OCTOBER 12, 2016

 LIFE IS BUENO!

Hola Familia y Amigos!

This week was a lot like previous weeks! But everyday gets more and more fun! Im about half way done with the CCM already...CRAZY! it’s amazing how much I’ve learned and grown in these past few weeks- its 100% a blessing from God. The hand of the lord is everywhere here in the CCM. I love this work and know that this is exactly where the lord needs me. Nothing has gotten "easier" but everything has gotten better. I’m not really sure how else to explain it. 

Anyways, Hermana Curtis is ALIVE AND WELL. The dream team is back in action. I say "dream team" pretty lightly porque esta semana we had the most hilarious humbling experience in a lesson. On Monday, we were teaching our "investigator" Mitzy. We had taught her once before and other time I taught her as a trio with Hermana Noftle and Wertz porque Hermana Curtis was in the hospital. As a trio, we taught her about the atonement and she got really into the lesson and even started crying. While she was crying and talking really fast, she was telling us this crazy story about how some people came up and shot and killed her cousin right in front of her. We heard about 65% of what she said and felt confident enough that we didn’t need to ask again. So going off of that, when me and Hermana Curtis taught on Monday we decided to talk about the Plan of Salvation, centered on the fact that she will see her cousin again. We taught her an awesome lesson and she asked really hard questions that we answered pretty dang well. We were feeling super awesome. At the end pur "investigator" (really our language teacher) told us that her cousin DIDNT DIE.... apparently we completely misunderstood. It was such a classic missionary moment. The whole lesson she kept smiling and I thought it was because she was so happy about the plan de salvación but apparently she was just trying not to laugh. like why didn’t she stop us in the middle of the lesson??? ha-ha all I can say though is that if her cousin was dead, it would’ve been an awesome lesson. 

Good new! we committed our other investigator to baptism (her cousin is alive too). She’s a lot easier/ more accepting and speaks pretty slow so I can understand 100% of what she says. Which is pretty nice.

Oh! my district keeps calling California "Cali". It’s SO annoying. Also, my companion hates In N Out. That was honestly the first fight/open argument we´ve had. It was a rough day. She even compared it to McDonalds....Yup. Utah kids, am I right??? But other than that, everything is awesome. I love watching the Latinos play soccer and have made a bunch of latino friends because of it. The only major bummer thing is that Hermanas aren’t allowed to play with Elders. I’m GOING CRAZY. I miss soccer SO much!!!! I haven’t met any Hermanas that play yet but I’m on the search. 

My district is still exactly like the office. Dwight (elder Turley/ Dating dr. Guy), continues to wear shorts that are tighter and shorter than any hermanas. Its always fun playing vball with that going on... Also! We have a TOTAL Creed. His name is Elder Singleton and constantly tells me how when he grows up he wants to be a "vegitable"...yup. He also hallucinates almost every night and tells me all about it. He’s my total bud though.

This week was filled with awesome spiritual experiences. My spiritual "thought" this week comes from John 17. If you have time, read this chapter. if you don’t have time, make time because it’s my favorite chapter in all scripture. I especially love verse 4. " I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do. Its so simple yet so beautiful. we have all been given a work on this earth, we all have our own unique purpose to fulfill. We should all strive to be able to say at the food of God ¨I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do. Our unique work should be centered in the goal to "Glorify thee on the earth". Everything we do should be in HIS name. I also love verse 21. It reads "that they all be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also maybe one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.¨This week I challenge you all to try to understand your purpose as a daughter and son of God on this earth. Glorify Him with you actions and words. 

I love you all and pray for you everyday!

Love, 

Hermana Staffieri