Hermana Eliason: FRESNILLO For More Learning

[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. Everyone is invited to attend.]

Me and Hermana Cuque

On P-day, Hermana Cuque and I went to the big white tents set up in the Vincentinario. It was really similar to the Artisan Fair we had visited in San Luis, and we even recognized some sellers who we had contacted! It was so cool to see artsy things from all over Mexico (and even Peru!). We bought a few things and just enjoyed walking around. Afterwards we ate WAFFLES for lunch!! So yummy.

In the evening, we taught Sofia and Fatima bout the Holy Ghost and how we can receive answers to our prayers through promptings and impressions. They are super great, and I love visiting their little brick house. :)

On Tuesday we had our last district meeting of this transfer - my LAST district meeting. When we finished, we sang the hymn "Till We Meet" in English, Spanish, and Portuguese! We had a good productive day - teaching new investigators and recent converts.

Wednesday morning we taught the Sanchez family. Hermana Sanchez just needs to receive "an answer" or confirmation that this is true in order to be baptized (Her husband told us he already knows & he wants to be baptized.) Then in the evening we taught Cristina in Morelos. She really liked the lesson about the Creation and the Fall of Adam and Eve, because she had just started reading the Old Testament. Many people know the Bible story of Adam and Eve, but don't understand why it was necessary or that it was part of God's plan. (2 Nephi 2:22-25)!

Thursday morning we taught Leopoldo!! Turns out, he's not going to get surgery and is taking medicine for the knee pain. He was walking by the park with his cane, when he saw us and exclaimed, "Hermanas! Where have you two been? I've been waiting to find you and tell you that I'm not going to close my shop and I want you to continue teaching me." So when we visited him, he told us that during the weeks we hadn't passed by his shop (thinking it was closed and he was at his house or the hospital) he had re-read the entire Book of Mormon! He was so happy to see us again and share with us all that he had learned. It was so incredible. I am so glad he will continue listening to the missionaries even after I leave. He even asked me, "Hermana Eliason, how will I send you the picture of my baptism?" I then had to explain what an email was :) The rest of the day went really well too.

Here I am knocking on the door of an apartment that was on the second story
(and had super sketchy metal stairs that felt pretty loose to me!)

Hermana Cuque and I woke up at 4am on Friday to get ready and be at the church in Mineros at 5am. This time our whole zone traveled to Fresnillo (my first area) for a conference with Elder Arnold and his wife. Elder Arnold is a member of the Quorum of the Seventy and taught us and the zone of Fresnillo for almost 5 hours! What a powerful and spiritual experience it was for all of us. We discussed a wide variety of topics and he really inspired us to work harder and be better missionaries. It made me think of the quote of President Hinckley, "Try a little harder to be a little better." I want to always improve and change so that I can become who my Heavenly Father wants me to be. We all have so much potential and "the worth of souls is great in the sight of God." D&C 18:10

That evening we taught Cruz Torres, who fed us and said he wants to be baptized, but worries about making mistakes afterwards. So we explained repentance and that baptism is something necessary for our salvation. Hopefully he will be baptized sometime in July.

Saturday was really fun because in the evening, after lunch, we went on splits with the missionaries from Jerez (Hermana Gutierrez and Hermana McArthur). They were staying with the Sister Training Leaders for the weekend; because Saturday & Sunday was Stake Conference and Jerez is pretty far away.

We ate at a really yummy restaurant and I got
a baguette!! With a strawberry smoothie!

I spent the afternoon with Hermana Gutierrez and she is just a doll!  She's the only child and her parents and she converted to the gospel when she was 12 years old. Hermana Gutierrez only has 4 months in the mission and lots of energy. We worked really well together and became friends super quickly. At the end of the day she asked me, "Why do you have to go home now, Hermana Eliason? I would have loved to have been your companion." It was so sweet and I am glad for the opportunity I had to get to know her. We were able to teach several great lessons and then listen to the Saturday night conference from 7pm - 9pm.

On Sunday the Stake Conference continued and I loved when Elder Johnson spoke about the importance of keeping the Sabbath day holy. He said, "Sunday isn't just 3 hours." We should stay in our church clothes all day and do activities that invite the Spirit. I learned a lot from the different talks, and we officially planned Antonio's baptism for next Saturday!  After the conference, we visited a lot of investigators and had a great evening.

All in all, another fantastic week! I love this area in Zacatecas and Hermana Cuque and I are working hard to help the wonderful people here. I hope everyone is doing well and Happy June. I'm excited for summer to start and see all of you soon!  Love you!

~Hermana Eliason

[more pictures]