Querida Familia,
What an amazing time I am having in my new
area. My companion has only a week in the area and so we are basically
opening up the area. The area is huge in comparison to the area in which I
was in Cuauhtemoc. There are tons and tons of apartment complexes and
two pueblos (small cities). We are finding tons of families that are
starting to listen to us and I am finding that Parque Via is the
promised land filled with fruits and gold! HAHA, so basically we are
working with tons of families that are progressing towards baptism and
confirmation. I also am loving being a district leader here even though
it is way different. I am what you call the President of the Relief
Society meaning that my district is me, my companion, and sister
missionaries. I have had the quite the experience trying to get used to
just talking to the sisters. The first time I talked to a sister
missionary was in my first district meeting with them and it was so
weird. I have gotten so used talking to and relating to other Elders
that doing to same with sisters is just so different. However, it won't
be impossible and I will just have to have patience in overcoming the
barrier.
We had a miracle this last week as we searched for a baptism. The
Elders that were here before left one person with attending church and progressing. I decided before we entered that we would put him
on date for the coming weekend and see what happens. As the lesson
progressed, Cosme told us that he wants to, but later. We told him that
in the coming week we would pass by every day and help him prepare. We
also left him with the invitation to pray and ask God if he should be
baptized this coming Sunday. We came back two days later and he told us
that after praying he felt lots of "ganas" (desires) to be baptized.
We then answered a couple of doubts he had and he committed to Sunday
for his baptism. Prayer is so powerful! I read a talk the other day
that made me start forming a habit that I hope I never lose. It was a
talk about how we can have our own "sacred grove" moments. Every
morning I write in my journal, exercise, get dressed, and go to another
room in the apartment. Once I am alone with the door closed, I kneel
down and just talk with my Heavenly Father. I cannot describe the joy I
find in doing this every morning. I have just started but I have
already started to see the difference it is starting to make in my
life. I feel so much closer to the Spirit and am finding more answers
to my prayers and needs.
Well, this last P-Day I couldn't write because we had a district
leader meeting with President. It was great and it is amazing how great
the work is going here in the mission. President is amazing and I am
so lucky to have him has an example and leader. I am starting to
finally get the hang of what a leader is all about and have seen myself
be an instrument the Lord's hands to help out the missionaries in my
district. I have so much more to learn but I thank the Lord for how far
I've come. I love all of you and hope you have a great week!
Love,
Elder Janis
