Yes,
transfers, the dreaded word! Saturday night, we got a call from Elder
Cruz and Elder Moulton. So you all know, this ENTIRE transfer I had a
feeling I was getting moved to Linda Vista, the stake. But we had no
clue what was going to happen. The elders called, and first told Hermana
Garzon she will be staying in Benemerito. AND she will be training
another greenie! We are pretty sure its another Americana, so she is
freaking out just a little bit. Then they passed the phone to me.. I am
being transfered to the ward Vallejo 2 in Linda Vista! I am nervous,
excited, and have no clue what to expect! My new companion will be
Hermana Rodriguez. If she is the missionary I am thinking of, she is
from Tijuanna (or however you spell it), she is from Garzons generation.
Thats about it! We will be together in just a few hours! Packing up my
stuff was really hard.. I dont know how I accumulated so much in just a
few months! This weekend has been really hard for Hermana Garzon and I.
We are not ready to be split. It doesnt feel like we have been together
three months. You could say its been a weekend of tears. She has taught
me everything that I know, and I couldnt be more grateful for her.
Health wise, I am doing better this week. My
headaches are still pretty frequent, but not nearly as hard as they have
been. So thats improvement! President still is calling to check on me
every few days, and Hermana Hall is looking into more oils and things
that we might be able to get here. They are so great. I couldnt ask for a
better President.
OKAY! Experiences of the week.
Last week,
we were going to see a less active, Salvador. He had to go run to the
store, so we were waiting outside his house. We were out with a joven
from the ward, Kevin. He is putting his papers in soon, so he likes to
work with us. We decided to go and contact on the carterra for a minute.
See if we could meet anyone. So Garzon contacted a guy named Juan
Carlos. He was super interested! We set an appointment, and that was
that. Saturday came and we went to see him. We taught the Restoration,
which we all know is my FAVORITE lesson. He had been taught by elders
before, but never was asked to baptism or anything! We asked if he had
had any doubts at the beginning. He said he wasnt sure about the whole
prophet thing. We taught the lesson all the way up to Joseph Smith and
the first vision. When we finished, he looked me square in the eye,
saying -I believe. I believe he saw the Father and the Son. I understand
it. There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that Joseph Smith is a
prophet. You are so sincere. I know you believe it. I know its true.-
That was a moment for me, I dont think I will ever forget. We invited
him to be baptized, and he said yes immediately. When people accept what
we teach.. Its the most incredible feeling in the world.
I spoke in sacrament meeting yesterday.. it was intense. You guys
know me.. I do better when I dont prepare I talk. I can just stand up
and GO. So thats what I did! And I dont know how the Spirit does it, but
I was speaking for 8 minutes, fluent spanish, and teaching. It was so
cool!
I said goodbye to my investigators and members yesterday... wow.
You will never know the sadness of a missionary until you leave your
first area and all the people you are working with. We have 6 baptism
dates that I will be missing. Thats really hard. I said goodbye to
Carlor, and investigator that we just LOVE. He has terminal cancer, so
when I said goodbye to him last night, we just cried and cried. He said
its different when Garzon is with someone else. He will keep listening
to the message we share, but he needs time to adjust to the new girl.
#heartclencher I said goodbye to Gaby. My 16 year old that is getting
baptized in 2 weeks. I know I have made an impact for her. She likes the
same weird punk music I like, and she is a little different. But we are
great friends. Her dad doesnt want anything to do with the church, but
he said that by the friendship I have with his daughter, he can see that
the church really is for any kind of person. That even if she likes
different things, she will be accepted. Her dad hugged me yesterday,
which is SUPER against the rules. And he knows it. His response -Im not
part of your religion. This rule doesnt apply to me.- Well.. esta bien!
I love this work. I really do. Spanish is coming
along, slowly but surely. I am learning patience with myself. Some days
are hard and you are tired, but thats when you work the hardest. I have
seen beautiful things happen in the field. I have felt the Spirit
testify to me that this work really is the work of God. I love you all,
and I hope you can all learn for yourselves of the truthfulness of this
amazing gospel. I cant imagine my life without this church and without
the knowledge that I have of Christ, eternal families, and the
importance of priesthood and prayer.
Stay safe. Read your scriptures. And Remember that I love you.
Hermana Courtney Lyn Hamilton
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