We are currently doing laundry right now, so I thought I would take the time to write you all! So smart, I know.
Headache
status - The same. Still getting headaches, but its normal now. So its
okay. I try and take a nap every day and it seems to help a bit. BUT I
have LA GRIPE right now. Which is basically more than a cold but less
than the flu. Its the most common thing here. So I feel super sick. Sore
throat, more of a headache, runny nose, fever. Everyone here gets it
because of the crazy change of weather every day. All is well. Im going
home to sleep after this.
I learned something this last week. Monday was a
really hard day for me. I didnt want to do anything, I literally just
wanted to go home. I was frustrated and tired and sick. We were having
issues with the elders in our ward, and it was just a mess. Hermana
Rodriguez was super frustrated with everything, too. We were DONE.
Tuesday came and we had to wake up at about 5:30 to get ready for
our Junta with the zone. We got there and I was still in a super bad
mood. Jaclyn (Hermana Condie.. we keep getting in trouble for using our
first names together.. hahaha we are so cool.) Anywho, Jac saw that I
was in a not great mood so she was trying to help me out. We had to sign
a contract of obedience. President is going to start sending people
home. This mission has a history of disobedience. It all started about
two years ago, when my mission leader here in Vallejo, Aldo, was serving
his mission here. The old president had a problem with latinos and told
them that they might as well be Gadianton Robbers. So Aldo stood up,
yelled, and started the Gadiantons. Its a real thing.. they have pins
and all.. They still worked, but were just disobedient. Almost all of
the Gadiantons have gone home, but there a few still here that will die
off in the next two transfers. After the Gadiantons, there was a group
called La Banda. It was just the new missionaries that werent old enough
to be Gadiantons, but were still disobedient. They will all die out in
December. There are no sisters IN La Banda, but there are honarary
people. Its all so ridiculous, but thats why we have so many problems
here. ANYWHO. Contract. We all had to sign it. And we were all SO mad.
This contract was super intense. The Americans were all realllly
frustrated. The Latinos didnt care.
So we left, and Hermana Rodriguez and I went to work. I was
basically in tears all of Tuesday from being so frustrated. We worked
and worked and worked, and NOTHING came from it. By the end of the
night, we were done. We ended up contacting ALL day long. It was super
long.
I know this sounds like Im just complaining.. but wait! Theres more!
So
we went out to work Wednesday. And when I say work, I mean WORK. We did
everything we possibly could to have success. We had the most lessons
we had ever had in a day. We found new investigators. One of them being
Bertha Reseñdis. She is basically the investigator of GOLD. She asks us
everything. We have seen her about 5 times in the last week, and she
loves us. She thinks this mission thing we are doing is so cool! We have
given her a Book of Mormon, taught her about the Word of Wisdom, and
she just wants to learn more and more! Her daughter Nayeli is the exact
same! We are so blessed to have them! The kicker.. they live in the area
of the elders.. But we arent telling Cifuentes that. Graham knows and
he is okay with it. If Cifuentes knew.. YIKES. He would kill us.
So what is the point of all these lovely English words I have
typed? I have learned that my attitude determines ALL. If we leave the
house with a -Why am I here? attitude.. we dont see anything of success.
I have learned how to change my thoughts and actions and really work
because I WANT to and because I NEED to. Its only taken me 6 months to
figure that out.. thats fine. But we have it down now. We know what we
have to do if we want to see success.
So my bishop here in Vallejo pulled me aside yesterday to see how I
was doing. Whether or not I was feeling comfortable here in the ward.
We talked and talked and he looked at me and said he doesnt remember the
last time they had someone in this ward who just wanted to work.
Rodriguez and I are building up this area, just like we did in Bene. We
find new people to teach every day. We have investigators in the chapel.
EVERY SUNDAY. Our members are finally understanding the importance of
working with us. I told the bishop about a capacitation that I want to
do in every class. He is so pumped about it. He loves us SO much and is
doing so much to take care of us. The elders drive us nuts, so we dont
tell them any of our plans. They like to take credit for everything.
Triste elderes..
ANYWHO. There is my email that is kind of a mess of a
million different things, but my head is pounding and Im falling asleep
as I type. Plus our laundry is almost done. But I want to leave you all
with a scripture that has really helped Hermana Rodriguez and I this
week.
Every time we study the Book of Mormon, we just get
PLANCHED. Something hits us and we know that we need to change. Whether
its work harder or repent more. We have to improve. So we found a verse
in Alma 26:27 and it says :Now when our hearts were depressed, and we
were about to turn back, behold, the Lord comforted us, and said: Go
amongst thy brethren, the Lamanites, and bear with patience thine
afflictions, and I will give unto you success.
Its going to be hard sometimes, real life, the
mission, school, friends, work, everything. You will pass for
difficulties. But here is the beauty of it all. HE will be there to
comfort you. To lend you a hand. To lead you to something better. If we
do what he has asked, HOW he has asked, he will bless us. We will have
success. He loves us. I know that I have a Father in Heaven that knows
me perfectly. He knows when I struggle and I really dont want to be
here. He is ALWYAS there to help me. Whether through the scriptures,
through a day without headaches, through the jokes that my compa and I
have. SOMETHING.
I love this gospel. I will testify of my Father in
Heaven and Elder Brother my entire life. They have given me everything.
Im so blessed for this chance to be a missionary and to preach the
gospel of Jesus Christ to the people of Mexico.
I love you, The church is true, The book is blue.
Love,
Hermana Hamilton
Hermana Hami
Chamilton
La cracker
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