Thus Begins the Firsts of the Lasts!

January 22, 2013

Oh how I wish that title was referring to Stacey (our jewish investigator) getting baptized. But she's not there yet. (1 Nephi 13:42)

Haldo Everyone!  Hope everyone is nice and comfy into the new year/semester/transfer/month or whatever else you use to mark time!

Last Wednesday was quite historic. It was my last transfer meeting!!! Ugh. But it was kind of awesome because it was delayed, so instead of having to leave at 6 am, we didn't have to leave until 9! So great.

Also, it was historic because the FFLM got its first 19 yr old Sister missionary! Her name is Sister Price and she is opening a new area in Palm Beach! Pretty exciting. President Said that in the next 12 weeks, we will double the number of sisters we have in the mission!! (I wish I was sticking around to see it!)

And, the meeting was also historic, because I got my last companion: Sister Jackson!

She is from Tooele, Utah, is the 3rd of her siblings to serve a mission, and was born (in the mission) in Boynton Beach South! (Which, in case you forgot, is where I was born!)  This is her third transfer (I'm greenie-breaking for the 3rd transfer in a row!) and she was not at all excited to come up to Stuart. But now she's fine with it. I hope. :)

Thursday we went to the Riveros for lunch again and Hermana Rivero felt the need to do our hair! She put my braids into the shape of a heart and then gave Sister Jackson's hair a little fluff and added some make-up. It was fun, especially since Hna Rivero doesn't speak English and Sister Jackson doesn't speak Spanish. I can't catch everything they say, but I at least could translate a little. And we used a lot of sign-language. It was epic. (I know it probably doesn't sound like it from that description, but trust me, it was!)

Then that night we went down to the Malcarne's home for the Recent convert Potluck dinner. Unfortunately, our recent converts couldn't make it. And the Elders couldn't make it. So It was me and Sister Jackson teaching all of the Elders' recent converts/investigators.  There were 18 people there in all. I was a little nervous, especially since Sister Jackson was so new to the ward, but it turned out well.

Actually, it went so well, that Deandre Halbert (one of the investigators there) ended up getting baptized on Sunday! Yay! He was SO excited to keep the commandments! Great job, ZLs.

While we're mentioning Sunday, Catrice showed up at church! We met her almost 2 weeks ago and haven't seen her since. But we've been in some text-contact and she made it to church! We didn't get to sit by her in Gospel Principles, however, because we were asked to teach the 12-13 yr old Sunday school class. It was pretty fun. The new curriculum is different, but awesome! Those kids are going to be super awesome missionaries by the time they turn 19!  Sunday night, we went to The Birch family's home for dinner and ice cream. Then Stacey came and we had a really l o n g lesson with her, which included watching some of the animated Book of Mormon Stories, looking up jewsforjesus.com and personal experiences from Bro. Birch's life.  Stacey will get there eventually. Pray for her.

Last week, on Monday, we were driving past a potential's house and saw his car, so we decided to stop in. We had a quick lesson with him, but were really excited that he was still interested.  So on Saturday we got Sister Birch to come with us to see him. We talked about reading the scriptures because he hadn't even opened the Book of Mormon we left him and invited him to church. He said he'd come one day but was already committed to go to a church in Orlando that Sunday. He did once again mention that it would take a lot of work to get him to join our church (but at least he is thinking of joining!) and said he had a LOT of questions. We told him he'd get all his answers and mostly let sister Birch tell her conversion story. He was a little skeptical but was very willing to listen and learn.

And to continue the story, here's what I wrote to president:

"We've had some great experiences this week that have really helped up to ave the spiritual energy to get through all the notsogreat times. For example, last night we met with Pierre again. We had a member with us and she was a little older, so we weren't sure if she was going to be the best match, but she was the only one available on a Monday night. But we went in and started talking about the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Pierre reminded us that he has a degree in theology and is well-versed in the Bible. He has also been a pastor 3 times.  The Gospel turned out the be the perfect thing for him because he had no idea that "The Mormons" believed in those five things that lead us back to God. He told us how he felt so good as we taught and how he was no longer afraid to come visit the church. He really appreciated having an older person (and convert) there with us because he appreciates the experience they've had and loves to learn from them. The whole situation had just fallen into place and it worked out perfectly! He is really excited to get a French Book of Mormon because he now has a great desire to learn more!  This came at the perfect moment (the way God always works)! After that lesson, we were totally energized and ready to start the week running!"

Also we had one of the most miraculous and inspiring moments of my whole life happen last Tuesday. But I have not the time to tell you about it now.  But really, the story of Dallas Santa is one you don't want to miss out on.

PLEASE REMIND ME TO TELL YOU!

I love you all! Have a most wonderful and fantastic week! 

Love, Hermana Sheffield

P.S. The commitment I left with the 12-13 year-olds was the same I extend to you: Will you share your testimony of Heavenly Father with someone this week?