June 30, 2014 Chicago 5th

Hello helllooooo!

Can anyone else believe that this week concludes the transfer? Seriously can't believe I've been here for 6 weeks.
Looking back, we did an unusual amount of moving people this week. Once on Tuesday and double dose on Friday. Talk about getting ripped. I'm now a professional at packing and moving heavy boxes. . Speaking of service. We went to the temple on Saturday morning! We went with the coolest lady, Hna Muller <--- random, non-Hispanic last name, who was baptized about two months ago. Seriously such a gem. One of the Hnas that originally taught her came up to the temple from Blue Island, which is a nice hour or so. Us? We didn't want H.Muller to go by herself, so we woke up EXTRA early to be on the bus by 5:30 so that we could be at the temple by 8...we had to switch a few buses. Haha. We were all falling asleep a little, but it was so worth it! Two parts that made it EVEN more special.....before doing the baptisms, the temple president wanted to come in and talk a little to us- mostly just Hermana. Who got to translate? This girl! It might not have all been perfect, but as usual, the Spirit made up for the words I lacked. I know I know, you have to be pretty spiritual and in tune with the Spirit as a temple president...but really, his words...right on point :) He even got a little choked and we all got teary eyed, when the temple matron told us that one of the names that Hna would be baptized for had been waiting for 297 years. Can you imagine?

Second highlight? Standing outside afterwards taking pictures....when who comes out of the temple?....the one and only Hna Flores! It was a longish walk for her to get from the temple to me- and I couldn't tell who it was from a distance, but when she called my name (haha, sounds so lame), there was no mistake that it was her. Hna Kenedy and Reid, if you're reading this, you know exactly what I'm talking bout! She even threw out a few "andele pues"'s for me. Anyway. This time it got real, and all the tears came. This lady is hands down one of my favorite people in my whole mission...she took care of me reallllllll good when I was in my first area. Seeing her at the temple? Ah. Seriously nothing better. I know how hard and what a sacrifice it is for her specifically to go...but she does it because she understands the importance. Sighhhh. I could go on and on about this lady. I WANT EVERYONE IN THE WORLD TO LOVE HER!!!! One more quick story and then I'll be done. Street contacting is NOT on the list of my favorite things to do as a missionary...especially in this area, because there's like a billion people around you all the time.

As of recently, I've been focusing on asking In my prayers to be guided to specific people or have them put into my path. Idk. It's kind of hard to explain. Well, we found one of the people on Wednesday! Goes like this. We were outside the train station waiting for our bus, when I started talking to the cute Hispanic lady selling the typical hand made goodies from her country. (I ended up buying a bracelet, haha). Finally, we get on topic of us being missionaries,etc...and we try and give her a card. What does she say? Something along the lines of, I'm already a member...and never thought you'd ask.  Turns out she's a 'hiding' less active in the neighboring ward. And get this. Almost once every week, the English missionaries go to this train station to contact people. She said she always sees them but they never talked to her, and she couldn't speak to them in English. Problem solved! Anyway. We're pretty tight with her now, and we're gonna get some missionaries to go visit her.

That's it. I hope you all have an enjoyable week! ...and enjoy Wednesday as much as I do :) Or Friday! Can't forget the 4th of July.....speaking of which...'MERICA! #hopewewintheWorldCup #jumpingonthebandwagon #Mexicostillhasmyheart Also. Just met a rockin lady at the grocery store. Her husband is a member and she was baptized just a little while ago in Arizona. They came here and never found a church! Ran into some English elders a few weeks ago, said hi, they smiled and kept walking, WHYYYYY!?!? Haha. It's alright. They've been found again.

Okay, that's it for reals now. Love you all!
Hermana Mortensen

 

Temple with Hna Edith

 

FINDING HNA FLORES!!!!!!!!!!!!! She's such a boss.