I'm coming home this week.
It's really bittersweet.
We had been teaching our friends boyfriend and he recieved a baptismal date, when our friend had a stroke. This has been a hard week for them and we spent time with them in the hospital and visiting their family. It was such a blessing for us to see him, at church bright and early yesterday even without the companionship of his girlfriend as she's undergoing medical studies and surgeries. His conversion to Christ and desire to come unto Him even through his trials was very inspiring to me
We're teaching another one of our friend from church’s fiancé ! We introduced her to the Book of Mormon and she loves it. Her fiancé , as a member of the church always slyly talked about eternal marraige and she confessed to us that she just did not understand that, so we got to talk about the sealing power of the temple and she's willing to put her life in order for for her family to be eternal!
An aunt and her niece are coming to love their friends at church! We met the niece in the street playing soccer with all of our little neighborhood streetrat friends. I love my little soccer team🥺❤️ But she talked to her aunt about how she wanted us to teach them about Jesus and now they have came to church and are reading the Book of Mormon.
Our friend RAUL is so wonderful! He is way excited for his baptism next Saturday and super determined to make it there.
What is the point of sharing about these random people that you all don’t even know and probably never will?
I've come to a new understanding on my mission how badly the world needs Christ. How each individual person needs Christ. The changes I’ve seen people make these past months is remarkable. This is the spirit of missionary work. Faith in Christ and trusting in the healing and changing power of His Atonement, REPENTANCE! That repentance forging a desire to commit to Christ and be baptized as a member of His restored church.
Looking from the back end of my mission, SEVEN months at Temple Square and TEN months here — I had two completely different experiences.
At Temple Square, I came to know my Savior in Hellos and Goodbyes. In coming to know and love people in minutes and wishing them a happy and faith filled life. Sharing spiritual experiences on Holy Ground together.
I gained a new appreciation for the temple. For God's living prophet. For the Book of Mormon.
Here in Argentina, I came to know my Savior through acts of service. Being received into humble homes and hearts opened to me full of love. I came to know the Savior in walking, and walking, and walking. Quite literally going the extra mile haha. Sacrifice. Dedication. Persistence.
I’ve gained a new appreciation of promptings of the Spirit. The power of a heartfilled testimony. Service. The power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ.
More than anything I've grown to love my Savior. As my companion, Sister Munns had told me once, we don't only love Christ for what He's done, but also for who He is! I love Him and I've loved making a fool out of myself trying to speak spanish and serve Him to the fullest of my capacity. There is no joy greater than hearing your friend read their scriptures and pray. When that person who you didn’t think would come to church shows up. When they come out of the baptismal font with a grin on their face and a light in their eyes. I am going to miss it so much. My mission has been the most joyous year and a half of my life and my biggest treasure thus far.
#hermanaamytracy
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