This week felt like a year. But
that's how the first week of transfers always are. I'm still not in love with my
new area, but it's growing on me. Something I really do like about Pavones
though is that we get to teach lessons on temple grounds. The people in Pavones,
even though most of them haven't heard of the church, recognize and are really
proud of the temple. It's so beauuuutiful.
Last Tuesday all the new baby
missionaries came! There were 27 that showed up to our mission - 11 hermanas and
16 elders. They all look so dang young. But then again, the hermanas are 19
instead of 21. We ended the night ringing timbres (knocking doors) in a piso
close to ours. We stopped at this lady's door and after we told her who we are
and what we do she said, ''You know what, I have my religion and you have yours
and I respect what you're doing, but I'm really not interested.'' I was ready to
leave, and I had actually turned around and started walking the other way, when
Hermana Olsen asked if she had any family or friends that could use the message
that we have to share. She paused for a minute and then mentioned that her
daughters both could use a little help. We talked about how the youth today as a
whole doesn't have any morals and they've forgotten God. I explained that that's
why I'm out here doing what I'm doing. I told her that my beliefs and the way I
live according to my beliefs has changed me for the better and I want others to
experience the same change and happiness. Then she said, ''And how exactly have
you changed?' I was really taken aback by that question. For a second I didn't
know how to answer. I told her that knowing God lives, love me, and has a plan
for me gives my life purpose. I told her I know that the things I do in this
life matter to God and that in the hard times when I feel alone, I take comfort
in the scriptures and in knowing that God is walking alongside me every step of
the way. After about 5 seconds of comfortable silence, she said with tears in
her eyes, ''Thank you for your beautiful thoughts. I appreciate you for doing
what you do and I'll think about having my girls call you.'' Our interaction
with that lady went from kind of negative and disappointing to a really
spiritual experience for me, and I think for her too. I'm grateful that Hermana
Olsen followed the prompting to ask her for a reference.
Wednesday we did a lot of
contacting in the metro. There were previously just two hermanas in our area so
they had to split the area and we're basically starting from zero which is super
hard. But contacting on Wednesday was really productive. I was sitting across
from this 20 something year-old guy when I
noticed he kept looking at my tag. He eventually leaned over and said, ''So are
you a Jehova's Witness or an Evangelist?'' I told him I was actually Mormon
which led him to ask what made our religion different and what some of our basic
beliefs are. We talked about everything from the Book of Mormon to the Word of
Wisdom to modern-day prophets to the Godhead to the Law of Chastity to
everything. It was really awesome. I got his name and number and he said he'd
love to learn more. It was super cool.
We ended the day singing in Retiro Park with Hermanas Hansen and Smith. It was a really incredible experience. There were a ton of people in the park and we were very much in the world. But as soon as we started bearing our testimonies in song, we created a heavenly atmosphere. Some people seemed drawn to us - little kids especially. The Spirit was so strong and during a couple songs I was almost brought to tears. There was something so incredible about singing about the gospel truths we normally share in word. I gained a testimony of the power of uplifting music that day.
We ended the day singing in Retiro Park with Hermanas Hansen and Smith. It was a really incredible experience. There were a ton of people in the park and we were very much in the world. But as soon as we started bearing our testimonies in song, we created a heavenly atmosphere. Some people seemed drawn to us - little kids especially. The Spirit was so strong and during a couple songs I was almost brought to tears. There was something so incredible about singing about the gospel truths we normally share in word. I gained a testimony of the power of uplifting music that day.
Saturday made one year since
receiving my call. I can't believe it's been that long! To celebrate we went to
Domino's with the other Barrio 6 missionaries and Olsen bought my pizza :)
Church was really good yesterday.
In Sacrament Meeting the three of us that
are new to the ward shared our testimonies. It was so much easier than it was 3
months ago when I got here. And the ward is HUGE. So many eyeballs were staring
at me.
We had an awesome lesson with
Rafa afterwards. He's 17 and from Bolivia. He hasn't heard anything about our
church, but wants to know more. We talked to him about our purpose as
missionaries and established our expectations of eachother. He's excited to read
the Book of Mormon and at the end he said a beautiful prayer. I love hearing
people pray for the first time :) We ended the night again singing in the park.
We met this guy from London who said he previously had negative feelings about
Mormons. He told us that even though he still isn't interested in knowing more
at this point, he was moved by our singing and he now things positively about
who we are and what we stand for. It really meant a lot.
I didn't get to even half of what
happened this week, but that's the best of what happened. Since yesterday was
cinco de mayo we had a party today in Leganés with like 15 of the hermanas. It
was suuuper fun and Hermana Phillips made the best food ever. She's half
Mexican.
Life is good. Really really good.
I hope you all have a good week!
Love,
Hermana Munden
Hermana Munden
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