It has been another very crazy week. It seems there are more responsabilities every day, but with my amazing companion we are trying to keep up on everything. It seems like I hardly ever see her because we had two mini-cambios this week with some Hermanas in our group, and have been trying to do divisions with the members to have enough time to teach all of the people we have scheduled. We definitely come home exhausted, but I am truly learning how to forget about myself and give all I have to serving the Lord and contributing to building his kingdom. It is incredible how quickly the time has been passing by.
During one of our mini-cambios I had a very spiritual experience that I would like to share with you. The hermana I was going to be with had told me beforehand that she would like to focus on learning how to recognize the promptings of the spirit. So we were both studying together in preach my Gospel about how one can recognize the whisperings of the holy spirit. The evening that we were together I was a little bit stressed out because we were supposed to visit our investigator, Camila, but she hadnt answered the whole day and I had such a bad feeling that something had happened to her.
Although she didnt answer the phone, I felt as though we should pass by her house. When we got there, her grandma told me she was upstairs sick in her bed. I felt prompted to ask if I could go and see her. She went to ask permission from Camila, then motioned for me to follow her. Because my companion was in a different sector the hermana I was with stayed with the member and I went up to her bedroom alone.
As we began talking I had a constant prayer in my heart pleading for the direction of the spirit to know what to ask and what cousel to give. In the end she explained how she had fallen with one of the commandments after a fight with her grandma and felt terrible. She cried as she expressed feelings of frustration, regret, and pain. I listened and then testified of the reality of the atonement, forgiveness, and the unconditional love that Christ has for each of his children. I told her that God loves her and that although she has never felt so far from him and although she feels unworthy that he wants to hear from her now more than ever before. I invited her to get on her knees after I left and to express her feelings to her Father in Heaven. I shared my testimony that through true repentance and entering the waters of baptism every bit of pain she was feeling and error she has ever committed can be completely washed away as if it never happend. We ended with a prayer together and she thanked me for stoping by.
As I sat in the house that night I wondering if I had said what I should have, if she would be okay and continue progressing towards baptism. It was just then when I received a phone call from my district leader. He explained that he had just been on the phone with Camilia and that she told him grateful she was that I stopped by her house to see her. How she felt I was part of her family and an answer to her prayers in a moment of darkness. I began to cry as the spirit testifyed that I had done my part in helping her understand that there is hope even when all seems lost. I know that because I was relying on the spirit the Lord was able to help me know what to say to her in that moment.
On Sunday she came to church with a new light in her eyes. We have set the goal of her baptism for July 11th and she has been telling all the members about her special day. She understands that God has a plan for her and can see the happiness that the gospel brings into her life. I am so proud of her and know that she is going to contribute so much to the church as a member.
I am so grateful for the opportunity to teach others of the relief they can feel as they learn about the possibility there is to start over as they apply the atonement into their lives. As we all strive to remember our Savior and his great sacrifce for each one of us I know we will be blessed to conquer the trials, temptations, and weaknesses in our lives. I know my Savior lives and that this is his work on the earth.
I hope you all have a wonderful week and remember that you are in my prayers. Thank you all for the constant support.
Con mucho amor,
Hermana Parkin