OH HEEEEYYYY!!!
So how much of Colorado has been reduced to ashes and soot? Has all of FoCo been destroyed except for the temple grounds? I think that would be fun. More people would attend church if that happened.
How is everyone!? How is the summer going?! Did everyone watch the huge WWLT broadcast and weep as a child like I did?! WASN'T THAT THE COOLEST THING YOU'VE EVER SEEN?! Man we all got so pumped as we watched that!! It never fails to amaze me how the bretheren are always so spot on. I am so stoked to see what is going to happen with the work, especially in regards to member missionaries. I have a HUGE testimony of how important members are to the work. The last couple of weeks we have been visiting all of the members in our ward and telling them how integral they are to our success, and how we really can't do it without them so we are hoping and praying that they got the opportunity to watch the broadcast. Really though, we literally can't do it without the member's help!! I'm not sure how or when all the changes will be implemented here in San Diego, but I'm sure we will be getting all of that information soon.
I freaked when I saw all those missionaries singing in the choir! I saw a friend from USU singing so that was super cool. Being a missionary is THE BEST.
Quote that describes this week: "The pure love of Christ is the most awesome, incredible, STRESSFUL FEELING ON THE ENTIRE PLANET."
This week was frustrating and stressful and miracle-filled. We are 98% sure that one of our investigators (with a baptisimal date, mind you) got deported, so that was a lovely realization haha.
There are now 4 spanish missionaries working in El Centro (us and the new elders), both working for different wards. The stake president basically told us that they want to strengthen Imperial (which is the OTHER ward-it has spanish translation), so we are super confused about our work. We basically have to ask every single investigator we have if they want to attend the ward here in the same city, or 25 minutes away in Calexico (our ward). Of course everyone has been choosing the Imperial ward because it's closer and no one has money for gas, so our work has shrunk significantly. It's frustrating when we work so hard, and we have to give all of our investigators, who are getting SO CLOSE to a baptisimal date, to the other elders:( so it's been a rough week saying goodbye and handing over these people that we love so much. Our stake president's advice was "be flexible".....deep breaths, Sister Hess, deep breaths....
I sang "I know that my Redeemer Lives" at a baptism this week (made 'em cry). I didn't realize how much I missed singing for other people! I'm singing "Lead Kindly Light" in our ward on Sunday-which is awesome because we can now guilt trip our investigators to come to church:) JUST KIDDING.
A couple of days ago we met these 2 guys on the corner of a street and started to talk to them. They seemed super interested but didn't give us their address when we asked if we could come teach them. So we set a return appointment to meet them at the same corner the next day. They buffed us so we were pretty bummed:( but yesterday we were on our way to contact a referral and when we pulled up to the house we both had a very distinct impression that we shouldn't knock on the door. So we began to drive off, and when we exited the neighborhood we saw the same 2 guys we met before on the corner! We started to talk to them and shared the Restoration. They both seemed super stoked and said they would pray and come to church!! The only problem was I'm pretty sure they were flying higher than a kite and one of them was in the middle of a drug deal when we were talking. Whatevs. I consider it a massive miracle!
I have been studying A LOT about the Plan of Salvation this week, especially concerning eternal perspective. Literally all we do, all we teach all comes back to the POS. The coolest thing we do as missionaries, is that we teach the Crucified Christ (like Paul says to the Corinthians). We realize that the wounded Christ is the captain of our souls. We understand His glory and perfection, but we preach Him crucifed-why else would He choose to keep the prints on His hands and feet? We teach the Christ who suffered for us, and by knowing that we know the glorious and eternal plan that Heavenly Father has for us. The plan that we chose to accept. Cool, huh? This gospel is the bomb.
We started to teach a man yesterday and set a return appointment for Friday. He then replied "Well, looks like Jimmy's not getting drunk this Friday!"....He's well on his way to living the Word of Wisdom! What a blessing....
I love you all! I hope that the fires aren't getting too close and that all is well. Life is good here in the Valley! Hard, but so good. We continue to call it "Miracle Valley" and I am blessed to be able to see all the tender mercies we have been given!
LOVE YOU SOOOOO MUCH!
Hermana Hess
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