first transfer complete

the cute family we've been teaching all dressed up

Hola Todos!

I have officially finished my first transfer! It's amazing how much I have grown and learned in just six weeks. Though I am far from fluent, I can now understand most of what is being said around me, and can get across ideas (however strange and slow the delivery). 

I am still trying to learn the area, and thus am very thankful that my companion and I will be together for another transfer here (and because she's awesome--I don't only like her for her knowledge of the area and ability to speak English...though they definitely help...). But I am looking forward to another 6 weeks on the streets of Frontera Norte (yes, directly on the border. My area goes to the very last road in Mexico and I walk it almost daily).

some awesome burritos

This week we had another baptism! Jorge has been meeting with the missionaries for about 5 months, and had two previous baptismal dates, both of which he called the night before to cancel, but he finally felt sure enough and had strong enough faith to go through with it! 

Jorge

It was scheduled to be before church on Sunday at 8:00 AM, so our ward mission leader agreed to go to the church at 5 AM to start filling the baptismal font. When my companion and I showed up, however, we found the font empty and discovered that the water was out in the church. We were terrified, thinking this would scare Jorge into cancelling again, but instead he agreed to being baptized after church in another chapel in Juarez. 

The service was great, the spirit was strong, and he was happy to finally have made a covenant with his Heavenly Father and be able to have the promise and blessing of the Holy Ghost with him. 

my district

Prayer answered: This week we were knocking on the door of a woman I had contacted the week before. We had an appointment, but people often forget or give us false addresses. We knocked a few times with no response and were ready to give up when Hermana Hernandez decided she was going to go inside the open fence and knock on the door itself (which we rarely do because people's fences are almost always closed and locked). I was hesitant, but she went for it. 

The woman answered and said she didn't have time to listen then because she had a lot to do, but agreed to let us help her. As we cleaned her house and helped her with the laundry, she informed us that she has been desperately looking for someone to help her around the house as she is 87 and taking care of her disabled son. While she was telling us, we thought of a woman who we have been teaching who we had a lesson with that night, though she already had a job. We told that woman about the job and she informed us that she has been praying to find a new job nearer to her home. The woman's home is about a 10 minute walk from hers.

Prayers really can be and are answered each and every day. Turn to Him. Ask Him your questions. He is wanting and waiting to help.

Love you all!

Hermana Naatjes

Thanksgiving meal from some members