Feliz Ano Nuevo!

IT SNOWED!!!! (and melted 4 hours later...)

Hola todos!

This week was awesome. My first Christmas away from family, without snow (it was 70ish degrees), and my first Christmas in Spanish! I was worried I would waste my time missing family, and though I did miss them, I found so much joy being out here, doing the work of the Lord during the season when we celebrate Him and His birth. I can testify that there is no happier place to be than in the work of the Lord. I got to spend my Christmas in many different homes, spreading the good news of Christ, and trying (in my broken Spanish) to help people remember the true meaning of Christmas. It was fantastic. 

Also, I got to talk to my family on Google hangout! It was definitely a funny experience as I struggled to speak in English! The first sentence I spoke to them was completely in Spanish, and I didn't realize it until I saw their confused faces. But that means I'm getting better at Spanish! (I hope...)

Oh yeah, and we had a baptism on Christmas Day! Julio (who has been taking the missionary discussions and going to church and institute for over a year) finally made the decision to be baptized, and felt that there was no day better to be born again than on the day that the Savior was born. It was fantastic, and definitely an awesome way to start off my Christmas haha.

Julio's baptism!

I hope you all have a fantastic New Year. I challenge you all to set a goal, and not only a goal to go to the gym more. In this new year I challenge you all to set a goal to become a better person. We all have things about ourselves that we'd like to change, but we often are afraid to do so. We are often too afraid to try because we are afraid to fail. We often think our problems are bigger than us. If we think like this, we will be right. I challenge you all to set your goals, make specific plans to complete them, and pray to the Lord to help you complete them. I have found out here in my mission, that we almost all believe that He has all power and can do anything, except change us and answer our questions. I want to testify that He really does have all power, and because He is your father, He wants to help you, and will, if you are willing to trust in Him!

I love and miss you all like crazy!!

Hermana Naatjes

Feliz Navidad!!!

boots I bought one month ago... had to buy some new ones :(

Hola Todos!

This week has been an amazing one. I was worried that this time of year would be harder than most, being away from family and all, but I have found so much joy. There is too much to do and too many people to help to feel sad!

Miracles of the Week:
 There is a man named Julio who has been going to church, to institute, YSA activities, and taking the missionary discussions for over a year. We haven't been able to find him for a few months, as he works a lot. On Tuesday night we were walking in the area near his house, running around looking for people and teaching lessons (like usual) and suddenly ran into him. While we were talking he told us that he felt like he was finally ready to think about baptism! We set an appointment for the next morning, and in the lesson he accepted a baptismal date for the January 2nd. We were so excited. In our following appointment we were talking about his testimony and all that he had learned and how ready he is (he practically knows more than me!) and my companion asked him if he wanted to move his baptism up to be baptized this week, and he accepted and asked if we could do it on Christmas!!! (We definitely said yes :))

Our Christmas décor

The Lord has definitely helped us in miraculous ways this week, helping us find people who are truly prepared to receive this message. Julio is only one of a few who have accepted baptismal dates and are committed to follow the Lord and change their live for the better. 

During this time of the year the spirit is so strong in the world. I have found that through the years Christmas gets a bit less exciting every year, as we grow up, move away, even lose loved ones. The spirit and joy that once was, seems to dim. If we think of Christmas for the parties and the presents, it will continue seeming less and less important. I encourage you all, however, to remember the real meaning of Christmas. If we remember that this time of year is to remember Christ, to remember His birth, and remember all that He has done for us we will feel this joy every year because no matter how much we change, how much time passes, we will always need Christ. If we remember His sacrifice, we will remember that through it we can find joy again. If we remember that because He conquered death, our loved ones will as well, and we will know that through and because of Him we have the opportunity to see them again, and live with them through all eternity, we can find joy each and every year.

Feliz Navidad! 

Hermana Naatjes

Man my family really knows me :)

Officially a missionary

 Karen (recent convert) who accompanied us for some of our lessons

Hola Todos! 

I officially have run out of excuses for having no idea what I am doing, because I am officially done with my training! I am still with my trainer (luckily, she's the bomb) and still in Frontera. We are looking forward to a transfer of miracles!

 Hermana Hernandez made some crepes, I was proud

This week was a tough one. We had many people who we were teaching who were progressing well, to the point where they even had baptismal dates, but decided this week they wanted to be done. Many tears were shed.

Gilberto (who I am pretty sure I've talked about) was doing sooo well. He was down to one cigarette a day, and committed to stop completely (he started bout 3 weeks ago with 20 a day) and had his baptism scheduled for Sunday. He was so excited, looking happier and healthier than we had seen him before, excitedly telling us about how he was shopping for the sandals he was going to need for his baptism and everything (Friday). We went on Saturday with the Elders for his Baptismal interview and when he opened the door the first thing he said was that he wasn't going to baptized on Sunday. He told us that he talked with his Claudia (who is taking care of him) and that he is Catholic (which he had never said anything about before) and wasn't going to change that and didn't want to be baptized anymore. We were heartbroken, but as we talked, he committed that he would keep reading the Book of Mormon and praying, but that he didn't want to go to church anymore and that we should stop coming.  But he did say we could check up on him again in about a week to see if he still feels the same. 

We are hopeful that his heart will change. 

Me and Hermana Figueroa

With this experience and other heartbreaking experiences throughout the week, we were feeling pretty down Sunday morning (when we had planned to be at the church preparing for his baptism). We knew we had to keep going but it was hard. 

We got to the church at about 8:30 to save seats for the people we were hoping would come when we were welcomed by a family who we had been teaching. Two of the kids are baptized but the rest of the family is not (6 kids, and their dad) The dad didn't come, but 3 of the kids who had never come before were there. 

A few minutes later we received a call from another family who said they wanted to come as well (they had said no earlier so we hadn't found them a ride, but we were quickly able to get a hold of a member who was kind and willing enough to pick them up). 

As the meeting began we got another call, from another family we had been teaching who were lost on their way to the church, and with our directions were able to find it and come. 

Part way through the meeting as well, another couple who we had been teaching walked into the chapel. We had 9 investigators there (which to those who don't know, is nothing short of a miracle).

The Lord remembers us always. He is not only there to help us up when we fall, but to help us grow, to stand taller, and achieve more. Trust in Him always, and He will provide.

Love you all!

Hermana Naatjes

Familia Alanis (parte)

Us and Jorge (other recent convert)

This picture and caption were posted on Facebook a couple of days ago...                            

Un día más con las misioneras 💗 es un gusto poder ayudar en esta bonita obra, Alguien quiere conocer el bonito mensaje que traen?? 😊

One more day with the missionaries 💗 it's a pleasure to help in this beautiful work, someone wants to know the nice message they bring?? 😊

 · 

Rate this translation

— in Ciudad Juárez.

One more week!

Hermana Limachi (another missionary here) very happy to have a hat made by my mom. Said to tell her that her hat will eventually go with her to Bolivia.

Hola todos!!

I only have one more week of training! In a week I'll officially be a real missionary, and will have to learn to trust myself (as it's very likely that my companion is going to leave the area and I'll be put in charge of teaching the area to another missionary). 

I'm definitely scared, but learning how to trust that the Lord will help me be enough, even if I'm not. 

The Garcia family, an awesome and helpful family in our ward

Miracle of the week: Since my first week on the mission we have been teaching a family. The daughter was baptized (Karen) but the mom, who we were also teaching, has not been and had not progressed much. This week we finally had the opportunity to teach her alone (and she actually opened the door, which has also been a problem). 

We finally got to talk with her and teach her and figure out what she is really worried about and what has been holding her back. At the end of the lesson she (for the first time) agreed to offer the prayer. In the prayer she began to cry, and at the end of the lesson agreed to begin reading and praying on her own. She has committed before, but this time felt different. 

Two days later we had a lesson with her daughter, and for the first time in a few weeks she was happy. I wasn't sure what had changed until after the lesson she told us that her mom had asked her to help her find a chapter (which we had left for her) in the Book of Mormon and that she was praying every night. Karen was glowing with joy.

Hermana Hernandez, sadly holding her warm cuddly (bag of rice made by my mom) which she burnt. She decided to microwave it for 3 minutes though I had told her it only needed one.

If you don't know yet, the Church has put out the Christmas initiative for the year for Light the World. Please watch the video, and share it. Through small acts of service like sharing this video you can change lives. Last year a man in our area shared the video from the last year on Facebook, and one of his friends (who he didn't know very well) responded and asked where it was from. He invited her to come to church the following week and she agreed, and was baptized 3 weeks later, and is an active member to this day. 

Through our small acts of service the Lord can work miracles. Look outside yourself this Christmas, and help those around you. You never know the difference that a few minutes of service can make.

Love you all!

Hermana Naatjes

Went bowling! (featuring the weight I have sadly but surely gained) (It's not actually as bad as it looks in this pic I promise...hope)

2 weeks left in training

Hna Hernandez told me she had a Mennonite dress, I thought she was exaggerating until she brought me this dress which she had literally bought from Mennonites in Casas Grandes. You better believe I rocked it the whole day.

Hola everybody!

This week was another good one! I have two weeks left in my training period (the first two transfers) so that's pretty crazy! Theoretically, in two weeks I could get a new missionary to train (they definitely shouldn't trust me with that...but it's possible). Things are getting more familiar and the weeks are starting to go faster and faster.

Yesterday was fast and testimony meeting and multiple people in the ward got up and bore their testimonies about how they too were seeing the miracles and blessings of the ward's 40 day fast! Me and hermana Hernandez decided we should too, to thank everyone and bear our testimonies of the power of the fast and the miracles we have seen. I was nervous (as all who know me know, talking, in general, and especially in front of large groups of people is not my strong suit) but made it through! After the meeting, 4 separate people came up to me to tell me how much my Spanish had improved! I guess Julio's Spanish/English coloring book really has helped! Not sure if it says more about how good I've gotten, or how bad I was (most likely the latter...I was (am) struggling). 

 After weeks of begging (literally since my first week in the field) I agreed to spend a pday getting our nails done.I planned to just wait while Hna Hernandez did hers, but while she was getting hers done, the mom of two recent converts (she isn't a member) finished with her previous client. I took one for the team and asked her to do mine. 

We have definitely continued seeing miracles this week! People in the streets accepting our message, families committing to baptismal dates, and lots of powerful lessons. 

We are teaching a man named Gilberto who has a rare disease which is slowly taking away his ability to talk, walk, and slowly think as well. For him, speaking takes much effort and time, and that, mixed with his inability to walk well, often gives the impression that he is drunk, which has led to many difficult and sad situations. Because of this he has been afraid to come to church out of fear of scaring the people there. Last week he finally agreed to go, and though he felt a bit out of place, he left the meetings with a huge smile on his face. Though he has some things he needs to overcome, he is working to prepare to be baptized :)

We've decided to start eating healthier. Breakfast on Tuesday was salad and oatmeal.

This week I also got a couple packages from my mom (thanks mom!)  She sent Christmas music, a little Christmas tree, some lights, and a few gifts for me and to give away. Our little house that we live in is now lit up with the lights from the tree and the few others that we have. It's a bit strange. I'm in a different country, in the middle of the desert, with no snow, speaking a different language, away from everyone and everything that I know, but yet I can still feel that Christmas is near. The spirit of Christmas and the joy it brings is a worldwide thing. It's amazing the peace and love you can feel when everyone remembers the Savior, even just a bit more. As I have thought about this it has made me think of the way the world could be. Imagine if we would remember Him in this way all year long. We could feel this joy, this peace, this "Christ"mas spirit always. For many of us, this is a promise that we have made. That we will ALWAYS remember Him. If we would only keep this promise, we could feel this joy each and every day. 

I would like to invite you all to do this. Remember Him. Bask in the glorious spirit and joy that this Christmas season brings and learn from it. Think about what it is about Christmas that makes the world just a bit brighter. Think about all that He has done for us. Remember not only His birth, but remember the reason He was born. To give us an example. To suffer for our sins. To die for us. To rise again. To conquer death, that we might all live again. To show us the way home.

I love and miss you all!

Hermana Naatjes

Miracles

Annual Rice Krispie turkey...

Hola Everyone!

This week was a great one, full of miracles. 

Me and hermana Hernandez were studying and found in Alma 6:6 a bit of inspiration. We had been trying to figure out how to hasten the work more effectively and get the members more involved. In this scripture it teaches that we must gather in fasting and prayer oft for the souls who don't know God (or something like that, we were reading in Spanish so translation is rough). We were talking to our ward mission leader and he had the idea that as a ward we could hold a 40 day fast for that exact purpose. He printed up a calendar and we passed it around the ward and 40 people signed up to take one day to fast. It began last Tuesday and we have already seen miracles from it. On Thursday alone we saw 4, and I don't have time to recount all of the stories, but the Lord led us in every step and every conversation that day. 

One of the most obvious ones was we were in la ruta on our way to our comida (the meal at about 4:00) when due to distraction, a phone call, and the bus being so crowded we could hardly see out the window, we missed our stop. We ended up all the way over at the X (monument in Juarez). We were stressing out because we were already running late and had to cross a highway to catch the bus to get us back, when suddenly the man sweeping the street behind us asked if we were sent by Jesus Christ. We quickly explained that we are missionaries for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints and are here in Juarez with the purpose of helping people come unto Christ. As we were talking to him he began to cry as he explained his story. Three days prior his brother had died, and he expressed his great sorrow and worry not knowing where his brother was and if he would ever see him again. We taught him about the plan of salvation, and testified to him that through Christ, and through our obedience to His Commandments, he could and would see him again. He cried and thanked us. We got his address to send to the missionaries in his area (unfortunately he doesn't live in ours). 

There is power in fasting and prayer.

...and many turkey legs, much easier to gift

Cute thing from this week: We were teaching the family of Sofi and Dani again, and again they were adorable. Sofi was asking us questions about being a missionary and after a couple she thought for a second and said something along the lines of, "So when I'm a missionary..." Both me and Hna Hernandez stopped and asked her if she wanted to be a missionary. She said, in a very matter of fact way that yes when she was older she was going to be a missionary, but that she was worried about having to live in a different place. Dani said she wanted to serve as well. We were both close to tears. We also mentioned to their father that it was possible for him and his wife to serve once their kids had grown and he visibly lit up and started to smile. They all want to be baptized, but have not accepted a date.

You could say I was happy to get a package including Peanut butter Captain Crunch (pretty much the best cereal ever, that Mexico does not sell)

Love and miss you all! Hope you have a great week and can find joy in every day! 

Hermana Naatjes

Don't cry over spilled...lime water...? (hna Hernandez thought it was hilarious that I spilled so took a picture)

Help from Julio

A little piece of home (gonna look for the owner later)

Sorry, don't have much time to write, but this week was good! We have investigators who are progressing well--a few families and a few others. Found and saw miracles and heartbreak as always. 

found my name on a trailer

Funny thing:

After a lesson with one of the families, they were talking about how much my Spanish has progressed since the first visit (about 3 weeks in). I was telling them (or trying to tell them) that it was still a bit of a struggle to express myself and say what I want (a huge struggle) but I was working on learning and studying more, when one of the sons (Julio-10) jumped up out of his seat and ran to his room. 

We were all a bit confused as he ran back, carrying a large coloring book. He handed it to me and said it was to help me learn Spanish. I opened it and found on each page there was a short (5 or less words) description of the picture in both Spanish and English. 

I thanked him, and you better believe I'm going to be using it to learn how to say things like jump rope, and bucket (and other basic phrases that I have no idea how to say). 

Love you all!

Hermana Naatjes

                        Me with my special 3 month breakfast from Hna Hernandez (cinnamon French toast)  *notice the coloring book from Julio on her desk

3 months

Blurry, but here's me on the border with a sign. I'm definitely missing soccer!

Hola todos!

In three days I officially complete 3 months in the mission, just gotta do that 6 more times! Spanish is still a struggle (and will be for a while) but I'm less lost! I'm also much less lost in my area (wandering the streets all day every day for 7 weeks teaches you a few things I guess), but I still stick out like a sore thumb to everyone. I'm known down here as "la guerita"(the blondie) which has been strange because I would definitely not consider myself blonde, but it's chill.

Precious things from this week: 

This week we were teaching one of our families (the same family I mentioned last week) and the little girls were excitedly talking and telling us any and every thing that had happened to them in the past two days in which we hadn't seen them, when their mom told us that they had been playing "missionaries". They stopped and blushed but then excitedly told us that Dani played Hermana Hernandez and Sofi played me, but then Sofi looked a bit concerned and told me she wasn't sure how to talk like me.

The two adorable girls I talked about holding their Plan of Salvation poster we made for them to color

In the same family we had taught the word of wisdom and had invited them to keep it. A few visits passed and the two little girls informed us that they were still drinking a bit of coffee in the morning and we were talking about the importance of keeping the word of wisdom when they informed us they had been keeping it. They then showed us a little doll house in which they were protecting, or rather "keeping" the pamphlet entitled "the word of wisdom". I then realized the importance of word choice as we explained that we had meant to obey it. It was adorable and hilarious.

Went to the X in Juarez--better pics to come later because all were taken on other cameras

Depressing thing of the week:

Going into this second transfer I've been feeling a lot more confident with my Spanish, or rather WAS feeling a lot more confident. We were teaching a lesson on Tuesday (or Wednesday...?) and I was explaining the story of Joseph Smith and the first vision to a family. I felt like I had done well, maybe not my best, but not too bad, until the 13 year old boy in the family informed me after the lesson that he could "understand some of my "English". I was quite confused until his Uncle (who is 18) explained that the boy thought I had been speaking English the whole time. Guess I've got a long way to go.

                         Gringas quite happy to be at Buffalo Wild Wings

Spiritual thought of the week: 

The Gospel is Bold. There are times out here when I am explaining the gospel that I am afraid to teach certain things out of fear of offending people. We want to be respectful always, but that does not mean passive. This gospel is bold and is the only true way to happiness. 

In the scriptures it explains that Those whose hearts are hard will take this gospel and it's teachings to be hard, but to those who are prepared it will be sweet and give hope and joy. Don't be afraid to share, and look always for the sweetness and joy in this gospel. There is more to find here, more real, lasting joy, than from any other source. Live this gospel, Love it, and never take it for granted. 

There are many who don't have the beautiful truths that we do, the knowledge and hope of a complete remission from sin and the power to not just become clean from our sins but to find the power to change who we are to become new creatures in Christ, or of the miracle and blessing of an eternal family. 

Sorry if that was all over the place but I don't have time to fix it!

Love and miss you all! 

Hermana Naatjes

my comp was excited for me so wanted this pic at bdubs as well

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