Hola Familia,
Feliz Día de la Virgen
Guadalupe!!! Haha, the 12th of Dec. is a great, huge festival here
with people partying like never to celebrate the birthday of the
virgin. Well, this last week was great! We saw more miracles!
Miracle: The Hnas. (i.e., Sisters) have been working really hard and
were quite upset that they weren't seeing fruits. We read Alma 32:43,
one of my favorite scriptures, and I felt prompted to promise them if
they were diligent and obedient this coming week they would see a
miracle. However, when they came to church they came without anyone.
They looked super sad and stressed. They came up to me and jokingly
told me that I had lied...however, I was devasted to see them so sad. I
had no idea how to help them but just prayed that things would work
out. When we went to class I saw a new face and after introducing
myself I found out that she had come for the first time and that she
lived in the area of the Hnas. After welcoming her to church and I
hurried to tell the Hnas. who about cried with happiness. It was such a
great experience to see them work hard this last week and then after
all the hard work see a miracle and tender mercy of the Lord.
We went to Costco the other day and, for the cold
weather that we have been having, I bought a really sweet jacket that
will last forever after the mission. It was weird to be in a place so
familiar but so far from home. I couldn't help but want to buy
potstickers and other appetizers but with limited money knew that I
shouldn't do it! Today for P-Day we went to Aldo Conti and they were having a
huge clearance sale. They were selling ties for 25 pesos which is like
2 US dollars. They are super high quality and were a lot more
expensive before. We are going to have a present exchange as a Zone
today and I am excited to give Elder Dearden a coin pouch and cologne. He is another district leader and he lives nearby where we
are going to live. I found the things he wanted super high quality
but cheaper in the Tianguis in the street. Tianguis: a street market
where a bunch of stands sell whatever you could think, lining up and
down the street. I am super excited to see how he reacts to the
presents. I really love giving!
I am looking forward to another Christmas in the field
and the chance to give to the Lord all of my time and effort. I feel
such a desire to work super hard this Christmas season because I feel I
have been given so much from the Lord this last year. I hope to finish
the year obtaining the goals I have and giving all that I have to the
Lord. I love you all so much and hope that you enjoy the season and the
chance to show love for others likewise showing love for the Lord!
Love,
Elder Janis
