Still Lovin' It All!

On Monday after Hermana Mora and I said good-bye, I waited in the bus station with other missionaries for 4 hours and then my new and last companion arrived.  Her name is Hermana Cuque.  She's 20 years old, has 2 other brothers, is from Guatemala, and has 10 months in the mission.  After we dropped off her things at the house, we ate at Subway and returned so that she could unpack and I could clean.  Pretty easy-going P-day.

My new companion, Hermana Cuque

On Tuesday, we didn't have a District Meeting because we will be having a Zone Conference with the mission president on Friday.  Hermana Cuque and I have been walking non-stop and trying to find more investigators that can progress in this area.  One thing I love about Hermana Cuque, is that she has a positive outlook on life and always tries to look at the bright side.  We taught several lessons and had a good day together.

Wednesday morning, the Bishop came with us to visit Leopoldo and it was perfect!  The Bishop is a convert and currently 71 years old, and Leopoldo is going through the conversion process and is 73 years old.  So they became quick friends and although he's still a little hesitant, we're hoping Leopoldo will get baptized this month.  :)    Then we went to Morelos in the evening and taught Cristina and Jose.  Cristina told us that they want to be baptized and knows that what we've been teaching them is true, but they're going to wait till June or July because they're going to move to Tijuana!  But, by all means, they said I would need to attend their baptism in Baja California, since I live only 3 hours away.  :)  They are an incredible family and I can always feel the Spirit really strongly when we teach them.

The wide open fields on our bus ride from Morelos, to Zacatecas

On Thursday after weekly planning and lunch, we visited some less active members and recent converts.  It is starting to get hot here - pure short-sleeve shirts and sunscreen!

Friday was the Zone Conference with the mission president and his wife.  I could really feel the Spirit as President Villareal spoke about sacrifices.  He explained how the law of obedience goes hand in hand with the law of sacrifice (which are both laws of heaven).  In the scripture dictionary, it says "we must be willing to sacrifice everything for the Lord and His kingdom."  For some of us, we may have to sacrifice working on Sundays or some material "treasure".  But we also may have to offer a "broken heart" and give up our pride or selfishness.  I realized that there are a wide variety of sacrifices we can offer to the Lord, to shake off our dependance of worldly things that may bring pleasure, and find the continuous happiness that Gospel gives us.

Marlen and I posing in front of this sign with our scripture bags ;) haha

Saturday flew by!  In the morning we taught Leopoldo and he always has the deepest & most interesting questions.  Then we ate brunch with our Jehovah's Witness investigator (it was his birthday).  He said he was researching online at our church's website [lds.org] and became really interested in the doctrine of baptism for the dead.  Cruz told us it was something he had never heard about before and wanted to learn more!  He lit up as he said "Just imagine all the good we could do for our ancestors!"  I had never seen someone get so excited over family history work.  Cruz is definitely right - we can do so much good for those who have passed away.  They are depending on us to perform sacred ordinances in the temple.

In the evening we found some new investigators and taught a less active member about why it is important to go to church.  We told him that in his house we can sing, socialize, read, learn, pray, teach, and feel the Spirit (which are all great things we do on Sundays) but we can't bless an administer the Sacrament.  Partaking of the sacrament (the bread and water which represents the body and blood of Jesus Christ) is the most important part of Sunday Church activities.  It is our way of remembering the sacrifice of our Savior and showing gratitude and love towards our Heavenly Father.  When we righteously partake of the sacrament, we receive the promise to have the companionship of the Holy Ghost with us throughout the rest of the week.  It is so important to go to church and receive all the promises and blessings that our Father in Heaven is waiting to bestow upon us.

A cool museum that was once a cathedral

After an incredible testimony meeting on Sunday, Hermana Cuque and I had a lot of people to visit.  My favorite lesson was to a young single mother named Crista.  She works during the week (from home, making videos) and is studying Law in the University on weekends.  Her two little children are adorable and I could see that she loves them a lot.  She was someone Hermana Mora and I had contacted last week and was very interested in our message.  She has never been religious or attended any church.  She listened attentively and we explained about the immeasurable love God has for each of His children (just like she loves her two children immensely).  It was a beautiful day and I am so happy to be a missionary.  I love each moment and am learning new things daily.  I know this is the true church and that the gospel brings us happiness.

Thank you all for your love, prayers, and support!

~Hermana Eliason

[Kiley will be giving her homecoming talk,

Sunday, June 14th at 9:00am
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
3354 Eucalyptus Ave
Chino Hills, CA

*Note:  there are two buildings in the same parking lot.  She will be speaking in the Stake Center; the larger of the two buildings and the one furthest from the corner.]