I love being a missionary. It is so hard. Sometimes I feel like I have no idea what is going on and I am just a little ant trying to carry trees on my back... but then I remember the Savior and His power and His infinite love. I just remember that miracles are real. And what Mom sent me a few months ago from Carl Bloch: "God helps me...This is what I think and then I have peace."
I do have peace. And I am so grateful to be an instrument in the hands of the Lord to bring about a little good in this section of the vineyard. It has been a month of growth and adventures and trials and tears and joy. I know that angels are real and that they help us. The journey that la familia Polio had to take to El Salvador truly was something incredible. I don´t think I have ever prayed so fervently and so faithfully in all of my life. I wanted to just put it all in the hands of my Father in Heaven and trust in Him, but sometimes that is hard when people can´t cross the border, they have no money, someone has diabetes and no food, another is pregnant and sick in the car, and the lawer doesn´t show up in one of the cities... but the Lord is always merciful. He is always faithful. He is trustworthy.
We do all of this- teach, testify, get married, drop bad habits, make and keep sacred covenants- so that we can sit down at the right hand of our God for all of the eternities. Someday I will be able to sit down and tell you the whole story of all that had happened this week but for now I can only express the joy and peace and gratitude that I felt as the last of the Polios walked in the house on Tuesday, hugged us, and then asked ¨So now that we are married, when can we be baptized?¨ It still brings tears to my eyes. [ ** here is a little more info she sent me in a separate email:
I cannot even tell you how happy they were. It was such a blessing. 3 of them crossed the border without too many problems monday night and pulled in at 4am with the membeer of the bishopric. The other 3 got held back by border control and had to sleep on benches in a park and not really even sleep because they had to travel to another border and cross there. and then they got back tuesday night. miracles.]
We had their baptism on Wednesday night and everyone was in tears and smiling and didn´t even know what to do. Then they were all confirmed on Sunday and each of their blessings were SO precious and beautiful. They are so strong. We went to their house after church and Hermano Ismael (the dad) asked what they could do to prepare if they ever had to speak in church or give a lesson. So now each time we go over, 2 of them teach the lesson together. We just assign them one of the missionary lesson topics and they teach. It is the best. Hearing them end in the name of Jesus Christ brings an unbelievable spirit into the room. They are SO happy. They radiate with light and are planning to go to the temple for baptisms this coming month. Jennifer started having contractions after church and then called us at 4am this morning to help her find someone that could take her to the hospital. She just had a little baby boy and they are so happy. They can´t wait to raise a family in the gospel. All she talks about is bringing her son to church.
I think that this was such an amazing experience for all of us because of the faith that this family has. Their conversion is so real and pure and they do it all together. It is SO rare to find a family of mom and dad and kids that live together and love each other. I am so grateful for my family. You guys are my light and my joy. And now the family Polio has the same promise that we have- if they continue on the path and make and keep their covenants, they will be together forever. How wonderful to know the truth and be able to share it with others. Thank you so much for all the prayers and love and faith. It all happened because of the prayers. I love prayer. The little Polio son was selling tamales and nobody was buying them. He sat on the side of the street and prayed and the next door he knocked bought 10. He was SO excited to tell us that story. Jennifer´s baby wasn´t moving the day of her baptism and she didn´t want to go because she felt sick. I said a prayer and put my hand on her stomach and at that exact second the baby kicked my hand. We cried together and she came to the baptism. This week my testimony of prayer was strengthened so much.
Mari and David are doing so well. This week is the first ward conference of the barrio Bougambilias and they are so excited to come. Mari continues praying and strengthening her faith. And her son David came to church for the first time too. There is always such a sweet spirit when we teach them. Hopefully they accept a fecha this week. We have found a few other couples this week that we are working hard with and always looking for new people to teach. Hermana Castillo got transfered and Presidente Bautista goes home this week. Many changes, but as Dad always says- it is just another start for new opportunites and adventures. I love this mission. I am so happy to be here and participate in the work of the Lord.
The Savior lives. I know it. I feel it. I testify of Him every day. We are just becoming a little better and a little more like Him every day. Sanctification. It is a process that involves immediate cleansing and healing through repentance and the sacrament and baptism, but it is also an eternal process of perfection. Right now, I care more about being clean than I do about being perfect. One day at a time. Faith in each and every step. Father in Heaven loves us. He is aware of us and will take us by the hand and lead us home if we let Him. I love you guys so much. You are my best friends and my biggest motivation. The Atonement heals and helps families just as much as individuals. :)
All of my love,
Hermana Jane
