This week was a week of realizations. We had divisions with Hermana Garner and her companions on Thursday. I went with Hermana Garner to Pavones and we saw miracles together! It was amazing. One of which was when we met with "S" the step-mother of "G", a recent convert. "S" had investigated the church a little in the past but didn't seem to like it. We were trying to place a baptism date with her when she interrupted and told us that when she would see us walk by in the past, she saw something like a light in the missionaries. She admitted that she didn't know what it was until that moment. It was the gospel! At first, I thought I didn't understand her right but Hermana Garner confirmed to me what she said. Another miracle we witnessed was at the house of another family of investigators in "S". The husband, "O", was sick and couldn't meet with us so we just spoke with his wife, "M". Because she is a devout Evangelist, I was a little hesitant to share the first lesson with her (The Restoration) so we started with lesson 2 (Plan of Salvation). But that didn't last long as we ended up teaching the first part to lesson 1! We ended up giving her the pamphlets to the first 3 lessons and inviting her to baptism. She told us to give her 15 days to find her answer. I was shocked. And it is not coincidence that General Conference was in about 15 days! This week we are going to give her a Book of Mormon and hopefully teach the rest of lesson 1. We are also hoping she and her family will come to watch General Conference this weekend! That day, we found 5 new investigators and placed 5 baptismal dates! Perez Zeledon is a golden area, we just have to find the gold! Divisions helped me realize how many wonderful people there are here that are wanting the gospel. I love my mission!
We have a new investigator! His name is "J" and he is the almost boyfriend of "L", the daughter of our cocinera, "Sy". Complicated, right? :) He has come to church 2 times and seems very interested in changing his life. We weren't able to place a baptismal date because he says he doesn't feel ready to pin-point a date and that he wants to find out more about the church. We agreed and gave him a Book of Mormon. At church yesterday, he proudly told us he had downloaded the Church's smartphone app on his phone and that he had started reading on his phone. I am really excited for him!
In sacrament meeting I gave a talk about using the resources/principles of the gospel to help us reach eternal life. I based my talk off of a story I found in the Liahona of July 2014. Different members approached me afterwards telling me I had a great talk and that I had pronounced certain words wrong... multiple times. Obviously, my Spanish still isn't perfect! Haha! :)
Today we went to a member's house and made cake from scratch! It's called "Keke Tico" or "Keke Saco." Before enjoying what we made, Hermana Yac and I shared Mosiah 2:22 with the family that lives there and a friend and neighbor that had happened to pass by. We likened obeying the commandments to making a cake. There are specific instructions and specific commandments. When we follow the instructions right, we will have a "keke rico" and when we follow the commandments right, we will have a "vida rica" too! It was so good!
Well... I love you all! Keep the faith! We can never know the fruits of our labors if we don't labor. Remember that faith precedes the miracle!
PURA VIDA!
Hermana Whitman