This week will be 2 months as a missionary! A lot has happened this past week. It is true, that the harder you work, the faster time seems to pass by. Tuesday we found 2 new investigators Maria and her son Pedro who both excepted baptisimal dates and seemed so excited about the gospel. We had an appointment to visit them again on Friday, but when we tried to go to their house, a family member said they werent home. We tried asking what time they would get back to the house, but she just kept saying they were gone. We continued contacting down that same street and as I looked back towards their house, saw Maria poking her head out. She cearly saw me looking at her and quickly went back inside. Not too long after that I saw Pedro on the street walking home I waved and him and he waved back to us. We decided to go back, but when we asked if they were there the sister again told us no. My heart sank... we had been so excited to see what would happen with them all week, and it was awkward, disappointing, and emarassing to be openly lied to and rejected. Frustrated we walked away. Another lady was walking towards us and my companion told me to take every dissapointment and bad feeling out of my body and switch it to happy, postive, and enthusiatic words as I contacted that lady. With all my strength I took a deep breath and greeting the lady with as much enthusiasm as I possibly could. When I asked how she was doing she said bad, so bad. It turns out that she recently lost her job and has been struggling with that. We shared a short message with her about how the gospel can bless her life, got her contact information, then said we would ask around for job openings. The smile on her face was unforgetable. She just hugged and hugged us. It was such a sweet and humbling moment.
I realized from this experiene that of course I am going to have disappointments and feel at times that I dont want to carry on, but if those people want to reject the pure and divine message I have to share, then they just are ready to hear it, and I need to accept that and move my efforts towards finding those who are prepared. What a painful but valuable lesson.
I can already tell that this coming week is going to be wonderful! Hermana Page and I are ready to work hard, learn more, and improve our teachings. The language is coming more and more each day. I am beginning to get to the point where I can understand a very good portion of what people are saying to me. I am also starting to branch out and talk to people even when my companion isnt right next to me. The only way Im going to learn is to try right?
Thank you all for your love, support, and prayers. Like I have said before those prayers are what get me through! Hope you all have a wonderful week.
Con amor,
Hermana Parkin