Mid-Week Update

(Courtney wrote a hand-written letter to us to be posted on her blog this week.  Here it is!)

Sorry about Monday; I slightly lost track of time while writing my letters.  Anyway, I wish there was more to report this week, but we had a lot of just weird things, and first lessons.  

Our miracle of the week is this lady named A.  We got her as a referral from the elders, who met her while they were out with a member who happened to speak Spanish. (the Elders are English)  She came up to them and started talking.  Of course when they gave us the referral, they couldn't really give us very much information; only what little the member could tell them from what he understood, and that we had an appointment with her the next day at three.  

We showed up, and I don't think anyone has ever been so excited to see missionaries on their doorstep.  She invited us in, and there was absolutely nothing  in the apartment.  Right away she started talking about how she wanted to pay tithing and how she wanted to feed the missionaries, and asking how she could give service in the branch.  Meanwhile, we stood in her empty apartment, completely confused.  Upon talking more, we found out that she had just moved here from Utah with her 6 month old son, and she is 4 months pregnant with another one!  She said "Oh yes, I am a member, I am just not baptized yet.  The father of my kids wouldn't let me."  4 out of her 6 sisters are members, and she has been going to church with her family in Utah for the last 4 months.  We aren't quite sure what her history with the missionaries is, but we are so optimistic for her.  She asked to come to church before we could even ask her, and she came yesterday.  Everyone loved her, and her son, Kevin.  He is so stinking cute!

We are so optimistic for her,and hope everything works out.  She has absolutely nothing, no furniture or anything, so we are working with the branch on that.  We have a table, couch, and bed lined up for her, so that's great.  We have an appointment with her tomorrow, and are planning on setting up a baptismal date.

It has been a good week.  Lots of little things.  I am so grateful for my area and my Hermanas.  Heavenly Father truly knew what I needed.

My challenge for you this week is to read/watch (preferably watch) Elder Holland's talk from a few years back on the Book of Mormon; the one where he basically just bore a testimony.  Watch it.  I have seen a couple of clips this week.  It is so good.  Also a good passage to read is the Bible Dictionary, under "Miracles." (preferably the 2013 edition).  So good!  It is our zone's scripture of the week this week.

Also, one of my favorite quotes this week comes from this month's Ensign.  It says "If our hearts are in the right place, then service will become a part of who we are, and not just what we do."  I love it because it is just so simple.  It goes along with one of my favorite scriptures; 3 Nephi 27:27, where Christ says "...Therefore, what manner of men ought ye to be?  Verily I say unto you, even as I am."  As we go about our lives, every question we have can be answered in the question, "Is it helping me to become more like Christ?"  At the end of the day, that is all that really matters.

I love you guys lots.  It is hard not being able to be there for Bri right now, and having to miss John's funeral, but I know that there are people here who need me as well.  I am so glad for our family being sealed, and the knowledge we have of what happens after this life.  It really just keeps everything in perspective.  

I love you all, and will email you on Monday!

Courtney

Update: Since writing, we moved a couch, TV, entertainment center, table and chairs, and recliner into A.'s apartment.  people in the church are amazing!  Now we just need a bed.  Life is good!  :)