1) Did the silly "letter" get to you yet? I can't remember when I sent it to you.
2) How are your soon-to-be wed-investigators doing? They have been on my mind this week and in my prayers.
3) How does a co-senior companionship work?
4) And what is a MCM you mentioned in you last letter?
5)
Do you need a Spanish language general conference Liahona/Ensign when
they come out? Or does the mission provide them for you?2. They're doing well. They passed their interview on Saturday so everything is pretty set now. They'll be getting married at 5 on Saturday, baptized Sunday morning at 9, receive the Holy Ghost during church at 11, and after church Juan will be interviewed to receive the Priesthood. We're working with their kids as well to get them baptized; the idea is that Juan will be able to baptize them so that'll be super special.
3. Uh, about the same as any I think. Here's my understanding of how seniority works: regardless of what type of companionship you're in, you're equals, and both have a part to play in the decision making process. But if one companion is more senior than the junior, the senior companion is a bit more in charge of making sure that the rules are followed and whatnot. So in a co-senior companionship, I think it's just that we're both equally accountable for our obedience and
getting the work done. I think it's like anything in the Gospel, the more you know the more accountable you are. So the senior companion, who knows more because they've been a missionary longer, is more accountable to help the junior companion learn the ropes and such. But that's doctrine according to Hermana DeBuck and is subject to change.
4. I think you've asked me before, but MCM stands for Missionary Coordination Meeting. The idea is to kind of touch base with our ward leaders about what we're doing to further the work and to ask for
help. So here in Bloomingdale, the ward mission leader and a member of the branch presidency attend, and some of the branch missionaries. We'll usually go over the progress record for each companionship (the progress record details who we're working with, their progress, ways
the branch counsel/members can help) and review past assignments. We talk about potential members who could come out with us to fellowship our investigators, and other things to "coordinate" the work.
5. The mission office will give us one, but it's just one for the area. I don't think I need you to send me one; I've got all the talks on the Gospel Library app on the iPad. But thanks.
Before I forget, it sounds like our stake presidents should have/might have gotten an email about the iPads so maybe talk to President Allred about it? Also, we suspect they may not send an email out for a while because it only applies to missionaries finishing after the end of August, so we've still got a bit. Maybe they'll wait to send anything until it's closer to when we go home. I don't know.
Unfortunately, I won't be able to attend the baptism of my converts back in Bloomington (it's too far away...) so I'll have to Skype. The question is, who do I Skype, because there aren't any Hermanas
there....Hm. Hopefully the Zone Leaders get back to us soon because not knowing is slowly killing me.
Let's see, what happened this week...
So every Tuesday we have dinner with the Kitch family (Brother Kitch served his mission in Uruguay and later married Hermana Kitch who is from Uruguay). Oh man. This family is hilarious. I can't even describe it to you, but my cheeks were SO sore after dinner. Man. From laughing I mean. I found out Zoe, the oldest daughter (14 I think) and I have the same birthday! Say what?! haha so I'm hoping I get to stay here for another six months and we can celebrate together (sort of, I'm a missionary) haha anyway. That was cool. (Of course, I'd love to stay here for six months for more reasons than that though. haha)
Wednesday I killed two bugs. Aren't you proud? haha one was in the car (tiny bugito) and one was in the apartment (Grandisimo bug...) Man. It was disgusting. I admit, I'm still a little squeamish, but I had to save my companion, so what else could you do?
Also, the sisters in our district were in Peoria on exchanges (called it) so we had district meeting in Spanish. That was pretty fun. haha I still have moments sometimes, after lessons or church, etc. where I just can't believe that I speak a second language. It's crazy. The gift of tongues is a real thing people.
Thursday I made mac n cheese + hot dogs. Oh, and we finished planning on time, so that was sweet. haha it was Hna Hunsaker's to say the opening prayer for weekly planning but she was convinced it was my turn, so I just said it. Then we got to companionship inventory and she said, "I have to confess, it was my turn to say it..." haha oh man. Too funny. This really is such a great companionship. I am so blessed. After planning, we scrounged up some change so we could take
the bus into our area and then went to Juan and Jovita's (they're getting married and baptized this weekend) and we taught them: had to teach them tithing before their interview, and went over the
questions. They're totally ready. I mean, they were. Now they've passed so we're all set to have this baptism. (:
Friday, we had exchanges. Hna Miller came here and stayed with me; Hna Hunsaker went with Hna Sewell to Arlington Heights. Oh man. It was a really good day, for both companionships. I just love when things work out not the way you planned but you know Heavenly Father is totally in
control. It's fantastic. Also, Hermana Josefina (she's a recent convert, and is blind) is one of the greatest human beings on the planet. She's so sweet.
On Saturday, we basically had a finding lesson with our investigators. So that was cool. Oh, and Juan and Jovita passed their interview, as stated above. Man. So nerve wracking. haha you wouldn't think it would be, but it is. Also, I love that the weather is nice enough that we can be outside and talk to people and they don't want to leave within 5 seconds of us starting a conversation with them.
Sunday, was great. So Leo came to church! He's Ana's "husband". She wants to get baptized (her two kids were baptized last transfer and they're the greatest) but she has to get married first but he won't
marry her. And then, totally unexpected, he just shows up at church during the first talk. WHAT?! So cool. haha man being a missionary has made me so soft.... Oh, and I gave a talk. That's cool I guess. haha "missionary work and our baptismal covenant" was what I talked about. The other two speakers were one of the other hermanas and one of the elders.
So yeah. That's my week. This coming week we have zone conference on Wednesday, the wedding on Saturday, and the baptism on Sunday. Woo! It's gonna be a spiritually packed week. So stoked.
I don't have anything in particular to share from what I learned this week, but I know even more that the Book of Mormon is true. Every time I have the opportunity to testify of the truthfulness of it, I feel the Spirit so strongly, and I cannot deny that it is true. The Prophet Joseph Smith translated it by the gift and power of God, and I know that he is the head of this last dispensation. He truly was a
Christlike man, and I think we can all learn a thing or two (or more) from his life and example. I love the Gospel, and I know it is the one thing that I cannot live without.
Love, Hermana DeBuck
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