Wow amigos.
I think I am really just starting to appreciate just how
physically, socially, and spiritually exhausted my body can get. I've just never worked as hard in my life as I
think than I am right now - giving every little energy you can muster every
minute to bring light into these people's lives - teaching, serving, talking,
ministering, contacting, calling, laughing, supporting, listening, bearing
testimony, walking for hours, giving just a little bit more even when you
really don't think you have more to give.
It's exhausting yet ALSO STRANGELY EXILARATING (on the most
irrational of levels). Loving being a missionary even if I all I want to do now
when I get home is sleep @9/9:30 every night :)
The first update is that I officially think I have a pretty
legit new scar on my chin. I was making crepes (which everyone here just calls
a panceca and never is sweet - only savory with shredded chicken, peas, and
corn) and cinnamon syrup for breakfast one morning for my new filha (daughter) (as any good mom should do) and what
happens? I accidently drop my beautiful crepe on the floor. Ok, no problem
silly but no harm done right. But as I am bending down to grab the crepe, I am
still gripping the pan in my hand (WAY DUMB) and my chin does a little touchy
touch on the edge of the steaming hot pan and boom - moon-shaped chin burn.
#whoopwhoop
But this week was crazy filled with last minute preparations
for this batismo (baptism) that was scheduled
for this week but ended up getting pushed back until next week. It's actually
kind of funny because with Erika is her name, we suggested she put her batismo right
before the atividade das massas (pasta/lasagna/pizza) with the ward! It'll be
perfect because everyone is already there and we can eat pizza after
#whoopwhoop !! And she got all excited but apparently was just thinking about
all the pizza she would eat and missed the whole 'getting baptized' part so
when the elders arrived to have a baptismal interview.. needless to say things
got a little complicated. But it's all good, we moved it back a week which I
think is good because with Erika, we really have to teach her differently.
Understanding comes bit by bit for her and so we have to be very clear and use
pictures, otherwise it's a little hard for her to understand. But, when she
finally gets it there's just this light that comes into her eyes and she goes
"hey I think I'm starting to understand.." and all the patience is
really worth it. Not to mention her adorable two little meninos (boys) that wreck the world with their giant dopey
eyes and personalities.
But there's one woman who really is one of my favorites to
teach and visit, and her name is Socorro. So with Soccorro, the first person to
really know the missionaries was her husband about 4 years ago, and with him
she learned bit by bit and received a Book of Mormon and absolutely LOVED IT.
Time passes and her husband passed away because of cancer and she lost contact
with the missionaries and forgot about the Book she loved so much. But in enter
the missionaries on the street and we have had the privilege of teaching her
over the past month and a half. She just is riveted to everything we teach her,
especially with the Book of Mormon (which in her own words is something that
the more you start reading, the less you want to stop) but she has been having
real difficultly reading on her own, saying prayers, or coming to church. She
talks more than anyone I know (#lessons2hourslong) but is INCREDIBLY shy right
and so to enter the church 'alone' (but with us) is really scary and every
time has an excuse ready for why she can't go. But one Saturday I really wanted
her to remember the importance and power of it all and we finally were able to
get ahold of an irmã (sister) in the ward to
visit her with us and talk about the Restoration and Joseph Smith.
So she meets beautiful Camila who is a godsend from heaven –
perfect, loving and patient and willing to listen and make Socorro feel
comfortable and has a real rock-solid testimony and spirit. It was perfect. And
we watched the video about Joseph Smith and how he received the Book of Mormon
(look it up on Youtube for those interested – Joseph Smith: The Prophet of the Restoration) and the phone
we watched it on had warbly sound and was hard to understand but the spirit was
just like POW there right. And after, completely led by the spirit I opened the
book of Mormon and we started to read the first chapter of Nephi all together
taking turns. And at first I was stopping and describing what was happening but
Socorro was like a puppy tugging on the leash, anxious and excited - finally
reading the book again that brought her so much peace, and I couldn't bring
myself to stop her. We testified of the truthfulness of it all - that Joseph
Smith was a prophet and that the Book of Mormon really was translated by the
power of God. It was such a powerful moment.
And guess who came to church the next day, seating right
next to her new best friend Camila?
:)
The crazy thing about this week was that, that very lesson
with Socorro, I had done with the Sisters who were serving in my ward when I
was 17 years old. The same video, the same testimony, but this time - so much
different. This time, I - SISTER Staheli was the missionary and it was one of
those circular moments that happen in life when you really have perspective of
it all and realize how far you've come but also that those same truths never
change.
I really know that this is the Lord's church and that He loves
each one of us on such an individualistic level. He knew the needs of Soccorro
and we were simply the means by which
He was finally able to touch her heart.
Be the Lord's hands, because not only HE - but also our
other brothers and sisters need us.
Wow the power of the Book of Mormon really changes lives.
Feeling grateful to have the restored gospel be such a huge
part of who I am.
Sending love amigos <33
SISTER STAHELI
