Finishing Strong!!

Our Preparation Day was relaxing. We followed the normal routine and for lunch and ate paninis. (It was the first time time Hermana Cuque had eaten a panini and she loved it). That evening we watched the video Together Forever with Fatima and Sofia, and ate popcorn. They both really liked the stories in the video and Fatima told us that she bought a notebook where she writes down her thoughts while reading the Book of Mormon.  It helps so much to take notes and write down what comes to our minds as we study.

Tuesday we taught Antonio who bought us gorditas for a late breakfast.  He is a very kind man who tries to follow Jesus Christ and likes to learn about his teachings.

We also visited a recent convert named Angel who had some confusion about the Book of Mormon. He thought that since several chapters of Isaiah are cited in 2nd Nephi, that basically the Book of Mormon is another version of the Bible.  So we dedicated a good 30 minutes explaining clearly what the Book of Mormon actually is.  It was a very powerful lesson and I could feel the Spirit testifying so strongly that what we were saying was true.

Wednesday we ate lunch in Morelos with Cristina and Jose. They are related to Hermana Enriquez.  They had offered to feed us despite their very humble resources.  I love their family and am going to miss visiting them.  Morelos is such a cute town and it was so great to be able to go every week there :)  In the evening I said good-bye to the very sweet Hermana Guille. She is like the grandma of all the missionaries and treats everyone with so much love.  She took off her oxygen tubes to take a picture with me and I assured her that my companion and the new missionary would continue visiting often. It’s sad to say good-bye to the people I’ve come to admire and care for.

Hermana Enriquez and her twin daughters.

On Thursday Hermana Cuque woke up sick. She hadn’t been able to sleep the night before and said she really didn’t feel well.  While she rested for a bit, I was able to do a little packing. Then in the evening we taught Antonio the last lesson and went over his baptism interview questions.  He was excited about his upcoming baptism on Saturday. We also visited an investigator named Veronica and her daughter Gemma when we arrived they surprised me with a very thoughtful present.  Veronica had knitted a doll version of myself! (she knits professionally and has her own little shop where we teach her).  It was so kind and it had taken her all week- and her daughter Gemma had drawn a picture of me holding a Book of Mormon.  It was so special to me and it is just another reminder to me of how blessed I’ve been to come to know so many incredible people.

Friday was my last zone conference.  I loved the topics of discussion (especially when they brought up the importance of setting goals).  I am going to miss reuniting with so many other Sisters and Elders to talk about how we can help others come unto Christ.  I’ve learned so much from each missionary during my time here. After the zone conference we took pictures and I said good-bye to my fellow missionary friends.

We taught Cruz Torres in the afternoon - I’m going to miss teaching him.  He’s been progressing so much and I know he’ll be baptized one day.  Then we visited Eriberto, who is in the middle of Alma (in the Book of Mormon).  The people here never cease to amaze me! I love them and am going to miss Mexico so much.

Hermana Cuque, Antonio and I are standing in front of the font on his baptism day

Saturday was Antonio’s special day! He was finally baptized! Everything went really smoothly and he was so happy afterwards. When I asked him how he felt, he replied “I feel changed. I feel different.”  He was smiling and I could feel the Spirit really strongly.  Then in the church we taught Alejandro (who has given up his coffee!)  It’s hard to leave an area when those you are teaching are progressing.

Sunday was a beautiful day.  Antonio was confirmed in the sacrament meeting and received the gift of the Holy Ghost.  Alejandro came to church and so did Cruz Torres!!  Cruz really liked all three hours and gave me a bracelet (since he makes and sells jewelry).  Eriberto came to church with a white shirt and a tie!! 

Eriberto in his white shirt & tie!

He gave me a Batman shirt and a thank you card for teaching him the gospel.  All the members said good-bye to me and wished me luck on my journey home.  After lunch, we went back to the house to gather up my things and head to Aguascalientes.  Hermana Cuque came with me because she is going to be training a new missionary!  It was nice not to travel alone :) I am going to miss Hermana Cuque and all the other sister missionaries I came to know and love.  I have been extremely blessed during these past 18 months here in Mexico and will never forget all that I’ve learned.  I know this is the true church and that our Heavenly Father loves us.  There aren’t enough words to describe the joy I’ve felt and the gratitude I feel towards serving a full-time mission.  And although I won’t be wearing my name badge 24/7, I will always be a missionary.

I want to thank all of my dear family members and friends who have been such a big support to me during this year and a half.  I love you all and am so thankful for your prayers, words of encouragement, and help.  I am so excited to see each of you very soon in person!! Get ready for a lot of hugs :)

Love always,

Hermana Eliason