Zona Congreso
with President and Sister Ayre
So, let's get going;)
On
Monday we left the apartment early to go to the mission house and view
the woman's conference. I was extremely excited, as was my companion.
Upon arriving and saying hi to a LOT of other hermanas all of us gringas
gathered into a little room to watch the session. I had come prepared
to receive answers and act on said answers. However, the answer I
received was the Last thing I had expected! I had been praying and
wondering when I would be going back to BYU. I had considered going back
in April or even in June, but didn't feel like I'd gotten an answer
from the Lord as to what He wanted. Yet, while sitting in the conference
I felt a strong impression come rushing into my mind: "What if you went
to school in January?" The very thought scared me, as I'd never
considered such! However, to be obedient to the answer I wrote it down
among my notes. And then every single thing said afterwards confirmed
the answer I'd received. God was clearly telling me that I needed to go
back to school in January. I wasn't very hungry after receiving the
news!
At the end of Pday we went to have a
family home evening with Soledad and her family. My companion shared 3
Nefi 14:13-14 and shared her testimony regarding the straight and narrow
path that we must take in order to get back home. I felt prompted to
share that God's path for us is narrow, and that to travel through it
our eyes must be closed. So much depends on the trust we have in God.
It's not that the path is extremely twisty or full of rocks. It's that
we must take the path with our eyes closed, trusting that God will guide
us every step of the way, because we really can't go even a step
forward on this path without Him.
That night I
called President and told him what had happened and the experience I'd
had. He told me to follow the spirit, and that he would support me. And
so here I was, with the answer I'd been searching for for quite a while
and terrified to finally have it! However, as I prayed that night I felt
very at peace. I knew that I was going to do what God had planned, and
once I knew His will regarding the matter, all of the stress, doubts,
and concerns melted away.
Thus we move into
Tuesday. One of the office elders had called on Sunday to let us know
that our building contract would be ending on Wednesday. Concerned
regarding this, as I didn't know where we would be living, I called him
in the morning. He responded that Yes indeed we would be leaving the
pension, that we should start packing immediately, and that we would be
moving in with the sisters from Juncal. What?!
The apartment we left
Thanks to Raul for his help!
And therefore
we packed, and packed, and packed. I can't say I was too sad, as we
would be leaving the huge cockroaches behind... I have to say I was a
little apprehensive to be moving in with other sisters, but upon arriving
I have to say I was pleasantly surprised. It's like being back in
college! Not to mention that my first hija, Hermana Yancey, lives a floor
beneath us... talk about unexpected plans and blessings!
The
morning started out with going to exercise machines on the 10th floor
for exercises. Spoiled much? I love it! From there we all went to the
zone meeting. My companion and I talked about the importance of
obedience. I also talked about the blessings we are sometimes waiting
for. At times we are obedient, expecting to receive a certain blessing
in return. Perhaps I'm on the look out for a blue box the size of my
hands that will obviously come to me from the right side. But if I'm so
busy looking for This blessing, My will, I might never notice the yellow
star shaped blessing flying towards me from the left. God picks the
blessings, how they come and when. We can't be so busy looking for what
we want that we miss what He is sending.
After
the meeting and a vianda in the church we visited Hermana Sandon and
helped her cut up more onions, followed by inviting Daiana to set a goal
to how much of the Book of Mormon she wanted to read daily. It was
great to see her enthusiasm!
Thursday morning
was spent with President in interviews! As always it was Great to see
him and hear from him how I was doing and where he wants me to go in the
mission:) After interviews and lunch my comp and I were both feeling
pretty ill (with colds or something similar) so we stayed in the
apartment. My comp rested while a guy came to fix the lock on the door.
After he left we switched places and I got some needed rest.
On
Friday the miracles came pouring down on us, as well as the rain. I
felt as we were leaving from visiting with a family that we Had to
contact a referral we'd received on Sunday. My companion wasn't
initially thrilled, as it was far and we had a different appointment in
about an hour. I refused to be moved, however, and she agreed that we
ought to go. And off we went! We ran the doorbell and she immediately
answered! Her mom invited us in, and we began to share with Karina and
her mother Dolores the Restoration. As I shared the first vision of
Joseph Smith in his own words the spirit was Undeniably present. As I
finished I couldn't help but ask her, " Can you not Feel this? The
spirit?" She looked at me as tears came to her eyes. "The Holy Ghost?"
"The same" I replied. The spirit had touched each one of us in a
Powerful way. An unmistakable way. When we invited her to be baptized it
wasn't surprising to hear a yes leave her lips. She had already felt a
spiritual confirmation. We all had. We left the house in awe at the
mercy of God. My companion and I had had a difficult week with the last
minute move, doctor's visits, and sickness, but had both felt that we
were going to find someone prepared to receive us. And find we did!
After
Karina we stopped by to see the Gonzalez family. We explained how
trials Bring us to Christ as I shared Alma 38:5. It was also a spiritual
moment.
Gathering to watch General Conference
On Saturday and Sunday we enjoyed
General Conference. Listening to our prophets and apostles, for my third
time in Argentina, was a beautiful and sacred experience. It's hard for
me to believe that a year ago I was watching the conference in
Argentina, in Parque Patricios with my mission mom. And now here I am,
at the end of the mission sort of, watching these same inspired leaders
in Argentina. The experience was very similar, but I am a very different
person than who I was before. Every little bit of me has changed. I've
been stretched, stretched into being more, being stronger, being closer
to my Savior. More humble. More willing to apply the atonement in my
life. More willing and able to pray, to read my scriptures.
A Wonderful Meal of French Toast with the Hunter Family
On
Sunday Karina came to the last session of conference all by herself.
Yet another miracle and tender mercy from a loving Father above.
What a blessing it is to be a part of God's work. To be the hands. To be molded myself.
Hermana Dickson
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