Well this was quite an eventful week. It is crazy how quickly the time passes, we only have 2 more weeks left in this transfer. On Thursday the whole mission had a cleaning day and we spent the entire morning cleaning the house. It was tiring, but our house is sparkling clean and it is so true that the spirit is even more present when things are nice and orderly, it helps me feel even more motivated. Friday morning we had a lesson with our investigator D..... and she said she feels prepared to be baptized!!! I dont know if I have ever felt so happy. She had her baptism interview the next day and will be baptized this coming Saturday, January 31st. It has been a beautiful experience being the one to find her through a contact on the street and seeing her progress and growth from the first day we taught her. She just glows and I am so proud of her for making such a great and important decision. She has a lot of family problems right now and isnt sure if they will support her, but this week we have a family home evening planned with them so we can explain a little bit about the importance of her baptism, cook some (american food) with them and invite them to come and support her. I truly feel like it will help to gain their confidence in us and the church and open their hearts to Daniela. I know that she is making such an important step and that through her example many will follow.
Saturday we had an activity that we missionaries have been planning for about a month now. It was a Festival del Chocolate! Everyone brought different desserts with chocolate and the judges tried a little bit of each one. In the end we gave out prizes for the best presentation, most creative, and best flavor. We also had kareoke while everyone else was testing the different chocolates. My companion and I made homemade reeses truffles and they were delicious! Daniela was one of the judges and it was so fun seeing her enjoying her time with all of the ward members. She also sang a song and everyone kept commenting on how beautiful her voice is! It turned out to be a very successful activity and I think it really brought the ward together. Many investigators and less active members came.
Anyway that is about all for this week. I am excited to let you know how things go next week. Please keep D...in your prayers because she needs the spirit with her stronger than ever before the week before her baptism.
Thank you for all for all of your love and support! I truly appreciate every email, letter, package, and prayer sent in my direction. I hope you all have a wonderful week!
Con mucho amor,
Hermana Parkin
p.s. I found some scriptures that I thought Id share with you all. (Some of my favorite) Jacob 3:1,2 D&C 58: 3, 4