On Tuesday we met with Camilla (don't worry we didn't have more of her "underwear" sandwiches..haha) and we talked to her about baptism and confirmation. It went well and she can't wait for June 22nd..which is
the day of her baptism! Then we went to Eliana's house. Her sister in law came and joined us when we were talking to Eliana. Well first I'll tell ya this: when Eliana was making dinner for her kids, and Sister Keele was helping Destiny (the daughter) with her homework, I went and sat on one of her kitchen chairs. I looked set her and asked her, "Eliana, from friend to friend tell me, whats up?" It took a bit, because she wanted to finish the kids food, but then she opened up more than I thought she would. You see, she has gone to church twice but hasn't for the past 3 weeks. She and Danny say they will come but then they don't show up. Eliana really wants to go back to the temple but there are some things first she's gotta change..and she knows that. I'm not going to lie, I thought (when she first started talking to me about what was going on) she was going to ask us not to come back. I thought she was leading up to that which made this dumb feeling in my heart difficult to go away. I just stayed quiet while she talked. Ok to be honest, I was crying my eyes out. She is having some family problems..problems that I understand are difficult to solve. So when she's feeling stressed or frustrated she chooses to do things that "help" her head ache go away and what not. I'm not trying to make myself sound like a saint because I'm not, ok? When I care about someone deeply and they're going through something really hard I just wish I could carry their burdens for them. I wish I could just have that problem of theirs and not have them suffer. I know, I know be careful what you wish for.. When it was time for me to say something, gosh it was so hard because I was trying to hide my tears from her, the words came out without even editing what I was thinking. Ok ok I know that happens all the time for me..but I'm sorry I guess that just makes me..them..right? Haha. I said, "when I first made the decision of serving a mission I knew I would meet people with trials I wouldn't have even imagined they existed. And I couldn't shake off the fear I was not going to be able to help out at all.
One day, a friend of mine named Macen said 'that maybe I don't need to understand everything they're going through. It is the Saviors purpose, not yours, to understand and help with their trials.' When he said that to me, I'm not going to lie, it was a hard pill to swallow. But he was right. I am being truly selfish right now because I'm just caring about myself and feeling sorry for myself for not being able to help you. I'm sorry. But here's what I know NOW. The Savior came to the world to call upon those who are in need of help, no matter if it is little help or big help. What is important to you is important to Him. He is waiting for you to come to Him so He can help you. He is here for you. The atonement is there for you! He wants you to use it as much as you want to. Pray to Him with real intent. Ask and He will answer you. Please don't give up, we need you. There are people who come to church but none of them are Eliana." I told her more but I can't remember all of it. So during that talk her sister in law, Alena, came downstairs and joined us. She asked us a lot of questions. Questions that have been answered before by other missionaries but when sister keele answered some of them she was like wow. Haha! All three of us kept answering all of her questions. She had more but unfortunately it was time to go :(. So we set up a new appt with Eliana and her for that following Thursday so we got excited over that. Alena from Colombia and shes living with Danny's brother named Michael. And they have an adorable 4 year old daughter named Angelina. I know Eliana is a strong woman. She has told us also that when things are falling apart she goes to the only thing that never changes..and to the man that doesn't either..she goes to her scriptures and our Savior. We are not going to give up on her. She's worth it. For The Lord has said, "Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God;" (D&C 18:10)
On Wednesday we met with a family we have been working with for the past 2-3 weeks. They want their daughter to be baptized because she is 8 years old now so they have asked us to come and teach her to prepare her for baptism. Ashley is the name of the little girl we are teaching. She is great! Good learner and super cute! So this family wants to enter the temple. They've never been to the temple so..we are going to prepare them to go do baptisms on June 28th. We know they can do it so we can't wait! They'll have a lovely experience..we just know it! And guess what?! The dad (Juan) knows my cousins and my aunt who live here in NY!!! I just found out last Thursday about it! Haha small world, ya? Ha. The mom (Rosio) is very creative! She makes cute bracelets and bows! She makes them for both kids and adults. I've seen her collection and they're so cute! You are welcome to check out her page on Facebook! I'm friends with her now and I also like her page so check it out if you can! Also, the dad is from Peru! So he has that Peruvian accent I've missed so much haha it's great!
On Thursday we went back to Eliana's but Alena wasn't able to make it :(. But we spent a good time with Eliana and we watched a church movie with her and then we read a talk we gave to her a few ago she hasn't read yet and yep it was great! Then we went and knocked on some doors. The first house we went to they were Jehovah's Witnesses..awkward..haha she was nice though so it's all good. Then, oh man, the second house we went to an old man opened the door and flippidy dap we talked for ages! I'm sorry, correction: HE talked for ages! He's 78 and was a history teacher. So when we told him we were missionaries from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints he was all like, "oh! You're Mormons?" We were like..um yes!! Then he went off about how Brigham Young was a "violent" man and how he hired man with guns for whatever reason and what not. He bravely gave us time to preach. He would be like ok teach me about your religion and so we started with the restoration and............interruption after interruption......we couldn't teach him much. He would even interrupt our testimonies to tell us stories of things we couldn't understand. We weren't impatient with him..we would just laugh because old people have so much to say! It is not bad, not at all. Can you blame them for living that long? Nope. After maybe like an hour we left. Good man that old man :). Very skeptical, though. Sister Keele said something that I really liked about this whole situation with the old man. She said, "now it for sure makes sense that Heavenly Father had to go to an uneducated 14 year old to be able to restore the gospel. If He would have gone to an older man, it would have been difficult and I think we would have kept Heavenly Father and His son in the woods longer than expected." We both laughed, and I couldn't agreed more.
On Friday we went to visit Jenni! Oh she's so flippin nice she made us lunch! She made a yummy Peruvian food named Papa a la Huancayina, so good!!!!! She told us that this past week has been a blessing! First she found out that she can get her citizenship without having to pay a cent. She went and took the test, even though she thought she did poorly, at the end she passed and got her citizenship diploma!!! How exciting! And to top it off she found out she is having another boy! She'll have three boys totally! I have a feeling she's going to be well protected by those sons of her haha and her lovely husband! We taught her the 5 principles of the gospel and it went well! She keeps feeling that good/peaceful feeling whenever we go to teach her. So good! It's hard for her to make it to church though, because her husband has the weekends off so sometimes they go to queens or they just go out and spend time with the family. She also hasn't had time to talk to him about this religion but she says he will support her with whatever decision she makes. Next time we go visit her we're going go ask her if her family can be taught. Then her husband can learn more about the church and what not :).
Then later that night we continued knocking on some more doors. We met some good people who were interested but didn't have time at that very moment. Most of them were English speaking people so we gave their names and address to the English sisters. Nothing exciting happened, but it for sure was a lovely walk! The trees were so green, the neighborhood was safe looking, and the temperature was perfect! Good afternoon :).
So our plan is to reactivate some less actives and take them to the temple. I thought of my family tree and how I haven't done baptisms for them yet. I wanted to confirm the info I already have of my family from my dad's side. So I asked Sister Keele if I could call my dad for reassurance because neither my brother or my dad use the internet so I wouldn't get info that way. Then I also remembered the sisters who are serving where my brother and dad live have been teaching them so I wanted to know how that was going. So after making sure it was ok to do, I called my dad. My brother answered and told me dad wasn't home. We talked for like 30min. He told me they have met with the sisters. They invited my brother to go to church and he went with his girlfriend. He thought it was weird and didn't get a vibe from the people there. He said he has no intentions of being baptized but that he'd be happy to keep learning about our church.
Here's what the sisters have done with my brother:
- They taught him about the Book of Mormon
- Invited him to church without explaining to him what testimony meeting is and what the sacrament represents.
- They told him that they have a baptismal date (they told him the date)'and that he should pray and start preparing himself. Um...que?
On Saturday, we went and did service for a member in our branch. It was fun :)'we got to go to the dump! It was so stinky..but super fun! Then he took us to McDonald's for lunch! So nice of him. Then we went and taught a woman named Belgica. She's an older lady from the DR. She's super nice and man she totally has a super strong testimony! It's awesome! We taught her about the 5 principles of the gospel. She loved it! And even thanked us for making her day! And then I had "the" feeling to ask her about baptism. It was the first time I've ever felt prompted to ask her. So I did. She said if she did she would have been baptized 3 times. Once as a baby, two for that one church she's been going to, and three the church of Jesus Christ. She told us some other things, but I just told her to pray about it and that we will be praying about it as well. She's great! I hope her answer comes soon :). All at the Lord's timing..all at the Lord's timing :).
Then later that night we went to an investigator's house for a north day party. It was so much fun, and there was good food too! We had cake and shared some good laughs :). I have missed so much Hispanic parties..if you have a chance to go to one..go!!! They're worth it :D!
When we got home that night, I called my dad. He was home this time. I had to tell him that I couldn't talk about personal things, that it was a missionary call. He was fine with that. I got the correct info about some family who have passed away. Then I told him what I was planning on doing with those names. Without even thinking twice I told him I was going to take those name to the temple and be baptized for them. I told him our religion believes in baptisms for the dead.
Oops.
He was silent for a bit.
I asked, "did I freak you out?"
He answered, "A bit."
So I had no choice but to explain the plan of salvation to him. I didn't want to because it was going to be over the phone. But I can tell ya this: I have never felt the spirit so strongly than I did that night with my dad. I didn't have any pamphlets on hand or anything on me that could help me explain the plan of salvation. I have been teaching it for a bit now but I always use a pamphlet or something that will help me teach. But this time I had nothing. I prayed so hard in my heart, and began to teach.
The words, in Spanish, came to me so smoothly. I had no problems thinking of how to say something in Spanish. The lesson came to me so easily. I had no need to pause to think of what was next. It was an incredible moment.
When I was done, I asked if he had any questions, comments, or concerns. All he said was, "ok." I waited for a bit, and I couldn't feel anything but peace. You know how I'm a loud person and was born without a filter and always have to crack a joke at a serious moment? Well, let me tell you that the spirit had put his hand on my shoulder and told me to wait silently. For the first time ever, I did. And It was worth it.
I bear testimony to you, that I know this church is true. I know our Father in Heaven loves all of His children. He knows them and is willing to do anything for them. "..the worth of souls is great in the sight of God;" (D&C 18:10). Our Savior, Jesus Christ, gave His life for us. We have the atonement He wants us to use everyday. He came to world to save us and to set up an amazing example. He wants us ALL to come back to live with Him and the Father. The scriptures are also the word of God and they are there to guide us to Him. Our awesome prophet, Thomas S. Monson Is our latter day leader and I'd there to also help us go back to Him. We have temples where we can do work for those who are anxiously waiting for a baptisms, confirmation, endowments, sealing, and more! God has giving so many tools to help us build a "ship" to sail back to Him. And also to help our brethren. What more can we ask for? He cares! He loves! He waits...
He believes in us, our Savior and Father believe in US! How wonderful is that! Do what you can to keep strengthening your faith. Don't give up on others, including yourself. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
My dad and I, I'm sorry, brother Vasquez and I had a wonderful conversation about the gospel and the love both the Savior and Father have for us. I told him, more than once of course, to pray and to ask. To read and to learn. To go to church and find out for himself. Both him and my brother will be in prayers. More than ever now.
Who is next? Yes, my sister.
Let me make this clear now though, I am allowed to do this because it is missionary work. I can teach friends and family who are interested about the church through phone calls, email, Facebook, and Skype. So if you can think of anyone who is spiritually hungry and Thirsty don't hesitate to ask them if they want to learn about the church through the missionaries and if you want to we can be their missionaries :).
So finally on Sunday, we went to church, yay! Before church though we went to see if our investigator, Paula, was home. And guess what? She was! And guess what? She came! And guess what? She thought it was a tiny bit weird..she had to go after sacrament meeting because she things to do. We are going over next Sunday either before church or after church. We told her we'd come and get her but that she's free to say no if she doesn't want to come. So we will see what happens. She did have a friend there though, a guy who used to rest part of the house she lives at..so we are going to talk to her so they can come together :).
Also, guess who came to church?! Danny and Eliana!!!!!! Ah!!!!!! I couldn't help it I was so excited I almost cried! It was so flippin good to see them all there! What a blessing, I'd say :). Both of them looked so handsome and beautiful :) I was a proud "mom" :D. Love my kids, yo. They stayed for the whole thing! They liked it too. They said it was good to be back :). Oh! So president Mejia (branch president) came and got us from relief society and took us to his office. As we were walking there I whispered to Sister Keele if she knew where Eliana was and right when I said that we got to the office and bam! There she was with Danny :)..I was a bit embarrassed haha. So we got called there to ask us about Destiny and where she is at on the lessons. So we have 3 more lessons to teach Destiny so she may be baptized in a month! We will find out what Danny and Eliana think by next week. We are so excited! And I also told Eliana about the temple trip we may be taking this month on the 28th and she said she will think about it and talk to us about it soon :). Please keep her in your prayers so she can make it! It'll be so good for her :)! She deserves to go.
Nothing exciting happened after church. We went home for dinner, after went to look up some referrals (we have appts with them this week), then visited a family that Sister Keele and her ex companion Sister Powell used to visit. That family was so nice! I heard they were being taught and the daughter had a baptismal date but the dad started taking to the Catholic Church and what not so eventually they decided it was better to stay catholic so there wouldn't be any commotion, you know? Our purpose is to keep families together not destroy them so the sisters dropped them. We are going back to visit them and leave them with encouraging words..they want/need that.
So that was my week :)
Love you!
Keep being awesome, and know that He does listen and cares!
Be strong and of good courage,
With love and respect,
Hermana Vasquez
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