April 22, 2013

Hello family. I have so much to say. But I think I shall start off with, Have I told you that I love my mission lately?? Because I do. 

In personal study this week something in the Book of Mormon stood out to me about Teancum. He´s one of my heroes, but I noticed that he made a rash decision and let his emotions get the best of him.  This eventually led to his death. One day this week it was raining super strong. I´ll admit that I did let my emotions get the best of me. I was cold, wet, tired, and nobody was letting us in. (There truly is opposition in all things.)I´m learning to trust that when we´re doing the things we´re supposed to, the Lord will put miracles in our path.

My favorite experience this week happened yesterday. You´re going to get the spark notes version, and for that I am sorry. We were at a recent convert’s house as opposed to where we usually meet him at the chapel.  He doesn´t have too much support from his very Catholic-Evangelico family. But we just were led to his house. He told us we could come in, his mom and aunt were home but were busy cooking, so no worries. We were teaching him about temples and baptisms for the dead. His mother came in and sat in the room. I was so nervous. It was the first time she´d heard missionaries speak and here we were talking about baptizing the dead. When we finished we asked what questions they both had. The member didn´t have any. When it was the mothers turn, she told us that her father and husband passed away without being baptized and didn´t know that we could baptize for the dead. She said that if it were possible, she´d do all she could to be baptized for them. The spirit was so strong. All of us in the room were crying. It was incredible. I realized, once again, this is why I´m here. To help families know that they can live together forever! When my companion and I got back to the apartment, we talked and were so enthused. We offered up a prayer of gratitude for our many blessings. It was incredible, and I love the work. I love this place and these people.

There was this amazing moment;
I´m not sure if you´ve ever been yelled at by a Catholic-Evangelico-Christian woman before in Spanish, but let me tell you. What a rush. I couldn´t understand so much. But I could understand that she loved her son, so much. Her son, J, is a recent convert. He is 21 years old and yesterday decided that he wants to serve a mission. He also got ordained to the Melchezick Priestood yesterday. So cool! It clearly pained his mother to see her son choose such a path in life. She recounted his many remarkable stories of faith. There was this moment when R (mother) was crying, my companion was bawling, and J was crying. And there I sat. Lost, dazed and confused but trying. (Always trying) I felt the familiar burning in my chest, the spirit, telling me to reach out, grab her hands, and hug her or something. So I just got up, walked over to her and hugged her. I then knelt and held her hands and told her that it was touching to see so much passion and love for her son. Then J stood up walked over to his mommy and held her. I went back to my seat and marveled at this scene in front of me. She said no matter what he chooses in life she would always love him. I really could feel for her poor broken heart. He brushed back her hair, rubbed her arm softly and kept saying, I know you love me mommy. It was a very tender moment and I got to witness it. Now, it could be that I haven´t been able to hold my own mother in a long time, but my comp and I just cried. It was amazing and beautiful to see J, whom has only been a member for a month, answer his mother’s questions, share scriptures, and speak with power. He will be such an amazing missionary. The spirit was SO strong! Amazing! This night was a miracle. As I reflect on the many things that lined up just right so that we could be where we were, with who we were, when we were. R told us that usually she goes to a friend’s house on Sunday evenings but felt an impression to go home early. She told us that we could come back and she’ll continue to speak boldly and frankly and I told her we have thick skin. We knelt and closed with prayer. J grabbed my hands, shook them and with the most sincerity, thanked me. I know that we were an answer to his many prayers and righteous actions. Also I know that this was one of these moments when sister missionaries can get into houses elders never could.

Well, you know that moment in every young missionaries life when they realize why the heck they´re where they are? This moment is hard to express with words. One can hardly know where to begin. But, that just happened in my life!  It caused me to rush to the end of the street so I could shout and jump for joy? What is all this addicting adrenaline? I actually took off my backpack and ran up and down hills in excitement? Why? This is why. This is why I´m here. I want to always remember this moment! This feeling! It is SOO AMAAZING! Families can be together forever. While back in the apartment, my comp and I talked about what we had just experienced. With tears in our eyes, we knelt and offered a prayer of gratitude. We´re still both in shock over this experience.  I am truly grateful for this tender mercy. I’m grateful for this opportunity to be an instrument in The Hands of the Lord. It´s true that with a little time, everything is better. Being a missionary is incredible and the most amazing experience. It´s difficult being molded into what He wants me to be, but I know that it´s worth it. 

I´m wearing a name tag over my heart that bears the name of our Savior. I´m here for Him. My life will always be for Him. It also bears my family’s name. I do this for you. For my FOREVER family! (All I wanted to do, by the way, was to call my mom and tell her about my awesome night. You always listen to me mom. Good and the bad.) I love and miss you family.

Please know that this work is amazing. Prayers are answered. I love you more and more and more each minute. Please have a good day and week!

Love,

Hermana Workman

By the way, hi mom. I love you more than cracked corn! Hug each of my grand folks. I love and miss them. (Love the picture of grandma’s birthday dinner in the sombrero! Welcome to my world!)