Week 13

Word of the week: Traducir (to translate) Like every week, this week was busy and full of adventures. Tuesday we went on divisions and all the appointments we had set up/people we planned to visit all fell through, so I found myself with nearly an hour and a half to fill with a ward member who only spoke Spanish. I decided to knock some doors, since we rarely have time to do finding activities like that. I had some addresses of some people we had street contacted, so I decided to knock doors on the way to these references. In the process, we had great opportunities to teach! We found a family of 5 or so who let us in and we taught them about prayer and told us that would could come back. A few houses later we met a 17 year old girl who we taught the restoration to. As we finished, she asked us more about families. As we started talking about the Plan of Salvation and the Lord's plan for families, she burst into tears. She told us that her little sister had died. Hopefully we'll be able to find her and teach her more, though she said she is often gone because of school. She seemed very open and ready to accept the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ. A while later we also came upon a family (a husband, wife--who was pregnant, and 2 girls). We taught them about the Restoration as well. As hard as it was with the language barrier between my temporary companion and I, it was amazing to see how much the Lord trusted us in putting these people in our path. Hopefully we'll be able to teach them more and help them progress towards baptism in the coming weeks. We also taught a couple who had been found before I came to San Luis. I met them for the first time on divisions and instantly felt like they were a couple prepared by the Lord for us to teach and baptize. The wife, Margarita, was humble and already has a testimony of the Book of Mormon. We taught her and her husband (Carlos) about the Plan of Salvation and invited them to be baptized. She said they would talk about it and let us know what they decided. I'm anxious to see them progress and take the necessary steps to be baptized. On Wednesday we had lots to do in getting ready to go to Mendoza to meet Hermana Sybrowsky's parents at the airport, but what was most important was the baptismal interview for little 9-year-old Lucila! Her grandmother brought her to church with her a few weeks ago and told us that she wanted to be baptized. We taught her over a short period of time and were able to see her baptized Saturday the 31st! It was so wonderful! (more on this later) Thursday morning, we took an early bus to Mendoza where we went to the airport to meet/surprise Hermana Sybrowsky's parents. They were not expecting to see us there, so it was a happy reunion all around. The Sybrowsky's are wonderful and so generous. After meeting them at the airport, we took a taxi to their hotel to let them relax and rest. We sorted through the things they brought to give away to members and investigators here. After the siesta time, we went to a nearby area and met with a bishop whom Hermana Sybrowsky worked with a few months ago. He was a young bishop (like most of them here) who works for the church as a facilities manager. He had invited the ward youth over for a little fireside with Elder Sybrowsky. It was an amazing experience and one I won't soon forget. Firstly, their accent was clear and I was able to understand nearly everything said (San Luis is in the "campo" or country, so the people here have a very distinct accent that is rather difficult for beginners!) and secondly, the spirit was so strong among this group of young members. The young women, upon hearing that Elder Sybrowsky meets with the prophet and apostles once a week, asked if they could write their testimonies for him to deliver to the church leaders. They shared simple testimonies and soaked up every ounce of what Elder Sybrowsky taught them about the important role of the Priesthood in their lives. The Sybrowsky's don't speak Spanish, so when Hermana Sybrowsky was already talking to someone or translating for one of her parents, I would end up translating for the other. What an amazing experience that was. My testimony was strengthened that the Lord truly does prepare us to fulfill that which we are called to do. Elder Sybrowsky simply looked at me and said, "and you'll translate for me." What a humbling and powerful experience that was. Friday we drove back to San Luis with the Sybrowskys and visited with investigators and went to a zone meeting. We also went to a birthday party for a 17-year old member (Joel Villena). I again had the privilege of translating for Elder Sybrowsky. The Lord again strengthened me to fill this task. In times before when visiting this family, I'd had a very difficult time understanding them, but that night, I understood nearly everything. Saturday again we went and worked with the Sybrowskys visiting investigators and members. It was amazing to see the hearts of our investigators soften as the Sybrowskys bore testimony to them. Elder Sybrowsky visited with 2 inactive families in our ward (Amppya) and reactivated them with the help of a member of our stake presidency and a zone leader (to translate). We truly saw many miracles this week as we worked with the Sybrowskys. Saturday night was Lucila's baptism. It was a simple, sweet event as I watched a young girl make the decision to follow the example of Jesus Christ. I watched as her grandmother wiped tears from her eyes and as Lucila's mother (not a member from my understanding) gave the closing prayer. Many lives were touched and will continue to be changed because of this little girl. I asked Hermana Sybrowsky once what her favorite part of the mission was/is. She told me that it is the sound of water splashing as someone is baptized. It is so true. That is a distinct sound that represents so much as a missionary. What a blessing it was to see a baptism with Hermana Sybrowsky, the weekend before she was to be released. In other mission news, the First Presidency just anounced 8 new focuses for the missionary lessons. We had three training sessions this week to learn and practice them. When Andew goes to the MTC, he will learn this new focuses. Preach Mt Gospel hasn't changed at all, just the way in which we go about teaching. They are: -The Doctrine of Christ -The role of the Holy Ghost in conversion -revelation through prayer -revelation through the Book of Mormon -revelation through church attendance -teach people, not lessons -we invite, they commit, we follow up -how to begin teaching These will be great things to learn and develop over the course of my mission! I'm excited to learn more and put these more into practice! Love you all, Hermana Pelton