Well this last week was long.... :( My companion got really sick with the flew Thursday in the night time and then Friday morning I woke up with it as well. We were both in bed all day Friday and part of the day Saturday. In the afternoon I still felt really weak but we needed to go to Leslie`s baby shower so we left to work. It was so wonderful to be back out in the street talking to the people. As we were walking to the church, we stopped to talk with a lady and as she began to speak I could immediately tell from her accent that she was from the United States. Her name is Alison and she began explaining how she is an English professor in the University which is in our sector and that she lives alone. We asked her if she believes in God and she explained how she has never prayed more in her life than during her time in Chile, and that he is the only one who helps her get through sometimes. She told us she is Catholic and when she lived in Michigan always went to church every Sunday with her family. She said that going to church always helped her to feel very peaceful and she misses it.
During our conversation I can explain how much I felt the spirit. We invited her to church the next day and she said she would love to come and that we could pass by her apartment in the morning. After she left my companion and I just stared at eachother in amazement. I have never experienced something like that before. The spirit was honestly felt SO strongly testifying that she is a very prepared person to receive the gospel.
Sunday in the morning, we tried stopping by her apartment but she didnt answer. When we called she explained that she had to run to her classroom but that we could pass by in about 15 minutes after changing her clothes. Not before too long we received a phone call from her saying that she was in such a hurry that she locked her house and office keys in her office and that although she would love to come to churhc wasnt dressed in appropriate clothing. You can imagine the amount of disappointment we felt but we set up an appointment for later on that night with the strong hope that she will come to church next week.
At about 7:00 pm Sunday night, we met up with Alison and walked with her to a members house to teach her. It was probably the strangest thing ever trying to teach someone in Enlish. Hermana Garces and I honestly had no idea what to do! It was strange having someone tell me about their whole life story and being able to understand completely every word she said. We both felt a very strong connection with her as she told us about the many conflicts she has with her family, the loneliness she often feels, and the way she wishes to find herself while she is here. We were able to powerfully testify to her about Christ and how his atonement allows us to heal ourselves as well as the effect our errors have made on other people. We taught her about the importance of baptism and how it is that she can follow Christ`s perfect example in order to clean from all mistakes.
She just stared at us and said, I have been praying every night for God to show me a sign that I am in the right direction and yesterday although I didnt really need to leave the house felt I should go for a walk. I then ran into you two and here I am now. I know that it isn`t a coincidence that we met eachother in the street yesterday and that God led me to you both.
The spirit was again incredibly strong as my Companion extended the invitaion for her to be baptized. She accepted without thinking twice and I then explained that we are preparing a baptismal date September 6th for all of the people who feel ready and she agreed to prepare herself for that day.
After the lesson she offered the closing prayer and said, I feel so good. Thank you for listening to me.
I know that the feelings she experienced were those of the spirit testifying to her the truth of our words. On Tuesday we set up another appointment with her and our recent convert Camila because she can speak English. I know that God has been preparing Alison for her whole life to finally have the opportunity to accept the Gospel. She is ready and I know that she is going to one day be a very faithful member of the Church.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is true. Christ is the center of what we believe, and as we follow his perfect example we can all become perfected through his infinate atonement. I am so grateful for his love for me and as his representative I can feel just a small portion of love he must have for every one of us.
Thank you all for your constant love, prayers, and support. I love you all so much and hope and pray that you all have a wonderful week.
Con mucho cariño,
Hermana Parkin