Early Tuesday morning was my first earthquake! It was around 6:30 in the morning, and I was walking to turn a light on. My companion was still in bed and we heard rumbling in the apartment above us. We just assumed that it was the elephant people jumping up and down, but when the tables and chairs and light fixtures and my whole body started shaking, I started to freak out. "SISTER! EARTHQUAKE!" I stumbled around the apartment looking for a place to lay down (apparently you're not supposed to stand in doorways. You find an object to lay down next to so the ceiling falls on top of that rather than you) and my companion, who sleeps in the bottom bunk, tucked and covered and rolled directly from the bed onto the floor and stood in the middle of the room with me. The rumbling finally stopped and we both held each other and laughed. It was a 4.5!
The next few days the rains came down and the floods came up! We put on our rain boots and started knocking on doors! A few men invited us into their homes, and we politely declined. We had rude people, kind people who weren't interested, and people who pretended not to hear us. It happens. The storms were so bad that there were several power outages across the city... And one of them happened in the middle of a lesson at 6pm. The neighborhood was so dark, you could hardly see your hand in front of your face. I was suddenly very grateful for the miracle of available electricity.
Later in the week I went on exchanges with Hermana Bjork in her area! She serves in Moreno Valley, aka, the only city in the mission with a Chick-fil-A. Chicken sandwiches for lunch!!! I learned so much from her and we had such a good time! She taught me how to say so many silly things in Spanish:) We talked to a few crazy people and had to walk away from a few scary situations, but what a blessing it is to have the Spirit with us to tell us to walk a different direction, or tell us what to say! I love the Holy Ghost so much! But, I did miss my hija. Going back to Hemet was like coming home from a trip to a friend I hadn't seen in years. While I was gone, she had picked up a new investigator! What a good missionary!!
We've had a few lessons with the Macias family this week and oh my goodness what a joy they are! All six of them have accepted the date for baptism on February 9th, and they are eager to learn. They write down questions and during our lessons, we can see one by one they cross off the questions. The Gospel makes so much sense! They read the Book of Mormon, they are praying to know of its truthfulness, the come to church thirsting for more knowledge consistently. I have such a love for them, and while we taught the Plan of Salvation, the Spirit hit me like a 2x4. God loves them. God wants them to return to Him. The only way for that to happen is if they're baptized and live the Gospel. That is why I'm out here! That is my purpose! My purpose is to unify families for eternity, bring people closer to Christ, show people Christ-like charity and love!
Yesterday, rather than having a P-day, we had a conference with Elder Hamula of the Seventy. He reiterated to us our purpose as missionaries: To cleanse people through baptism so they can return to the presence of our Father in Heaven and stay there. It was such an honor to shake is hand, and to give his wife a big hug! The leaders of this Church receive so much revelation, and what a blessing it is to have living spokesmen of God on the earth today. A few missionaries from my stake and I performed a musical number for him! We sang Abide With Me 'Tis Eventide, and I may or may not have completely butchered the last note of the entire song. In front of a General Authority. No biggie! Either way, he's an amazing (and very, very) tall man who loves God and loves us as well.
And there you have it! Know that I love each and every one of you, but that your Savior loves you infinitely. He knows your struggles. His arms of mercy are continuously around you. All we need to do is return to Him. May you have nothing but happiness this week!
Sister Turner
Some people walk in rain. Others just get wet. - Roger Miller
Later in the week I went on exchanges with Hermana Bjork in her area! She serves in Moreno Valley, aka, the only city in the mission with a Chick-fil-A. Chicken sandwiches for lunch!!! I learned so much from her and we had such a good time! She taught me how to say so many silly things in Spanish:) We talked to a few crazy people and had to walk away from a few scary situations, but what a blessing it is to have the Spirit with us to tell us to walk a different direction, or tell us what to say! I love the Holy Ghost so much! But, I did miss my hija. Going back to Hemet was like coming home from a trip to a friend I hadn't seen in years. While I was gone, she had picked up a new investigator! What a good missionary!!
We've had a few lessons with the Macias family this week and oh my goodness what a joy they are! All six of them have accepted the date for baptism on February 9th, and they are eager to learn. They write down questions and during our lessons, we can see one by one they cross off the questions. The Gospel makes so much sense! They read the Book of Mormon, they are praying to know of its truthfulness, the come to church thirsting for more knowledge consistently. I have such a love for them, and while we taught the Plan of Salvation, the Spirit hit me like a 2x4. God loves them. God wants them to return to Him. The only way for that to happen is if they're baptized and live the Gospel. That is why I'm out here! That is my purpose! My purpose is to unify families for eternity, bring people closer to Christ, show people Christ-like charity and love!
Yesterday, rather than having a P-day, we had a conference with Elder Hamula of the Seventy. He reiterated to us our purpose as missionaries: To cleanse people through baptism so they can return to the presence of our Father in Heaven and stay there. It was such an honor to shake is hand, and to give his wife a big hug! The leaders of this Church receive so much revelation, and what a blessing it is to have living spokesmen of God on the earth today. A few missionaries from my stake and I performed a musical number for him! We sang Abide With Me 'Tis Eventide, and I may or may not have completely butchered the last note of the entire song. In front of a General Authority. No biggie! Either way, he's an amazing (and very, very) tall man who loves God and loves us as well.
And there you have it! Know that I love each and every one of you, but that your Savior loves you infinitely. He knows your struggles. His arms of mercy are continuously around you. All we need to do is return to Him. May you have nothing but happiness this week!
Sister Turner
Some people walk in rain. Others just get wet. - Roger Miller