ups and downs

This week went by slowly but we managed to accomplish a lot. The most stressful part was getting our investigator, Leticia, ready for baptism. She needed an interview with our mission president so we got one set up and then she had to cancel at the last minute for work. So we kept talking with the president and he said there was no other time we could do it this week and we started freaking out because Leticia was so ready. Our president gave us permission to have a stake president interview her so after worrying all day Saturday we finally got an appointment set up for Sunday morning. So we pick her up and meet up with some Elders who take us to the other chapel for the interview (where we had to wait nearly an hour) and then the interview was really long and we got nervous. But they came out and he wanted to talk with us, nerve-wracking, but basically all he said was that she is really ready and we did a great job teaching her. So then we go to church (we missed sacrament meeting) and get the font ready and set the chairs up and then go to Relief Society. We went back to the font only to find it only half-full. And there was no more water anywhere in the chapel. Like it was completely out. So we were going to haul water from another building but it didn't have water either so we decide just to go for it. We get her changed, gathered all the members together and we start the service. I should also mention, our water heater is broken so the water is ice cold; they keep trying to fix it, but to no avail. Anyways, the water is so low, Leticia had to sit on the floor of the font while the bishop kneeled to baptize her. It was crazy, she was shivering she was so cold, but it worked and she is baptized! Despite all the trials and problems, we persevered and she is so happy! It was quite the experience.

At Leticia's baptism. Worth the effort and difficulty!

The rest of our week was pretty slow compared to that. We had a Relief Society activity where we folded paper for an hour and a half and then made this thing (I still don't know what it was supposed to be), which our Relief Society president then took apart right as we were about to leave. So we took the pieces with us and gave them to Rosa, one of our investigators. One good note is that on Friday we taught four new people and they all seem pretty interested! Hopefully our next lessons are as good as the first was.

     This last week we also had a lot of windy days and one day my skirt wasn't cooperating. We walked past a group of men loitering on the streets and after we're pretty far past them, my skirt flies up in the front so I quickly pull it down only to feel the back of it go up as well! I was so embarrassed and the loiterers whistled at us as well. We just laughed about it and then my companion's skirt did the same thing the next day, but she was lucky and no strangers saw.

Another tracting story: what sounded like a screaming
person turned out to be a goat atop a building.

On Saturday we had sopes for lunch which are this tortilla-type things that are made from blue corn and then loaded with beans, cream, onion and cheese. They were so good! We also made brownie batter from a mix—minus the egg—and ate it with Oreos. And then yesterday we made chocolate chip pancakes. Those taste like my childhood! Basically we're just having fun and working hard. My comp misses biscuits and gravy the most but doesn't know how to make them from scratch so we might try for that next week.

     But anyways! I hope you are all doing well and I remembered to bring my notes from the devotional I mentioned last week. This pertains specifically to missions but I think applies to everyone.

     1. Obedience: is the price

     2. Faith: is the power

     3. the Spirit: is the key

     4. Love: is the motive

     5. Christ: is the reason.

We can do anything and everything if we have the right motive and the desire to help others. I know this Gospel is true and that with our faith, we can prepare ourselves and help others in whatever they're facing. Being on a mission has taught me a lot about others and how to understand and apply principles of the Gospel to every single facet of our lives. I know that by doing this, we can have the Spirit with us, to guide us and help us all our days. I love you all and hope you all have a great day!

Love,

Hermana Bennett