My favorite weekend so far...

Hi hi hi

This week has been incredible! And this weekend was one of my favorite weekends in all of my mission so far. Since I didn´t get to write in my journal about it all I will do it right now…how lucky you all are to read my journal ;) Though it wont be any different than my other emails…

Here goes.

WOW. I can`t believe the miracles that are going on here in Guadalupe. I am going to start with the lesson that we had with Mauricio the other day. Hna. Claudia (Mauricio`s teacher that introduced him to the church) accompanied us in the lesson. Before we could teach him anything we followed up in how he`s doing with the law of Chastity… He confirmed that he is doing great and then proceeded to tell us a story… (keep in mind he is 14 years old). In his behavior management group his religion teacher didn`t show up for class. He said that they were all just sitting around bored so he decided he would teach them. So he got up in front of everyone and started to teach the gospel. He started out with the Plan of Salvation and using the pamphlet (that he carries around with his book of Mormon) he drew the outline (but made it more interesting so the kids would get into it) and then taught them faith, repentance, and baptism. And to top it off he taught them all the law of Chastity and eternal marriage. He said that they all started to tease him but he told them that this is really serious and important for their happiness. They all went quiet and he taught them. And testified and introduced to about 35 kids something that they have never before heard of. As he told us what had happened with such sincerety and excitement Claudia cried with happiness. I felt such a joy!! The next day Claudia and he went to Santiago and saw the temple. He told us about how incredible it was and made him feel to just be there. Amazing no?

The next day Matias got baptized! It was a beautiful baptism. And know what? His DAD CAME!! His dad would never listen to us. When invited he would just laugh and tell us his ¨diabolic¨ and then leave the room. But his dad came. Right after the actual baptism he quickly left even though we still had the other half of the program to do. We thought maybe he didn`t feel comfortable being there and we were confused. But when we went to their house afterward Fanny told us it was because he got emotional and even began to cry…he couldn't explain it and got embarrassed so he left. But the next day he and his entire family came to church for the confirmation. And let me tell you, it was one of the most wonderful sacrament meetings! The primary did a program and the songs and the ¨talks¨ they gave were pure and full of love for Heavenly Father and their family. I felt so good! It made me love my family even more.

And you know what else? When we got to church and I shook Franciscos hand he looked at me with a huge grin on his face and the first thing he said was ¨I gave a Book of Mormon to my daughter!! ¨ He did! And he was so excited about it. He has been preparing for his baptism and he is so HAPPY and changed. We challenged him later on in an appointment to move his baptismal date up to this weekend instead of the next and he said he wanted to!! Also, we have been teaching a family muy especial. The dad was a member but made some not very good choices in his life. His ¨pareja¨ his girlfriend and he are living together and have 4 young kids together. She is very catholic but says that she always feels something special when we share with them. We love them so much and are so excited for their progress She has been sincerely looking to see if the church is true but hadn`t gone to church yet. But yesterday one of the most beautiful sights was to see all 6 of them file into the sacrament. All during the church the members talked to them, befriended them, invited them to activities and family nights and talked to her (Gabriella) about her doubts. Oh it was heavenly!!

This branch has been incredible to help us with the work. We have members that are so willing to come with us to lessons and help us teach. We have a mission leader who is excellent and hilarious. Hno. Arriagada. Yesterday he came with us to a couple of lessons. As we were walking along we came across a ditch of water that we needed to cross. Hna. Flake and I jumped it no problem but he had his nice shoes on and he didn`t want to chance it, so he backed up about 10 steps and ran and then jumped! It was a hilarious sight because he`s 50 years old and about half the size of me! …you just have to know him.

Later we went and visited Alex. He is a ward missionary and a recent convert. He comes from a not very good home and was really sad yesterday in church so we all visited him. And it was a very special experience.

Oh I am so happy.

Times up I need to go. I love you all so much so much!!