How in the World is it Already May?

Hello everyone!

Oh the crazyness that is YOUR lives! Mine seems relatively tame! No drastic moving, traveling to other countries, pending weddings and babies, or other life-changing events.

Except, There were some life-changing events in the people around me! Let me explain, or let me quote myself:

 

"We had an amazing experience on Tuesday. We had some extra time before we were going to meet with a member referral so we decided to harvest in a nearby street. We found a few people that let us come in but were pretty normal blessings. But then we decided to go to one more house. That's where we met Oneyda. She opened the door and we said we had been sent to leave a blessing in her home. She immediately asked "who sent you?" And we explained again that God had sent us to her house and she had to question it a few more times, worried that her husband and son who lived down the street had sent us to her. When she finally understood that we were actually sent by God, she let us in. She told us she had been baptized in a church before we said the prayer. Then, after we blessed her, she really opened up and we found out that there were a ton of terrible things going on in her life and she had been contemplating taking her own life. We invited her to be baptized and she said she'd think about it.

But when we came back for the follow-up visit 2 days later, she was almost an entirely different person! She looked better, her house was cleaner, she had spoken with a son that hadn't been talking to her, she found out she doesn't have to live on the street, and her husband (who isn't religious) said he wanted to go to church! So when we got there, we didn't have to say much before she accepted a baptismal date for May 13th! Plus, her husband walked in at the end of the lesson and was asking us about directions to church! It as an amazing experience! It was incredible to see the power and authority that we have as missionaries when we are following the spirit. I love harvesting!"

 

On a related note, we went to a more northern part of our area with Hna. Suarrez (a 78 yr old woman from Peru that is probably healthier than most 60 yr olds) We followed up on a referral from the English Elders. They apparently blessed a spanish family (who knows how) and we returned to teach them. She is an awesome women with a family!  Afterwards, we mentioned that she was so awesome and Hna. Suarrez said, "You know what she was so great? Because the Elders blessed her!" She thinks we sisters have absolutely no power or authority. After being a little shocked, we just laughed because she has no idea.

 

Just so you all can know that awesome things God can do through us sisters: (because it isn't really us at all)

 

We had two member referrals this week. The first was from a less-active I don't know. But he invited his friend to church and we finally got to teach her. Ides is a single mom from Honduras with 3 kids. (just like our recent convert!) and she is super prepared! She had some awesome questions and great desires for her family. She's getting baptized on May 6th!

 

Inocente, another recent convert, brought his friend Venancio to church last week. We taught him 3 times this week, he came to church again and is getting baptized on May 6th also! It has been a pretty sweet week.

 

However, none of our baptisms came through. First of all, Nelson, who is super ready to be baptized, moved to Mississippi. Hopefully he'll get baptized there within the week. Second, Ivan has been working A LOT and slept through our appointments and did come to church. Boo. We don't know why. Third, Patiricia has so much going on in her life that she wouldn't answer her phone or call us back, she also didn't come to church.

 

I just want to say how grateful I am for the wonderful family that I have. They go through so much and have so many things that could be overwhelming, but they still know what is most important. And they would never let the things of the world come before God. I so appreciate your example. If only some of my investigators could have that influence in their lives, too!

 

Also, it was kind of raining that last few days and we had several lessons outside. Therefore, the fact that Sister Keyworth got 30 bug bites in one lesson isn't really that surprising, but it was WAY funny when she realized "Those bugs touched poo and then bit my leg!!!" It was super funny.

 

Okay, so that was a little random, but so was this week. Nothing super special or exciting.

Except everyday as a missionary is special and exciting! I love being here and learning and changing and helping and serving.

 

Hope you all have a wonderful May!

 

Love, Hermana Sheffield

 

"When the Lord commands, DO IT!"

-Joseph Smith

Dear familia y amigos:

This week was pretty crazy. Here is the recap because that's how I think:

Tuesday: We went to Boynton for Specialized training. I wasn't actually invited, so I went on Exchanges with the Sisters in my old area! Except it wasn't really my old area because we didn't actually make it to Delray. But it was still fun to be in an English area for a moment and seeing how other sisters work is always a great learning experience. And don't worry, Sister Keyworth told me all about the training, so I didn't really miss out on anything. Also, we taught Patricia the Word of Wisdom and Chastity and she totally accepted them both with no problem. She is so golden.

Wednesday: In District Training we went over the things they learned in the Specialized Training, which was mostly about teaching to needs not concerns (everyone's need is baptism) while using their interests. Also, teaching the why first, then the what and how. Now everyone keeps saying Whywhathow. Try it. It's fun. Also, read Elder Uchtdorf's talk from Priesthood Session. It is great.

Wednesday was also very hot.

And, Patricia came to the church to see a little 8-yr old get baptized, and while she was there we taught her the Sabbath Day and Tithing and Fasting. She doesn't have a job or any money but is still willing to pay her tithing! Golden. While she was ate the church anyway, she had her baptismal interview. Guess what, she passed.

Thursday: We went over to Patricia's to eat dinner (because she signed up to feed us!) and she told us she can't get baptized on Sunday. We were kind of in shock and prayed mightily (silently) the whole time we were there to know what to say to help her. She has SO many problems going on in her life right now, but she still wants to get baptized and be a solid member of the church, she just can't do it right now. I know, It doesn't really make sense at all. We tried to tell her that. In fact, we spent 2 1/2 hours there trying to help her with the outcome being, "I'll think about it."

Then we went to Yasmi's and she fully accepted tithing and fasting. She even took our example slip. Her only question was: Do I have to speak at my baptism on Sunday?

Friday: We blessed a woman who turned out to be a Less Active! And she wanted to come to church! So awesome. We had an FHE with Nelson and Ivan and Vilorio's house. We ate homemade baleadas and then watched a church history movie about the guy who carved the words on the Salt Lake Temple. They both liked it and realized they needed to act on their faith.

Saturday: We realized we only had 4 blessings so we spent the whole day harvesting. We blessed 10 people/homes, had 3 lessons, got 5 new investigators, and had bishop come with us to see Patricia - who told us that she had been planning on getting baptized on the 29th this whole time. Problem solved. She's only slightly less golden because she didn't come to church on Sunday.

Sunday: Yasmi got baptized! Even though she and her kids are sick. She is so awesome.

We ate dinner with Rosa. Then we ate Dinner with Dora. So don't worry mom, we get fed well.

Plus we blessed 3 more people, and had 6 investigators at Sacrament thanks to Inocente bringing his friend!

Now I must go.

Love you all!

- Sister Sheffield

Can I Get Baptized?

"Oh oh, Taxes due!" -The Game of Life

Hello wonderful world!

I know some of you are wondering if I really am this happy. I'm here to tell you, in the only way I can, that yes, I really am this happy. Being a missionary is super awesome, even when frustrating things happen or you can't understand what people are saying because it is a totally different language.

Reason why I'm so happy this week #1: (extract from my letter to President because I don't have time to say it in different words)

I have a huge testimony of the power of referrals and of member support. We received a media referral this past Friday for Patricia Fomballida. We called Patricia as soon as we received her information and left a message asking if we could come visit her that day. She called us back that afternoon and said we could come over right then. We immediately drove straight to her house and got to know her. She has lived in Florida since she got divorced 7 months ago and hasn't been able to find a job and doesn't really have any friends. While going through this hard time in her life, she turned to her cousin for guidance. He, as a member of the church, has always been a very happy and kind and successful person and she wanted to know why. He told her to find the missionaries and they would help her find that happiness, too. That's how we ended up at her house. But she is so amazing! I couldn't believe how blessed we were to get to meet someone so prepared! She was full of awesome questions like "What happens to my father since he died and never went to church?" and "So the person who baptized me didn't have the authority? Can I get baptized?" She seriously asked that before we even mentioned baptism! It was amazing! We taught her the Restoration and she gladly accepted a baptismal date for the 22nd. We got to come back the next day and teach the plan of Salvation (which she was really excited about) and then she came to church on Sunday and loved that, too! I can't wait for her baptism next week!

It is so interesting because I often feel like I'm not doing anything - it is all God's work. She was totally prepared and we just showed up to show her the where the door is!

Reason #2: We have 2 other baptisms scheduled for next week also that were entirely the hand of God. Jasmine didn't get baptized yesterday because she didn't feel ready (and we didn't get to see her much). On Tuesday, she made us dinner because she thought it was Wednesday, then on Wednesday (for our actual appointment) she couldn't make it because she got a flat tire! So we went to help her and called Cesar and Dora (our awesome recent converts) who came and helped her fix the tire and pick up her kids from school. Then Hno. Orellana and Pedro came with us to bring her brownies the next day and offer any help. So much member support! she is super solid for next Sunday!

Nelson, who is also a member referral, is also getting baptized next week! He had his baptismal interview and almost got baptized this week, but wasn't ready. The 1st councilor in the Bishopric talked to him and was wonderfully bold and loving and helped him feel more comfortable about taking this step in his life. I am so excited for next Sunday!

Reason #3:

We had a lot of other great things that happened this week, but as always, I'm a little short on time.

But thanks to all of my wonderful siblings who wrote me emails and sent pictures! That is the greatest gift you can give a missionary!

I love all of you! I love that everything is possible through the Atonement! I love that we can find answers in the words of the prophets. Go ahead. Try it.

Love, Hermana Sheffield.

Nunca Serinda!

Monday, April 9, 2012

Hno. Davila tells us every week "never never ever never never Give up!" In Spanish, that's nunca serinda!

Okay, so I know you've all been waiting for the big news. Or at least mom has, since she's the only one that asked.

My new companion is Sister Keyworth! She is from California but she was born in New Hampshire. She has been in the mission for almost a year and was trained by Sister Sobkowicz. She is even taller and skinnier than Sister Sobkowicz, if that's even possible. She has been in spanish areas her whole mission so she speaks great Spanish and is an awesome missionary. I am super happy she is my companion because she is really happy and a hard worker!

This week was certainly an interesting one. Sister Sobkowicz had to say good bye to a ton of people, then Sister Keyworth had to say hello to a ton of people. But she has no fear and really wants to be a part of the area. She white washed her last area so she feels like it is her baby that she is still constantly worried about. But she does a good job of keeping it to herself and not talking on and on about it. You'd think that wouldn't matter, but I really appreciate it!

The first day she was here, we had correlation at Hno. Orellana's house because he was having a party afterwards. Conveniently, he invited all of our recent converts, some members, a less active from our area, and even one of our investigators showed up! It was awesome! Mostly because I had no idea it was going to happen! and Sister Keyworth got to meet everyone all at once! We had some good chats with the people that I have been constantly thinking/worrying about and I felt much more at ease with everything. I was pretty scared to not have Sister Sobkowicz and her knowledge of the area/people/Spanish to rely on, but God definitely blessed me and helped me to fill the responsibility, or at least not let the area totally collapse (which was a serious possibility!).

What I really want to tell you about is Jasmine! She is so great! She accepted a baptismal date for the 15th last Monday and every time we see her, she is more excited! She accepts everything we teach her and was super excited to come to church. She brought all her 3 kids and her niece! We were really worried because she wasn't there when church started, but right after Sister Keyworth bore her testimony, we looked at the phone and saw she had called us like three times. She had gotten lost and was really worried because she really wanted to come. We rushed outside, called her and got her there in time to here some talks. She really liked it and so did her kids! They are all planning to be there next week, too! (which is great because she's getting baptized that day!) The best part is, she is a girl! Not a single Latin man! Yay!

In normal, single Latin man news, our other investigators are doing fine. Nothing special to report.

Plus, It is time to go.

I hope you all had a wonderful Easter! I also hope you are having wonderful lives because I know nothing about them! (hint hint)

I love you all. God loves you! Jesus Christ loves you so much that he took all of your pains upon himself. It is time to show your appreciation! Also, Share the Gospel. There are so many that need it.

- Sister Sheffield

April Showers?

April 3, 2012

Happy April!

I love this month because it is always so pretty. Or hot if you live in Florida. For instance, today in is about 91 degrees.

Anyway, you are probably all wondering why I'm writing on Tuesday, once again. I have one word for you:

TRANSFERS!

So here's the big news. I'm staying in West Palm again! But Sister Sobwowicz is NOT! She's leaving me here all alone (or with a new companion) to hold down the fort. I hope it all goes well. I mean, I know it will because God qualifies those he calls, but let's just say there will be a lot of qualifying that needs to happen, especially if my new companion doesn't speak really good Spanish.

Despite that news, which we didn't find out until 10:25 last night, lot of other things happened this week. The best part for me and hopefully for all of you was

GENERAL CONFERENCE!!! Yes it was that exciting.

I really love conference. It is probably my favorite weekends of the entire year. Although, this one was very different then I"m used to. Por ejemplo, it started at 12 and 4 and we watched it at the church. I really hope a lot of people were watching it online, because actual physical attendance was pretty low. For both the English and the Spanish ward. (That's another interesting thing: watching the English and Spanish wards work together. Ha! We had a meal between sessions on Sunday and there was one table with all the Latin food and one table with all the American food! Good times) I hope all of you watched it. Every minute of it. I learned so much that I can't even comprehend it all. Plus, I watched two sessions in Spanish so I really couldn't comprehend it all!

It was pretty fun to see which of our investigators and recent converts came. Here's the run-down:

Sat AM: Cesar

Sat PM: Cesar, Cesar, Dora, Luis Guzman

Priesthood: Cesar, Cesar, Diego, Inocente

Sun AM: Cesar, Luis Guzman, Juan Amador, Nelson, Cesar, Blanca, Pedro,

Sun PM: Cesar, Mario, Juan & Santos, Fredy & Hector

What do we learn from this? Cesar is Awesome. He got baptized last week, came to every session of conference, went out teaching with the Elders between sessions, and basically helped us teach his parents about family history work! Plus, he made us a treat. He's that cool.

Also, Luis Guzman cried when Elder Holland talked. He doesn't know it yet but he's getting baptized next week!

Nelson is too.

Fredy and Hector will probably be the week after that.

I don't know about Juan and Santos because we met them, blessed them, and then they came to conference. So I don't really know them at all.

Inocente isn't getting baptized next week, because he GOT BAPTIZED on Saturday! It was kind of a sad baptism because almost no one came, but Diego showed up half-way through and they are pretty good friends now, so that was nice.

Actually, Inocente's whole life is pretty sad right now. He told us on Sunday that he was trying to find a way to tell us that he wasn't going to get baptized but couldn't figure out how, so he just got baptized! Then yesterday, he told us that his wife (who he is separated from, and who lives in Guatemala) told him that he can't talk to his kids anymore!. She apparently didn't like that he put their names and birth dates on his baptismal record! What a dumb thing to be upset about! But how sad that he can't talk to his kids! Plus all of his cousins and stuff who live here are all very negative about him getting baptized, too. He's facing opposition from all sides, but he's really hanging in there! I am so impressed by him. I mean, we have honestly taught him very little (as in not even the plan of salvation!) and he is still willing to go through all of this simply because he feels that it is right. I mean, it is right and I understand why he would do it, but he doesn't, at least not fully. What great faith to stand up for you beliefs when you don't even know exactly what they are! And what a testament to the power of the spirit!

Well, other things happened this week, but I have to go help Sister Sobkowicz pack and clean for my new companion!

Hope you are all doing well!

Love, Sister Sheffield

P.S. Our mission reached our goal of 100 Baptisms! We got 106! So amazing!

P.P.S. Happy Easter! Remember the Savior everyday and how His Atonement can change your life!