Tuesday, August 27, 2013

August 27, 2013 - The Heavens Opened

And on the 4th day of the week, God allowed the Heavens to open, and for hours upon hours rain descended from the sky until all the Mexicans shut their doors, for fear of the floods. And the Lord saw it was good, and allowed it to continue to rain for the next three days, and the evening and the morning made it a freakin humid oven when the sun shined again, much to the dismay of the missionaries on bikes.
Actually, there was a sweet sand/lightening storm preceding the floods, so much that the missionaries were instructed to "get the heck indoors or else you'll get struck by lightening and die" (that was the text we got from the senior couple serving here in the Valley. They are the best!)
This past week flew by!! It was definitely a week of relying 100% on the spirit, as every single one of our appointments and their backups fell through. We weren't able to see a lot of our investigators, which bummed us out, and then all of the less-actives that we see said that they don't want to go to church because "they don't feel like it.". I think this week my heart has broken more than any other week in the field. Us as a district have been working so hard, and striving to become the best missionaries we can be, but at the same time we aren't seeing a whole lot of progression. We brought up the issues we've been facing with the ward council but they said "talk to the mission president" and then planned who was going to cook what for the ward party....But it's ok. Refiners fire, peeps. Our district leader told us that "it's good to feel heartbreak. Means you're heart's invested".

I think the moments that I have appreciated most have been the moments where I literally do not know what to do, and then Heavenly Father steps in, opens a window and says "here ya go"-I've learned that we need to work our hardest to have these moments come. We need to do all we can FIRST and then Heavenly Father knows that we are ready to go forwards. I think that's where the enabling power of the Atonement comes in. We should not pray to Heavenly Father to fix the situation, we should pray to Him for the strength to fix it ourselves. As saints, and knowing what we know, we are the fixers for the people with broken hearts. And as we serve those we love, we find that our hearts become healed in the process. We rejoice and are edified together. WHAT A GOOD LIFE.
I sang "Be Still My Soul" in church last Sunday...way to go, music. Salvation for the soul.
We had a meeting where all the Spanish missionaries in the mission got together to discuss some of the specific challenges we face. Things from food to machismo to the death-phrase "Si Dios Quiere"-it was actually super good! Made me really proud to be working in Spanish work. Then we went to 5 Guys after and it made me really proud to be an American.
Dad you bought USU vs. Air Force tickets?!?!? I've never been prouder to be called your daughter!!! I'm thrilled that your seminary class is awesome-do I know any of them? Are you kickin trash? Duh.
Is mom still primary president?

Well, sorry this is a boring letter!! I'll send more exciting stuff next week. It's the last week of the transfer and huge miracles always happen this week!

Love you all SO DANG MUCH!
Hermana Hess

Tuesday, August 20, 2013

August 20, 2013 - Still Hot Here!

Our mission president called our Zone Leaders the other day and told us that we aren't allowed to proselyte between 2-5 PM (which are prime proselyting hours....) because of the heat and apparently half of the missionaries here in the zone have gotten heat stroke. I haven't, because me and my companion have a blender and have milkshakes for breakfast. All is well in the desert!!
Oh and MOM AND DAD HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!!!! I'm glad you two are married. We went to visit a member this week and found out that the mom and dad aren't married but living together. They're super faithful to the church, but then they proceeded to tell us that she is illegal and getting married would draw unwanted attention so they are content to live in sin and that God will understand. Law of Chastity, people. It's an important one. Also, too much information.
What a week! First of all, mom and dad, feeding the missionaries over here is working. We've gotten dinner and lunch appointments every day the past week. We told our ward mission leader that and he said the ward likes us because neither of us are from Utah. I reprimanded him and then went off to a breakfast appointment:)
Last Sunday 2 high councilmen came and talked about ward unity. I guess I got so spoiled with ward unity in past wards at home and at school that I never understood how important it is. We went to a member's (returning less-active) house the other day and he said that the reason why they didn't go to church for the past 2 years was because no one from the ward seemed like they wanted them there. No one went to visit or called them or anything until the missionaries came. He said that it's hard to bring in and fellowship new members of the ward because everyone keeps to themselves. The people in our ward are so incredible, I honestly think they are just scared to talk and make new friends outside the ones they already have. It's been a problem in the ward for a while. We have worked so hard to finally gain their trust, but we feel that they may have TOO much trust in us-they leave all the rescue work to the 6 missionaries in the area. I'm happy to...the thing is that missionaries have a tendency to, you know, leave. Then back to square one. 
TANGENT OVER.
Damian is doing great!! He goes to mission prep and FHE every week, he got the priesthood last Sunday, and he is introducing the missionaries to his friends and family! He's been going out on visits with the elders, so he's a missionary machine! He's still got a little bit of rebel in him-we were teaching him at the park outside his apartment when all of a sudden like 15 cop cars came to the park for a drug/gang bust. Me and my companion said "uhh, time to go" while Damian stands up on the park bench yelling "bad boys, bad boys, whatcha gonna do, whatcha gonna do when they come for you!". Unwanted attention.
We contacted a guy who always sat at the park bench outside the church the other day, and he accepted the invitation to be baptized next month! His name is Jaime and we're pretty sure he's homeless. It's ok though because he's going to inherit the kingdom of God.
Last week on Sunday we went to Primary and sat in the back row. I basked. There is no more spiritual place in the church building than the primary room, in my opinion.
This week I read Moses 1 over and over again. It's probably one of my favorite chapters to read (and it always reminds me of mom. I always remember her telling this story.). Moses is transfigured and literally talks to God face to face. He understands and witnesses the glory of God, which there really is no words to describe. During this conversation, God calls Moses "My Son". Moses, an ordinary, natural man, understands that he is a Son Of God. After this encounter, Satan come to tempt Moses and the first thing he says is "Moses, son of man".
I can't think of a more degrading comment. Luckily, Moses knows who he is and casts Satan out, saying "I am a Son of God, where is your glory?".
The gospel that we live is simple. Sometimes members and missionaries alike tend to overcomplicate things when all we really need to know is that we are children of an Almighty and Supreme God. I think of the perfect love mom and dad have for their kids, and can't fathom how important we are to our Heavenly Father. When we know, really really know, who we are, then Satan has no power of us. We are constantly being reminded that we are children of God-I wish more people (myself included) listened to that more.
The most powerful scriptures (in my mind) are the simple one-liners. "For they are mine" "They were still brethren in the Lord" "Blessed art thou". Doesn't get better than that, people.
I thank my Heavenly Father every night for the opportunity to be here, to experience a small part of the love that He has for His children. It is perfect. So perfect that it's almost painful. We are a part of the only true gospel on the earth. WHAT A GREAT LIFE.
Con amor,
Hermana Hess

Tuesday, August 13, 2013

13 August 2013 - Oh Hey!!!!



This one may be a short and sweet email, as I am running out of time, so I apologize up front!!
 
What a week. Much learning happened this week on my part, and I probably learned more that I taught.
There was a day this week where me and my companion made a goal to contact 30 people in one day. We weren't really sure why we set that goal. Our usual goal is 10 and even that is hard because no one is ever outside (it's a little hot here). But we looked at each other that morning when we were setting goals and both of us thought the number "30". So there it was. Faith is a beautiful thing. The feeling of going out in the morning having a perfect knowledge that you WILL accomplish your goal, even if at first it seems impossible. The feeling of knowing that Heavenly Father is leading you and guiding you. The feeling of knowing that there is no way that you cannot fail.
We exceeded the goal, but the number didn't matter to either of us. What mattered to us was the feeling of perfect faith-the act of going and doing. At times we get so caught up in the work that we forget to relish in the sweet moments that only comes when you exhibit perfect faith. My faith isn't perfect-I wish it was-but I rejoice in perfect moments. The more I am here, the more perfect moments I am finding. And I am quickly realizing that these perfect moments only come when you say to your Heavenly Father "Ok, I'll go and do. No matter how freaked out it makes me, no matter how tired I am.". We had a trainer meeting the other day and we were invited to make our faith perfect (when the mission president said that I had a fit- "How the heck did he KNOW!?") and I am grateful for day to day moments when Heavenly Father gives us an opportunity to accept or reject His invitation to "Try Me". "Prove Me Now Herewith"-Try Him. I guarantee you will see miracles.
TANGENT OVER!
This week a member came up to me and my companion and said "is it a rule that white people always wear flowers?!".....
We also contacted a guy who yelled at us because we don't believe in reincarnation and proceeded to tell us that he was the reincarnated being of John F. Kennedy. Never a dull moment here in El Centro!
Attached is a picture of a weird Mexican scarecrow thing. It was on the outside of a referral's house (she didn't like us because we believe in the Book of Mormon) and I thought It was funny. It will be in my front yard when I return from my mission:)
It was a good week! It was definitely a "push your limits" week. Me and my companion got sick (aw yeah stomach flu!) but we still felt like we should go out and pross. We found 5 new investigators as a result! SUCH a miracle!!! Heavenly Father answers prayers jaja. Even prayers where the only thing you plead for is to "please don't let me get sick in front of this person....". Too much information? Sorry.
This is a lame letter. Sorry! I hope you all know how much I love you and how much I pray for you!
Con amor,
Hermana Hess

Tuesday, August 6, 2013

August 6, 2013 - Mexicans love Pinterest too!

OH HEY FAMILY!
Just for your information, I forgot that I had a Les Mis song on my iPod and it came up on the shuffle this morning, so naturally I stood on the table and sang along as I WEPT because it is just SO PROFOUND. So if anyone wants to send me the rest of the soundtrack, I would not mind in the slightest. Just sayin'.
This was an awesome week! The highlight was definitely going to San Diego and listening to Elder Ballard (he says hi). We all got to shake his hand (which, by the way, was very soft. It was the physical manifestation of the comfort and power of the Holy Ghost I am sure of it.). It was one of the most powerful talks I've ever heard. I don't know what it is about being on a mission and listening to apostles and the prophets, but it just seems a lot more personal. He talked a lot about maintaining the eternal perspective. As missionaries, it's part of our calling to remind others of it, but so often we forget to remember ourselves. It was an awesome reminder that we are here, in this exact mission, in our respective areas because the Father sent us. As I think about the people I've met and the experiences I've had, it rocked me to the core that I am exactly where I need to be. Not at USU or Castle Rock, but here on the Mexican border eating cow stomach soup and teaching on dirt floors. And sitting there listening to an apostle, I came to the realization that I've never been happier. I told this to the YW before I left on my mission, but you really are at your happiest when you are doing what Heavenly Father needs you to do. I wish I could yell this to the world. It may be hard, but do it anyway. Choose God over man. Choose faith even though the world is pointing the other direction. Choose the road not taken, because it is worth it. Peace will always accompany, the spirit will always manifest, and life, even in the midst of trials, will always be good. No matter how much I love jumping into Logan river, or USU basketball games or mom's ribs or playing hand and foot, I'm glad I'm here.
One other favorite parts of the day was when a Sister missionary asked "How do we be exactly obedient without being rude or overbearing to the members and investigators?" and Elder Ballard replied "Sister. Relax. Be obedient, but enjoy your missions. Don't become a robot.". I gave him an inward fist-bump.
I think it was around my 2 week here in the field where Ty sent me an email that said "If you try to be their friend, they can learn to like you. If you help them feel the spirit and teach them, they WILL learn to love you". The more I look back on the past 6 months the more I realize it's true. We aren't here to try to be the ward's "favorite" or "funniest" missionary. We are here to preach the gospel and bring the spirit. The "side effect" of that is love. I've felt so much love from these members these past couple of months. Don't need to be their friend-just their missionary.
Quote of the week while visiting a family- "MY MOM SAID THAT IF I CAN SPEAK SPANISH AND ENGLISH I'LL BE RICH!" 

Also, while teaching primary music (which was one of my favorite moments of the mission thus far), "Wait, NEPHI DIED?!", I love kids.
We are teaching a less-active named Tanairi (I think I've told you about her). She's going through a lot of challenges right now and finally she just told us the other day "I am afraid of faith.". I've never heard someone say that before. She said that Heavenly Father gives challenges to the faithful-and she has the faith but she is afraid to show it because she can't handle more trials. It broke my heart. We explained that faith does not bring trials-but it brings us the strength to overcome them. I've never heard someone say that they have been afraid of faith but it made me think. If only people understood how loved they are. It makes me sad how satan works so deviously, that he can make someone be afraid of faith.
So I'm going through a conference talk phase.....send me your favs, please?
The area is going through a bit of a rough patch. Our zone is struggling to find new people to teach, and the investigators we DO have are starting to turn away from us. So if I could ask you to please pray that we may be able to find those who are prepared for the gospel? That would be spectacular. Muchisimas gracias.
Dad, do not buy a cow. They smell and they can't go down stairs. Also, you will be teaching seminary in the same room that I was in for the entire 4 years! It's a celestial place.

WE HAVE AC! What a blessing. We still go to the bishops every other week for dinner and we don't get to attend English wards... it's strictly not allowed. 

No one in the mission tracts! It's all member referrals, which is supposedly much for efficient. I don't think anyone told our members that. I HAVE FAITH. Oh and the mission pres only approves "Jesus The Christ" "Our Search for Happiness" "True to the Faith" and "Our Heritage" as other resources on the mission.
I need more Aggie gear....everyone here went to BYU or BYU-I. Gotta show em how it's done in Loganistan.
Hermana Sanchez (an older member who just got detained in the mental hospital yesterday) bore her testimony at church and said she was looking for a new husband so "sisters, watch out."..........
What's new on the home front!? I hope all is well and that everyone is super happy. I LOVE YOU!!!!
Con Amor,

Hermana Hess