This week has been full of many emotions and blessings.
First off, we had the baptism of two kids, Shirley and Rilber. Remember how a
couple weeks ago I said that we had set baptismal dates for a mom and her two
kids? Well this is there story: The Hervas Family is the first reference we
recieved with our new ward mission plan from a member, Augustine Vargas. We
taught the mom, Nelby, and two kids, Rilber and Shriley but the dad was away
for work in Santa Cruz. They came to church the first Sunday and wanted to be
baptized! The next time we taught them the dad, Ruben, was back from work and 5
minutes into talking to him we found out HE IS A MEMBER. He was baptized in
Santa Cruz ten years ago, but became inactive shortly after. Hno Augustine told
us that they were not married so we taught them the Law of Chastity and they
said they would get married. The next day when we went to help them get started
on the wedding papers we found out they didn't want to get married anymore. We
were devastated. Nebly couldn't get baptized anymore and we didn't want to just
baptize the kids for them to become inactive, which happens a lot when kids are
baptized without their parents. After a couple of weeks continuing to teach
them and even having the whole family come to conference, church, and a ward
activity, Ruben expressed a sincere desire to have his kids baptized and Nebly
promised to always bring them to church we talked with the bishop and felt like
it was the right decision to have Shirley and Rilber baptized. I have never
seen two kids so excited to be baptized. They were literally jumping up and
down with joy when we told them they could be baptized. Ruben had to go back to
Santa Cruz to work, but Nelby told us that when he gets back they are going to
start their papers to get married! And hopefully within the next month she will
be baptized. The day of the baptism was Friday, so Hna Moscoso could be there
for it. There always seems to be problems on the day of baptisms and it turns
out that this day the elders forgot to fill the font... and the drain was
broken so we couldn't fill it ourselves. It was a mess. We ended up going to
another chapel for the baptism. The water was freezing, but the kids were troopers
and got baptized anyways. It was amazing to see how excited they were to make
this covenant! It was quite the day!
Hna Moscoso is officially gone. It still doesn't feel real
to me. The last two days before she left her trainer, Hna Holbrook came and
visited Sucre because she started her mission here. It was cool to spend time
with her and the people she worked with. Listening to her and Hna Moscoso talk
made me realize how many amazing experience I have ahead of me and a lot of
amazing people to meet. It is crazy to me how fast the time flies! I have been
out for 4 months now. Unreal. I have learned so much and much of it thanks to
Hna Moscoso. She was the best missionary in the mission. I have a lot to live
up to, but I am grateful for the opportunity I had to learn from the best. She
taught me how to: think creatively, work with members, truly listen to and love
our investigators, have patience, have fun and be myself, to work hard every
day, be obedient, be a good companion, truly study the scriptures, love being a
missionary, serve others and a million other things. I am going to miss her so
much.
The past two days without Hna Moscoso, Leidy Flores, the granddaughter
of my pensionista, was my companion. She is so great and is starting her
mission papers. We had a lot of fun together and received many blessings! We
had a lesson with a lady named Tatiana who is a reference from a member in
another ward in the stake. She is going through a divorce and is looking for
comfort and help at this time in her life. She is so ready for the gospel it is
unreal! She accepted everything we taught and told us how she is going to read
all the Book of Mormon in the next 4 days. So cool! She is also very sensitive
to the Spirit and can recognize it really easily which is awesome. Hopefully
she will get baptized soon! It was also a neat opportunity to be on my own and
apply everything Hna Moscoso has taught me and I have studied. Instead of
relying on my trainer I truly had to rely on the Spirit to direct me in what to
say. These past two days have really strengthened my testimony that the Lord
does put the words in our mouths that we need to share His gospel and help us
know the needs of others. We are not alone in this great work of salvation!
Today and until Wednesday when my new comp comes I am with another member in
the ward, Andrea. She is 19 and adorable and is from Argentina-near Salta:).
She is here in Sucre to study. Hopefully all goes well for us the next couple
days.
Oh yeah I bet you're wondering who my new companion is...
haha. Her name is Hna Bolaños from Columbia. I don't know much about her other
than she has about 6 months out. I am sure she is great and I am excited to get working with
her!
I love you all so much and hope all is well! THE CHURCH IS
TRUE.
Con Mucho Amor,
Hna Gardiner
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