Feb-tober

Hello Everyone!

Happy February. I literally cannot believe it is February. Time goes so fast! Just like the MTC, days feel like weeks and weeks feel like days. We do so much everyday it is insane (I made cupcakes darling!) and yet time is FLYING by.

This week we almost had a baptism. Asael (14) and Chaim (16) had their interviews on Thursday, but Chaim doesn't think he needs baptism and Asael keeps listening to him and thinks he doesn't know enough to be baptized, despite passing the interview. So, Sunday morning came and they didn't even come to church. Sad day.

We did finally see Joel. We met him about 3 and a half weeks ago and have been missing and rescheduling appointments since then. But he accepted a baptismal date, so it was worth the wait!

Last Tuesday was District training. We only had 16 miles left for the month so we drove as far as we could (8 miles) and parked the car. We brought our bikes, but we ended up on the same street as the church, so we just walked the last 1/2 a mile to the church. Yay for limited miles! We got back to our apartment afterwards with the odometer reading 999.9 miles for the month! (1000 is our limit).

Also great about District training, President Anderson was there! Unexpectedly! It is always nice to have him there to contribute to the things we are discussing. He taught us how to "Set the Table" for our lessons and blessings. He also explained how we need to handle one of our investigators that is on parole. Very convenient that he was there.

Also, he gave us permission to switch drivers! Yup, that's right, I'm now driving a 2011 Gray Toyota Corolla. And don't worry, I've already gotten us a little lost twice. But it always works out. I am so grateful that I can read a map!

Yesterday, knowing we needed 5 more blessings to meet reach the standard of excellence, we set out to get all 5. Our appointments all canceled so we had about an hour and a half. We found an apartment complex and knocked every door. The very first door was that of Ebony. We kind of scared her because she was about to leave (she thought I was a ghost!), but she said she had just moved in and hadn't been able to go to church today so we could come in and pray for her. We left the blessing and she really liked it and said she would love missionaries to come back. Then we knocked several more doors (very few were home and those who were home were watching the Superbowl, I had no idea it was time for that again.) before we found Sabrina and her two kids. After we left the blessing with her, we invited her to be baptized and she said, "yes." No excuses or concerns. We extended the date of the 19th and she said, "Yes, I would like to try to prepare for that day." We assured her that missionaries would be there to help her be ready. It was truly amazing! I don't think I've ever seen anyone accept a baptismal date so easily!

Although everyone we met last night spoke English (or Creole), I am very glad that we were led to that spot to meet those women that the Elders would not have been able to go inside to bless.

Also, we met this guy who came straight out of the 90s. He came to the door in short white denim shorts and an overly large Patriots jersey, thick glasses and a backwards baseball cap. He opened the door and was flabbergasted. We introduced ourselves as representatives of Jesus Christ and he said "You have got to be kidding me! You have got to be kidding me! I love the Lord and all that, but I my patriots are playing right now! Their my team! You've got to be kidding me." It was so funny. When he shut the door we could hear him say it again to his friend before we burst out laughing! I love harvesting!

We also had an interesting experience this week with a member, Everardo. He signed up to feed us this week, and decided to take us out to eat. We ate at Los Catrachos, a Hondurian restaurant. It was pretty good! It reminded me a lot of the Papousaria in Logan. Actually, I had baleada and then a papausa. Both Delicious. But random.

Just so you all know, I miss the Temple. You all should go. Go. Often. Enjoy it.

We have been focusing on the Atonement as a district this week. Studying Christ and all that he has done for us has really allowed me to understand more of his incredible love for us individually. Mosiah 3:17 says it great: Christ is everything. I encourage you all to learn more about Him and then share it with someone else. Everyone needs to come a little closer to Christ.

Christ Loves you. Heavenly Father loves you. I love you. I love this work.

Hermana Anna Sheffield