We bring angels with us!

Meet my new companion, Hermana Pereyra

(From Chile -- awaiting a visa.)

July 22, 2013

Dear family,

So this week was awesome. I felt really focused on families all week which means I thought about you guys a lot! We have a lot of really awesome investigators, but the problem is a lot of them are jovenes and can't make these changes without a family to back them up. I studied all about families all week and I testified about you guys over and over again. It was absolutely beautiful! God has a plan for us and we can't do it without families! There are a lot of broken families all around the world. Our best thinking can pull families apart when we just focus on ourselves, but wow it is beautiful to see the miracles that come as we focus on our families. 

There are so many different people here! It is a really weird feeling because every day we talk to so many different people with different stories! Every one is different, with different hopes, dreams, fears, and beliefs! It is pretty intense how different each life can be. There is one group of apartments in particular that has all different sizes, and types so when we knock on the door we have no idea what we are going to find. Sometimes we find a giant family crammed in to a small space, and sometimes we find a lonely old man living alone in a giant apartment. Here is the interesting part. Preach My Gospel says that it does not matter the problem, this gospel can help with all issues.  For a little while I kind of thought how could preach my gospel have the audacity to just assume that. But then I started thinking about this gospel and Nephi when he said that it has to be an infinite atonement.  Of course this gospel can help and bless everyone. We are backed by an infinite atonement. The trick is choosing that infinite atonement. 

The best way to use that atonement is by learning it in the home! I have four different investigators with different stories ... each one has a different reason why they need their family but each one needs them!  It is really interesting!

Rodrigo- his mom is inactive. We are working with his mom a lot. He cannot go to the church with out her. I love his mother - the women works so hard for her two kids. She really wants her son to get baptized which is really helpful.  She does not have very much motivation to stop and change, for herself, but she does for their kids! 

Isidora- Her parents are not really interested.  Every time she stops by she continues to talk about how she just feels totally alone! I want to help her but I am not really sure how. I think the answer is the same with Rodrigo -- she needs her family! The problem is, right now, her family is not super interested. This week I hope to work more with her mom. 

Vania- Vania is the daughter of Paula, I love Paula and her family! Wow they are super wonderful! They are coming to church and progressing at very different rates. Vania wants to get baptized and is ready! I love to watch her smile when we go to their house!  She loves this gospel and has a testimony.  Paula is awesome and just needs to feel the blessings of the gospel.  She is a little worried because she says getting baptized is like getting married to God. I did not disagree with her when she said that. I am glad she sees baptism as a life change because that is what it is. 

Mariana- Mariana´s mom is a recent convert.  Her mom is great but their family never is around each other. Every time Marianna prays she asks God to bless her family that they will be more united. She needs her family. She is not ready to make such a big decision on her own.

There you have it, a less active, a recent convert, an investigator that is interested and an investigator that really wants nothing to do with us. All four of those sets of parents are parents of children who are progressing toward baptism. It is pretty intense. All have different stories but all need their families!

The best part of the week was when I testified of families with a less active family. The dad served a mission and everything so it is pretty sad that they are not active anymore. I felt the Spirit really strong -- I was not sure why.  I started thinking of my little sister. The day before a sweet lady that we eat lunch with said it was a blessing when we go to her house because we bring angels with us. That is when I realized Lauren was there! After the movie was over, in my very broken Spanish I bore the best testimony I possibly could about families!  I testified of their happiness here and after this life! I told them that God has a better plan but we can only have it when we follow the principles of the gospel! It was pretty cool! I don't get to bare my testimony very often with an angel backing me up! So the answer is Taylor, Yes Lauren is here! and I do feel her and she is beside me! It has been really beautiful!

So as for other things life is great here! We continue to experience problems in that place where we almost got robbed. My companions were pretty funny last night! Oh yeah that is the other thing I have a new companion. She is from Santiago so she is not going to be with us very long.  She is waiting for a visa for Equador.  She is probably the sweetest girl ever! Every night she thanks me and my comp probably five times for everything we taught her that day. She has only been a member for a year and a half! She is so amazing! I totally want to be like her when I grow up! She is so giving and would never hurt a fly! It think that is it! Sorry Sara I did not get your email but I am glad you wrote and Heather I loved your email thanks!:) I love the stories about Alden! What a sweet baby! Those pictures are so cute! And I did not even notice any hair cut too short! Okay I have to write really fast! Oh my word! One of my investigators (who is really just an investigator because he wants to learn English) is outside the library singing! I love Chile! Sara your emails make me laugh out loud every time! I love it! Thanks! 

Love you all a ton! I think you are all beautiful and hope you have a wonderful week! Go on splits with the missionaries or send them a referral .... they will love you for ever!!!!

Love Carlie