Hermana Eliason: Progress

On Monday, in the evening we visited Enriqueta and her two daughters with Hermana Anais Cadena. We explained the Word of Wisdom and the Law of Chastity and how they are commandments given to help us protect our body.

"What? Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price; therefore GLORIFY GOD IN YOUR BODY." 1 Corrinthians 6:19-20.

The Word of Wisdom is a law of health that teaches us what foods and substances we should and should not use - like eating lots of fruits and vegetables and staying away from alcohol, tobacco, drugs, black tea, and coffee. The Law of Chastity includes strict abstinence from sexual relations before marriage and complete fidelity and loyalty to one's spouse after marriage. The lesson went super well, and they all promised and accepted to live in accordance to these 2 commandments.

The ginormous yummy pizza

Tuesday was excellent! Teodulo and Maria had signed up on the ward calendar to feed the Elders and us - so Teodulo made a HUGE homemade PIZZA! It was scrumptious :) Then after a few other lessons throughout the day, we visited Brandon and his dad, Arturo. And guess what? They had prepared a gourmet dinner consisting of pancakes (which they call hot cakes) with every topping imaginable: Nutella, strawberry jam, blackberry jam, syrup, and caramel!!
A-M-A-Z-I-N-G :) We were so full by the time we finished and got home.

This was on Tuesday when we ate with Teódulo and Maria

and three of there grandaughters (Kenya, Sofia, and Zoe)

I spent Wednesday in the area of Indepencencia with Hermana Rios (who was trained by Hermana Anderson). She is 21 and from the DF (Districto Federal de Mexico). We got along super well and had a busy, yet successful, day together. She has 3 1/2 months in the mission and has so much energy and such a desire to teach others. We both learned a lot from each other and it was a great exchange.

So on Thursday, we visited Enriqueta and two of her daughters again. The lesson was one of the most spiritual and powerful experiences I've had so far. When we talked with them again about being baptized, they told us they really want to, but what's holding them back is the oldest daughter that doesn't want to listen to us or the missionary lessons. The Mom doesn't want to create a division in her family by being baptized with two of her daughters and make the other daughter feel left out. But at the same time, she and Mariela and Ximena feel they should be baptized. So, we are kinda in a pickle right now.

Guess what?!?! Since Hermana Rivera had never been.....

we went to the MASK MUSEUM again! haha

lots of new fun pictures

Then on Friday we made a ton of visits and were able to contact 20 people along the way. The food at lunch was delicious and I made Hermana Rivera laugh so hard that she snorted - which then made everyone else at the table start cracking up! haha It was great! I truly love making people laugh - it's a rewarding feeling to know I made someone else happy.

Saturday was a beautiful day - and although the sun was out, it was still a bit chilly. We had a wonderful day contacting, teaching, and attending an activity in the church in the evening. It makes me sad to think that most likely in just 2 more weeks (at the end of the transfer) I will be with someone new in a new area. After being here in Avacion, San Luis Potosi for over 5 months, I've grown super close to the people / ward members.

Saturday night, for mutual, all the young men & women went to the movie to see Meet The Mormons. Ximena and Mariela went with the young women and Brandon even showed up to go with the young men. They had a good time.

This is what a member family gave us for dessert!
(the Amaya family) and they even let us keep the vases!

Okay, Sunday was incredible!! Since it was the first Sunday of the month, it was Fast and Testimony Meeting for the first hour. Teodulo blessed the sacrament again and Brandon passed the sacrament for the first time! Then Brandon shared his TESTIMONY in front of everyone!! He explained how he has been attending seminary and mutual and has learned so much. He even mentioned how happy he was that he got baptized - I was so excited for him and couldn't be happier. Our other recent converts came too: Lulu, and Jose Guadalupe. It was just all great. We had pizza for lunch and afterwards completed the week's goal of contacting a total of 100 people! Oh, and in the evening we met a lady named Maria Dolores, who let us in her house, and after teaching the first lesson, she accepted a baptismal date in April :)

Pooh and Tigger = Hermana Rivera and I

Hermana Rivera and I are working hard together and are constantly making each other laugh. The time really has flown by with her this past month and we've definitely become best friends.

I hope everyone is doing well and has a FABULOUS week :) Thank you for all your love, prayers and support. I'm the luckiest girl in the world, thanks to all of you, and am so grateful.

All my love,

Hermana Eliason