WEEK 8 "Surf's Up"

March 26, 2018

WEEK 8 "Surf's Up"

Last Monday we went to Hollywood beach for preparation day!! It was so beautiful and I loved every second we got to spend near the beach. The sand is so white. We are seriously in paradise. We had a blast walking along the boardwalk and watching people wipe out in the fake surf. It was pretty entertaining and we got some good laughs in.

At the beginning of this week, we found a family of five who invited us into their home. This was a sheer miracle because it was late on a Monday night. I know that God led us to this home, and I know that Alma (the mother) felt of our spirit as I asked her in my broken Spanish if we could come in and pray with her family. Alma and her husband Gustavo have three young beautiful daughters. They light up each time we come over and share a new message with them. I love this family and the friendship we share.

We are also teaching another family from Venezuela. They came to Florida three years ago with absolutely nothing! They have two sons who are 8 and 1. After our lessons about the gospel, we teach them English and they have become our second family. We absolutely adore them. They came to church for the first time yesterday and enjoyed the whole experience. The Latouche Family also loved feeling the peace and comfort the spirit brought into their lives. I am so grateful for our church families and the unity and love we feel at church.

One of my favorite parts about this work is finding people who are really sour to us when we first introduce ourselves as missionaries but seeing their hearts change and soften after we get to know them and share the exquisite joy this gospel brings. Last night we met this beautiful lady from Quebec haha. The first thing she said to us after we introduced ourselves was "Oh you poor girls, poor girls." She lit up as I shared some of my favorite French words. She thought it was particularly funny how I knew how to say one egg and two eggs. We bonded over this. This sweet lady did not believe in Christ and wasn't sure if God existed but by the end of our 45-minute chat, she promised us she would pray to God that night and ask if Christ was her Savior and Redeemer. I absolutely love talking to random people on the streets and learning about different walks of life. I love becoming great friends with people who were once strangers.

But most of all I love watching hearts change after we share videos or scriptures about Christ, coupled with our testimonies. I know that God answers our prayers. I have seen it happen time and time again in my life and in the lives of others. Our Heavenly Father is the source of all truthfulness, goodness, and happiness. I love the amazing opportunity I have each week to get out of my comfort zone and share my testimony in Spanish. It’s coming slowly but everyone is so patient with my bad grammar.

I forgot to mention that Elder Uchtdorf came and spoke to us last week!! It was absolutely amazing to hear an apostle of God speak to our whole mission in such an intimate atmosphere. I cannot express the gratitude I have for this man. He is truly called of God. I know that God gives us a prophet and apostle to guide us in these days.