It's me again- journal entries

 8/13/2024

Well it's me again. The last couple of days have seemed a little off. Not really sure why. Me Hermana Smith hasn't been getting along the best. Like something is just kinda off. I don't know if it is the fact that we know we are probably splitting up or if it is the competition side of things where we both don't really want to stay in this area but we know one of us is leaving. But we just had our last zone council of this transfer and it was interesting. Some guy off the street walked in the room and I thought for a second he was gonna pull out a gun and start shooting us or something. But he just said that he was baptized in our church and likes to share the gospel. But he also said he died like 17 times. Yesterday we were on whitier Blvd and thus guy stopped us aND said that the missionaries used to live by him and that one of them came to his door at like 12 at night and needed to use his phone aND that he smelt like alcohol. But we also made 2 new friends yesterday also! So that was cool. 

Well the today ended up better. We ended up doing some service. I got to use a leaf blower too and we were given some bussing juice after too. And then we had some lit lessons Tonight and someone convinced us his name was James bond. Which was hilarious. But yeah good day

8/15/2024

today was meh. We had vision series amd we listened to the talk hallmarks of happiness. It was kinda an answer to a prayer. But this month has been focused on joy and finding joy doing gods will. And president said that we should all get McDonald's. So we indeed went to Mcdonald and I got a happy meal. we also ate pizza with one of the elders friends in park for lunch. It was delivered. I definitely ate way to much. But it was so fun!! We also went to our recent convert house and we taught her our names. So that was hilarious . We also had a lesson with our friend yaretzi who is on date. And it is funny because hermana smith has no patience for kids. She gets really frustrated. But i got her to listen hahah. Just had to get her interested. English class was also packed tonight! So that was super cool!! Amd then we finally went and had our last lesson with delfino to drop him. Because he says he won't get baptized for another year. So that was sad. I actually almost cried because I just want to help my friends make covenants with god. But it is ok because when I got back I got mom's package!!!!!!!!!! I literally almost died. I was so happy!!!!! The cookies were delicious and I was just so so grateful. Made my whole day!!

8/16/2024

Wow today was truly just amazing. We were able to serve in the temple today and help them clean and prepare for these two weeks while it is closed. In the scriptures when it says to have a house of order it truly is true statement. I have never understood it more than I did today. My testimony grew so much. And how we can truly change little things to become more like the savior. The tiniest things do make the difference. As I have been reflecting on how I can become a better missionary I truly have noticed that I need to be obedient and how my foucs needs to be on my missionary purpose. And how I need to be ALL IN. Tonight we had a meeting with the Hermanas, becuase some things have happened the last couple days between some hermanas where some feelings got hurt. So we basically had a discussion about our “mission culture” and how we can make those little changes to be missionaries that are ALL IN and it truly was just inspiring. So many great things were said. And it made me reflect on the time that I had my senior year of xc where truly the cultrue changed and we only had one purpose. I have forgotten the lessons I learned there. It is sad that I have but it is true. I feel that those moments in my life were some of the greatest but I need to bring that same mentality here in the mission. To truly just be here to lift others up along the way and most importantly doing the lords work. Anyway that was kinda deep , now time for some cool stuff. We went to shake shack today it was so bussing. We went to the temple with the STLs to do the service and I seriously love them so much. It felt like a roadtrip just telling stories and having fun. And then we had a lesson tonight. And this guy he is renovation a house. And I told him I could help him lay down flooring and we would be so down to help. it was just so cool to testify about jesus christ and like it was fun too. I love this work and I hope I can be a more consecrated missionary.

8-17-2024

Dang today was probably just another good day. We started off with some service! We went to help install some flooring! Shoutout to dad to teaching me how to prep floors really well. It was so so fun! We basically spent 2.5 hours at this super catholic families house. Like the mom and dad are in their 90s and they were just sitting at the kitchen table when we got their reading their morning prayers haha. We honestly didn’t do that much! But it was so enjoyable to switch up the day. And the mom fed us after we left and we were also given some new perfume haha! After we went and had lunch with some hermanas. It was so fun except for we accidently went our of the mission…We also just had some super spirt filled lessons where everything was just so good. We had a lesson with Camilia and Salvador, and hopefully they come to church. But they are also starting to warm up to us so that is so good! Cause they are a little shy. We get our transfer news tomorrow and I am definetley stressed everyone thinks I am leaving the zone. But I guess we will see what happens, whatever it is it will be so good. 

8-18-24

Well it is sunday now at 7:15 am. I went to bed crying last night becuase I remembered when dad and mom would come wait in my room to have family prayer with me while I was getting out of the shower. I have also been falling asleep holding the football thinking about maleck and hoping that football is going well. definetley a little sad this morning. Last night our roomates got home and we went to bed early, and so they came in and said a family prayer with us because we weren’t feeling super good. And I woke up and hna thompson came in and gave me a hug. good way to wake up

Well sunday finished out good…we had camilla and Salvador come to church! Which was a miracle!!!!! And Yaretzi!! Me and hna Smith were so happy. Church kinda unsettled me because there are some creepy old guys of the elders' friends that flirt with me. Not a fan. Yeah we didn't have A lot of time in our area today because we also had night Church and oír friend Leo came to that one too! He really liked it! And after we had a testimony meeting with the zone. My heart was so full of joy that Jesus Christ lives. I even bore my testimony and even talked about ministering angels! Ok now the crazy stuff! I found out I'm getting transferred to the other side of the mission and I am going to be in a trio. WHAT?! I know right. Crazy. I am a little nervous because one of the girls was with my trainer, which we go well. And change is just scary. I have really enjoyed my time here with hna smith. Ready or not here I come I guess…