August 6, 2012

It is insane how fast time flies! Can barely believe it is already August but we are enjoying it even as it get hotter :) This week was so good! Started out with a trip to Del Rio for a surprise P day activity compliments of the elders.. and it was an adventure. We piled into our truck all six of us and they took us to this random old cemetery that ended up not being the right place so they gave us the right directions and we end up just at this huge hill with a cross on top. It was hilarious there we are six missionaries, skirts, ties, and dress pants and we hike up this steep slop hill thing.. the top paid off it was cool to see all around del rio and I got to see Mexico!! woo hoo! we made it down safely thank goodness and then headed back to work.. fun to have a little road trip and the elders are so funny in our district it is awesome.. two of them from round rock got put together and are down here with me on the border and don't worry the tradition of sending awesome made up songs and messages is still alive :) The leg fire ant bite quickly healed at the beginning of the week with the help of some benadryl goodness that stuff is STRONG, thankful I have an awesome companion that takes care of me and helped me just in time to get another bite right on my toe haha it was contained on my toe thankfully! We had a wonderful miracle of knocking into a woman who had been to church before with some of the members in our ward and has a lot of questions.. i love those little miracles because it shows just how aware God is of his children! He makes sure they get they things they need by using the instruments he has and I get to be one it is awesome! Like with Fred, Fred was just prepped and ready to go and so amazing this week the Lord truly showed him just what he needed to hear about a story from the bible from a preacher on a random TV show. He came to church this week and dressed up and just LOVED it! Oh it was so good to see and to hear him talk about the joy and peace he is receiving in his life it was just so true! Jean is doing really well we were able to see her this week and her pure heart she is concerned with some aspects of leaving her catholic traditions but as we spoke with her and explained to her that these things were not to take away anything and that she could still have her "our father" to comfort her in times of need it was like peace and understanding just washed over her and she was relieved! She is so genuine and the power of repentance and the fullness of the gospel are working miracles in her heart! And then Tom! Tom is continuing to do so good.. he has some concerns and is a very meta physical thinker and he's bee struggling a little to stick with the basics, at one of our lessons with him this week he brought an article that had some "out there so called beliefs" of the church he started talking about these questions and doubts and just simply and powerfully Sister Jesperson just looks at him and says.."Tom, what are you expecting out of meeting with us" it was such a simple question but it allowed the spirit to hit his heart and as he pondered and started to explain his true real concerns just surfaced, how he is just in fear of being decieved and just so desirous to have a personal connection with God. It was beautiful and he is amazing! We got to serve Sister Ingerson this week, a sister in our ward and mowed her lawn twice since she had surgery this week.. she is an 80 year old firecracker and I just love her! I love serving the older sisters, it is such a wonderful calling for us as sister missionaries to be able to do that and i am positive one of the reasons we need sister missionaries in the missionary field and not just 19 year old boys :) what a fun calling.. it warms my heart :) Then I can't forget the miracles with Bro. Ruiz a less active brother.. We taught him once with my last companion here and he just wasn't ready he wanted to stick with his other church he had started to attend, we respected that and after about 3 weeks had passed i just felt prompted to stop by and see how he was just to let him know we cared and that was all it took. God knew he needed that time and had prepared him to be ready for the change.. he is so sincere and has lots to work through and learn again since it has been awhile for him since he was baptized and learned everything about the church but he has now been to church twice and is getting involved and that is it.. one major thing that has stuck out to me this week is that the gospel of Jesus Christ is the answer to everything! everything! and if we work with it and do what Christ has established for our help we can get through it.. faith, repentance, baptism, the gift of the Holy Ghost, and endure.. endure one of the most crucial parts.. we are guaranteed happiness :) it is wonderful! ah the gospel is amazing the work is amazing I am learning so much and yes feel a little dumb sometimes for the things i never got before but that is the beauty of it.. it's just a progressive learning process and finding joy and enjoying the ride :) life is beautiful.. hope y'all are smiling, staying happy, and saying your prayers :)
with love
sister camarella