Week 11: Lots of work and lots of fun

Yesterday I was talking with Sister Jeppsen about hard things. She says she likes hard things because they are rewarding. I said....I don't like hard things. Jaja.

Remember how we had a woman that just had to marry her husband to be baptized? And how we all fasted and she got a miracle and said they would be married that next day? The next day when we went over she told us she doesn't know if she wants to marry him. Which means their two young children have to deal with their parents separating. But, she told us of all these times in the past that he was continuously unfaithful, and wouldn't treat her right. Kind of a lame position when you've had kids with this person :( . But she is a trooper. She wants to be baptized with all her heart and she is one of those rare investigators that we call "golden." She's ready. We just need to see what she decides. I feel so bad for her. She is so so so awesome and puts up with so much and has to do so much all on her own for her kids. But I know she'll make it. I know that she'll be baptized by the end of this month, if not January.

We have another investigator that was finally picking up her boot straps and progressing towards her baptism date on Dec 17th after two years of missionary discussions, but is suddenly slacking even more and we don't know yet if we'll have to drop her or not. I feel so bad, I know my companion really loves this woman with all her heart. But if she isn't baptized by January like she says she will do then we have to move on.

We are teaching an amazing family who are so loving and so humble and love the gospel. They've said in both the first and second lessons that they would accept baptism. They thought Jan 7th was too early but we're convincing them that they don't need to wait forever to act. Honestly, if someone has the desire and is so willing to keep the commandments of God and is clean with the Word of Wisdom and Law of Chastity for at least two weeks, and attend church 3 times, they are good to go. This family is just so awesome. The mom and dad aren't officially married and have 4 beautiful little daughters. The oldest, Lisette, who is 10, has seen us teaching other families in the neighborhood and says she has been praying for us to come to her house. She always thanks Heavenly Father in her prayers for us. We gave her her own BOM and she has been reading it and likes it. She really wants to attend church but doesn't without her parents. We feel like her little light and testimony will help carry this family into the waters of baptism. They are already so humble and listen so intently to our lessons, I can just feel the Spirit piercing their hearts every time. It's only a matter of time before they get'er done.

It's just crazy to be struggling with these investigators that we just wish with all our hearts would finally step forward but are falling short and at the same time be so blessed with these beautiful families who are so kind and humble and ready for the gospel. It's like a roller coaster and it's hard because you leave one lesson frustrated but have to go straight into the next lesson with all the faith and positivity in the world. It's possible though, if you just pray and change your mindset. Sometimes when I open my mouth during a lesson and feel the Spirit so strong in the room as we teach, I feel so guilty for being discouraged or frustrated and am so thankful to my Heavenly Father for being so forgiving and patient with me when I am so selfish and imperfect and wrong and often just dumb and lazy. I love Him. Feeling His love and support for me propels me to repent. I know that He knows exactly how to help me and does so, even when I definitely don't deserve it.

Sister Jeppsen and I talk all the time about how happy we are that we aren't married yet, that we've been given a chance to really actually learn about life and how to do it all and what marriage really is before making that MASSIVE decision! It's like mommy boot camp. I'm so thankful Heavenly Father has blessed me to have these experiences to prepare for something so incredible as motherhood. I realize more and more every day how hard it is actually going to be and I'm just so thankful for this preparation; there is NO WAY I could have gotten married without doing this first. And to think this is all only in my first 3 weeks!!! I can't wait to see what else I learn!

The other day we helped Jose build a table out of some wood for service. We have been teaching his family and their little children are so precious. He is such a good husband to his wife and father to his children. They have so much love and are ready for the gospel. That was fun. I realized I LOVE working with wood. I really really want to take classes and learn how to build my own furniture and stuff!! I love it!!! I remembered always building tree houses in the backyard in Michigan and how all my friends thought I was crazy but I loved it.

Sister Jeppsen talked a lot with me the other day about how I don't know what I want out of school. She said I should try a liberal arts degree since I want to know everything about everthing but don't want one specific path. I just want to experience everything but don't want to be the best at one specific thing. I think that sounds so awesome. I think I'll try it out. Maybe I will end up taking to one more specific thing from there. Who knows.

The other day I had what's called chiltpin or something? Hottest thing on earth. It gets progressively hotter in your mouth after you eat it. I was panickin.

The food is SO AWESOME. Taquitos, chimichangas, burritos, tacos EVERY DAY. ESTE ES LA VIDA.

Spanish is hard. I'm getting sick of not knowing exactly what people are saying in lessons. Sis Jepp says give it 6 months :( .

OKay love you with all my heart! Gotta run!

Hermana Wadsworth