All in the Tag: Week 62! "More Good News"

From 3/30/15

Lots of good emails this week (as always). I`m learning to be less obsessive about reading my emails especially this cambio [transfer] because my companion`s family doesn`t write her. At first, I still read and wrote as usual. But I know it affects her a little. But she has good, dedicated friends who write to her, and I think that is her strength. I don`t know, her family has gone through a lot.

Hna R is 24 years old and is fearless...she was in the Armed Forces in her country for 3 years, after all. She has always been the one to carry the weight in her family for years now. But, because of her influence, her little sister was also baptized as well as a couple brothers. Her mother is still not a member but....one day! Hna R is a member of 6 years but it took one solid year before she was baptized, and against her mother`s liking. Wow...she is such an example. There is so much depth to her story. One part about coming on a mission that is irreplaceable are the companions and people (missionaries and not) that you come to meet.

I look at our family and feel like there is not one challenge we have gone through that we couldn`t face and overcome as a family. That is one of the most special blessings known to man. Sometimes it makes it hard for me to truly connect with those who really do have burdens in their lives. And when I think about it, I wonder, "How is it that I can still feel so concerned about what they feel when I may never be able to understand completely?"

My companion wondered the same thing. But, something that one sister said in the Women`s General Broadcast is that...though every family goes through different challenges, the one connection we have is through our Savior Jesus Christ. As soon as we go down on our knees in humble, earnest prayer, we then feel a little piece of understanding. And that little piece of the Atonement is what connects us all.

Hna R and I have had to sacrifice many things this cambio [transfer]. But in all honesty, they seem like hardly a sacrifice when putting into perspective what SACRIFICE actually means. It was a cambio of identifying ourselves even more and purifying our hearts. I know my Heavenly Father loves me because the work and opportunities He gives me is made to refine me. And that is the greatest love a person can get in this life.

I know this life is a time of learning. From a young age I would cling to the scripture in D&C 130: 18-19....Whatever intelligence we obtain in this life...will rise up with us and give us the advantage in the next. Maybe that`s why the learning experience is so important for me. Something Hna R helped me to realize...which I will forever be grateful for...is that a great indicator of our progress on earth is the Holy Spirit. If we feel the Spirit in our lives, it`s because we have the approval of God in the way we are living and growing. If - even for a brief moment - we lose track of that feeling of peace, love, joy, tranquility, and hope..., it`s because it`s time to ask again, "Lord, Is it I?" (Pres Uchtdorf`s talk from last general conference).

I AM SO HAPPY FOR GENERAL CONFERENCE!!

I know it will be goooood. I have confidence in our living prophets and apostles and the revelation they receive. They are inspired men called of God!

...there was a boy walking down the street of our house the other day. As he held his mom`s hand with one, he pointed with the other into the sky at a little yellow bird they have here. (wildlife is beautiful here by the way). As he did, he yelled in the loudest voice he possibly could, "PÀRAJO!!!! PÀRAJO!!!!" Several times. His mom said looked down and tried correcting him, it`s "PÀJARO" not Pàrajo. The boy had to`ve only been 2 years old. But, as his mom tried correcting him, he yelled with even more conviction, PÀRAJO. jajaja It was so innocent and so cute.

Also!! Limes are magic here. Have a headache? Here`s a lime! Put it on your forehead. Stomach ache? Lime tea will work juuuust great. Bug bites on your legs? Have a lime!! (but seriously, it works...)

Also. Sister A WAS BAPTIZEDDDD. WUT WUUUT. Her story is miraculous. I don`t even feel like we had to do any work at all. She came to us. Las misercordias del Señor. It shouldn`t have been so easy; we`ve hardly had any chance to dedicate ourselves very well to either one of the sectors. Yet, somehow, there are missionaries and members giving us references of people who desire to be part of the church and are very receptive and prepared by the Lord. Equally miraculous is that the majority of the references we`ve received have COME TO US and have been given to us from people in Quito, or references to people in Area 2 from people who live in Area 1, or to people in Area 1 from someone in Area 2....who just happens to live in our sector from both sides. It`s incredible, my friends. Truly incredible.

When the Lord needs work to be done, it doesn`t matter how much time we do or do not have, or how qualified we may or may not be....He gets the work done.

And this is the truth.

I know this Gospel is true. Every one of you prove it in your weekly emails. I skimmed through them because once again we are in Quito and didn`t have the chance to read beforehand. But the pieces I did read are ongoing evidences that there is a Father in Heaven, and that He loves us.

I love you all!!! Have a great week and enjoy conferennnnnnce!!!!

:) Hna Fernelius

"Sister A was baptized Saturday! It was great to see her in a white angelic dress that she sewed for her baptism. Her father came from Quito to baptize her. When they stepped into the water, he had the look of a loving father realizing the long-awaited day of his 35 y/o daughter`s baptism. There was a long, reverent pause while the room waited for him to compose himself. Then, he lifted up his head and said the ordinance with power in his words. He kissed his daughter quietly on the cheek after she came up out of the water and led her out of the font. It was a special day that the Lord allowed us to be a part of from beginning to end. It started as a reference, and ended in the conversion and confirmation of a new member of our Area 2 branch. :)

Area 2:

The branch is growing! So many people went to church 2 Sundays ago that many had to stand in the back of the casa capilla (chapel). Yesterday President P announced that the opening of the church building is scheduled for 2017! The members are the most friendly and loving I have met in mission. Consejo de rama (ward council) is efficient and they have little papers to report their visits of the week. Every member in the consejo makes visits throughout the week and they help each other out when help is required. The leadership and fellowshipping there is a great reason for the success they are currently having. There is a lot of potential in Area 2!

Area 1:

Attendance is declining. Maybe partly for vacation and partly because there are many who need strengthening (including members). The ward is good and the bishop is a good leader, but there is a lack of participation and sense of unity in general. We plan to visit the members and strengthen them, and branch out and work dedicatedly! There are a lot of investigators with potential in Area 1.

This cambio [transfer] has been one of the best I have ever had. Being able to work in two places with a really strong companion has blessed my personal progress as a person and missionary. I feel so blessed! Though I`m not perfect, I feel like this time was essential to help me become more qualified, humble, and integrous. I feel...more pure of heart than I did before, which is so good!"