New Baptism

Dear Friends and Family, 

Last night, Jordan got baptized!!! It was awesome to be a part of his conversion, but it technically didn't count for us since he lived out of the ward boundaries, however we did teach him just about every lesson.  He was part of a family that is just recently coming back to church (being reactivated).  Hopefully they will stay this time.

As far as Mary and the family goes, we called her and texted her and even knocked on her door before church to get the whole family to go. However, during church, we get a text from her that says "I just got home and I'm hungry."  It was pretty hard not to be frustrated right then. Maybe we will have to drop them.

As far as other investigators go, we have this really sweet old lady that we've been teaching, and last night when we went over, she had this really good soup with rice and beef (called asopao) and hot chocolate and tamales.  She is so sweet.  She even said, well I know you are far from family, so you can just come here, and I'll make you something. People here are soo nice. 

Also, one really cool thing that happened this week was that we got to deliver banana bread to all the neighbors of one of the members in the ward.  It was so cool because a lot of them opened the door and actually let us say a few sentences!! Maybe I should just make cookies and pass them out to talk to people.

Another really cool miracle is that we got to help a family in the ward move out and clean up a little bit, and they gave us soooo much food!! It was such a blessing because both Sister Castro and I have barely any money left on our cards.

Love,

Sister Findlay

What? Cold in Texas?

Dear Friends and Family,

This week was really really cold, but also it was a really good week.

There was one day that I was in the area of YSA and we taught this lesson to this guy which meant we couldn't even go inside, but we ended up being out there for 45 minutes, and at the end, my feet were completely numb because I just had tights on instead of socks. It felt so weird to go back down the stairs.  But it was really cool because every time there we were talking to someone, it almost felt like it wasn't even cold.  I can't really describe it, but that was such a tender mercy. 

Also, another cool thing that happened was we invited an investigator family over to a member's house for dinner, and right after we extended the invitation to be baptized, that member testified how it changed his life just about 5 years ago and that it took off a weight that he had on and filled it with peace from the gospel of Jesus Christ.  After that, the Mom and the two teenage kids decided to get baptized.  After that lesson, actually the 14 year-old, Daniel, decided that he needed to give both Sister Castro and I a hug hahaha. 

Yesterday, though, they couldn't make it to church because Mary (the mom) had a lot of back pain. We then asked if she would like a blessing and she agreed.  When the elders came and gave her a blessing, she said that she already felt better. It was a really awesome experience. 

This week was also our ward's Christmas party.  My whole district actually got to put on a performance from the song, "Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer." I have a video, but I don't know how to send it.  Anyone know how? It was really fun, but also a little embarrassing.  

Another thing that happened was that we got to have interviews with our mission president.  He asked me if I wanted it in English or Spanish, but I didn't know, so then he said, "Well, since your Spanish is almost perfect, you can help me with my English." That was pretty cool.  

A scripture that I read this week that caught my attention was in Mosiah 3:5-8.  It's about the Atonement.  It is really cool.  

Love you,

Sister Findlay

Post from Edinburg

First of all, I want to apologize for not sending any pictures last week. When the time runs out at the library, there is no logging back on.  Today, I will post pictures from the last two weeks.

So the first picture is from a sleepover that we all had and we brought in all the beds into the room.  It was so fun.  Also, those Izzes were for our Thanksgiving celebration. 

 

The next couple are from an exchange with Sister Martin.  I told you a little about her last week, but we grew up in the same stake, and we both LOVE soccer!

 

The next picture is a house we saw driving by that was really cool so I made her pull over and take a picture haha.

 

The next one is of Sister Luque.  She is pretty new on the mission here, but she was in Mexico on her mission about two years ago. 

 

The next one is of everyone from my house at Texas Roadhouse.  I took my companion out on a little 'date' for P-day since I still had a lot of money left over on my card.

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The next one is of Sister Williams and I. We got to do an exchange and that was the beautiful sunset in the back.  I love Texas sunsets. Sister Williams has become a really good friend.  We have now lived together for the past three transfers.

This week has just been sooo great.  Jordan came to church again and also this family of 3 just decided to show up to church today.  Turns out they live in our area.  They are in walking distance too! We had an awesome lesson with them Sunday night, which is why we couldn't see the Christmas devotional. Hopefully we will be able to this week though!

Ok, so this week, super cool miracle happened when I was with Sister Williams.  We got a call right when we were about to go to work at 10 AM from one of my favorite members, Sister Cantu. She asked us if we could help her with her visiting teaching.  Of course, we said yes.  Unfortunately, nobody was home, but Sister Cantu saw one of her friends as she drove by.  We then got to talk to her friend with Sister Cantu and share a lesson.  Now, just so you know, Sister Cantu recently became active in the ward again, but she went in there and testified like crazy and invited her friend to church.  It was awesome.  Her friend, Natalie, told us at our next appointment, though, that she had talked to her pastor and she doesn't want to learn more.  Oh well, it was a really cool chance to plant a seed.

Okay, super funny thing happened with Sister Williams this week too because we were knocking at an appointment that we had with an Atheist guy who said we could come back.  As we were knocking, he walked up to us and looked surprised and told us he forgot to pick up his wife, and you could so tell he was lying.  That's what people here in Texas are like. They are almost too polite.  For example, there have been countless times that people say, sorry, as they shut the door on us. Hahaha. Now I just laugh.

This week, I loved a verse in 1 Nephi 2:16.  It was really cool that Nephi realized he had to pray to have a softened heart.  I didn't realize that before. 

Love you all! Have a great week!

Sister Findlay

Missing My Sister's Wedding

Well, I just found out today that my sister, Paige is now married!!! Yay!  

 It's crazy how distant you become as a missionary with everything at home.  I find myself sometimes forgetting the names of people I knew at home.  However, it's awesome meeting new people everyday.  I love the people here in Texas.  

We even got to go to two member's homes to eat Thanksgiving dinner with them.  At least they were spread apart! It felt just like being home because everyone gathered around the table and there was an interesting topic of conversation that we felt awkward to be a part of.  It's just like being at the adult table when you all know how much fun it is to be at the kid table haha.

Anyway, a funny thing happened on Thanksgiving--we knocked on this door and when they answered I said, "Happy Easter" with so much confidence, and the guy just started back and was probably thinking, who are these two nicely dressed teenagers and why are they at my door? However, he actually said we could come back and we said a prayer with him.

So miracle time! Ok. This is super cool.  Pay attention.  So, I got to go on exchanges with Sister Martin this week (we actually grew up in the same stake (Ashlyn Martin)).  There's more too it, though. So at our last appointment of the night before coming home, this guy answered the door, and I knew him from somewhere.  After a couple minutes, I realized that he was a less active member of the very first ward I was at here in Texas.  He had moved over to this ward.  But, not only that he is now married to the same girlfriend he had a year ago--the same one that I taught a year ago!! She is now preparing to get baptized.  Talk about the fruit of your labors!! SO COOL!!!

Also, another awesome miracle is that this family randomly decided to come back to church.  After sacrament on Sunday a member of the Bishopric went up to us and told us that there was someone that wants to get baptized for us to meet.It turned out to be the 9 year-old son. We are going by tomorrow--I'll keep you posted!

Something cool that I learned this week was that "perfect love casteth out fear" 1 John 4:18.  That is soo true on the mission.  We literally do something that scares us everyday, but it is only because of the love we have for the people that we can do it! 

Love you all!

Sister Findlay

Happy Thanksgiving

Dear Friends and Family, 

Sooo, BEST THING EVER HAPPENED!!!!! I stayed with Sister Castro in Edinburg, but new news is that Sister Schaffner is in the trio with us now! I trained her, and she was balling when I left.  I am sooo glad we all get to be together.  We have the best of times together.  It's a little weird though because Sister Schaffner is not an STL (sister training leader), but Sister Castro and I are.  Along with that, now we only have to cover 3 other companionships.  That takes a big weight off my shoulders.

Well, the rest of the email, I am just going to explain the pictures.  So this last Friday, we got to help two of the sisters move out of our house into a really nice apartment.  Also, there was a random wall post, so of course, all the sisters said to me, "You won't!" And I had to take the challenge.  The others tried to join me, but they got a little scared.

  

The other one of Sister Castro, Sister Schaffner, and I was a selfie in front of a very nicely decorated house full of Christmas lights. We love looking at the lights! It's funny here because after Halloween, people just forgot about Thanksgiving and started decorating for Christmas.

I am soooo excited for this week! We have two meal appointments set up just for Thanksgiving day.  Good thing we are riding bikes that day! :)

A really awesome object lesson that we have been sharing with people is one with three cups and 3 knives and we basically make it so it is a sure foundation.  The 3 pillars of the restored gospel are prophets and apostles, revelation, and Priesthood.  I really do know that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has the essential pillars we all need.

Love Sister Findlay

BEST WEEK SO FAR!!

Dear friends and family,

Well, I guess I will start off with the best news ever!!! Guys! ELEVEN investigators came to church on Sunday!!!  And that's of what I could count!  The most I have ever had on one Sunday on my mission was two.  It was sooo cool!! Sister Castro and I were just jumping up and down for excitement!  A family that we found of 4 came and then Victoria (the girl that I have been talking about) and a member's sister came that we had a lesson with this week and Sister Cantu (one of our favorite members who just recently re-activated) brought pretty much her whole family who aren't members.  Also, I got to be in the Primary Program yet again to help the kids sing louder.  Victoria even got to be in it too!! The ward is just great at fellow-shipping her in!  Last week, we even had her come over to a member's home for dinner and a lesson after.  She even said, "Of course, I love Victoria!" The goal is for her to get baptized this Sunday, but here, the Bishop doesn't have too much trust in us, but we will work on that!

Also, that family of 4 that came has a single mom named Mary and she has a son that is 14 and daughter that is 11 and a really cute daughter named Bella who is 5.  They also know one of the members already because she was the 11-year-old's school teacher.  

Also, double exciting news is that I get to stay here with Sister Castro, and we will be together for both Thanksgiving and Christmas!!  That means that I will stay here in Edinburg for three tansfers (meaning 6 weeks).  I have never stayed that long in an area.  This means I can see our investigators actually get baptized! Also, I feel like I am just getting the hang of this area. Yay!! Also, I get to still live with Sister Williams!! She is the best! We always laugh at each other.  It's pretty fun. 

Let's see...what else? Well, I got to go on an exchange with Sister Horgesheimer!! She is soo cute! She has about 3 months on the mission.  I felt bad for her, though, because people kept telling her that they felt that she was really stern, but I was really nice.  She really is a nice person though! 

Another exciting thing that happened was that I had an elote for the first time!! It's basically corn with mayo and chile.  I have been hearing the elote trucks go around my whole mission, but decided to finally get one and pay for Sister Castro too.  It was  a great night!  That was after 2 meal appointments too.  Haha...whoops ;)

Also, sorry for the lack of pictures this week...I thought I lost my camera cord, but to my great surprise, I found it here in the lost and found in the library. Thank goodness!!

Con mucho amor,

Hermana Findlay

One Year Mark

Well, this week I hit my year mark.  That means no more desserts for me for the rest of my mission.  Most missionaries have to make a six month to sexy plan because of all the weight they have gained.  Luckily, I don't have to, but I am excited just to eat a little better. I remember on my second transfer an elder told me that I will stop eating healthy soon on the mission, but I am proving him wrong!  Hahaha.  

Anyway, to celebrate our year mark, I got to text the other sisters in the area to meet up for FroYo at Red Mango that day.  It was so much fun!! That is probably my favorite part of being a Sister Training Leader--just being able to communicate with so many sisters and having them look up to me as an example.  Also, sometimes, I feel like exchanges are just sleepovers with some of my friends.  There are some cons to it, but it is generally really fun!

I almost forgot that Halloween was also this week!! I knew that there would be a costume party with the other missionaries, but of course, I didn't prepare by buying a costume because nobody has time for that as a misionary.  But, I was thinking in my head of what I had, and remembered that I had a red, black, and white skirt and also a deck of cards. I decided to dress up as the queen of hearts.  Everyone loved my outfit! 

 Also, there was even a ping pong table there!! President Torres kept playing the whole time though because he was getting competitive and wanted to beat Elder Widmer before the activity did.  I think he finally did after the fifth round.  I wonder who that sounds like...*cough cough* Dad. Haha I also, was the only one that brought a healthy side of hummus and carrots...others decided to bring chips and cookies to go along with the hamburgers and hot dogs.  

Another fun thing I did was that I got to make a candle this week at mutual! The Bishop wanted us to go to mutual every week, and I am glad I have an essential oil smelling candle now.  

Also, I got to go on an exchange with Sisters Postoin, Richardson, and Wanner.  Sorry I forgot to take pictures! I was only with my companion for 2 days last week!

As far as the actually missionary work, a 9 year-old girl in a less active family has gone to church for the past two weeks with her recently active grandma! Her name is Victoria. Hopefully, she will get baptized this month! 

Love you,

Sister Findlay