WEEK 14

Hola!

Highlights from this week:

- One of our investigators, Evelia, came to church this week with her husband!!!!

- We were having a lesson with Jesus (the recent convert), and we were talking about fútbol that we play on Thursdays, and he said that last week I seemed "descompuesto". I didn't know that word and neither did my companion, so we looked it up:

Descompuesto: "broken, disorganized, distorted, angry"

We had a good laugh! I couldn't even be offended because it's the truth! I'm just not meant to play sports.

- This happened last week, but we were with one of our investigators, Jacky, and she said that her esposo makes fun of me, because apparently I say "interesante" a lot. She said it's not a word they really use, so I guess that's why it's funny. She says that they say it to each other now and laugh about it, so it's an inside joke between them now. Ay ay ay. I'm just getting used to Hispanics making fun of me now.

- We've found some new people to teach, which is exciting because we've been having kind of a lull lately. We've started teaching this boy named Andy and he's really cool. We've gone by a lot to try to teach his sister, but she's always working. He's been really nice to us, but made it clear that church isn't his thing. So the other day, we went by again and his sister wasn't home again, but he invited us in. And we just started talking to him and got to know him a little better. It was really neat because he opened up to us more about his beliefs, and he's just stuck right now. He believes in God, but he really doesn't know much more about what he believes. We asked him if he thought that the truth was out there, and he said "Yeah, maybe." We asked him how he thought he was going to find it and he said something like, "I don't know, I think I'll find it eventually, maybe when I'm older." So we talked about how our faith grows when we are actively seeking. We're going back to see him this week and I really hope we can help him find the happiness he is looking for!

My experience as a missionary has strengthened my testimony of faith so, so much. So many people we talk to believe in God and are wonderful people, and they have so much faith. But what so many people don't understand is that faith is a principle of action, no matter how small that action may be. It's not enough to just say that we believe, we have to live it! I have been trying to learn to exercise faith, not just to have it. It's really hard sometimes and it's not comfortable, but I've learned so much that I never would have otherwise. Faith is amazing! It is a real power, not just something we say or believe. Faith is something that we choose! And we have to keep choosing it every single day. I love this quote from Elder Andersen:

"Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is not something ethereal, floating loosely in the air. Faith does not fall upon us by chance or stay with us by birthright. It is, as the scriptures say, “substance … , the evidence of things not seen.” Faith emits a spiritual light, and that light is discernible. Faith in Jesus Christ is a gift from heaven that comes as we choose to believe and as we seek it and hold on to it. Your faith is either growing stronger or becoming weaker. Faith is a principle of power, important not only in this life but also in our progression beyond the veil. By the grace of Christ, we will one day be saved through faith on His name. The future of your faith is not by chance, but by choice."

I know that when we choose to show our faith by actions, we can be transformed into something greater than we ever could have become by ourselves. Even if our personal steps of faith may seem small to others, they are important in Heavenly Father's eyes. Every small step counts. The faith to move mountains starts with a tiny mustard seed. I know because I have seen the effects of acting on faith. I am so grateful for my Savior and Heavenly Father, who help me every day. I know they are there and I feel so blessed to have this knowledge and to share it with others who don't know! Being a missionary is the best.

Have a wonderful week.

Hermana Eddington