Hola familia that I love dearly!
How are you? Before I begin the random, scatter-brained recount of this
week, I had to tell you before I forget that my last weekend in Ica, my
pension fed us manta ray (like the thing that stung Steve Irwin and
killed him). It was really weird and not very appetizing, and they
wouldn't tell me what it was until I ate it. I just felt you needed to
know that.
Anyway. Moving on.
On Tuesday for Pday, we bought a bunch of stuff we needed for our house
and ate at a delicious cafe. The middle of Nasca is like super touristy
so there is random yummy food.... hahaha and then we slept for like 2
hours and it was glorious. That night we had a lesson in family history
with this crazy recent rescue. It was really spiritual and tender
until she started telling us about how she had a theory that God lived
in the ocean and we were all fish until God discovered that he could fly
and we all became humans.... I almost died. I just love people so much.
On Wednesday we had our District meetings and so forth, and they were
really powerful. We talked a lot about teaching in the Lord's way, and
inviting people to make and keep commitments that will really help them
progress. There are only 12 missionaries in Nasca, so it is a fun little
group. That afternoon we taught a woman named Basilia who is
progressing towards baptism. Her and her husband have come to church and
she has a lot of desire. They are slowly making plans go get married so
that they can get baptized :) It is really fun to teach her because she
really lets the Spirit work on her and she understands how she needs to
change to be able to follow the Savior. We just are trying to have more
lessons with her husband and help them to come to church :) We also
taught a recent rescue named Mama Rina, hahaha, and she was telling us
about her experience doing the temple work for her mom. It was really
tender and I felt once again how important the work of the temple is in
our lives, the hope and peace that temple covenants bring to us :)
On Thursday me and Hermana Torres were talking a lot about what we had
learned on the mission and what we wanted to see happen here. We talked
about wanting to be better followers of Christ and his counsel. We made
some really great goals for these next couple of months and we are really
excited :) Then we went to visit a bunch of less actives and walked like
8 miles. But it was a gorgeous walk and we contacted a lot, so it was
great :) Then that night at midnight we got on a bus with the members
and headed to the temple. I just love members. They are hilarious. We
got to the temple early in the morning and the senior missionary couple,
the Fowlers, and us printed out all the name cards and got them
distributed to all the members. They spent the whole day (7-7 ) in the
temple doing multiple baptisms, sessions, and sealings for their family members. It was a really cool spirit as they filed out and told us about
the work they were doing. We also got to do a session in the afternoon
with some of them, and that was really, really fun. I love the temple :) I
think about the faith of these members to sacrifice and go to the temple
every time I sit in the visitors center in Lima and watch the sun rise
on groups of sleeping saints from all over Peru, Chile, and other close
countries. It is inspiring :)
On Saturday (Happy Valentines Day!) we found new investigator named
Gubin and it was a super funny lesson. He has some weird theories about God and such...
Then on Sunday we had church! One of our investigators named Gustavo
came and it was really cool to see him interact with the members. Our
branch is teeny tiny, 68 people (and one persistent dog) attended
yesterday. Our church is on the first floor of a house and it is so
weird. Like a whole new kind of culture shock. But there are a few super
duper faithful members here, and I am super excited to be able to work
with them and see the spirit of missionary work transform this little
branch into a strong ward of families and priesthood holders :)
This week I was really struck by what it really means to live a
consecrated life. It means to give everything to the gospel and trying
to live a Christ centered life. It is the example of my parents :) It is
what I want to have, and what I want the people I teach to have. It is
the key to happiness :)
The gospel is true! The Savior lives. The purpose of life is to have joy :) I love missionary work. I love my family :)
I love you!
Hermana Lauren Bailey
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