Wow, this week was rough. It involved a lot of trials and crying and did not go as planned. However, I’m really grateful for all of the miracles that we were still able to have, and the way I was able to feel Heavenly Father’s love for me.
Also, on a side note, what is with members trying to set all the missionaries up for when they go home?? According to them, I have about 5 or 6 future spouse options already picked out hahaha. And we seemed to get an inordinate amount of marriage advice this week. I think it’s hilarious because as missionaries we can’t be focused on that right now! But, I will tuck all of their sage advice away for later, when I will actually need it. Anyway, on to the rest of what happened this week.
Monday–We had a SUPER great P-day playing soccer and being match-y and cute like all good companionships. I finally have a few pictures from that to share. Also on Monday night, we had a video call lesson with Ali to read the scriptures and we all just about started crying! He was bearing his testimony to us and talking about how much the stuff we taught him has blessed his life! I can’t wait until this guy gets baptized! Hna Vazquez and I both feel like we have gained an eternal friend, and it’s so cool to continue to see Ali’s progression in the gospel.
Tuesday–We dropped off a present and heart-attacked a member’s door for her birthday! She called us on the phone crying and said it was the best birthday present she got! We also had a GREAT lesson with Maria about setting goals and making plans, which comes from our new chapter of Preach My Gospel that we have here in this mission.
Wednesday–We had another amazing district meeting! Here are some of the highlights of things I learned:
*There is no one right way or best way to do missionary work (this includes member missionary work!). When we commit to give it our all, and act out of love and by the Spirit, then the rest is in the Lord’s hands.
*”The more we understand, the more under we stand.” -Wise words from Elder Fouts. We truly become more humble the more we understand the nature of God and all that He has done for us. But the good thing is, we can glory in His greatness instead of wallowing in our own imperfection (something I do too often). I am so grateful for a knowledge of my Savior, and a knowledge that though sometimes I can barely do anything on my own, I can do ANYTHING through Him.
After District Meeting, we had lunch with the Sister Training Leaders at a Korean BBQ place, which was super fun. Portland is strange and sometimes scary but boy, does it have good food.
Thursday–Thursday was nuts! We were trying to organize a temple trip and we had to make about a thousand calls (My mom knows how much I hate those haha. It’s even worse in Spanish!)! But eventually we got everything organized, with the promise of more cookies to our ward mission leader haha.
We also had a GREAT lesson with Ali. He decided he wants to move his baptismal date to April 15th because he just wants to strengthen his testimony of prophets first, but he says he’s for sure going through with it! If I’m not here after transfers, hopefully I either get to come or see pictures! He’s already talked to his brother about baptizing him, and tonight we’re having dinner with Ali, his brother, and his sister-in-law, so we’re super excited to finally meet them.
Friday–We took Maria and Maricela to the temple visitors center!!! It was a very special and spiritual experience and there was lots more crying involved (those of you who know me well, know that all of this crying is very strange for me). But, I’m so glad that our investigators felt the Spirit touch their hearts. Also, Maria came because of our lesson about setting goals and making plans! And because Maricela is her friend, she encouraged her the whole week. It was awesome!
Saturday–Saturday was where things started going really downhill fast. I woke up with the stomach flu and a fever of 100.5. So basically, I felt like death. We also had to cancel EVERYTHING we had planned, which made me feel even worse. What are you as a missionary, if you can’t even do any missionary work?? I felt so bad having to neglect our investigators for a day. I’m so glad that I have an awesome companion, though. She contacted basically every one of our investigators, to send them scriptures, invite them to church, and let some of them know that we couldn’t meet. And then because we couldn’t make it to our member dinner, Hna Sanchez sent home a ton of food, including pozole (It’s sooo good!). Eventually, by like 8:30 pm, some elders were also able to make their way over to our apartment and give me a priesthood blessing, which I was grateful for. Other than that, I don’t remember a whole lot about Saturday. Just that everything was awful haha.
Sunday–I still didn’t feel all that great on Sunday morning, so the STLs came and did an exchange with us so that Hna Vazquez could go to the first 2 hours of church and support all of our members and investigators. Then later, I decided I felt well enough to go to Noche de Hogar (Family Home Evening) with the Spanish group, but apparently I didn’t look well enough haha. They were all so worried about me and it was really sweet and made me feel super loved. I was also uncomfortable, because as many of you know, I really don’t like anyone to worry about me. But, it was also a really nice confirmation that the ward does love me and care about me. They are the best! When we got home, I started crying because of how nice everyone had been (I know, more crying. What the even heck.). But anyway, I’m just so grateful to have the opportunity to serve here with such great people!
Today I’m still not feeling one hundred percent but I’m much, much better. Hopefully I will be able to go participate in P-day activities with the other missionaries. I love you all, thanks for reading my emails! Trust that Heavenly Father loves you and will answer your prayers, sometimes through the other people around you! If you reach out to Him, He will reach out to you! It may not always be in the way you expect, but make sure to watch out for those little miracles that surround us every day. And have a great week!
Love,
Hermana O’Barr
1. and 2. Portland temple!!!
3. Cookies are the best way to show your appreciation. Just saying.
4. People in Portland have slowly been doing this to all of the stop signs in the area haha
5. The day before I almost died! Look how happy I was! I didn’t know what was about to hit me!
6. Soccer last week
7. Koreannn…yummm
