July 22nd, 2013 - Mundelein, IL

This week has been LOCO. Hands down nutsiest week yet. 

Monday night, Hermana Reid received "the call" that her visa had come in and that she would be leaving Wednesday morning. Total shocker! She got her visa papers in late, and comparing to the other missionaries that were in her MTC district/zone, she should have had another month or so here. We spent most of Tuesday packing, shopping (yes, it wasn't preparation day...but there were some things she needed before leaving the Country), saying goodbye, and then taught our two solid investigators...Antonio and Jessica.

Our lesson with Jessica? Probably one of the best I've had thus far. As selfish as it sounds, the lesson probably meant more to me than it did to Jessica and la Familia Quevedo. We had planned to teach about scripture study and prayer and we had the idea to write down questions we had and then read a chapter in the Book of Mormon to receive an answer. We started with a hymn- which I've never done before, but really set the mood. Prayed. And then Hmna Reid and I searched for a chapter to share. We went into the lesson not having planned a specific chapter to share, just because we wanted to be more open to be guided by the Spirit. I told the Quevedos this while we searched for a minute or two. Here's one of the good lessons I learned, thanks to Hermano Quevedo after struggling to find something, he threw it out that it ultimately didn't matter what we read. As long as we were in tune with the Spirit and were open to receiving an answer to our question, we'd be able to receive it. Ah. Rock solid. Hmna Reid then flipped to Ether 12, which worked out wonderfully. My question? Something along the lines of, "How can I become a better missionary and get over this whole Spanish issue?" My answer came along with v. 12...."For if there be no faith among the children of men God can do no miracle among them; wherefore, he showed not himself until after their faith." Bam. Just like that. It's easy for me to forget sometimes who my "boss" is out here, and who I really work for. The most powerful God. He's a God of miracles- He just wants us to do our part in believing that He can do whatever He wants.

On Wednesday, after dropping off Hmna Reid- Hmna Black and I had two lessons. Woof. I thought I was gonna die, I was so scared. Yes, you could say I had forgotten that little lesson I had had just the night before. Both lessons were pretty rough. Or so I thought. First was with Rebecca, we've been teaching her for awhile- and she understand a bit of English. As for the second, it was our first lesson with Teresa (she's the sister of Hermana Flores, in the ward...who's my FAVORITE! She and her husband were baptized a year ago, and she feeds us every Friday) Hermana Flores and her Sister know NO English. Obviously I stumbled here and there, and had no idea what to say at some points- but luckily Hmna Flores was able to jump in and fill in for me.  On our dinner appointment with Hmna Flores on Friday- she threw out that I must have prayed real hard before hand or something, because she understood every word I said, and the Spirit was super strong. Yes. Best compliment ever, right there. Also. Quick story from that dinner apt. I had Hmna Black teach- and she decided to share a thought on prayer. I'm not really sure where this came from--might have been a translation issue on my end---but she told me how she's an ignorant person (she's told me previously that she only went to 4-5 grade back in Mexico, and hated school/reading in general) and really didn't know much, but that she knew the Book of Mormon was true. Gosh. This lady kills me. So humble, really. I reassured her that she was being too hard on herself, and that none of that really mattered. God doesn't care about the worldly things - and that He is more than pleased with her, her testimony of the Book of Mormon and restored Gospel, and her effort to learn more of Him and His Beloved Son.

Lastly. We had interviews with President Woodbury on Friday. He knows I've been struggling with Spanish, specifically now that I have a brand new companion that doesn't know any Spanish...so he offered to give me a priesthood blessing. I wish more than anything I could have written it all down in the moment or just recorded it. I hate that I have mom's terrible memory :) Haha, Love ya mom! Anyway. I can recall the jest of it, but the one line that will forever stick out is, "Heavenly Father says, 'don't doubt, just believe'".

It's been a hard week. No doubt. But I'm sure I'll live, and be stronger because of it. Like I said before. Our Loving Heavenly Father is one of miracles. Don't doubt Him, His power, His love, or His willingness to make miracles in your life. Just ask for the help.

I love you all. Thanks a million for the love and support :)

Hmna Mortensen