! 

God loves you right now and forever. You are one of his army too. A little black piece of plastic isn't what makes you a missionary. Opening your mouth and proclaiming glad tidings does. So give it a go. Share the message and be a part of the army. It's hard, but it sure is fun too. So cmon! What are you waiting for? 

the quote:

"Many young women are serving missions. Many are preparing to serve. Not because they aren't married or have nothing to do, but because they have a desire to serve and are therefore called to the work. The reason so many are going is because in the next generation, Heavenly Father will be sending His priesthood army to earth and wants to send them to mothers who have been properly trained and taught in the gospel. What better training can a young woman have than a mission?"

LOVE

We had a really great lesson with a golden family we've been teaching. They are really excited about their baptism but have been having a lot of road blocks and obstacles. Satan knows how powerful they can be and he does NOT want them on Gods side. 

We went over to try and get their animo back up. The lesson was powerful. So much LOVE and concern. The love was almost tangible. You could've picked it out of the air and put it in bags to sell. We love them a lot and we expressed that love. They felt it. We felt it. Angels were there. 

We are not alone in our trails. Not one of us. Whether you believe in God or no - he is there. Loving and teaching and helping. Even when we're too busy with our lives to notice. He loves us. I just know it. And because he loves us, he lets us go through hard times. I am thankful for my trails and I tell him so everyday. Try thanking Him for the hard stuff in your prayers today. It helps.

*I've always been a hat person

*Our fan club - we love the book of mormon

*blood blister - it doesn't hurt. We just found it the other day. Who knows how long its been there!

*we washed clothes at our neighbors house and she took some pics of us. Thought you would appreciate!

Mexican Sign Language

*i love....you!!

MANGOS FROM HEAVEN

So here in the Itsmo everyone has a mango tree (or many mango trees) in their yards. We usually sit outside for lessons because no one has air conditioning, and being inside is just so hot no one can handle it, so we sit outside in the shade of the trees. 

The only problem is when a strong wind comes by, the ripe mangos come loose and fall. These are pretty big mangos we're talking about here and falling from a long distance. It's actually pretty hilarious because during lessons when a big gust of wind blows by everyone holds their Book of Mormon above their head and crouches down in hopes that a giant mango won't fall from the sky and take them out. One fell into Hermana Hancock's lap yesterday. It was pretty hilarious and mildly painful....

Oh Oaxaca, we really do love you.

FALL THROUGH 

There was a day this week that we had so perfectly planned I could hardly handle it. We had TONS of set appointments, members that were going to come teach with us, and great plan Bs. Every single dingle plan and plan b fell through. 

We walked. A LOT. In the hot hot hot sun. We sweated a lot. Contacted a ton. And just had a loooong day. At the end of the day as we hobbled into the house clutching our sweat rags (everyone here carries around a little wash cloth to wipe the sweat off their faces) we felt content. We fought a good fight. We had very few lessons, but we gave it our all. 

And that's what is so fantastic about the gospel! That my best is ENOUGH even if it wasn't much! Isn't that just the best? Your best is enough. Done. Thanks to Him. 

MEXICAN SIGN LANGUAGE

So we found a kid the other day who's parents are both deaf and mute and we keep running into him around town and he has been teaching us little bits of sign language. Fun fact: Mexican sign language and Sign language in the United States is different! So he taught us some basics and we finally found him and his mom at home the other day. 

We taught them a short lessons in broken sign language (and some made up sign language on my part) and the little boy translated the rest. It was a really powerful lesson. We taught a few basic principles, God and the family. 

At the end of the lesson the little boy asked to say the closing prayer. He stood and closed his eyes and signed and spoke a very simple and very beautiful prayer. It was probably one of the most sincere prayers I've ever heard (or seen) in my life. He asked God to help make his family eternal and to help him be baptized. 

As he stood there and signed the prayer he almost seemed to glow. As we all did the sign for the word amen we clasped our hands near to our heart and I offered a silent prayer of gratitude to God for these beautiful moments that I get to be a small part of.

*I love....the Book of Mormon

Ruby May 10, 2015

Cars

*we found another "happy" on the wall this week! It made us...well, happy. We also saw a black iguana run past before we took the picture...so that was cool!

MULTIZONA

We had a GIANT meeting with a ton of missionaries this last week. It was so much fun because after so much time on the mission I know just about everyone so it was great to see so many good friends. One of the great friends I saw was hermana Crystal! It was such a happy reunion. We only chatted for a bit because our bus was leaving right as the meeting ended, but she has come so far and is such a dedicated and powerful missionary! She is my hero. Easily the best red head I know. 

At the big meeting our mission president talked a lot about FAITH. It was mentioned at least a million times that fear is the opposite of faith, and if we really want to see miracles we've got to fear no man. It was great stuff. I took a TON of notes and ate it all up. 

I had been asked to prepare part of the training and share something on how to find new investigators. I talked on the topic of talking to EVERYONE. I love talking to everyone. In the bus, in the taxi, walking in the street, in the store, wherever and whenever! 

When I first got to the mission I would over think and doubt myself, "does God really want me to talk to that person? Or is this just me?" I was waiting for some sort of signal from heaven on who to talk to. Little by little I learned that in order to find prepared people it's a matter of trial and error and you've just got to talk to every living creature in your path, and God will help you out. Max once said, "think about it, there are very few people that God doesn't want you to talk to." Good point. 

We are all children of God and we are all eternally important to him. It was energizing being in front of so many missionaries and connecting with all of them. It was fun to watch them light up and participate and laugh along with me. It was a great multi zone conference.

SUNDAY

Hermana Hancock and I gave talks in Sacrament Meeting. Hermana Hancock shocked everyone with her Spanish! She is progressing and learning so much! We practice SO much and we are saying a lot of prayers. She is awesome. 

Being a missionary is really hard, especially in Oaxaca. It's kind of like camping or backpacking in a skirt. She is taking it on like a champ though. I love her, and I am so thankful she is my companion. We laugh a lot together. 

In the evening a family came with us to visit people and brought their CAR with AIR CONDITIONING. I think the last time I was in a car that had seat belts and air conditioning I was in the United States. It was amazing!

It was so easy and FAST to get from place to place. When people rejected us or when plans fell through, we just hopped in the car and sped off to the next option. We were able to have the most lessons we have ever had in one day in this area. It was great. Cars are so awesome! 

*I saw Hermana Crystal. SUCH a joyous reunion! Love that woman. SO very much.

*Sunday

Strength

WRONG BUS

On Tuesday we had a district meeting and we accidentally got on the wrong bus. I didn't realize until we had completely passed our destination. We got off as quickly as possible and started wandering around and asking strangers where the Mormon church was. They all directed us little by little until we made it safely. Opening up an area means getting lost a lot.

5 DE MAYO

A member took us out to pizza with ketchup on it (its a Oaxaca thing).  The members here are amazing.  So much love and support.

FOOD

The other day we started contacting a lady sitting outside of her house, the next thing you know she had us sitting down in chairs and fed us fresh cooked fish, tostadas, bean soup, fancy cheese, and a dessert.  She didn't even know our names and there she was feeding us a feast on her front porch, all the while we are trying to relate food to The Restoration and trying to move the conversation back to Christ.  It was very hilarious, it was very Oaxaca.

STRENGTH BEYOND MY OWN

It was a Wednesday. It was very, very HOT and humid.  I hadn't slept well because of the intense heat, and I was feeling less than motivated and little sorry for myself.  But we headed out on time and got to work because the best medication for disanimo is hard work. We contacted one of the first people we saw and started talking about who we are and what we do and all that jazz.

I'm not sure how it came up or when but she somehow ended up telling us that she had just lost her 4th baby a few months ago.  She had 3 miscarriages and the fourth baby was born and only lived for 9 days and then passed away as well.  As she told us this there was such a calm and strength in what she said.  I asked her how she did it, how she does it.  Her answer was her faith in God. "He is with me." she told me.  I agreed.  She also told me how there is always someone who has it worse. Someone who is going through something harder or more painful.  But that if we believe in God and have faith in him we can be strong.  

A line from one of my favorite hymns came to mind as she spoke to us.  "Finding strength beyond my own..."  I immediately stopped feeling sorry for myself.  I found strength in the testimony of a stranger.  She didn't accept an appointment because of her work schedule, but we left her a pamphlet. Later that day, when we passed by, we saw her outside reading it.  Faith in God gives us strength beyond our own.  So believe this week and be strong.

*happy 5 de mayo! and happy birthday Emma Rose!

*awkward family photo before going out to work. love my companion. So much.

*sweaty. all the time. sweaty.

*seeing an occasional English word is always a HAPPY thing.

*hahaha the funniest pictures I've taken in WEEKS. I woke up the other morning and my lip was HUGE. Some sort of insect bit me in the night. Thats nice. We had a good laugh about it. The swelling went down and by the time we went out to work it was practically all gone. Oh Oaxaca, I 

still love you.

*i love you and i am soo thankful for you everyday. Thanks to YOU and your faith in Christ I am here and I am happy. Thank you for being my best girl.

*be sure to tell Emma I love her. Tell her who I am. Tell her she is strong and brave and that I love her and we pray for her a lot.

[photos of Emma and Ruby's Mother's Day call, from us to Ru]

New

*writing in my journal by the light of my headlamp...

 THE AREA

My new area is like 15 minutes from the ocean and it is HOT and HUMID and WINDY.  Haha.  we walk around sweating buckets and then a big gust of wind picks up all the dirt/dust/garbage from the street and blows it right in our face!  We just laugh.  It really is super awesome though. 

EVERYONE (including us) has a mango tree in their yard so we get to walk around eating freshly picked mangos all the time.  We can't see the ocean from our area, but there is a lot of sandy streets so that's fun.

THE COMP

My companion is the best human being ever.  Turns out we actually kind of knew each other before! She had found my blog a while back and had started reading it and had actually written me a few e mails asking me questions and making comments about my experiences! 

Her name is Hermana Hancock and she is from northern California.  She is super darling and positive and her Spanish isn't even that bad!  It's been great to work with her this last week.  Adjusting to missionary life is always rough, but she is handeling it like a champ.

THE HOUSE

When they dropped us off at our house I couldn't believe my eyes.  It was so dusty, dirty, moldy, and full of trash it looked like no one had lived there in years.  There were cobwebs and spiders on EVERYTHING and the hermanas who lived there before us had left their dirty dished mountained up in the sink and all the dishes were growing mold.

Also, the sink was growing something too...there was mouse poop all over the tables.  A half eaten cup of noodles was left on the floor, completely molded over as well.  The bathroom.  Oh man, I can't even tell you about the bathroom.  And all the light bulbs are burned out, except the bathroom and one light bulb in the kitchen...Good thing I brought my head lamp because it's helped us out a lot this last week. 

Just imagine the dirtiest and scariest house on the planet and that's our house.  Plus there is a mango tree out back and all the mangos have fallen on the ground and are rotting so that smells pretty bad too, and it attracts a lot of bugs and other animals. 

Our neighbor warned us about tarantulas and bats that bite.  I thought she was kidding.  She wasn't. But on the bright side, we haven't seen any yet and we're working on cleaning them up little by little. 

And there was no water so we had to carry big buckets of water from a reserve tank in our yard to bucket shower.  My poor brave little companion was very strong about the whole thing.  We've been working on cleaning the house and getting rid of all the trash the other hermanas left behind for us, but we both decided that we're going to be trying to find a new place to live.  I'm not sure how...but we'll keep asking around.  It's a great contact starter actually. 

NEW AREA

We've gotten lost a lot...but the members are so very supportive and loving!  We've found some of the investigators that the other hermanas were teaching before and they are so golden.  We loved getting to know them!  We also met a kid who speaks sign language and he's been teaching us a little.  I feel so lucky and blessed to be in this area and to be with the companion that I'm with!  It is not easy but I know that God has a plan for us here!

Hurrah for Israel. Hurrah.

*selfie with my darling companion. I love her. A lot.

*us, when we got to the house. Sweaty, and freaked out.