October 28th 2013 Maren

Hello my dear family!   Daddy! I am so glad you are OKAY! Family, it has been a testimony builder to be that we have been able to handle this trial the way we have... meaning by turning to the Lord and his gospel instead of away from it. That is a mark of conversion. I always wondered if I was really converted... I felt like I'd never really been tried in my life... I always wondered how I would react if something were to happen. And then some hard stuff happened and I realized, like Tania said a little while ago, it doesn't matter what happens, its true, that all that matters.   This week has felt like a time warp for me. Actually this whoel transfer has. Its gone by SO fast and yet it feels like forever since I was in Riverhead at the same time. But its been an amazing transfer and this week was a great way to end it.   We had some really cool things happen this week. We went to visit one of our Less Active's Leonor just to make sure she was doing well. We had had such a hard time planning for it and weren't 100% sure what we were going to talk about when we got there. We tried so hard to get a member there to help get her more fellowshipped but it just wasn't working. But God is in all things. When we got there she had a friend over, Nicholas, He is the godfather of her children. Well before we could even sit down with Leonor he started peppering us with questions and pretty soon Leonor came over and helped us answer them. She was amazing. I always feel so blessed to find those LA's that are really just waiting for an invitation to come back. I feel like Leonor is that way. Nicholas lives in the Bronx, when I originally heard that I was like "Dang it! Not in our area let alone our mission." and then I was like "But hey, now we have facebook, the world is my area!" Haha. This work is changing in so many amazing ways. The other cool thing that happened was a similar experience the second time we went to see Anabel. Her brother Gorge was there. He is catholic and our plan was to watch the Joseph Smith Movie with Anabel. So as we watched we gave her the controler to pause anytime she had a question. The one time she used that power led to a long conversation about baptism and just about every other gospel topic you can think of. More than anything we just tried to bear testimony though... that is where the power is. We commited both of them to read the Book or Mormon and to pray before and after they read each day. He lives in Carona so we'll see what happens. We still need to get him a book! Besides that our week has been full of Look-ups, Dance practice (see facebook... haha), street sweeps, and learning experiences. This week while talking to my District Leader he pointed out that I have changed a lot since I first came out. Believe it or not this statement bothered me... and I am still not entirely sure why. Forever changed is the goal right? Haha. As near as I can figure I had a lot more pride when I came. I had a heavy attitude (which isn't all the way gone...) and I think I felt like I had to prove something. You may remember that I didn't get along with my first district leader. Since then I think (I hope) I have learned to trust the Lord a little more and in those he has called. Sister Peacock pointed out a similar change before I left Riverhead and I told her she was crazy. I think I have just enough pride left that I don't like the idea that I had so much to change when I came. But Humility has been a goal. Mostly now I am just grateful that it is happening. I recognize how much my mission is preparing me for my future life. What a blessing it is to be here.   Also this week we were blessed to particiapte in an event in the Far Rockaways to celebrate 1 year since huricane sandy and all the rebuilding that has happened since. I got to drive down with Sister Chipman... did you know she only has 1 transfer left?! And she just got released as an Sister Training Leader... which means yesterday was possibly the last time I see her before she goes home. Ah! I don't like that. Its always been such a strength to have her near.   O! Yeah! Other cool tidbit... Anabel's brother Gorget told me I speak 95% perfect spanish. Which I probably shouldn't tell you because then at Christmas when Stephanie asks me to speak to her in spanish I am going to freeze up and not be able to talk at all! But I was pretty excited about that. I still think its an opptomistic estimate and probably only valid when the gift of tongues is in full effect to help us get through lessons.   By the way... if you didn't pick up on it. I am staying in Jamaica and me and Sister Jensen are staying together! YAY! I actually kinda forgot all about transfer calls this time around. I knew president would move me after just one.   Jake. I don't know if you have time to read all this but I really really like what you said about accountability this week. That is something that has started clicking with me too after way too much time. I am so proud of you. I can't believe how much you are growing out there, all I know is I am proud of you.   Tania (and Angie!) coming just for fun this time huh?... dang I am so tempted! But no! Wont do it.   Nathan, sorry you have to get your teeth out. I have a feeling you are/were super funny on the meds. Haha. Mom I hope you videod it. Don't pass out like I did.   I love you all so much!   -Sister Maren Hale