Transfer Week

HALLO FROM HIALEAH (Miami is the overarching city, Sweetwater is the actual tiny city we live in). I am back in a Spanish area and in the ghetto. Totally happy about that. Our southern borders actually touch the northern borders of my FIRST area. Holla holla. I miss Killian.

What a week. We are still trying to figure out the ward and boundaries here but we are being blessed beyond belief. We are working with two investigators who are getting to know each other through church as they are investigating at the same time and are both planning on being baptized on June 27th.

One…she loves hearing everything we teach. It just clicks, no need for going over it multiple times with her. She is bubbly, loving, fabulous CUBANA and a ray of sunshine.

Another….he has read everything on mormon.org and even has a PMG that he reads. He was not sure if baptism in this church was right for him, so we fasted with him and what do ya know... he accepted a date!

One less active was a guy who had been taught by the missionaries and went to church a lot growing up, but now does not attend. Pretty cool (not really the ending, because we are not teaching him) that the Lord put us in his path. And another woman opened a door as we were looking for another investigator, and she is like the only non-member in her huge LDS family back in her country. I just love how we truly are placed exactly where God needs us. People need positive experiences before accepting the gospel and that is okay!

Book of Mormon studies: Alma 37:32-37

Quite possibly some of my favorite verses in the Book of Mormon.

32 And now, my son, remember the words which I have spoken unto you; trust not those secret plans unto this people, but teach them an everlasting ahatred against sin and iniquity.

 33 Preach unto them repentance, and faith on the Lord Jesus Christ; teach them to humble themselves and to be bmeek and lowly in heart; teach them to withstand every dtemptation of the devil, with their faith on the Lord Jesus Christ.

 34 Teach them to never be weary of good works, but to be meek and lowly in heart; for such shall find rest to their souls.

 35 O, remember, my son, and learn bwisdom in thy cyouth; yea, learn in thy youth to keep the commandments of God.

 36 Yea, and cry unto God for all thy support; yea, let all thy doings be unto the Lord, and whithersoever thou goest let it be in the Lord; yea, let all thy thoughts be directed unto the Lord; yea, let the affections of thy heart be placed upon the Lord forever.

 37 Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for good; yea, when thou liest down at night lie down unto the Lord, that he may watch over you in your sleep; and when thou risest in the cmorning let thy heart be full of thanks unto God; and if ye do these things, ye shall be lifted up at the last day.

These verses contain varying doctrine and principles, but all equally helpful for missionary work... and life in general. I thought that I had never been so tired last transfer…and then this week hit and verse 34 was exactly what I needed. I may not even have a minute to breath before darting in the shower at 10:25pm... but I am promised rest to my soul and I needed to read that scripture this week. I know that as we read in the "diligence section" of Preach My Gospel that we must do all we can do, even when we are tired. Perhaps especially when we are tired. Miracles lie within the extra mile. Just not completely sure that I will be able to walk myself off that plane come October, but nothing replaces the feeling of spiritual confidence I have before our Savior as I account to Him in nightly prayers. 

+My comp: Sister Rogers. Convert of two years. Super cool story. Was introduced to the gospel by a friend at school. We are off to a great start together!

People here do not speak English. Not at the gas station, not at the pharmacy, nowhere. It is an experience. No American food. Only American store is TARGET and I am stoked about that. 

Funny story. Second door of Sister R.'s mission and a Cuban does not accept a prayer, nor a card, but forcefully grabs both of our heads, hugs us, and kisses our foreheads. Aggressive (in Bryce's voice of course).

LOVE YOU ALL. Read the scriptures, feed the missionaries (but let them out on time to get back to work) and love each other.

xoxoxo

Hermana McCormick