Mom note: Here are the 5 Questions this week:
1) Do you have instructions for us for your Christmas call yet? Do you get to Skype? What is your time limit?
2) Have you received any of the packages that were sent to you for Christmas yet?
3)
Grandma Jo is sending something for you to the mission home, so will
you let me know when you finally get it? She'll be worried.
4)
Uncle Tony asked me about the chances of stopping to take you and your
comp to lunch in January when he goes home to see his family. I told
him he'll have to call the mission president for permission, but I
thought I'd give you a heads up, just in case. He's very persistent. ;)
1.
Okay, we'll either Skype--using the area Skype account or our own--or
call like normal. President Fenn just asks us to be wise in our time
usage, so we don't have a set limit. He did say he felt 20 minutes was
too short but 7 hours was much too long. So I guess we'll decide more
later. Hermana Israelsen and I will talk about it before we email next
week and give you more details. What might be useful though is if you
can find my Skype login info....honestly I have no idea if I've written
it down somewhere or not; I imagine it's probably my regular email at
gmail, and my regular password. Will one of you try it out this week and
see if that logs you in? That would be great.
2.
We will be getting Christmas packages this Thursday at the Christmas
devotional we have as zones. So I'll let you know more next week--though
I won't be opening them until Christmas, just so you know.
3. I will let you know when I get it.
4.
Thanks for the info. He's free to call President Fenn but I have no
idea what he'll say. However, his word is law. Plus, I dunno that Uncle
Tony would want to drive all the way out here.... (I'm going to operate
under the impression that I won't be transferred this January until
otherwise told-because I don't want to leave.)
5. I don't have an address for Kate....but I can ask at the very least. If I remember.
Where do I begin? This week was full of miracles. It was almost unbelievable.
(First
off, I'm typing this while sitting in a Firestone auto shop, and the
smell just makes me think of Gilroy. Also, the TV is playing some
cooking show...is that a normal car shop waiting room choice?)
On
Tuesday last week, during companion study, one of our newest
investigator's texted us, asking us to pray for her husband who had just
been to the hospital. My first thought was, "if they were members,
somebody would take them dinner. So that's what we should do."
Eventually, we found someone who could come with us that evening to take
them something for dinner--Sister and Brother Tandy--and this family,
the G Family, loved it! They have four adorable little girls who have got
to be the most polite niñas of all time. Their dad was back from the
hospital already so that was good news--he had had a back spasm on
Sunday, which is apparently a regular occurrence for him, but it still
hadn't gone away by Tuesday, which isn't regular for him. Anyway, it was
such a great way for the members to get involved with our investigators
and they really felt like they were important to us, I think, which
never hurts.
Wednesday,
we met with Maria and her husband Manuel, with Sister Grilliot. We were
planning on teaching the plan of salvation because we've reviewed the
Restoration with Maria multiple times, but Manuel hadn't heard the
entire Restoration. So that was rough. They also had some interesting
questions that we weren't prepared for (such as abortion) but I think it
went alright, all things considered. We definitely need to teach Manuel
the entire Restoration.
We
also visited the R family; we taught the plan of salvation there
(with dibujos) and Victor, their 8 year old who is preparing to be
baptized...oh man. I thought he was going to cry. He became super
worried and anxious that he wouldn't be able to make it to the celestial
kingdom. We and his cute mom assured him that he doesn't have to be
perfect to go to the celestial kingdom, and that that is one reason why
we are so grateful to Jesus Christ. It was a really good lesson, and so
touching.
Thursday: zone conference.
I
got Aunt Shannon and Gma's package as well as a letter from her
explaining what was in it. I was quite excited to open it....so we
opened it this morning--thank you! Those little puzzles have got to be
the greatest things I have ever seen.... Ammon. Enough said. Thank you
so much! We really appreciate it.
After
we got home, we started exchanges! So both of us had appointments for
6:00 but one, our less active, cancelled on us--we later found out it
was because he went to do his home teaching, so it turned out to be a
really good thing. The other didn't show. So Hermana Santos and I went
to Rene with Sister Clay and we had a good lesson about following God's
commandments and the blessings we receive by doing so, and we also read
from the children's Book of Mormon with him. I had him write down the
commitments we'd given--and he didn't write down what I had said....so
that kind of explains why he hasn't been keeping commitments. Ah well.
It's hard because he doesn't really function on a regular level. But, it
was alright. Afterwards, Hermana Santos and I went to MCM where the
elders never showed up. So it was us with our ward mission leader--and
his wife and newborn. It was a good meeting though. This family, the
Moore's, are moving two days after Christmas. I'm gonna miss
them...Brother Moore reminds me of our family: he is so sarcastic. So he
and I sometimes get teasing each other and it feels just like I'm
talking to dad.
After
MCM we picked up Hermanas Israelsen and Torres, and the latter had
twisted her ankle--for the third time on her mission. Oh man. The poor
hermana! However, we did find out that it was because they had had such a
powerful lesson with one of our less active/part member families, the
M Family. Here's the thing: Hermana Torres served in this area about a
year ago and they were her very first lesson. They had invited Emiliano
to be baptized in that lesson and he had said no. This time, she invited
him to be baptized and he basically said he knows he needs to be. So
after the lesson she was crying (because of the Spirit) and then tripped
down a stair and twisted it. So. It was a great lesson, but a sad
outcome for Hermana Torres' ankle.
Friday:
Hermana Santos and I were dropped off in one area while Hermana Torres
and Israelsen went to another. The first house that answered was a
potential named Cindy, but we found Felix (her uncle). We also met his
twins, who are three years old. We just showed him the He is the Gift
video--he didn't seem super interested at any point but it's so cool
because you can just see the effect that video has on people. It's
amazing.
Then,
Olga & Marcelino. We had met Olga before, and taught her twice, so
we stopped by and she basically told us she was too busy, but we asked
if we could just share a two or three minute video about Christ with
her, and she let us in. Then we met her husband, Marcelino. We ended up
talking about how we can give something back to Christ, and we brought
up the Book of Mormon. Marcelino was super skeptical the whole time, and
I loved it because Hermana Santos basically confronted him about it.
Which I think actually helped him realize the importance of it. Anyway,
we set up a return appointment for Monday (today) so we'll see them tonight.
We
still had half an hour before our next appointment so we tried another
potential, Laura, and we ended up meeting her and her family. They were
making tamales and they gave us some. Oh. My. Goodness. I just had
one--uno de color. And it was sweet---literally. So delicious. They also
had tamales de pollo y de queso. Plus, they gave us atole to drink too,
and it was pretty good. I'd never had it before but I loved it! It
smelled and tasted a lot like Mexican hot chocolate but it was thicker,
kinda like the difference between broth and stew. Mm, it was good.
Anyway, we also shared He is the Gift with them and kind of invited them
to the ward party that night, as well as church. Gloria, Laura's mom,
basically told us that she doesn't think you need to go to church
because faith is between you and God. Honestly, I'm still surprised by
how many people believe something like that.
We
left just in time for our appointment at four, but halfway there we
realized that we had left Hermana Santos' hat at Laura's, so we ran back
for that and then ran to Jorge's where we met up with Sis Antczak. We
had a lesson with him about the sacrament and keeping the Sabbath holy.
He just started working 5 am to 1 pm, so he can't come to church....so.
He did tell us that he wants to come to church, and after we shared 1
Nephi 3:7 he agreed that God is all powerful and will provide a way. So
now we just have to pray and hope he finds a way--even if it means
quitting... but it was good.
We had just enough time
for one more lesson, which was good because we had an appointment with
Ana. I think she really liked meeting Hermana Santos (who is mexicana
and just straight up awesome) and we basically just stressed the
importance of praying about what she's reading. She agreed to do that
this week. We also invited her to the ward party, as well as the baptism
on Sunday (of her sister, Lupita). To both she said she would try to
make it.
We ran home to un-exchange, and then sped
off to the ward party--we were already a bit late. We had invited the
G Family, and they agreed to come, but had gotten lost so we met them at
Jewel Osco, which is right by the church--as well as a Mennonite church,
so they had gotten confused. So we finally made it to the Bloomington
1st ward's Christmas party. Since we had gotten there late, there
weren't anymore empty tables, so Brother Moore and the elders set up a
table for us and the Garza's. We ended up being away from them for a
while to talk to Ana for a bit and we were so proud of our members: they
were chatting with them and whatnot. That really is what members need
to be aware of most, if you ask me. When the missionaries bring
investigators to ward activities, just help them feel welcome. Just say
hi and introduce yourself and let them know that you're glad they're
there. That's all you have to do.
After the dinner
(and the Bishop reading a Cajun Night Before Christmas....if that's
somewhere online, find it and read it. SO funny....at least when read in
an accent) we gave the Garza Family a tour of the church. They loved the
painting of the First Vision looking at Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ
and Joseph's back. They were asking us a bit about how missions work
and the prophet. We were going to continue but then David turned to us
and said, "look, man, you've gotta take this pain away." We had
considered offering a Priesthood blessing but then decided maybe later,
so I at least took that as a signal to offer him a blessing. So we had
the elders come do that and the Spirit was SO strong. It was beautiful.
Afterwards, when we were talking to him and his wife, Beverlyn, about
it they told us they could "feel the energy" so we explained that's the
Spirit. We're planning on visiting them tonight so we'll have a lesson
basically just about the Priesthood. I'm excited. This family is so
solid.
Saturday: Miriam
cancelled on us, but that meant we didn't have to ride the bus for hours
on end....so that was a plus. However, on the bus that we did have to
take, we met Flori. She's from Guatemala and ended up telling us how a
family friend had just passed away (in Guatemala I'm assuming) and she
doesn't have any family here so she was really torn up about it, and
started crying. We gave her a Plan of Salvation pamphlet and set up a
visit with her. I can't wait to see her again. She was awesome.
Basically
we spent the day walking up and down and up and down and up the street.
And I came to the realization that that is pretty much all we ever do.
Our success isn't really our success--it is completely Heavenly
Father's. So that was kind of a cool self-introspection moment (am I
using that word correctly? I dunno. I can't speak English or Spanish
anymore.)
Then,
we visited Julia w/Sis Albrechtsen. First we asked if she had any
questions from listening to the Book of Mormon and she asked about that
whole daughters of Zion thing in 2 Nephi 13. haha we weren't sure how to
answer that--regardless of language--so we said it's just talking about
pride. That seemed to reassure her. What was funny was how we
communicated about that chapter. It was half Spanish and half body
language. I wish I had a recording of my memory of Hermana Israelsen. It
was so funny....anyway. Julia also told us, practically out of the
blue, "I'm coming to church tomorrow!" We were in shock. But Sister
Albrechtsen offered to give her a ride so we got that all figured out.
After we got home...we were still in shock...then, just as we finished
up planning, we got a call--not from our district leader: it was Laura,
saying "we're coming to church." SHOCK. Oh man. We were wiped out, in a
good way. I mean, of course we were thrilled but it is so exhausting,
missionary work: physically, emotionally, and spiritually. So we were
ready for bed when the time came.
Sunday.
We were late-ish to church, so we were practically running around like
crazy people, trying to get the translator all figured out and whatnot.
But hey, we had a family of five at Bloomington 1st! Woohoo! They seemed
to enjoy it--at least the kids did--and Laura's husband, Alejandro, was
participating and reading in Gospel Principles (which we had in Spanish
as there were no English speakers there...that was cool.) We also had
Ward council after church. It was the first time we've been to
Bloomington 1st ward council and I think it really helped our
relationship with that ward. It's been a bit rickety, whether because of
past trust issues or miscommunication or what, I don't know. But now
they know that we're there and that we want to be involved. I do feel
kind of bad for them because they have about 30% activity, and they
feel like they're floundering. The stake president was there and he
kinda gave them a pep talk about not feeling like they need to fulfill
regular expectations. He basically told them not to work so hard, which
one of the bishopric members pointed out. That was kinda funny. The poor
RS president...I feel for her. But, President Johnson had a point. Even
though they've got less people, that doesn't mean they have to feel
like they're not performing well. Ah well. Hopefully we can think of
something to help them.
Then
we had Normal ward. We ended up going to pick up Julia with Sister
Albrechtsen just after the sacrament...but it was good. I also
translated a meeting for the first time (Relief Society) and I thought I
did terrible, because Julia said she liked the first two meetings but
didn't understand the third (which was RS). But Hermana Israelsen said I
did well--and she pointed out that she wouldn't have been able to
translate her second transfer, so I guess I'm doing alright. After
Normal ended, we finally ate...we had been in meetings/running around
since 8 am that morning. Whew. I was beginning to get somewhat fatigued I
think. Afterwards, we helped with prep for the baptism. We had called
Jorge to invite him to come and he agreed so we had to find a ride for
him, as well as get the translator ready. They ended up having the first
half of the program in the chapel (there were a lot of people--Lupita's
family--there, but we moved to the Relief Society room for the
ordinance, and since we all fit we just stayed there. The second talk,
about the Holy Ghost, was given by Brother Davis, who is a Spanish
professor at ISU--he's actually Lupita's teacher. But it was cool
because he gave his talk in both English and Spanish, so we didn't have
to translate. It was a really good talk to. (He kinda scares us, which
is entirely irrational because you'd think it would be scarier to talk
to natives in Spanish than a white guy who also speaks Spanish but it's
actually scarier to talk to him in Spanish....anyway.) Afterwards we
were talking with members of Lupita and Ana's family: we met Javier who
speaks Spanish, English, and French--the elders have spoken with him
because Elder Noho speaks French too. And we also more officially met
Ana's son, Jarom. He didn't seem super interested, but he did take a
restoration pamphlet and he seemed to enjoy talking to us. So, it was
really good. Also, here's the funniest story of the week: they had
brought cookies as refreshments to the baptism, so we were going to get
some (for us and Ana) but they were gone, so we came back and told her,
"Hermana, tenemos malas noticias." She got all concerned and
legitimately worried, and asked what, and we told her, "No hay mas
galletas." Javier standing behind her was cracking up, as were we. It
was hilarious. So, you've gotta feel pretty good about your second
language ability when you can use humor, right? Oh, it was funny.
When
we finally left the church, we rode home with Sister Goodman. She's got
this adorable Southern accent and she really just makes you feel at
home, like she's your mom and she's got your back no matter what. She
told us the story of how she and her husband (Bishop Goodman) met--in
the army--and then how he converted. I love hearing different people's
conversion stories, as well as the classic "how did you meet?" story.
Always. There's is particularly sweet.
When
we finally got home, we had been at the church for 12 hours (with two
short excursions to pick up and drop off Julia). Oh my goodness. It was
such a good day, but so exhausting. I think we were still in shock...
but it all actually happened! So, all in all, this week was amazing.
So
far, today, we got all our cleaning and housework done in about an hour
and a half, and then we spent an hour and a half at Firestone because
we had to get new tires....ohh man. No hard feelings against car shops
but we got home and had to turn on the church music right away because
my spirit just needed to decompress....the TV, after the cooking show,
was on Dr. Phil or some something about counseling for couples who have
been in domestic abuse or something I don't even know what. It was just
awful, as a missionary. Ugh.....so. Now I need a nap...
I
love this work, and I love this area. I love my companion, my members,
my investigators, my mission president, my district and zone. I think I
could stay here in Bloomington-Normal forever and be perfectly content.
But, as the Book of Mormon warns, we should be wary of contentment. So, I
shall continue to work as hard as I can, striving to be worthy of the
Spirit in order to bring the eternal happiness of the Gospel to those
who lack it.
Love you all so much, and I pray for you nearly every day.
Con Todo Mi Amor,
Hermana DeBuck
P.S.
Don't get used to this long of an email....I had nothing else to do while sitting in Firestone....
Mom Note: I'm not sure why these will only import sideways or upside down. I'm sorry. I'll get the Genius golfer to look at it for me when he gets home.
Fotos:
#1: Hermana Santos and I, at the end of exchanges
#2: Hermana Israelsen and I with our Christmas decorations, due largely in part to Grandma Cheryl and Aunt Shannon.
#3: selfie, because it's P-day.
#4: We drive past this house every time we go to or leave the church. They are serious about Christmas decorating.... (I can't remember if I've sent this or not, so here it is again):
#5: The Peoria skyline:
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