SEMANA 31!!!

Hola Todos!  

Wow, this week was absolutely NUTS!!! (haha) We had interviews on Tuesday, a Ward Activity (that no one came to) on Friday, and then Conference Saturday and Sunday... (haha) To put it simply, between all of that, we didn't have a lot of time to work! (haha) BUT it was a good week! Ruth got baptized yesterday, and it was a super stressful good day! (haha) I'm just going to tell you guys what I wrote in my journal last night, 'cause it about sums up my week!

5-Abril-2015

Wow, today was CRAZY!! To start things off, we woke up and had to cook brownies for Ruth's baptism. So, I start making the batter and realize that we don't have ANY eggs! So then, I'm just like, "Crap! What the freak are we gonna do?..."  There were really only 2 options, call the Elders and ask them to make them, or we can eat pororo.  I chose to call the Elders... Let's just say those guys are life savers!!! Elder Fox and Elder Gavidia were more than willing to make the cake! Slight problem was, there stove didn't work, so they had to bring the brownie batter to the church so that we could make it there.

But with that taken care of we left after our studies to look for investigators to take to church. So, we went looking for the Familia Cesped first, and they were home, but the cayway Paraguayos told us they weren't going to come, so we left them to go look for Ruth. So, we find Ruth along with some of her neighbor friends, and they were like "Hey we want to come too!" So, there I find myself walking to church with 5 kids under the age of 13...  Awesome. But hey, one of them named Yessica, who's already been to church a few times was like "Cuando puedo bautizarme?" ("When can i get baptized?") We were like, "This Saturday!" (haha) We have to talk to her mom, but there's a chance we'll be having a baptism this Saturday!  

Anyways, as we were walking to the church, we saw Teofido, Ruth's dad coming home from work. (He works 24hrs on Saturdays) So, we invited him to church and Ruth's baptism. He told us he was going to shower and meet us there at 1:30. We left, praying that he would make it!  

So, we finally get to the church, get the kids settled in, and then went to put the batter from the Elders in the oven. Psych! Hermana Austin and Hermana Bennett can't catch a break today. The oven in our church DOESN'T WORK!! (haha) Luckily there was a little bit of popcorn in the church, so we decided to just go ahead and make that! Poor Ruth, right? Anyways, so we missed the Prophets talk making the stupid pororo, and FINALLY got settled in watching conference. Let's just say kids and Conference don't mix... (haha) I felt like I was at home all over again, trying to get them to stop being noisy so they didn't bug all the members around us. Problem is, these kids aren't my siblings... so I couldn't be very persuasive... (haha) At about 1:45 I look out and see Teofido waiting in the Lobby!!! (hahaha) He came to CHURCH!!! It was great! He was in time to see the end of Uchtdorf's talk and listen to the choir sing! It was AWESOME!!

Bueno, it's a really long journal entry but let's just say Teofido coming to church completely made my day! He was also at Ruth's baptism which was GREAT!! He felt the spirit so strong and afterwards told me that he's going to do everything he can to come every week!  

It was a great week! I love it here, and we're working so hard! Even the days that are crazy are good days! (hahaha) Love you all; thank you for your support and prayers! Have an awesome week!

Hermana Austin

SEMANA 30!!!

Hola Todos!

So this week was really good! (haha) Definitely the best part was that it FINALLY cooled off a little bit! The weather has started to cool off and it's the best! (haha) I actually put on a sweatshirt the other night when we got back... Haven't done that since I was in my training!  

But really, this week was great! Ruth came to church yesterday again and is going to get baptized on Sunday in between Conference, which is going to be SICK because there are going to be a TON of people there! She's literally such an awesome girl. She lives alone with her dad and 4 brothers, and basically is the mom. She's told us that she cleans the house and washes all of there clothes and cooks. Can you imagine being 12 years old and basically being the mom? But she's great! She's super excited about her baptism, and super excited about the church! I just love her so much and I want what's best for her.

Also little update on the Familia Cesped... They are still doing good! Sad thing is, it rained yesterday before church, so they didn't come! Ahh, the Paraguayos are so lazy when it comes to bad weather... (haha) It was like a drizzle, and we passed by yesterday morning, and they were like, ''It's cold. We can't come today." So they didn't come yesterday... Sad thing is, Hermano Cesped was going to have an interview with the bishop to get the priesthood, and now we're going to have to wait 2 WEEKS because of Conference... But it's okay. I just need to be a more patient missionary... (haha) I'm so excited for Patricia's baptism though. It's going to be such an awesome day!  

Also, I finally feel like we have the confidence of the members! There's one family in our ward that's literally AMAZING! They're named the Familia Rios, and they're just the coolest most chill family ever. We ate lunch with them on Saturday, and then went to a cita (appointment) with Hermano Rios, and he just really opened up to us and told us his families conversion story, and get this! So, his parents met with the missionaries and wanted to get baptized, but had to get married to live the law of chastity, right? (haha) So, his mom decides that she doesn't want to get baptized if she has to get married. The missionaries were going to have a wedding and a baptism, so they invited his parents and they decided to go. So, his family shows up at the wedding and it was THEIR WEDDING!!! (hahaha) Can you imagine? Those missionaries sure had some faith... But it all worked out, his parents got married and baptized that day!  

Lets see... (haha) a whole lot happened this week but I don't have much more time! I love you all...thank you so much for your letters and support. Have an awesome week!  

Hermana Austin

SEMANA 29!!!

Hola Todos!

Wow, it was such a good week! Mirian got baptized on Saturday and it was awesome! (haha) She's so funny. She kept on saying AMEN at random times during the service...like the people would be in the middle of their talk and she would just blurt out AMEN... It was really funny, but really it was a great baptism. We finally got a little bit of support from the ward. The Relief Society President even made the cake! It was a good day!

(haha) So, on Wednesday we had to go to the office to take this test that we have to take 'cause Hermana Bennett's in her training... It's always kind of a pain to go to the office 'cause we have to get up like an hour early and we lose a lot of time traveling on the bus. So, anyways, we leave and catch our bus which was Linea 51 and head out for the office... Here's the thing though, when we travel here, we just know that we're supposed to get off for this random landmark that the Zone Leaders tell us about! (haha) So, in this case, we were looking for the Iglesia Catolica! (Catholic Church) We start going and I asked the guy sitting next to me if the bus was going to pass by the church soon and he was like, "No, you have to get off on this street and go in another direction." (haha) I was SO confused, and the thing that made it really hard was Hermana Bennett has no clue 'cause she's only been to the offices like twice. It was all on me and I was just praying that I could remember and figure it out. So we got off at one of the main streets in Paraguay called Mariscal Lopez, and took this guy's directions and took another bus and started down Mariscal Lopez,... I've been to the office enough times to know that there's a McDonalds right around where we need to get off. Anyway, we're riding along and NOTHING looks familiar! (haha) FINALLY I realized we were going in the wrong direction, completely! (haha) So, we got off, crossed the street, took ANOTHER bus, and finally found the McDonalds two blocks away from where we originally got off... THREE buses and a WHOLE LOT of money later! But, it was fine, (haha) we were just lost for a few minutes...

ANYWAYS... (haha) the Familia Cesped is doing AWESOME!!! (haha) They came to church yesterday and brought on of our investigators with them! patricia for sure is going to get baptized soon. We are just waiting for her dad to be able to get the priesthood 'cause it'll just be SO much better for the entire family if he can baptize her. But, for sure, it's going to happen sometime in the next few weeks!

We are also working with a guy and his daughter, Teofido y Ruth, and they are AWESOME!!! Literally progressing so much! They don't know a whole lot about God, or religion, but are ready and willing to learn, so we're teaching them! They're great! Ruth prayed for the first time yesterday, and it was so cute! She's 12 and has never prayed in her life. She also came to church last week and yesterday, and Teofido for sure is coming this Sunday! They're for sure going to get baptized! They both have a date for the 11th of April!

Anyways, that's about it for this week! Life is good, and I love the mission! Thank you all for all of your support! I love you, have an awesome week!

Hermana Austin

Semana 28!!!

Hola Todos!

Wow what a crazy week! This week was great and our area is really moving along! (haha) Funny story this week! So,on Thursday morning we woke up and started the day like normal with Personal Study right? So, we're studying and we get a call from the Zone Leaders and they were just like "Hey Hermanas sorry to interupt your studies but we have a little emergency..." I was just thinking, "Oh man what's going on..." (haha) Turns out we had a service project with Operation Smile that no one knew about! (hahaha) We had to pack up some service clothes and leave right then! Worst part was, I had absolutely no idea where we were supposed to be going... (haha) the Elders just told us to take some random bus and get off at a hospital. I was just like, "Bueno, no se como vamos a llegar pero vamos a ver."  ("Well, I don't know how we'll get there, but we'll see.") And we made it without a problem... We did lose like a full day of work though, but it was fun to do something different! And, it was an ADVENTURE! What more could I ask for?!

We also had a Multi-Zone Conference this week and it was AWESOME!! (haha) I LOVE Zone Conferences because I get to see all of my friends! (haha) It's the BEST!! This Zone Conference was so legit though. Normally we talk a lot about all of the different ways we can find people to be baptized, but this time Presidente basically just got up and said, "Look, if you want to baptize, all you need is faith." The whole conference was about faith and it was SO good!! The best part was, Hermana Bennett and I applied it the next day which was Saturday. We fasted to find new investigators that are really good and will progress. We set out to work on Saturday with a TON of faith that the Lord was going to lead us to someone who has been prepared. Anyways, the day actually started out pretty crappy... (haha) all of our plans fell through and we spent a lot of time walking around in the heat. We were walking by Mirian's house (an old investigator of Hermana McDougal and I's) and I had the thought to stop by. We haven't visited Mirian in like a month and a half because she wasn't progressing. So, we stop by and she lets us in and tells us she's missed us a lot! She then told us she got electrocuted and was in the hospital for like 4 days and thought she was going to die! She told us she thought it was a sign from God... We were like YEAH IT WAS!!! (haha) We shared Alma 36 with her and explained that sometimes God gives us these experiences to warn us and correct us. She agreed and told us that she wants to come to church again, and we invited her to be baptized and she said YES!!! She came to church yesterday and is getting baptized this Saturday!! MILAGROS!!! (MIRACLES!!!) We also ended up finding a lot of really good solid investigators on Saturday and the area is really progressing! I learned this week that all we need is faith and the Lord will guide us to those he has prepared!  

The Familia Cesped also came to church again yesterday and Patricia is going to get baptized this Saturday!!! I love that family so much! Also, we are still working with Michele... un poco a poco va a llegar! (She is slowly coming!)

Also, you all should know! (haha) I got a letter from the Familia Flor last week! They are all doing really well! They told me that they are still preparing to go to the temple in October and that they miss me tons! (haha) I love them! It was so nice to hear from them...

That's about all that happened this week in Paraguay... It was a great week!  Thank you for all of your prayers and support I love you all! Have an awesome week!

Hermana Austin

Semana 27!!!

Hola Todos!

So this week was GREAT!!!  Honestly probably one of the best weeks I've had here in Ita Enramada! (haha) One thing that we've really been doing this last week is working with a few less active families in the really poor part of our area. I think I told you all, we decided to start working a little bit with Michele and her family again. We had familiy night with them last Tuesday, and it was GREAT! We taught them off and on all week last week, and decided to pass by on Saturday and talk about the Restoration and invite Michele to be baptized...  Like I said we gained the confidence of the mom last week, but we didn't want to lose it, so we touched the subject of baptism timidly... (haha) Anyways, we had a lesson FULL of the spirit and when I asked Mirian (her mom) she was like, "Honestly, I made a mistake in my life and had to fix some things. While I was in the middle of it I feel like the members abandoned me and I swore that I would never go back to the church, and that my kids wouldn't be baptized there again."  Turns out Mirian had to go to jail a few years back and the members of the church haven't been very forgiving since... AHHH!!! I've never been so annoyed with ward members in my life! That's the time when the members need to HELP this family the most, not shun them and ignore them! I just kept thinking, "What would the Savior be doing to help this family?" I know the last thing he would be doing is abandoning them! There's ALWAYS a way back to the path, it doesn't matter how lost we are. Mirian should ALWAYS feel welcome at church regardless of the things she's done in her life. Anyways, moral of the story is, don't judge! And we now have a game plan with Michele! We're going to pass by A LOT with members and organize a visit with the Bishop... Keep winning over the confidence of this family and I KNOW Michele will get baptized! If not this Saturday the next!

Another less active family we've been working with is the familia Cesped! They're AWESOME! They're like a younger version of the familia Flor! They have four young kids, and the oldest is named Patricia, and she's eight! She hasn't been baptized either! The dad, Antonio, has a drinking problem, (sound familiar?), and it's gotten really bad recently... we passed by to visit them on Tuesday, and his wife was there alone. We stopped to talk with her, and she bassically told us if Antonio doesn't come to church this week and put his life in order, she was going to kick him out of the house! We were like, "Whoah, don't do that! We'll organize a visit with Bishop and help you guys!" So that's what we did... We visited them on Friday with the Bishop and his wife, and talked about the Word of Wisdom and repentance. It was a really powerful lesson, and Antonio told us at the end he was going to quit drinking and bring his family to church on Sunday! Sunday rolled around and when Hermana Bennett and I got to church there was the Familia Cesped sitting in the chapel!  Ahh, I've never been so happy! (haha) We set a goal with the family, and Patricia is going to be baptized the 26th of March, and Antonio's going to perform the baptism!!! He just has to keep going strong with not drinking!!! AHH, it's going to be the best! I really do love this family and they remind me so much of the Familia Flor, it's not even funny!

Anyways yeah, (haha) so much other stuff happened this week, but I don't have time to write about it all! It was a GREAT week! I'm doing so good! Pray for Michele and the Familia Cesped por favor!!! I love you all have an awesome week!

Hermana Austin

PS I got all of your Christmas Cards last week and just wanted to tell everyone thank you! I appreciate it a TON!! It's always fun to get mail from home!  

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Semana 26!!!

Hola Todos!!!

Wow what a week!!! Soooo, we had a BAPTISM!!! Michael got baptized on Saturday and it was great!!! He´s such a cool kid!! He came to his baptism all by himself and was dressed in a white shirt and slacks! It was so cute! Everything went great, and Hermana Bennett was super excited which was the most important thing for me! The only sad part was his mom didn't come and we could tell he was kinda sad about that, but I know that if he just keeps being a good example for her she'll come around!  It´s sad that he's the one that has to be the example for his own mom! BUT I know she's already seen changes in him and will continue to see them and that's whats most important!

Let's see, we had Intercambios again this week!! This time though, Hermana Cheney went to her area with Hermana Bennett and I stayed here with Hermana Boley! Hermana Boley's awesome. We had a great day! We were in the poor part of our area and all of our plans fell through and I was just like "Bueno let's go visit Michel and her family.." So we pass by and start talking to them and Hermana Boley just wins their confidence instantly! It was really weird we were talking to them all like old friends. We set up a family night for tomorrow and I'm excited to see what happens! Hermana Boley told me we need to win over their confidence first, be their friends, and then she thinks the entire family will reactivate and Michel will get baptized!!

ANYWAYS, (haha) that's what happened this week. Basically, it was a pretty normal week here in the mish! (haha) I'm working hard, and life's good! Hope all is well with you guys! Have an awesome week!!!

Hermana Austin

Semana 25!!!

Hola Todos!

Wow what a crazy week it has been! (haha) First of all, Michael wasn´t able to get baptized this week because we found out he was drinking coffee sometimes in the mornings... WHOOPS... That´s what we get for not teaching him the Palabra de Sabiduria (Word of Wisdom) until last Monday... (haha) But it´s okay cause he stopped, so he´s getting baptized this Saturday si o si! He´s an awesome kid and his mom´s actually listening to us now. I think she´s been seeing the changes in Michael and wants to learn more. Her name's Graciela and we´re hoping to help her come to church this week so she can see Michael get confirmed a member and everything!  

Aside from Michael, we've seen a lot of other people start progressing! The one that really stands out is Karen's mom, Marisa started to really listen to us! She's stopped working on Sundays and told us that she's for sure coming to church this upcoming Sunday, which is AMAZING!!! We actually passed by earlier today to give Karen something for school, and her mom was there with her cousin named Jasmine, and Karen goes, "Do you guys have some time to share with Jasmine today? She wants to listen to the lessons and come to church!" We were just like "claro que si!!!" So we shared with all 3 of them and Jasmine and Marisa both accepted a baptismal date and said that si o si they're coming to church on Sunday!!! MILAGROS!!!  

One thing I've really learned is that the Lord is always preparing people for us to teach. We have no idea who they are but He does and He will help us find them! I honestly have never felt more guided in my entire life than I have on the mission! The Lord has a plan for us every, single, day here and if we pray and REALLY follow the Spirit we will find the people that he's prepared for us!  

We also found this 21 year old woman named Maria and she's amazing! (haha) We contacted her at her grandma's house this last week and she was like "Yeah, you guys can come visit me in my house tomorrow." So we found her house the next day and she lets us in and is like, "I know you guys were sent from God. I need to have more faith and I need help." And we were just in awe! She's from a CRAZY church down here called La Iglesia Familiar de Oracion, or something like that, and I've heard from past companions that people from this church are very closed... We invited her to be baptized anyways and she accepted! (haha) She was like, "So I have to be baptized again then?" And we were like, "Yep." And she was like, "Okay Voy a preparar." It was so cool! She's reading in the Book of Mormon and is progressing a ton!

So yeah that's about all that went on this week! Life's good here in Paraguay! I love and miss you all tons!! Have a great week!

Love, Hermana Austin