Hola Familia,
We had a spectacular week that ended with a crash and burn. No, but really it was a great week in which we had a lot of success, found new people to teach, and we have a wonderful family that is preparing for baptism. However, when Sunday came around only one investigator came to church and the baptism we had planned fell through. The reason why the baptism fell through would take a long time to tell. It sufficeth me to say that a member tried to kiss the investigator, Alejandra, and when her husband found out he lost complete confidence with the church and with us missionaries. We tried to talk to the husband but he won't even leave the house to talk to us. Alejandra really wanted to go through with it, she was even willing to think about sneaking away, but doesn't want to fight with her husband. Sadly it didn't go through but we aren't giving up on her and we are going to try to talk to the husband again. We are going to work with the member so that he can help us restore the confidence of the husband. The Lord will lay the way and put the right things in place so that Alejandra can be baptized. That I know!! The mission wouldn't be the best two years FOR my life if there weren't any trials!! Actually, I probably wouldn't learn anything if it were'`t for the trials! :)
I have such a love and excitement for the Book of Mormon. Elder Lubiano and I have been studying from Preach My Gospel in the morning on how we can better use the wonderful tool and convincing power of the Book of Mormon. I have thought a lot about the promise that comes in Moroni in the end of the Book of Mormon. As missionaries we put every ounce of faith and hope in this promise as leave the investigators with their first Book of Mormon and an invitation to read and pray. I have never in my mission had someone tell me, after reading and praying about the Book of Mormon, that it isn't true. Surprise right!...that would be because it is the word of God and the fullness of the Gospel! Well, one family that we are teaching in particular received the Book of Mormon really well except for the mom who turns out to be a Jehovah's Witness. On the return appointment she told us that she would like to be dismissed from further lessons with us after reading and deciding that she couldn't believe in something that wasn't the Bible. As she said this she began to try and hand us back the Book of Mormon as if it were smelly, moldy underwear with a look of disgust holding as far a way a possible. Elder Lubiano and I didn't lose hope and we put our trust in the power that the Book of Mormon has. We felt impressed to read 2 Nephi 31 with them and let the Holy Ghost work on them. We read the powerful words of Nephi as he details to us the Doctrine of Christ and salvation. Marta, the mom, began to tell us how beautiful the words were and that the things it explained were so wonderful. When we finished reading with them she was cradling the Book of Mormon as if it were a newborn baby! Elder Lubiano and I could barely believe the change that had been effected in her. What a testament to the divinity and power of the Book of Mormon. I LOVE reading from its pages every morning and feeling the love of God; a feeling of how close God is and His caring hand in our lives. My testimony has grown so much in the past few days as we have applied the Book of Mormon with this family and with others.
I know the Book of Mormon is literally the word and will of God for us. I know that it was written for us in these the last days and we can find so much peace and power reading from its pages. Peace and power to do the right things and to keep our hope in the promises of the Lord of salvation and eternal life; promises that will be completed. I love the things that I am learning in these the best two years of and for my life!! I love all of you and hope that you had a wonderful week!
Con mucho amor,
Elder Janis
