Just Do It! - Jan 22 email

Dear Family,

   How are you?! Sorry my p-day is usually Monday but last week we had a temple trip and then this week the library was closed because it was a holiday! Transfers were this week but no surprise I'm staying in Kennewick to complete my training! I really like it here so no complaints! We were homeless most of last week and had the priviledge of staying with an elderly couple named The Vances. They were like angels and their home was literally like standing on holy ground. I watched the way they lived the gospel and it was such an inspiration. He is in remission from cancer and she is suffering from memory loss but they read their scriptures together every day and have family home evening. They serve each other and the spirit was so strong in their home. It made me want to be better.

    In contrast we visited with a lady this week who has lived in Kennewick for 6 months but has never come to church. In the past she was sealed in the temple and has served as a young women's president but she just at some point stopped coming. It blew my mind because it was so clear that she had a testimony. Seeing the contrast in these two experiences I realized the importance of doing the little things: going to church, reading our scriptures and praying. I realized that these things have to be done because no one is in the clear from Satan and his desires to keep us from fulfilling our potential. The good news is that the lady that I mentioned and her daughter and three of her grandkids came to church on Sunday so hopefully they're back on track.

   We had a really interesting week this week. On Friday we had an appointment with Doris and Rosa. We had just had weekly planning and they were our highest priority. We had been struggling with their progression but they had come to church last week and we still felt really good about them. We came into their apartment and as soon as Rosa (the mother) I could tell something was different. She went to shake my hand instead of hugging me which was one indication but I also noticed that the light in her eyes seemed to have gone out. I didn't really realize this until later but in retrospect I can see it very clearly. As we sat down she told us again how she wants one of us to marry one of her sons and seemed totally normal but then when we asked her how church was she began to tell us about how during my talk when I said that I was grateful for the examples of my parents and grandparents in living the gospel that she realized that she is catholic. She said that this feeling had been reconfirmed that morning when our relief society president came by to visit her and asked her about her life. She said that she concluded that she is a catholic (although she is not active) and that for now she didn't want to learn anymore. I just sat there like "Is this real life? Did she really just say that something I said in my talk convinced her to return to the catholic church?" I turned to Hermana Alard to confirm that I had understood her correctly. For once I actually wanted my spanish comprehension to be wrong. Unfortunately, for once I was right. I tried to explain to her that I thought maybe she had misunderstood that feeling. I asked Hermana Alard to explain the concept of temple work for the dead and then I told her that her ancestors have heard the gospel and they prepared her for this time so that she would accept it. She listened but nothing changed. In the end we both bore our testimonies, thanked her for her time and then asked her if she would pray one last time with us. She hesitated but I said "Por favor?" My voice broke and I started crying. It was heartbreaking to see and witness someone who knew decide not to accept the gospel. Ultimately though, people have their own free agency and we have to accept their decisions. The only thing we can do is invite them to act. The saddest thing to me with Doris and Rosa is that they were ready to act but they let their fear overcome their faith. They hesitated rather than just doing it!
   The very same night we went to visit the Valencias. The Valencia parents are waiting for some paperwork to go through so that they can be married so we asked if the boys could be baptized. Their ages range from 9-16. The parents said yes and Alex, the 16 year old, seemed so excited. He is already talking about serving a mission. They are really good boys. They have all been through hard things with their family but they all look out for each other. Last night we taught them and Yahir, the 9 year old, seemed really hesitant when we talked about his baptism. We couldn't figure out why. Finally Hermana Alard asked him if there was something else bothering him. Yahir is a little overweight and wears bottle cap glasses. He has a speech impediment but is so cute. Their family's home is not clean at all, they have a problem with cochroaches and they usually wear the same clothes most of the time. He started to tear up and just looked so sad. His brother and mom then explained that people at school have been picking on him every day. He had told us that the reason he likes coming to church is because everyone is nice. When his mom and brother explained the situation he started to cry even more. His brother Bryan came and wiped his eyes. I asked him if I could have a hug and I really was able to feel the Savior's love for him. It has been really neat for me to get to know this family and to see the love that they have for each other.

   I'm learning a lot about how blessed I have been in my life. We had to meet with our mission president's wife regarding our housing situation this past week and I was super emotional. I felt so silly because it was not even that big of deal but I think it was just a combination of everything. Sister Greer made a comment that has really helped me the rest of this week. She said "This is the hardest thing you will ever do...and you're doing it...you're doing it well." This is the hardest thing I have ever done. I think before my mission I thought I would be so great...and in reality I feel like I'm not very good at this at all. But I am trying! Each and every day I'm getting out and doing it the best that I can. I read a quote by Lorenzo Snow yesterday that made a big impact on me. He said "Each last day or each last week should be the best that we have ever experienced, that is, we should advance ourselves a little every day, in knowledge and wisdom and in the ability to accomplish good." That's what I'm trying to do and I'm grateful for the opportunity to do it.

   I love you all. You are in my prayers every day. Thank you for yours!

Love,

Hermana Jones

 

P.S. I got a card reader so hopefully these are easier to open!

Picture #1- Me and the Vances. The picture in the background was painted by their daughter and they were the models for it. It is supposed to be Adam and Eve when they are old and shows they were still faithful.

Picture #2- We found this in the middle of a neighborhood on P-Day. We thought it was pretty cool.

Picture #3- At the top of our hike! I'm a hiker..obv.