December 8, 2013

Family,

Our week has been full of miracles! Last Monday during my personal study, I was reading about faith and miracles in the bible dictionary (side note: the bible dictionary is my new best friend) and it lead me to read about all the miracles that Christ performed. Whenever I read about miracles in the scriptures, it reminds me of one lesson we had in Young Women's when I was a laurel. I think it was Sister Parks who said it, but it was along the lines of how miracles are still happening every day. They might be really amazing like Christ's miracles where they're too special or spiritual to share with others, or they might be smaller but we're either too preoccupied or too lazy to recognize them. And so, my goal this week was to not only have the faith that miracles would happen, but to try to recognize Heavenly Father's hand in our missionary work. And, it worked! Especially because when you focus on the miracles or blessings we're receiving, it's so much easier to forgot about the less than ideal things happening. 

So, short recap of the highlights of our week:

Miracle #1: T

He's already in 2 Nephi! Seriously, I know I talk about him every week, but it's because he's worth talking about every week. He's just an amazing example to me about the power of faith and truly how the gospel blesses a person's life. He's even already sharing the gospel to the tiyangge owner by his house! And yesterday, as we were waiting at the church for the elder's baptism, we walked into a room and there he was sitting at the table reading the gospel principles book and taking notes on a sheet of paper! The elders saw him, and they came up to us and was like "let's just baptize him already". I'm so excited for his baptism on Christmas.. I seriously can't think of a better way to celebrate Christmas other than maybe skyping you all :)

Miracle #2: The G Family

So Brother and Sister G have been less actives for a loooooong time. They used to be really active in the church, he was in the bishopric, etc. But for the past who knows how many years, no change no matter how many missionaries would visit him. It's hard because he knows what he should be doing, but just won't do it. You can't try talking to him about the importance of scriptures or church, because he'll literally say to your face "I already know that it is important" But this past week, we went visited and he said "Sisters, we're going to church on the 15th this month" And of course, we don't really know what to say because we're trying to figure out what's happening. But he was telling us that his daughter has been trying for so long to get them to return to church, and that he finally promised her that he would. And then he was saying how missionaries have been trying to reactivate them for years, but nothing has been working. But then then he said that we found his weakness, because every time we visit, most of the time we would just sing and share a really short message. He said that our songs have been the only thing that's been softening his heart. So that night, we sang How Great Thou Art because he said it was his favorite, and he was a little teary afterwards and sister was mouthing along with us. It was such an amazing experience. I felt the Spirit so strongly and I know that I'm seeing a miracle happen right in front of me.

Miracle #3: Brother P

I'm not sure how much I've shared about him, but he's the dad of J and used to be very indifferent to our lessons. He would listen, but no sign of interest, not even curiousity. But he came to church this past week, AND he's been reading in the Book of Mormon, AND when he asks questions now, it's not because he's trying to debate, but it's because he's actually curious and wants to learn. I think we still have a long time before we get anywhere close to baptism, but his change in countenance has definitely felt like a miracle.

In other exciting news, we bought a Christmas tree! It's only a foot tall, and 63 pesos (about $1.50) but now our house feels all Christmasy! We created a little cove underneath our stairs for the tree, and we already have two presents because Sister Smith's package came this past week! And they cut some snowflakes to put on the walls. Merry Early Christmas! 

Overall, this week was really good! We got punted pretty badly on Tuesday, but that's just a part of mission life. I love you all and am so grateful for your support, letters and prayers. I'm especially excited to skype all of you in a couple of weeks!!! It's going to be here in no time and I'm so excited!

Love you!

xoxo

Sister Fitzgerald

The little girls that come to our English class every Saturday. They're adorable!

Sister Dean (a ward missionary who has worked with us for three months)!

Last week while walking back from Vista Alegre, the workers on the side of the road we're chopping down the sugar cane. They stopped us and asked if we wanted some, and of course we said yes, so they peeled off the skin with their big machetes and gave us each a huge branch! I guess I can now cross off eating sugar cane from my list!