All in the Tag: Week 49! "Investigadora Disfrazada"

From 12/29/14

My mind feels like it`s about to explode right now....what did I even do this week? :p

Wednesday night Hna Q and I made two pans of rice crispy treats. The cereal is called "arroz crocante" and it`s a little harder than at home, but it turned out really well. We poured melted chocolate on top with sprinkles and put them in little baggies to give to our zone the next day.

Also, something fun we did was cut out a bunch of hearts and write notes on them...then, for EXERCISE (cough Amy cough ..we exercised!) we sped-walked to a few member`s homes and did a version of heart-attack-ding-dong-ditch. I LOVE serving people. Why does it always make me so happy? huh? why? But, it does. :) It was fun for us, more than anything.

We had a white elephant exchange Thursday at our zone meeting (I got a red scarf), and me and Hna Q put together a little competitive activity with a spiritual message as part of the capacitaciòn as well :)

Later that day, I SPOKE WITH YOU! And, though 40 minutes seemed to only scratch the surface of a real conversation....it was enough :) I am so glad to have seen all of you, and am really grateful for you!

At home, we cooked an improve lasagna (that actually turned out super good....it was layers of pasta, meat, zucchini, and scrambled eggs on top..jaja....What diet?..) And I opened a little gift from Hna Q...a super cute note & greenish scarf!!!! jaja Now I have 2 new scarves :) jeje

Yesterday we did something super interesting.....investigadora disfrazada. In other words, with permission, we coordinated one missionary from another ward to come as a pretend investigator to ours. The goal was to see how well our ward fellowships someone they`d never seen before. It turned out BACÀN!!!! (That means "chevere"....I mean, "cool").

Hna C is Peruvian but understands Quichua. She also had all the Otavalenian clothes and braided her hair to look Otavalen. :) jaja The part that made her feel super weird was when she had to take off her plaque and, she just couldn`t put it away completely, so she hid it in the faja (belt) of her anaco (otavalenian skirt). jaja. It was AMAZING. Hna Q and I are such good actresses (watch out!!) because we pretended we had nothing to do with this "new investigator" who happened to walk in of her own accord to sacrament meeting. We were so impressed because, recognizing a new face, several relief society women rushed over to present themselves to her and get to know her. Then, as we sat a few rows ahead of her, the RS president came quickly to where Hna Q and I sat and excitedly told us, "There`s an investigator who came to church all by herself!! You should go present yourselves to her!!"

Hna Q and I opened our eyes as if very pleased and eager to meet this "investigator". We asked what her name was. "Sisa Y," replied the Hna Josefina (RS president). "Where does she live?" we followed up with, acting as if we really didn`t know who she was. "I don`t know...Go talk to her!!" Hna J indicated.

All throughout sacrament meeting, a member, Hna O, took it upon herself to sit by this "investigator" and even took her to the next two classes. ...The truth, I started to feel bad. Hna O was helping her to follow along in singing the hymns and read the scriptures in the classes. She even bore personal testimony several times throughout of her own conversion story and when she was baptized! AAAAAAHHHH "What are we going to do now??" Hna Q and I thought....they really thought she was a first-time investigator....and now we are going to break the members' hearts and reveal the truth!! AAAAAHHHH....but at the same time...ejejejejeje (evil chuckle as I rub my hands evilly together).

At the end, we finally revealed our evil ways to the elder`s quorum and relief society. We learned so many things about our ward.....the elders quorum needs works, but the relief society....Wow. They are truly special people. As we stood there in front of them at the end of the class, Hna C pulled out her plaque and presented who she really was to the RS group. A few were oblivious and had no idea there was something secretive going on. Maybe they didn`t even recognize that there was a new face amongst them all that day. Others, like the RS president Hna J, began to laugh heartily...realizing what had actually happened. And one, O, the one who bore her testimony and led Hna C through all the meetings...cried. I felt so bad! She really put her heart into extending a warm invitation to this "new investigator" and felt desilusionada when she realized it was actually a scam.....

AAAAAAAAAHHHH WHAT`VE WE DOOOOONE!!!!!! NOW THEY`LL NEVER Be ABLE TO TRUST US AGAIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIN!!!!!!!!!!! ....Is what I thought. But, after sharing a little spiritual message with them related to this experiment, we expressed true gratitude for those (Hna J, Hna O, and a couple others) who were leaders...and took self-initiative to live as true disciples of Jesus Christ. Truly living the gospel as we extend a warm hand to those around us.

When we talked with Hna O at the end, one-on-one, she seemed a little embarrassed (though she shouldn`t have been...because she was a shining example to the rest). She expressed quietly that, as she took "Sisa" around that day, she felt something special in Sisa...aka Hna C. As if she had a strong spirit and was already a member. And that, despite the doubt, she felt the responsibility to take care of her.

I am so grateful for this awesome and unique experiment we put together. Only 1 set of missionaries have done this in our mission before, but we wanted to give it a go. We found out so many things -- good and that needs improvement -- in the fellowshipping we do as members. One thing that I feel holds true is that -- when in doubt if someone is a member or not -- say hi to them! Get to know them and present your own self! Maybe Hna C wasn`t a real golden investigator (:P) but, surely one day that moment will come! And, what will the investigator make of that very first experience? In always presenting ourselves, we will not only give a positive impression of who disciples of Jesus Christ really are, but we will get o know more members as well and strengthen the ward.

Unity is so important! God unifies...Satan destroys. This is why we have been working so hard to create unity, not only in our ward, but also among our own missionaries in our zone.

I love the work of the Lord. It is always edifying and helps me to feel spiritually strong. I love how beautifully we were able to end this year...now I have personal plans in the start of the next!! :)

Love you all! Have a great week!! :)

Ñañagu Fernelius

AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!! :P jejeje YAAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYY

2015 is going to be a great year :)