Hola familia :)
First of all, today is my cumplemes and I've officially been
out 11 months. That blows my mind. It feels like just yesterday that I was a
little baby at the MTC! This has been the most fantastic 11 months - I'm a happy
camper. And to top it all off I got the best news ever when I got on my email.
Cha told me that our Connor from BYU who got baptized in March baptized his
whole family on July 13th! It was January when Cha and I sent the missionaries
to them, and 6 months later the whole family is baptized! I'm beyond excited.
And how cool that Connor was the one who got to baptize them. I can't wait until
next summer when I can go to the temple with them and see them sealed as a
family for eternity.
This week was so good, last Monday especially. We went to Sol
and did some shopping and ate at Subway (which by the way, is so good here...
probably because of the bread) and then came home and napped. We went to the JAS
center for a little bit and helped Hermana Sullivan set up for their Noche de
Hogar, and then later we went to our lesson in San Cipriano with Maribel and
Fátima. They were a reference from Elder Pizarro and Elder Castaldi, so we
didn't know a whole lot about them, but we fell in love so quickly. We buzzed
the front gate and they let us in. When we walked through we saw three little
girls and a tiny white cat hanging out of the window and we hoped so badly it
was them. We knocked on the door and 9 yearold Luna answered the door with Nala
the kitty in her arms. Then 19 yearold Fátima walks in with her and Luna's mom
Maribel. I fell in instalove with Maribel. There was no awkward introductions or
''what are you doing here'' conversations. She sat down and expressed the most
sincerest gratitude that we had come. They said they had been waiting for us and
they were so happy God had sent us to them.
She had been searching for the truth and she knew that when she found it
she'd be able to feel it. She expressed her excitement to learn the teachings of
Jesus Christ and how to follow Him. She went on and on and every word that came
out of her mouth was pure gold. Hermana Heims and I sat there with probably the
dumbest smiley looks on our faces, mumbling under our breath how awesome she
was. We talked about the Book of Mormon and when I handed Maribel her copy she
looked at it, smiled, and then hugged it to her chest, not letting go the rest
of the evening. She promised to read it and to pray to know it was true. Then we
talked about prayer and how when we pray we're having a conversation with our
Heavenly Father. She said that sometimes she calls Him Padre Azul because He's
our Father and the heavens are blue. Haha it was super cute. She said she was
grateful for everything she has because it all comes from Him - even the stars,
and she and Luna sing ''Happy Birthday'' to the stars every day. I mean really,
I couldn't make this stuff up. I'd be here all day if I told you how wonderful
she is and how incredible that first visit with them was. After we said our
goodbyes and they closed the door, Hermana Heims hugged and then prayed,
thanking Heavenly Father for answering our fast and prayers and allowing us to
be blessed with such a beautiful family to teach. I love
them!
On Tuesday we contacted a lady who we were sitting with at
the bus stop. We gave her a Book of Mormon and then when we got on the bus, we
saw her reading it from the beginning, like legitimately sitting their reading
it. She doesn't live in our area, but the missionaries who get to teach her and
her family are super lucky. We had to buy a few things from the grocery store to
make dinner for a family in the ward and Elder Riggs (a senior missionary) who
was behind us bought our stuff! What a guy.
On Wednesday this sweet Peruvian lady Virginia invited us
over for papa ala huancaina (I've probably eaten it 20 times but it's the best
and I plan on eating it every day when I get home) and told us these awesome
stories about her conversion. Then that evening we made sloppy joe's for the
Herrerra family and took it over to them. The dad is the YM President and
they've got 5 flipping awesome kids. They're one of my favorite families in the
ward. We had a good evening with them and then the 14 year old daughter Karolina
told us her friend wants to get baptized, so we're going to meet with her this
week!
Friday morning we dropped Oscar off at the employment center.
Elder Riggs took good care of him and Oscar called us afterwards and he seemed
really happy! Friday night we went to Michael's baptism and we took Daniel.
Afterwards I asked what he thought and he just said, ''Beautiful.'' We're seeing
him tonight and we're going to invite him to be baptized!
Yesterday was awesome. And Maribel came to church! She showed
up early and paid attention the whole time. During Relief Society she just kept
turning to me and smiling. She was so happy there! During the lesson this woman
had shared an experience about her son and was crying and afterwards Maribel
went up to her and hugged her and said she'd be praying for her. She's so
golden. I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE HER TONIGHT! I still feel like I'm dreaming with how
wonderful she is.
Ahhhh I have more to say but I gotta go! Just know that I'm
happy. Baby Heims is the biggest blessing and we're being blessed here in
Pavones. God loves His children and we're seeing every single day that He's
preparing the hearts of the people here.
I love you!
Love,
Hermana Munden
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