Sister Pugmire: 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.