Week 58: The Creator Knows us

Hola a todos!!

Sorry I'm writing so late, this morning we had a Zone Activity! It was here in Arecibo and we went to La Cueva del Indio! Hna Lopez and I had already been before, but it was fun to go with the Zone! We had our personal study right on the beach, explored the caves, and then went to go eat after! It's great to see other missionaries and share with each other what we've been learning and what's been happening in our areas! We are definitely one big team, and that's the most important! 

This week was a little low on lessons but we've been doing our best to brighten our faith! We ran into an old investigator and happened to pass by in the perfect moment when she was cleaning her house, service!! Woo! And it definitely paid off because we got to share a super good lesson at the end, reminding her of the Restoration and of the Book of Mormon, which she recommitted to read! We hope and pray that she'll be ready this time..

We couldn't teach our two investigators this week, Yesenia nor Ana and we are dying to see them!! Everyone seemed to have a lot of crazy things this week, but we know this next week is going to be a good one :)

Our less active Carmina came to church again!! YAY!! She's such a sweetheart and I am so blown away as I see her humble example of coming back to our Savior Jesus Christ. Her coming back has really pumped up the ward and they've become really involved with her, it's a great thing to see!! Speaking of the ward, Hermana Lopez and I talked with the Bishop and he allowed us to have a mission activity with the members, to see if we can get them a little bit more excited to do missionary work :) Us missionaries are planning a great activity full of Preach My Gospel, practicing, and sharing of testimonies! Most of the members in the ward are coverts so I know that as they share their experiences of when the missionaries first knocked on their door, not only will it strengthen all of us, but I feel like it will strengthen them personally and get them excited to share this happiness with everyone! The activity is next week, so we'll see how it goes!

I just want to testify of something super special that Heavenly Father reminded me of this week, that He knows us. He, the Creater of all things, KNOWS us and is so aware of what we are going through at this point in our lives. He cares about everything we care about. He knows what we need and wants to help us achieve it. I have been so blessed this week through the example, words, and testimonies of the people I have talked to. He knows me. He knows you. And He knows that we need His son Jesus Christ. That's why He sent him to us :) 

I love you all and hope you have a great week!! And for all the mother's out there, Happy Mother's Day this coming week!! 

Love, 

Hermana Holt

studying at the beach

 

 

Picture of a picture with Yesenia's kids

 

What a view

 

Love my little girl

 

My district

 

Visiting the caves again

Week 53: My Testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ

Hola a todos!!

Well, something went wrong with my email and now I only have 5 minutes.. TESTIMONY TIME!!!

I KNOW that Heavenly Father loves us and is SO aware of everything we are going through. If we pray to Him with a sincere heart, He will help us with what we need! He already knows what we need and what we desire, He is just waiting for us to turn it all to Him so he can help us :) What better way to go through our lives than with the help of our Savior?! And guess what week it is?! EASTER!! I know that Jesus Christ lives!! His resurrection means everything to me. He died for every single one of us, and yet he LIVES for every single one of us everyday! What a blessing that is. How grateful I am for Jesus Christ and to be able to represent him for 18 months. Also, Jesus Christ made it possible that FAMILIES CAN BE TOGETHER FOREVER!! I love testifying of that! The womens conference this past weekend was incredible and I hope all of us will defend the family!! It's the most precious thing that we have. And what greater love and happiness can we have than to live with our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, AND with our families. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is absolutely incredible in every way!

Sorry it's a short one, but it is still written with all the love I have :)

Make sure that you watch the new Easter video!! Share it :)

Love, 

Hermana Holt

Sister Activity, Toa Baja Zone

Week 39: Christmas miracle

Hola a todos!!

Well, I believe in Christmas miracles!! You guys are not going to believe what happened this week!! So, Tuesday we visited Morgan and it was a good lesson! He talked about what he liked about church and how he was super excited to come the next week! So, this past Saturday (20th) was the goal that we had scheduled for his baptism - but obviously with him coming to church a lot later in the month than we thought, we were going to have to move his baptism date. So, as a companionship we were thinking that he was prepared enough that he could be baptized the 27th of December or the 3rd of January, but we weren't sure which one! So, we decided to see what his thoughts and feelings were! Near the end of the lesson, we brought up his baptism and we explained to him about the dates and everything and then we invited him to say the closing prayer and to specifically ask Heavenly Father what He wants him to do. So we all knelt down and he began his humble and sincere prayer - I don't remember if I have mentioned it before, but Morgans prayers are the BEST! He definitely knows he is talking with our Heavenly Father! In this prayer he asked THREE times, which of these dates is when Heavenly Father wants him to be baptized. When he finished the prayer, he didn't say anything!! It was just silent! And to be honest, we weren't sure if we should talk first, or if we should wait hahaha and then after about 20 seconds or so, Hermana Escobar asked, How do you feel? After about another 20 seconds of silence he said,

The 27th. I want to be baptized the 27th.

AHHHH!!!!!!!!!! MORGAN IS GOING TO BE BAPTIZED THIS SATURDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I can't even begin to describe to you HOW I felt the moment he said that!!!!!! Excitement?! Relief?! HAPPINESS?! I about lost it in the lesson hahaha it was awesome! So, we are in preparation for that and we are hoping all goes well with the interview and that he stays strong with the word of wisdom! He's been almost a week without coffee which is SO awesome! But really, I've never seen anyone so determined to change their life around. I can't even begin to explain either the change that we have seen in him. It has been such a humbling and an amazing experience to teach him and to help him see to importance and the joy that comes from the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ! The only bump in the road that we have encountered with him is that his nephew died this past week too.. it was definitely a wake up call for him, but seeing how strong he has been and how he still wants to pursue with everything really is a testimony to us. Prayer for Morgan this week!!

This past Friday, Presidente y Hermana Boucher had our Zone over to the Mission Home for a Christmas dinner!! So I got to drive the car up to Bayamon and we spent some time together as a Zone! It was super duper fun! It was also super cool because all of the Bouchers kids came down to Puerto Rico and so we got to meet them! We had a delicious dinner by Hermana Boucher (yes, she made me gluten-free things hahaha) and then we had a little program and their daughters sang for us!! The Bouchers are the BEST!

Also, GUESS WHAT?! So one of the sisters who is now in our Zone was in San Sebastian for these past 2 transfers, so she gave me an update on everyone!! Everything is going super well!! Juan and Celines are still going SUPER strong and go to church EVERY Sunday!! And remember Peggy and Vicente?? Well, Vicente got baptized last Saturday!!!!! WOO!!! Peggy sadly has been sick, but she is still progressing, slowly but surely!! This week has definitely just been a whirlwind of emotions haha but it's been a great one :)

One last crazy thing and then I have to go!! You are not going to believe what entered our house yesterday..

Here we are coming home from a great Sunday at church (we had a fun Christmas program - Hna Halling and I played the piano) and right as I sit down at my little desk Hna Escobar screams.. CULEBRA!!!!! Hahahaha that's right, ANOTHER snake experience! But this time it was in the HOUSE!!! So of course the first thing I do is try to book it outside (Hna Escobar was already out the door hahaha) but I slipped and fell in the process, putting my body just inches away from the snake!!! Yeah, it was terrible!! So I get up and run into the other room!! Then here comes Hna Halling, just taking her time walking to the closet to get the broom hahahaha she is the hero of the day! With the broom and the dust pan she just guided its way outside!! I have it all on video so you'll have to wait another 9 months to see it but it's hilarious!!

Anyway, I just want to with everyone a very Merry Christmas and FELIZ NAVIDAD this week!! I hope and pray that we are all able to focus on the true meaning of Christmas and what the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ means to every single one of us! How amazing is it that Heavenly Father has given us the most special gift we could ever receive? How grateful I am for the knowledge I have of my Savior!! Have a wonderful week everyone!!

Love,
Hermana Holt

 Its cold in the morning

 The Boucher's daughters

Our zone Christmas dinner