Lessons Learned

5/18/15 (Oops.  Out of order)

So I definitely learned some lessons in following the Spirit this week... good and bad. But we'll start with the good...

Yesterday we went to contact a referral downtown and we knocked on the door and the people weren't home.  But in the apartment building next door I saw a little boy who was maybe 2 years old and hispanic, looking out the window at us.  Usually I would have thought nothing of it, but I felt like we should try to visit them.  My companion wasn't sure about it but I thought that we really should so we went.  We knocked on the door and a guy named Rodolfo answered.  He was the little boy's dad.  He was super nice and we explained to him that we're missionaries and had a message of Jesus Christ that helps strengthen families and we talked about that a little bit.  I told him that we felt like we needed to knock on their door and it was probably God who guided us there.  He agreed and opened the door wide and said that we could come in! We were so surprised! Unfortunately, his wife wasn't home so we couldn't go in.  But he gave us his number so we can set up an appointment and he seems pretty open.  Whether or not anything comes of it, t was definitely a testimony builder of following the spirit! 

Now for the not so good... We have a super awesome who's preparing for baptism.  Her baptismal date was set for the 31st of May.  On Saturday and Sunday morning Hna.Gomez and I both had little feelings that we should call her just to make SURE that they were coming to church.  We didn't talk about it, but I brushed those feelings off because her and her mom are super solid and were like 100% committed to coming to church when we had our last lesson with them.  And they told the member that we took with us that they'd be coming as well. But they didn't come to church:( We called and called right before church but no one answered. We went by after church and the mom said she had been working so they couldn't go. We told them that now we have to move her date to the 7th of june and her mom was super sad. She was like man! If I had known I would have dropped her off. We were super sad too because we could have gotten her a ride! If only we had followed the prompting of the Spirit to call and find out we could have made sure she'd be at church. So it's definitely our fault that we didn't make SURE they had a way to church and everything.  Lessons learned... we're repenting. But we're still stoked about the baptism on the 7th, but it's the weekend right after the transfer so Hna.Gomez and I might not be companions still.  But it's okay because we'll still be able to come back for the baptism.  And our investigator is still getting baptized so it's all good! 

But it's been a really good week! I love being here.  I love being a missionary.  There are SO MANY good things about it! Love you all! Que tengan exito a donde vayan.

Les quiero mucho, 

Hermana Horne 

According to Our Faith

5/26/15

This last week was awesome! We've been trying really hard to get this one family to come to church.  They really have sincere desires to know if it's true, but they've always been Catholic and they don't want to "play games with God." Totally understandable.  But we were able to give them a tour of the church a week and a half ago and the Spirit was so strong in the chapel.  It was really great for them to be able to go and see what the building is like and feel the Spirit that's there. 

And then they came to church on Sunday! It was so great. They weren't able to stay for the full 3 hours because the little boy didn't want to go to nursery so they took him home, but they said they're going to stay next time.  But it was just great to see them there.  That was a big step for them and I know it will help them get closer to receiving their answer as to whether this church is true. 

We've definitely seen a lot of blessings in this area and in the last week.  

I'm absolutely loving serving in Riverside, but transfers are coming up next weekend so who knows what's going to happen! They could send me anywhere.  But I'm hoping to be staying for another transfer.  I love the people here.  There's some great members and we have some great investigators. But we'll see.  I'll go where the Lord wants me to go. 

                           

I was asked to give a training in District Meeting last week on finding effort and contacting people on the streets.  Even though I work at it, it's definitely something that I need to build my faith with.  I think the Lord knew that and that's the reason why I was asked to give the training. As I studied for it I definitely felt my faith increase. I shared Alma 5:11-13 as part of the training and we talked about how there was a mighty change wrought in the heart of Alma according to his faith. I've been thinking about that a lot lately, not just for the training on finding, but also as part of life in general.  So many blessings we see, so many experiences we have, so many things happen according to our faith. And if we're praying for a particular thing to happen, we need to have the faith that it can happen, if it be the will of God. 

I feel so blessed to have the opportunity to grow my faith every single day and to help others recognize the seed of faith that's already planted in their hearts.  I know that this church is true and that when we're living our life, striving to align our will with God's, we'll feel more peace and happiness in our lives. 

Love you guys.  Que tengan una buenisima semana! 

Con amor, 

Hermana Horne 

Birthday Celebrations

Birthday hike up Robidoux Mountain - April 27, 2015

More Birthday Celebrations!

Baby chicken in the kitchen!(?)

Marriachi Band at Ward Activity