Transfer News

Transfer News: Hermana Thompson will be going to Santa Fe in a trio, and Hermana Johnson will be TRAINING 

When I got the training call from the president I literally had to sit down. I am only THREE MONTHS OUT! I was like "are you sure you didn't mean to call Sister Johnson (because there is an english Johnson haha)" but he meant to. I just feel very humbled. There are 20 other qualified Hermanas in the mission and only one new Hermana coming in. Heavenly Father probably told president to give me the greenie cause I have a LOT to learn. Or maybe this is all a sick joke....I don't know. Whatever the reason is, I am SO excited to train. I literally don't know anything and my companion is from Guatamala (probably doesn't speak English) but its all good and soooo exciting. I'm mostly excited because I know that I will have to rely on the Lord a ton and that I will be able to grow my relationship with Him. 

This week has been SOOO awesome. Great way to end my time with Hermana Thompson. Here are the highlights:

-We showed up to D & M's (the couple who has been seeing the missionaries for over 3 years and still hasn't gotten married so they can be baptized) and we were determined to lay down the law. We were fully prepared to tell them that we can't teach them anymore. But then a miracle happened! Daniel told us that they are getting married on the 13th!!! So we threw down the requirements for baptism. We told him he needs to live the Word of Wisdom and do all this other stuff. He walked right outside and threw away his cigarettes...JUST LIKE THAT! It was awesome. He is having tons of withdrawls but has a ton of faith that he will get through it. SO SWEET

-We went to teach or investigator P who is 70 and has cancer. He wants to get baptized but just needs a little push. He also has been super sick so two awesome returned missionaries in our ward gave him a blessing. 

-We met this guy that lives above P. His name is Joel....this guy is AWESOME. Hes sooo buff and scary looking but in our first lesson he was sobbing. Literally doubled over. He has SUCH a hard life...just everything is falling apart. But he loves Heavenly Father and believes that the gospel will heal him. He came to church the next day and loved it. He also took 20 minutes to introduce himself in priesthood...and he always tries to hug us...but ya know. Just technical difficulties.

-Church was amazing. Picture this: on the back bench of the chapel was Joel, me, Pablo, Hermana T, then Armando. All three of our bomb investigators showed up and the best part is they are all neighbors! They didn't even know they were all meeting with the same missionaries! I literally felt like I was in one of those sweet missionary stories where they convert a whole village. But in our story it's just the corner of a random street...and it's just 3 old men. But STILL it was awesome!

-Hermana Thompson had to say goodbye to the ward. We both gave testimonies and everyone was crying. She really is so loved here. I'm going to miss her like crazy!!! We laugh alllll day. We show up to lessons laughing, teach together will all our energy, and then leave laughing. We have SUCH a good time and we have been working so hard. I feel like I've made a best friend but even stronger than that. I'm sure by how it sounds that you might think we are similar and natural friends...but we are actually very different. We have had to work at it at times but, it's working at it that made us so strong! I will miss the times like being in a lesson and knowing the spirit has something to say and then hearing the exact words come out of her mouth. She has taught me to get on my knees for everything. It's not uncommon to hear her crawl into bed after a half hour or hour of praying. I've also learned so much about showing love. She loves EVERYONE and shows so much compassion. I could go on forever, but i'll just say that we have grown to love and trust eachother completely.

-And on a sad note, Gibran moved. He started praying about his baptismal date (yesterday) and that night he got a job offer to go do tile for Denny's restaurants across America with his supppperrr bad influence brother. He thought that was his answer...but we know it was the enemy. He told us that he will "have" to drink in his new job, won't be able to go to church, and won't have time to read. He told us that he KNOWS that he needs to be baptized, but for now he needs to chose money over God. I asked him "could you say that to God's face?" He said no. Then hermana Thompson got really bold and explained that he was taking advantage of Christ's suffering by planning to repent later. Gibran had tears in his eyes. Then his Jehova's Witness brother walked in, who usually is undoing all of the progress we make with Gibran, and said "Gibran you were praying for answers and they knocked on your door. They are your answer. I don't care if you take the job with me...you need to do what's right. The only reason you can't confidently be baptized yet is because you haven't been reading and praying like they told you to. You need to pray again." The conversation went on for another hour. We gave it everything we had to try and help him. 

As we said goodbye you could see the pain in his eyes. It was so sad to see him allowing himself to make this choice. He asked "will God ever find me again?". We said, "That's not how the gospel works. The question is, will you ever find God again.". </3 (that's the best I can do for a heart break emoji)

So, the point is....don't mess with God's plan. Read the scriptures, come to church, and say your prayers like you are supposed to. If we get too far away from him we find ourselves in the midst of darkness, torn between temporary happiness and eternal happiness. That's a scary place to be!

Thanks for all of the love and support! I pray for you guys daily!!! Have an awesome week and enjoy the snoooowwwwww

xoxoxox

I Read The Book Of Mormon Yesterday!

I really did. Our mission President asked us to stay in all day and read the Book of Mormon front to back. It took 18.5 hours. 6:30am to 2:00am. We sat all day and read as fast as we could! I only got up to grab a snack and one other 15 minute break. But it was SO WORTH IT!

Honestly, if anyone wants to learn about God and how to find true, lasting happiness, just read it! A few of our investigators are SO CLOSE to baptism, and it is all thanks to the power of the Book of Mormon! Part of the reason why it is so powerful is because it takes action on our part to open and read. When we put for that action we are showing faith that God is there...we are inviting Him to teach us. I know, with everything in my heart, that whoever reads the Book of Mormon with full intention to act on it's words will receive an answer from the Spirit telling them that it is true. And when you feel that it is true, act on it's teachings! If you have anything hard, confusing, painful, incomplete, or difficult happening in your life I PROMISE that the Book of Mormon is better than any medicine, therapy, product, solution, compass, or vent session. I'm putting my name on that promise because I know that it is the truth. 

God wants to be in your life. He has a plan for YOU that will give you nothing but pure joy in this life and the life to come. I know that it is possible to feel like you are in the arms of Jesus Christ. I know what it feels like for Him to take away your guilt and give you a new start! And I know that all of this comes from action. Read it, pray about it, and don't give up or give in until your Father in Heaven tells you that it is true or false. I PROMISE that you will find what you are looking for!

This week really has been amazing. We worked SO hard on our investigators. 3 of them are supposed to get baptized this week and I honestly have never fought face to face with Satan so hard! They are all under attack like nothing I've ever seen before. Pray for Gibran, Daniel, and Pablo. These guys are so important to God. He NEEDS them in His kingdom. No wonder the enemy is working so hard on them! (If the gospel wasn't the way to be close to God, why would Satan care? Just another reason why I know that this is God's work.)

This week was full of growth for me. We had a couple exchanges and I learned a lot about being bold and listening to the spirit. I'm glad that missions are so long because I have SO FAR to go. 

This is potentially my last week with Hermana Thompson. Transfers are on Monday and I really have no idea what is going to happen! I'll more than likely get an AP call. (kidding) Stay tuned!!!

Hermana Johnson xoxox

PS. Read the Book of Mormon. 

Christmas Miracles!!!!

Christmas Eve

On Christmas Eve we didn't have a lot of plans because our investigators had plans with their families. So, we got a few members together and went caroling during the day. It was really fun to visit our investigators and sing for them. Then we went to a rest home and sang for the sweetest people in the world. We had a referral for a very sick man at the rest home so we visited him first. He couldn't talk at all, but he nodded saying that we could sing. After we sang we stood by his bed and talked about Jesus Christ and God's love for him. It took all he had, and made him cough a lot, but he said a very sincere "thank you". It took so much for him to just say thank you, and it taught me more than I have ever learned about the importance of gratitude.

 Later that night, we went to A's house (our super sweet old man investigator who is the literal light of my life) and he had us sing to and teach his whole extended family who was visiting from Juarez. Several of them asked how they can join us for lessons weekly and we helped them get information on how to take the lessons. It was a literal dream come true to teach a whole room of people who were absolutely loving it. After, they all got in family groups and had us pray for them. So sweet. 

Later on, one of our brand new investigators told us we could go sing for her neighbor that night at 7. So, of course, we went back. We sang for their whole family and taught a lesson about Christmas and Jesus Christ. It was so incredible! We asked them if they knew anyone who would like a visit and they pointed out two houses on the street. We went to the first house to find a huge family gathering! They invited us in and we sang to and taught a lesson to over 20 people! We left them with a prayer, and then that lady personally walked us to another neighbor. This neighbor had an even bigger family!!!  They invited us right in and we taught over 30 people about Jesus Christ and left them with a prayer. It was crazy. People were videoing the whole thing as Hermana T and I just stood in the middle of the room with our scriptures open. So crazy. Then that neighbor sent us to another neighbor's house and the night went on with caroling and tons of teaching. By the end of the night we had taught over 75 non members, in spanish, full lessons about Jesus Christ. 

After that we literally ran down the road skipping and freaking out cause we had literally had the best night of missionary life EVER.

Christmas

First of all, thank you EVERYONE for your gifts and cards. I have never felt more loved!!!! I have the best family ever! 

After presents we went to church where we sang a song and got more presents! haha I can't imagine being in a better ward. The best part is that they are beginning to trust us a lot! Several people  have been offering up names of their non-member family members, and others have been getting really involved with our investigators and befriending them. So cool. LOVE THIS WARD.

It was super fun to talk to my fam on Christmas! You guys all look so good and happy:) After I turned off the computer I felt more motivated and excited to missionary work than ever. So, we went and visited a referral from the bishop. A woman in our ward boundaries was dying of old age and her nice (who is a member) flew into town from AZ and had called our bishop to see if the missionaries could come and visit. We went over and were blown away. I have never seen someone so close to death....it was really eye opening. Several couples and children were gathered around this sweet lady's bed. She had flours on her chest and everyone was crying. We sang several Christmas songs for the family and they all were hugging and swaying. It was such a tender moment. The woman who had invited us over asked us to sing I Am A Child Of God, and to explain what we believe. That's when we realized that we were in a room of non-members! As we did so the spirit came into the room SO STRONG. 

As we were leaving a man came and hugged us...oops....and said he is very impressed and wants to be part of our church. MIRACLE! He is so excited to take the lessons and become a member...and he doesn't even know anything about the gospel besides how it makes him feel. So cool.

Then....MORE MIRACLES!!! sorry this is long....haha...but the night just got BETTER! As we left the house we asked if there was anyone else who we could go visit. The woman referred us to her neighbor who is an old man sick in bed. She called her 20ish son and his girlfriend to walk us across the street and introduce us. This young couple was so sweet and willing to serve. We were really, really impressed as they knocked on the neighbor's door, introduced themselves and us, and then came in with us to visit the man who was sick. The man was very sick and disfigured and had a hard time talking. His wife has him all set up in a hospital bed and everything. We weren't sure if he even wanted us there...or if he even spoke spanish...but we started singing anyway. All of the sudden his face LIT UP! he started dancing around (which looked more like thrashing haha) and trying to sing! We sang song after song! He was so so happy to sing and dance with us. The young couple didn't want to sing but they videoed and danced too. I couldn't believe how much happiness was in the room! We left him with a message and a prayer, and as we walked out the couple really opened up about their journey with God. The boy told me that his friend was Mormon and passed away, but this friend of his was always so happy. They asked if we could teach them about the church and pray over their relationship. SO COOL! I can already picture them at the temple!

So, after such a great weekend I'm sorry to say that the call home didn't even make me a little homesick. I know exactly where I am supposed to be and I am so thankful that I got to be a representative of Jesus Christ for Christmas!!! I feel like the luckiest girl in the world!!!

Scripture of the week: 

"Yea, I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things; yea, behold, many mighty miracles we have wrought in this land, for which we will praise his name forever." -Alma 26:12

Hope everyone enjoys their vacations!!! Go out and serve!!! Love you! xoxoxoxoxox

Poco a Poco

This week in El Paso has been incredible!!!

We started out the week by hearing from a member of the 70, Elder Pearson. He really got us excited about the work. He reminded me that the gospel isn't just for "some people". It is for EVERYBODY! We are all God's children and he has restored the true church of Jesus Christ for ALL OF US.

The Gospel is the Medicine!

 So, that night after the meeting we showed up at an appointment and the guy wasn't there. We were so bummed out. We knocked on his door, the windows, the garage...nothing. Then I remembered that we had met someone the week before who lived on the same road as our canceled appointment!

Last week we were walking up the road and saw an old man (P) working on his car battery. We walked up and started talking to him. He said he has cancer and is going through a lot of pain and struggles. He said he has already talked to Mormon missionaries before and he needed to go inside because it was too cold out for him. Sister Thompson read him a scripture about the healing power of Christ, but he was still being a grump so we left. Well, P popped into my mind after this appointment canceled. Sis. Thompson looked at me like I was crazy...and I felt kind of crazy...we knew that P was a grump and not interested. But, we knocked on his door and were surprised to see his face light up! He invited us right in! He told us all about his struggles. He has so many health problems. The guy has almost died FOUR TIMES! He started crying....he said that when he saw us walking up to his car last week he thought to himself, "Are those angels?". He continued to tell us, with tears streaming down his face, that he believes we are angels come to help him. He asked us why he has so many trials, and why he has been given so many chances to live? "What have I done wrong? What is God trying to tell me?" 

We told him that he didn't do anything wrong, and that he is a son of God. As he began to realize his true identity his tears continued to come. He spread out a blanket on the ground, we all got on our knees, and he prayed to his Heavenly Father for the first time. The prayer was so unbelievably beautiful. The spirit was SO strong I can't even describe it. 

We went back later in the week. We walked in to find a book of Mormon on his table. The missionaries had given it to him 30 years ago. Don't tell me that God doesn't prepare people to hear this message....The gospel is TRUE and He wants ALL of us to have it!

Heavenly Father Hears our Prayers!

This week we talked to everybody we possibly could. Turns out a lot of people "already know the word" and "got saved a few years ago" and "don't know anybody who could use anymore happiness"....uh-huh.....anyway. We talked to 53 people who weren't interested. At the end of a really long, but really fun day of getting shut down (i'm serious it was actually fun and happy....don't know how but missionary life is just awesome) Hermana Thompson thought of a woman who she met knocking doors the week before I got here. 

When Hermana T and her old companion knocked on L's door, L asked them to come back later because she was about to have a baby that week! L's name came into Hermana Thompsons head so we went to her house and knocked on the door. L invited us right in! We met her three month old baby and one of her 4 young sons. She told us that she has been really struggling after this pregnancy. We sat down and began teaching her the same thing we taught P, that she is a precious daughter of Heavenly Father and he LOVES her. We asked her if she has ever prayed. This is what she said:

Several years ago her son broke his arm. The doctor re-set it and said that he would be in a lot of pain for the first day. That night her son was crying in pain. He couldn't sleep, and neither could she. She prayed to God and asked him to help her son to sleep. Immediately her son stopped crying and fell asleep. She looked over to his bed as she drifted to sleep and saw two arms, dressed in a white tunic, wrapped around her sleeping son. She rolled over in bed, full of peace and amazement...trying to figure out if she was dreaming or not...and saw the refection of a face in the window. She described it as a glorious face. 

We were amazed by her story. The spirit was so strong as she told it, so we knew it was true. We invited her to pray again, out loud, but she was very nervous. We opened a pamphlet to a page that had a simple guide on how to pray. She bowed her head and offered a beautiful prayer. The spirit filled the room. After she closed the prayer we sat in silence. She was holding her baby close and kissing her. Nobody wanted to break the spirit. 

Hearing someone pray to Heavenly Father, after learning who he really is and how much he wants to listen to us, is the best experience in the world. 

She opened her eyes, and closed the pamplet. On the front cover of the pamplet is a picture of Jesus Christ coming out of the tomb. His arms, clothed in a white tunic, are extended outward. She paused as she saw it, "Those are the arms...I'm certain those are them!" 

Then she said again, "I know because that is the face I saw! I saw his long hair, and his beard, and that face! That is him!"

"Do you know who that is?" We asked. She didn't. We explained who Jesus Christ is, and that he is her Savior, brother, and friend. (I don't know what really happened that night when she prayed, but I believe that whether she dreamed it or really saw what she says she did was an answer from God.)

She has set a goal to be baptized and wants to learn all she can to prepare.

Poco a Poco (little by little)

G is progressing really quickly. He has started to recognize the spirit as an answer to his prayers. It is really interesting teaching a Jehova's Witness. They have a lot of beliefs that don't line up with ours, so we just have to slowly and gently teach him the truth with a lot of love. We had a lesson on Jesus Christ last night. We showed him the "Because of Him" video from last Christmas. G said something like, "I knew most of that...nothing new...but when I saw the baby Jesus, I felt something. I'm not sure why, maybe I never pictured  him as a helpless baby because we don't celebrate christmas. But that is really special...he was just a helpless baby." 

Every one is getting excited for the holiday! I'm mostly excited that D and M finally have time off to plan their wedding! I can't wait....we have a wedding on Jan 13 and a baptism on Jan 17! D is so ready and can't wait to finally get baptized. Keep him and his fiance in your prayers!!!

Couple weeks ago we went to find a woman who was baptized but never comes to church. We knocked on the door and a 16 year old girl answered. We asked her if she knew the woman we were looking for. She said, "ya that's my mom, but something happened and we won't see her for a long time." 

We went back this week and found out that her mom is actually in jail, She and her three younger siblings are cared for by her dad and his sister who recently moved in. She is a very serious girl and her siblings are much more care-free. You can tell that she is in so much pain and is just trying to keep the family together while their mom is gone. We had a really awesome talk and she said she would love it if we came and taught her and her siblings the gospel! I know that if anything can ease her burdens it is the gospel! (oh ya...none of them are baptized...muahahahaha) 

Other Updates

We are loving the holdiay season. It's so awesome.

I've eaten 900,000,000 tamales and none of them are as good as Estela's. 

I asked my neighbor if I could sit on his bike and take a picture...so here is a picture of me sitting on Samuel's bike. HAHAHAHA now we just need to teach Sam the gospel. 

I love you all!!! <3

xoxoxoxox

A rough timer pic of us eating tamales and canned food 

"everyone's houses have these annoying projected lights on them. So ugly...but they made for a funny pic"

I Just Have To Talk About The Savior Because Christmas!

This week we knocked on someone's door and talked to him about Christ. He didn't believe, and he didn't want to believe. We left his doorstep in tears thinking about how tragic it would be to not know you have a Savior. All he knows is the craziness of the holiday season and a world that is cruel, unforgiving, and unfair. 

Christmas isn't about toys, bonuses, wish-lists, or time-off. It's a celebration of the most important event in the history of the world! Christmas is a time to think about the birth of Jesus Christ. 

This event was so important that every prophet in the Bible and the Book of Mormon testified of his coming and his mission. One of my favorite prophesies of His birth is in Nephi's vision:

"And I looked and beheld the virgin again, bearing a child in her arms. And the angel said unto me: Behold the Lamb of God, yea, even the son of the Eternal Father!" 

Alma said: "For behold, I say unto you there be many things to come; and behold, there is one thing which is of more importance than they all--for behold, the time is not far distant that the Redeemer liveth and cometh among his people." -Alma 7:7

So why is this the most important event of them all? Because of the life that Jesus lived. He was born so that he could live, and then die, for us all. 

"Yea, remember that there is no other way nor means whereby man can be saved, only through the atoning blood of Jesus Christ, who SHALL COME. Yea, remember that He shall come to redeem the world."

When Christ was on the earth he taught, lead, healed, and loved the people. And then, he died for them...and for us...and for every person who has ever lived or will live. He felt every pain, and suffered every sadness. But, I know, that this wasn't the end. He overcame death and was resurrected! HE LIVES. He lives so that he can teach us, lead us, heal us, and love us. He is our Savior. He really did come to redeem the world. HE is the WAY. He is everything. 

"Yea, verily I say unto you, if ye will come unto me ye shall have eternal life. Behold, mine arm of mercy is extended towards you, and whosoever will come, him will I receive; and blessed are those who come unto me. Behold I have come unto the world to bring redemption unto the world, to save the world from sin. Therefore, whoso repenteth and cometh unto me as a little child, him will I receive, for of such is the kingdom of God. Behold, for such I have laid down my life, and have taken it up again; therefore repent, and come unto me ye ends of the earth, and be saved." -Jesus Christ (3 Ne 14, 21-22)

The invitation to COME is for all of us. He has given us a gift of peace, hope, and healing that is free for the taking. All we have to do is COME. 

So how do we COME?

 -It all starts with faith. We get faith through the scriptures, prayer, and attending His church to be nourished.

 -Then we repent. Repentance isn't bad, or hard. The word "repentance" could be replaced with "Seeking Christ's love", "Running to His arms", "Becoming more like God", or "Coming to Him". It is an action that we do to show Christ that we want to feel the power of his atonement. We want to come to him. 

-We also witness and testify of Christ through our baptismal coveneants. Whether it is the fist act of being baptized or partaking of the sacrament each week, all is an opportunity to come closer to him. 

-Then we recieve, honor, and protect the gift of the Holy Ghost, who tells us all things that Christ would have us do. 

-And finally, we endure by continuing to come to him through faith and repentance. 

This season is a time we have to think about the miracle of Christ's birth. If he wasn't born we would have nobody to run to, nobody would understand us, nobody would be able to make us clean, and at the last day nobody would be there to be our advocate to the Father. 

My invitation to my family is to not spend this season as the sad man who we met on his doorstep. Don't forget the reality of Christ. Don't forget His birth. And, don't forget to COME.

"Come, my bretheren, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters; and he that hath no money, come buy and eat; yea, come buy wine and milk without money and without price. 

Wherefore, do not spend money for that which is of no worth, nor your labor for that which cannot satisfy. Hearken diligently unto me, and remember the words which I have spoken; and come unto the Holy One of Israel, and feast upon that which perisheth not, neither can be corrupted, and let your soul delight in fatness. 

Behold, my beloved bretheren, remember the words of your God; pray unto him continually by day, and give thanks unto his holy name by night. Let your hearts rejoice."

"YOU CAN HAVE OUR NUMBER IF YOU WANT TO HEAR ABOUT JESUS!"

Update on the Mission 

This week was wild because of all of the changes in our area. We split our area with two new elders and had to get them all set up with our investigators and the ward and the area and everything. Turns out that this is a really good change. Elder Sutton and Elder Andrade are really hard workers and a lot more people will be able to hear the gospel because of them. 

The elders got bikes instead of a car because their area is small. We called them to check in on them half way through their first day and they had been working on their bikes ALL day. I figured out that they didn't know a whole lot about bikes. So we went over there and I was able to use the knowledge I got from B smith and my dad and fix their bikes. Seriously dad you would be proud. I patched their tubes AND replaced some tires AND fixed the chain and brakes. Anyway...thanks dad and Braden. 

So here's the good part. I'm telling the elder's that my buddy Braden taught me how to mtn bike and he said, "Elder Smith?". Sutton and Braden were friends in the CCM! Small world. 

Because of all of the changes we got some of our mileage allowance taken away. So we've been on foot which isn't super convenient because we live a good 30 minute walk outside of our area. So to even start working we have to walk 30 minutes down the highway in sagebrush and thorns. HAHA I actually love it. And we have had some great experiences from it!

As we have been walking more we have been trying to talk to everybody we come in contact with. Suprisingly most people we talk to agree to meet the missionaries wherever they live! On wednesday a buch of guys in a truck stopped and wanted our numbers so Hermana Thompson shouted "YOU CAN HAVE IT IF YOU WANT TO HEAR ABOUT JESUS!" 

The Assist x 2!

About 3 weeks ago Hermana T and I were walking and there were some guys way ahead of us up the road. I started yelling to flag them down and one of them came over to us while the other walked away. Turns out he lives like 30 min outside our area so we told him what we do and told him we would send the missionaries to his house. Guess what...HE'S GETTING BAPTIZED!

That's all about that. I'm just excited. The church is so true. And all of this is so worth it. 

Who Said Church Is Boring?

This week at church was probably the best day of church of my life! All three of our investigators showed up! (ya don't judge that we only have 3...we are working on it haha) But still, that is %100! One of them sat with a member that has been coming to his lessons and the rest sat with us. It was testimony meeting and during the sacrament I explained to G that he should just pray and feel the spirit. While he was doing that I was praying my guts out that he would feel the spirit and that the right people would get up and share the right things. All of the young men went up, tons of really strong women and men went up,and even a little boy who just got baptized went up! They all bore simple, clear testimonies about KNOWING that the Savior lives, the Book of Mormon is true, and that this is the true church. The spirit was as strong as I have ever felt it. After church we went and visited G and told him that he can know for himself too. He can feel the same that all of the other young men felt. The spirit was so strong as we testified to him and then after he texted us and thanked us for a beautiful day:)

We have actually learned a really powerful lesson in only having 3 people to teach. Sometimes the Lord tears us down to build us up stronger. His plan is perfect. 

Thanks for all of the love, prayers, and support! I hope you are all having an awesome holiday season!!! <3

Hermana Thompson and Johnson with the Assist!

This week has been a little unusual. With the holidays most of our members and investigators were busy. We had two delicious thanksgiving dinners so don't worry, we definitely got fed. The first one was at our second councilors house. He had TONS of family over with tables filled with turkey and casseroles and treats. Sound familiar? I felt right at home! Sounds like you all had an awesome thanksgiving! I missed my annual nap on grandma's couch after Thanksgiving dinner, so hopefully somebody took my place and got a good siesta in. 

We started this week by getting dropped by our two most promising families that we were teaching. Both of them dropped us because the husband didn't want the family to get baptized. lame. And then we finished our week with transfer news where we found out that Sis T and I will be together another transfer, BUT our area is getting split. The elders are getting our investigators who are getting baptized this month, all of the less actives we were working with, and all of our potentials. SO we are basically starting from scratch. We have the south half our area still but there hasn't been much work done down there. Heavenly Father knows that there are people who are ready down there, so he's forcing us to hit the pavement with this big change!

It was kind of hard to lose all of the work we've done. We are excited for the elders because they are going to have a few people to baptize who we have taught, but it's kind of sad to not be able to finish our work. And the English elders are baptizing a family we taught because SUPRISE they actually want to go to the English ward! Haha.... All in all, Heavenly Father has a plan. And people are getting baptized! That's the goal! We might not get to be there but in the long run it doesn't matter even a little bit. 

SO for an update on the investigators we get to keep! 

-G is a Jehova's Witness but is really interested in our church. We taught him the first lesson at the church about a half hour before a 17 year old kid was getting baptized. G felt the spirit in the lesson and committed to be baptized...but wait...in THREE YEARS! I guess that is the tradition in his religion....so we will have to work with what we got. After we went to the baptism with him. He liked it but was a little offended that the kid being baptized had only seen the missionaries for two weeks before his baptism. I guess I never realized how awesome it is that people can be baptized basically as soon as they want. A lot of people believe baptism is the end goal, but really it is just the first step! It's the beginning of our journey to become more like God!

-D has been seeing the missionaries for over three years! He's awesome, but he lives with his fiance and baby. He has to get married before he gets baptized...so that has been his obstacle all of this time. Last week when we saw him his whole life was falling apart. His job, his relationship, his finances, he started smoking for the first time...literally everything. Then we got a call a few days later that his baby was in the hospital with something that could be fatal! So scary. We sent the second councilor in our ward to go give him and his family blessings at the hospital. Daniel called us the next day and said they got discharged because the baby was healed! We went over to his house and from the moment we walked in there was a completley different feeling. D told us that he told God that if his baby is healed, he would be baptized. Him and his fiance had been fighting lately under the stress so we talked with them about their marriage doubts and all kinds of stuff....by the time we left they had told each other how much they loved each other and committed to get married and baptized this December!!! So excited for them!

-C is one of my favorite people ever. He is so sassy and he calls me hot donna from that 70's show. HAH.  We are sadly losing him to the elders because of the split..but it will probably be good in the long run. We had had a hard time getting ahold of him this week so we were wondering if he was taking us seriously. Finally on friday we were walking out of a training about how to better invite people to be baptized. As we walked out we saw C walking down the street! We literally ran. We finally caught up to him, asked him if he wants to be baptized, and he said yes!!! He was smiling ear to ear! Ah such a great moment.

Update on Hermana Borja:

We had dinner with her last night and she told us her story. When she was young her father left her, her mother, and her little siblings. They came to El Paso from Mexico to try and escape the poverty. She ended quitting school at age 12, going back to Mexico and working in a factory to help her mom make ends meet. Her biggest priority was finding shoes for all the kids to wear so they could go to school. She quit the factory and started cleaning houses which paid a little better. They went back to El Paso where her siblings finished school and she continued working. She has been working full time since she was 12 and knows that it is because of Heavenly Father that she has had a job to put food on the table and shoes on feet. We were so humbled that she fed us, knowing she didn't have much to offer. Her story was a really great reminder that we have so much to be thankful for! She is one of the most grateful people I have ever met, and she shows that gratitude by getting up at 3 am to read, praying, paying her tithing, and serving the missionaries. Wow, I wouldn't be suprised if I talk about this woman every week for the rest of my mission. Her testimony has changed me!

Other things that happened:

-I gave my first sacrament meeting talk in Spanish

-Found a lot of less actives who we are excited to work with

-Ate a whole jalepeno and almost died hehe

We are excited to get the new elders here and get started with our area in the South. Sometimes the Lord has to cut us down before we can be built back up. As frustrating as it is to feel like we are always prepping people for other missionaries, we know that the Lord has a plan. More than anything he wants us to be humble and willing to do what ever he asks. 

Anyway, sorry this e-mail is kind of lame. It really is all over the place.... I'm sending pics from the past three weeks to make up for it. 

LOVE YOU!!!