Agency

This week started out will cambios! My companion was in Lima for her carnet, and so I went out with Hermana Tui´one for two days. She is so great! She is half Mexican and half Polynesian so you can just imagine her personality. Hermana Tui´one is real, a little loud, fun, and really bold in her questions to people. She is a lot like Nana! lol. I loved every minute that I had with her to proselyte because she is such a great example of how we should teach with boldness and love. I totally gained another best friend in the mission this week.

Also: My compi is back!

Yesterday night Hermana C. and I were able to have another appointment with a progressing investigator. We have set several baptismal dates with her, but have not been able to meet each date. It was two weeks ago that Maricela told us that she wants to learn more about the church before she commits to baptism, and so she wants to wait until September. We were so sad to hear this from her, and so up to our latest appointment had been praying and studying in order to know how to help her. Yesterday during Church Maricela confided in Hermana Chipunavi that she has recieved an answer that she should be baptized, and she wants to do it, but that someone close in her life is telling her to wait. We tried so hard not to be upset at this! Maricela KNOWS the doctrines, is changing her life, attending church regularly, and has a testimony. How is she not ready for baptism? Anyway, we felt impressed to teach about obedience and reading the scriptures in our lesson last night. At one point I felt impressed to testify of how each commandment is calculated to bring us more happiness than before, and that she had chosen to follow the Savior in the life before. In this life she is now being asked to follow Him again, but it is now an issue of when. The Spirit was strong during this time, and even though Maricela still told us that she wants to wait,  Hermana Chipunavi and I walked away feeling that we did everything in our power and according to the Spirit that we needed to do. In the end, salvation comes down to the agency of the individual. 

As of now, we are still praying and seeking to help those we teach. We know that even when others use their agency incorrectly, our responsibility is to be guides in this work as we invite others to excerise their agency correctly. It is often times disappointing, but so amazing when we can see how people are willing to change their lives in order to experience the blessings. Nothing that the Lord asks us to do will take anything of worth from us. His commandments are designed to make us better, stronger, and happier in this life. This is my testiomony! 

Hermana Arroyo

Pictures from Cusco a very long time ago!

Inviting others back

Sadly, this week has been low in numbers as far as appointments go with investigators. Hermana Chipunavi and I have had so many people cancel on us, but on the flip side we have had so many opportunities to meet with less actives! I cannot think of anything better to do than to eleviate someone´s pain and inspire hope through the Atonement.

One lesson that sticks out to me was with a single mom. We met with Daisy and her mom Gladys and taught about the Word of Wisdom. Gladys hasnt been active in the church for a really long time, so some of the things we talked about had been forgotten. Besides talking about some of her doubts, Gladys also shared that she feels bad for regressing back to old habits. She is feeling a little dispondant and down that she doesnt fit in with the other ´´perfect´´ members. It made me so sad to hear her talk this way. Hermana Chipunavi testified to her that there is always a way back, and the Savior is just waiting for her to decide to do it. Gladys has so much faith and a desire to change that there is no doubt in my mind of the potential she can reach.
 

3 Ne 9:13 comes to mind right now.

´´Yea, verily I say unto you, if ye will come unto me ye shall have eternal life. Behold, my arm of mercy is extended towards you, and whosoever will come, him will I recieve: and blessed are those who come unto me.´´

Sometimes as members we judge others who have weaknesses. I cant say that I have never done the same, but I am learning to see others as the Savior would. We have the gospel of Jesus Christ because we are ALL sinners. An apostol has testified that the Church is for the spiritually inferm, and so rather than give in to judging, we should keep loving and caring for each other - more especially those who have committed some serious sins. This is not only what the Savior would do, but there is so much more peace and happiness in following His example. I am making a committment to be better for people like Gladys.

Also, this week we had three drunk men come up to us at different times, asking to hear the word of God. The first two were totally gone, but we took their numbers and directions anyway. But the third made us take a step back and consider what Heavenly Father may be trying to tell us. As the this man was talking to us, he begged to hear something that would give him peace, and then he started to cry. There was a different feeling present as we shared a message with him about the restored gospel and Atonement. As the man was talking, I felt his sincerity and just how much he hurt. Seeing him cry almost made me do the same. This experience has made me remember a talk given by Elder Cook (?) about the peace this gospel brings. There are so many people in this world who need to feel the joy of repentance, but dont know how or where to find the cure. We know this Cure, and we have the restored gospel and the authority needed to experience a remission of sins. There is such a big need to share what we know with others! This gospel is what brings true happiness.

Daily updates! For the next two days I am in a trio with the other Hermanas in our sector while Hermana Chipunavi travels to Lima for her visa. :( It is so weird without her! But the other hermanas are pretty great. One is Mexican and she speaks PERFECT English, and the other is new to the mission from California. So we´re speaking a lot of English! I would have loved this three months ago, but now I am having trouble remembering certain words and how to pronounce them. Crazy! Heavenly Father answers our prayers and works miracles in our lives when we have faith and do our part to obtain them.

Have a great week everyone! I love you!

Hermana Arroyo