Hola Familia!
I love you so much! And Mom, you are a superstar! I knew you would do great on your test! You had nothing to worry about! Can you believe that you're finally finished? I bet it feels great! And I'm so glad that Kelley had a good time at efy and that Nathan went to Yellowstone. I remember when Brady and I went. Actually I don't remember that much, but I do remember that it was fun. I'm glad that you had a fun 4th! Ours was decentish. We had a correlation barbeque with our branch president (who I swear is the east coast verson of Grandpa Grover) and it was delicious. I had been craving a hamburger all week. And then we had permission to watch fireworks. But Hna Sorensen was all sickly so we just went home. That was kind of a bummer. Oh well.
This week has been super interesting. We had Spanish Forum which is like zone conference for the Spanish program so that was super good. It took up all afternoon though so we didn't get to teach that many lessons. And the fourth wasn't that conducive to missionary work either. But it's all good. We feel like those that we have been teaching are starting to progress more than they have been in the past, and it's really exciting. It's slow, but at least we know that not everything is going in one ear and out the other.
Also, this was a miracle: We were at Jhoana's and her brother in law came home while we were talking to her and Heidy and instead of running to his room and hiding he actually sat and talked to us for a little bit. He's from El Salvador and we were talking about that and how he ate iguanas there (gross!) and all sorts of stuff. And then he asked me in I'd ever been to El Salvador and I told him no, that I don't think that there's even any people there anymore because they're all here. He laughed and then asked me when I was going to go and I just said, "When you get baptized." The look on his face was priceless! I don't know, it's really fun the things that you can say as a missionary. I never in my life thought that I would ever say something like that to someone. Anyway, we're not even to the miracle part yet. So it comes time for us to leave and we're getting ready to say a prayer and we asked who was going to say it. I whispered to Cindy to tell her dad to say it (he's never said it before--until last week he wouldn't even stay in the room with us). But she told him to and then she told him she would help him. So she runs over to him and shows him how to fold his arms and she whispers Padre Celestial into his ear and he actually started saying it. It was so precious. One of my favorite parts of being a missionary is hearing people pray for the first time. Prayer is so powerful and I just love to hear people talking to Heavenly Father. We were so excited that Moises prayed! This week we are going to turn him into a real investigator. Someday Jhoana's whole family will be baptized.
Last night we had a new member fireside (it's like a why I believe fireside) and Jhoana spoke! She was so nervous, but she did so good. It was in Alexandria, so I got to go back to Old Town for the night! Jean Paul spoke too and it was so special that I got to hear two of my converts bear their testimonies and say with so much conviction that they know that this is the Church of Jesus Christ. It's so special. The funny thing is, with both of them, we didn't do anything. We just got to see the Spirit work with them. Jean Paul leaves for the Navy in August, so that was probably the last time that I'll get to see him while on the mission. It was so good being back though. There were a ton of the members there and it was so good to talk to them and to remember how much I love them. And it just helps me put things into perspective. There were a lot of days in Old Town that I didn't feel like we were making a difference, but then coming back and feeling the love of the members, I know that we did. And I feel like it's the same for this area. That a lot of the time I feel like we're not making any difference at all. But we are. And maybe we won't see it immediately or even in 20 years, but it's still the Lord's work and we're doing what we're doing for a reason.
Transfers are this week and I'm really nervous. Hna Sorensen and I have been together for two transfers now, and it's been a long two transfers. I've learned a lot and I'm so grateful for what I've had to go through, but it hasn't been sunshine and butterflies at all. And I really don't want to train again. But my email from President Riggs this week said, "get ready to train again!" So if that does happen then that's what I need to do. And there's a purpose. I'm learning that it's easier to just accept the Lord's will than to try to fight it. He ends up being right anyway. So I guess we'll see what happens.
Also, I got a letter from Pili this week. She is doing so good. She also sent me Junior's address in Philadephia so I can write him and chastize him and tell him to listen to the missionaries there. And I got the best letter from Alena this week. She's doing so well and I love reading her letters. It's so good to have someone that is so similar to me and that is going through some of the same things that I am. I miss that girl.
That's really about all I have for you this week. I'm so proud of you all. I'm so excited for Kelley and the little missionary that she is, and I love hearing about all the experiences you have with the Elders. I think that you're wonderful and I'm so glad that you're mine. Family, I appreciate you. And I'm so glad that we are forever. We are so lucky to know that. It changes everything. I've come to see that here. And that's what I want more than anything for the people I teach. For them to realize the potential they have as a family. I don't think there's anything more wonderful than that. So thanks for being the best family in the world.
xoxo
Hermana Simpson
p.s. My heart breaks for Bekah and her family and for Bobbi and Phyllis. I wish there was something I could do or say that would make things better, But I know this is something that only the Lord can heal.
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