January 20, 2014 - Franklin Park, IL

How's everyone doing? Hope you had a great week! Looking back, I feel
like so much has happened. Most of it, the little things that go on
here and there, wouldn't have much significance to you...but to me,
there were lots of 'golden moments'. More than anything, I know our
Heavenly Father hears us. Two weeks ago in a combined zone conference,
President Woodbury taught us some things using the story of the
Brother of Jared- Ether 2-3. At the end of it all, he pleaded with us
to have enough faith and humility, to open our eyes to see the hand of
The Lord in this, His work. I've seen just that!

....but I'll share some of bigger highlights of the week :)

Last Monday we received a referral from the office, but weren't able
to contact them until the next day. I'll be real honest when I say
that generally when we go to contact a referral, it's either A.) the
wrong address/contact info B.) the person gave the missionaries their
info just to get them away, and didn't actually expect/want other
missionaries to come or C.) misunderstanding (usually what happens
when we get referrals from the English missionaries). So again, I'll
be honest when I say I wasn't expecting too much from this referral.
But! We went, and contacted the most AWESOME couple. Come to find out,
the husband is a less active member, and his active mom was the one
who gave his information. He hasn't been to church in years, but he
wants to come back! Also, he got married about a year ago to a sweet
little catholic girl, who's really interested in listening and 'trying
the whole Mormon thing'. We've got high hopes for them!
I'm not sure if any of you have noticed, but I haven't mentioned
Edwardo in the last 2-3 weeks. He kinda went into hiding, and we
thought he either dumped us or died. Luckily, it was neither. He
explained that he had stopped reading the Book of Mormon, focused more
on the bible, and got really confused as to whether or not it was
true. But he's back on track. No worries! He did however, share with
is what he learned in the bible. So rockin'. He shared a lot from
Romans, but I mostly like these two verses found in Romans 8
35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation,
or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or
sword?
39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to
separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
(Romans 8:39)
He expressed, what I believe to be, the majority of his temptations
and sins....always hate having to hear those....but he said that those
things can't get in the way of the Love of God. He feels it, he wants
more of it, so he's leaving those things.  ....one more thing he said.
At the end of the lesson, H. Pearson and I dropped the ball that
transfers are on Tuesday, and that it was possible that one of us
wouldn't be there for the next lesson (we didn't know at the time,
obviously, but we're both staying. 6 more weeks!!!). He was almost
disgusted that we would think to be sad about leaving him.  Ha. He
told us to 'throw Jesus on our shoulders and keep building the
Kingdom'. I'm not sure where he got that, but it was funny in the
moment.

Met with Adrian on Friday and he had his baptismal interview.....he's
all set!!!!!!!! :) I'm dying with excitement for him and his family!!
Also, we had a whopping 5 investigators at church today. I usually
don't like to throw out numbers....just because I don't know what the
'norm' is for outside the Chicago Mission...but for us, that's
AWESOME! We were so happy. And on top of that, one of our less actives
came to church. We have relief society first, and I always save the
seat next to me, just in case...and she came!!! She hasn't been in
years!!! Haha she also brought her 6 yr old son, Chris. Not sure if the
picture is posted, but they're the Guatemalans we spent Christmas Eve
with. Anyway, Chris only speaks English- but he can't say Hermana...or
Mortensen.... or Pearson....so we told him to call us Sister M and
Sister P. We've tried to correct him multiple times, but he just calls
us Mr. M and Mr. P. It was funny though, because we were in relief
society when the primary president came in looking for Mr. M and Mr.
P. His mom had told him before hand that we would be there...and he
was NOT going to do the whole church thing without us. Bless his
heart. Haha.

It's been an awesome week though, with little tender mercies here and
there. Again, I know that we are heard every time we send a prayer up.
He just wants us to do our part first (bring Him some stones) so he
can pour upon us blessings (show the finger!). Miracles happen.
Love you alllllll!
Hermana Mortensen

       Cutest investigator ever!!!!! Edwardo :)

Today's adventure to Little Village....aka little Mexico. So awesome!!
Even the Asians speak Spanish here.