Week 63

Hola Queridos,

THINGS I NEVER THOUGHT WOULD HAPPEN AS A MISSIONARY:

#47: When the words, "We don't keep the Sabbath Day holy, we're inactive!" are music to my ears. Like seven people this week straight up admitted they were inactive and needed to come back to church. And some did! Hey, recognizing is the first step of repentance, #amirite? I've never had that happen with a white person. 

#48: Someone asked my companion if I'm Russian. Is my Spanish that bad? 

I can't believe my blackout year has finished--I'm 24 this week! My only regret is that I could not listen to Miley Cyrus's "23" this entire year.  {Not really.} We felt prompted yesterday to visit a youth who was not at church yesterday, and we ended up crashing their family birthday party with half the ward (since their family is half the ward). They invited us right in and sang to me as well!Que lo muerda--Que lo muerda  And we got a new investigator whose wife Ashley (member) was so grateful we came! 

I've definitely seen some very special blessings from Heavenly Father this week. I'm still struggling with the language. I really can't hold a conversation, but even though I don't understand I've been able to have lessons where I just feel things flow out. We had one lesson with Hermano Morales, the husband of one of our most faithful Hermanas. For some reason speaking with them is especially difficult for me. I've just been smiling and nodding lately. One time Hermana Morales said to my companion, "This poor Sister probably has no idea what's going on!" And of course I smiled and nodded.
This Hermano has been investigating forever, and has a reputation for being so stubborn! But ever since we came, things have changed. We had a lesson about the sacrament, and there was not a moment I didn't know what to say. And then there's a different understanding, not necessarily words. I realize now that one reason he won't baptize is because he knows he will be a leader in the kingdom, and it's daunting. 

He used to be mad at the missionaries for coming over so much, but when we left he invited us back, and asked us not to schedule anything after our appointment because we "seem to leave in such a hurry." We had just had dinner with them and a full lesson!  His heart is softening.

There have also been times in other lessons when I actually have the total OPPOSITE idea about what is going on and I pipe up and say something, but it happens to address with their exact concern. All I have to thank is the Lord.

I think I've had a perspective change this week...if I can help people immerse themselves in the Book of Mormon, the rest will follow. Mission President Carlson sent us an email based on a talk by  He reminded us about all the ills in the world and reminded us that all the prophets had offered a simple solution: The Iron Rod, the Word of God. in 1 Nephi 15:23-24 we read: "And they said unto me: What meaneth the rod of iron which our father saw, that led to the tree? And I said unto them that it was the word of God; and whoso would hearken unto the word of God, and would hold fast unto it, they would never perish; neither could the temptations and the fiery darts of the adversary overpower them unto blindness, to lead them away to destruction."

It was obvious to Nephi, who at one or more times was the only strong link in his family. I hope every family, member or not, can take Nephi's words to heart.

Los quiero muchísimo pero Jesús los ama aun más!

Hermana Pugmire

Found my quince/wedding dress

Lots of Amish neighbors, so we share the road with these handsome fellows.

I wish I would have captured what the sign behind the horse says, but it read, "HORSE AND BUGGY PARKING ONLY." And yes, those are reflectors and turn signals on the back.

Again, like Carmel, Elkhart has a thing for creepy lifesize statues.

I  Elkhart!

First contact Word of Wisdom lesson off the bucket list!

He's getting knowledge, I'm getting wisdom.

​Just wanted to let you know, this exists.

And this:

For all your get-down Gospel needs.

 

Week 62--Among the best miracles I've seen

Hola Queridos,

THINGS I NEVER THOUGHT WOULD HAPPEN AS A MISSIONARY:

#45: Find out I CAN actually go to Michigan and it's still in my area! What a free feeling that I can pretty much go everywhere I want! #noboundaries (See fine print: ain't nobody got miles fo' dat.) 

#46: Get permission form my mission president to call Emily Parton and Ellie! I told him offhand about our friendship and he told me to give her a call! Love you booboo

Found out this week that "no problemo" is actually NOT correct Spanish grammar and just makes you sound like a gringo who has no chill. Also accidentally:

• Told someone her baby's hair was very fat.
• Told an Hermana we would read her mind everytime she texted us.
• Called some ducks a bad word.
• Even a native can make a mistake. My companion couldn't remember the Spanish word for "behind". She texted an Hermana saying that "We are going to be a few minutes late. Sorry, we are a little bit retarded."

Fun week all around!

Saturday night we go to visit a member of the ward who hadn't been coming. The address did not exist. We go to knock on the next closest door and on the porch there is a couch. On the couch there is a woman passed out cold. Awkwardly, we wake her up and ask if she is Hermana Dominguez. She says no, but then says she knows where we are from. "Are you a member?" we ask in surprise. "No, I was excommunicated from that place!" The awkward intensifies. But she jumps up and says she'll call around to find Hermana Dominguez. She is super willing to help us. She comes out and brings her teenage daughter, Phoenix. She tells us Phoenix almost got baptized three years ago, but her father would not permit it because he was "a witch" (literally--he was a Wiccan.) We asked her what she liked best about the Church. She said she enjoyed learning about what commandments God wanted her to do. She brings out her Book of Mormon and tells us about her favorite story, about holding to the Rod! We have a short lesson and find out she'd been taught just about everything. We'd been praying and felt a prompting that there was someone being prepared to be baptized the end of this month. We asked her, "Phoenix, how would you feel to know you're prepared to be baptized then?" She has jumped in headfirst!

We also had another miracle--Halima. We found her when we bought lemonade at a kid's lemonade stand and gave the kids pictures of Christ in America and the temple. The little girl ran to her mom and said, "This is your book!" Halima came down and asked us about the temple, and she mentioned she was moving close to there, and also mentioned she had read the Book of Mormon. We asked her if she believed it was true and she said, "YES! This Book is everything I believe. I really want to join with this group!" She accepted baptism in her new ward after she moves--which, coincidentally enough is where I served halfway through my mission. She had been wanting to learn for years, but her travels had gotten in the way. She's initially from Africa and she was raised Muslim but went to a Catholic boarding school where she gained faith in Christ. She had a roommate who was Mormon. The roommate would always sneak out of the room in the evening and be reading a book--you can guess what. Halima was curious and would read it whenever her roommate wasn't looking. She's moved all over the world since then and been seeking truth ever since.

The Book of Mormon really is like a magnet for the elect. D&C 29:7-8 "And ye are called to bring to pass the gathering of mine elect...Wherefore the decree hath gone forth from the Father that they shall be gathered in unto one place upon the face of this land, to prepare their hearts and be prepared in all things."

Los quiero muchísimo pero Jesús los ama aun más!

Hermana Pugmire

Week 61--Land of Liberty

Hola Queridos,

THINGS I NEVER THOUGHT WOULD HAPPEN AS A MISSIONARY:

#44: Discover the magical land of Michiana: ("Michigan-Indiana") I don't think anyone really notes the difference because technically Michigan City is in Indiana. I was really confused if I was out of my area when the signs said "you're in Michiana." I'm also as far away as it is possible to be from the Mission Home. It will be a fun roadtrip this week for the new missionary training!

There is an interesting phenomenon that is happening. I think being white makes me look more hungry. The ward members won't stop offering me more food. Even if I started eating like five minutes ago. They don't ask if anyone else wants food--just me. This one Hermana asked me if I liked the main dish. Of course! I had taken about two bites, and before I know it my whole plate is more full than it was before. #happenseverytime 

We've had some strange "coincidences" of meeting lots of people who were formerly investigating the Church. It's cool to see how much more prepared they are now for the Gospel. It's amazing to see how the Spirit helps them remember so much from a discussion ten years ago. It reinforces my purpose for me. Like Paul said, "I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase." (1 Cor. 3:6) Every time we give someone spiritual light, our testimony, it's a drop of oil in their lamp. They may not have enough oil in their lamp to have the light of Christ spark that wick yet of receiving baptism, but they will be so much more prepared later on. And the moment that someone acquires enough spiritual light, that's the moment they chose to make covenants.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Memorial Day. We were able to explain to an investigator this week who had problems with the Book of Mormon saying the Americas were the promised land when the Bible says Jerusalem. I don't think we used this passage particularly, but the Book of Mormon makes it so clear that the promised land is a land given to the righteous to bring forth God's Kingdom, so no need to re-do the crusades. This has been on my mind all week:

2 Nephi 1:5-7: "Notwithstanding our afflictions, we have obtained a land of promise, a land which is choice above all other lands...Yea, the Lord hath covenanted this land unto me, and to my children forever, and also all those who should be led out of other countries by the hand of the Lord. Wherefore, I, Lehi, prophesy according to the workings of the Spirit which is in me, that there shall none come into this land save they shall be brought by the hand of the Lord....And if it so be that they shall serve him according to the commandments which he hath given, it shall be a land of liberty unto them."

Los quiero muchísimo pero Jesús los ama aun más!

Hermana Pugmire

Week 60--Salvation is Free

Hola Queridos,

Dumb things I've said in Spanish:

• I told the Bishop's wife I went and lived with my boyfriend in high school and her daughter could do the same thing.
• I told the Relief Society my companion and I don't have a phone and if they want to invite us to dinner call Mission President Carlson.
• I told my companion I'm very pregnant; Also told her I have a tumor growing out of my neck and back.
• Accidentally confused someone's name for "Sangrita" 

Good week for language study!

 

I've realized my new assignment is like being someone new to the Gospel or the Church. I didn't know how to pray, I wasn't really familiar with my scriptures anymore and starting out reading them I didn't understand them most of the time. There is a lot of new vocabulary that is never used except for the scriptures. I didn't have any friends at church except for the missionaries. I didn't know how to talk to these people, and I've said a lot of dumb things! It's a new culture, and I'm not sure quite how to act. I'm still not entirely sure what is going on all of the time! A lot of people ask me if I am new to the mission! Which I'm sure is how people returning to the Church feel when they are asked if they were just baptized. I respect and understand so much more the experiences of coming into or back into the Gospel.

I adore being in a Spanish branch! Reasons:

1. Mexican food. Everyday. 
2. Everyone eats dinner at like 4.
3. It's super small and everyone knows everyone and is all up in each other's business.
4. Doing activities and parties. The whole "being organized" thing not so much, but the purpose is achieved!
5. Spanglish: Chequete (Check yourself) Watchete (watch yourself) Achievear metas (Achieve our goals)

We also had a cool experience this week. Felt prompted talk about sharing the Gospel on the internet. Especially we emphasized every time we share something Gospel, linking it to more Church content. We challenged Sister Morales to do so. She taught in Relief Society yesterday, and brought up this challenge we'd given her the night before. She was crying as she told the class how she had shared a Church page with her non-member sister. I'm not quite sure what else she said, but it must have been very touching because everyone in the room was crying.  It's so easy to do something like that, but it can have a huge impact.

Swearwords might be expensive, but salvation isn't! #ponderizing these verses this week:

"Come, my brethren, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters; and he that hath no money, come buy and eat; yea, come buy wine and milk without money and without price." (2 Nephi 9:50, Isaiah 55:1) " "And thou hast beheld in thy youth his glory;...for the Spirit is the same, yesterday, today, and forever. And the way is prepared from the fall of man, and salvation is free." (2 Nephi 2:4)

Los quiero muchísimo pero Jesús los ama aun más!

Hermana Pugmire