Hi family!!!
First off, please let everyone know that this month is "Fe de Febrero traerá milagros de Marzo". It´s where we make some sacrifices in order to reap blessings for our life and mission. And I´m going deep in this year. One of my sacrifices is to only have 1 hour to write to my family and President of the mission. The rest of the time I plan to study for investigators and other things. I love responding to my friends and family, but I have faith in following through with this sacrifice. :) Thank you!
That said, I don´t have much time left to write to you. I was going to cut out writing emails home altogether but decided in this case that wouldn´t be wise. For example, there is important information that needs to be transmitted. Also, in my setting-apart blessing it mentions the role that emails to and from home would play in my life and for my family at home. So, 1 hour limit it is :)
Family, did you know that if you light a cheeto with a match, it drips plastic?! We learned that from a man that gave a health capacitación on the bus back from Quito on Wednesday. We went home and tried it....it´s true.....And we CONSUME that?? YEAH we do!
In an area of our sector we rode in a member´s car to a cita [appointment]. It´s more nature-area there and less mud-city. As the car inched it´s way up the windy dirt road, two small boys turned away from playing on a dirt soccer court and grabbed hold of the tail end of the car. We rode up the hill, laughing and cheering them on as their little heads simultaneously bobbed up and down and they followed the car up the trail. They smiled so big and so CUTE and we turned around give them cheers and thumbs-up. Several hundred feet later, they both let go and turned to their left to go up another dirt path home. What a priceless, "Kodak moment"! I just didn´t have my camera on me at the time. Rats. But, I just had to tell you. It was so cute! They had to have been 8 and 9 years old.
For my birthday, the zone leaders surprised me with a can of peaches. I was SO HAPPY! A can of peaches is expennnnsive here. It´s like $3.75 or something....and way better than a torta (cake). jaja It sealed the end of a rather strange day, honestly. But it was a good day :)
Hno A [the one that knew my dad on his mission] is struggling with his health. He is such a quiet, loving guy. I gave him the assignment to fix my watch, and he did. It´s in better condition than it was before. :) I love the man. For more reasons than one.
We have a goal of finding a progressing family! We pray constantly to find them. Hna F is ending her mission, so we have high goals! Please pray for her....for her animos [motivation] and for the miracles she seeks. It´s hard ending a mission, but she is going strong and is an example of diligence and determination to me :)
I love your emails! I love your faith and personalities. I love the people you naturally are and naturally strive to become. Love you all!
Have a great week! Keep working hard and the Lord will continue to guide and bless us :)
Love,
Hna Fernelius
"...we have been working with a mom and daughter for some time. This week has been challenging since they have been largely in the hospital because of a complicated birth.
'S' was disappointed yesterday when we explained that if she didn´t go to church for the 3 hours, we would have to put off her baptism for another week. She was concerned about her mother, who she needed to bring breakfast to in the hospital. We testified of faith and the power of prayer. She went to her room and said a prayer while we said our own. As we began walking together to church, she told us she had forgotten her I.D. at home. Hna F and I decided to hurry back while she continued on to sacrament mtg. As we hurried to get it, she called us not 2 minutes later, an air of joy and relief in her voice, 'Hermanas! It´s okay, my aunt called and said she´s at the hospital to help my mom and give her food!'
We went to church and S was so content to be there. There was a large smile on her face the entire time...and she passed her baptismal interview! It really was a miracle and an answered prayer :) I know it comes from an act and prayer of faith.
I have several things I´m sacrificing this month and next. I remember the miracles from last year and feel an increased need to reach specific personal goals for my life and mission. I´ve been really blessed on my mission!, but there´s more I must give to the Lord.
I spoke with Hna F, and she expressed her strong desire to find a family who progresses before she goes home. We have been praying in every prayer without fail for this family. I know we will find them.
Our relationship is really good. My heart has grown for my companion in miraculous ways. I feel our studies are so important because there, without fail we find motivating stories and talks from our heritage and modern prophets that testify of faith, sacrifice, and obedience.
I feel really good! I feel home here in a very real way. I love feeling the strength that comes from being the Lord´s missionary, and hope to improve every day."
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