Wow, so many things to share and I dont even know where to start.

This week in my personal studies I was reading the missionary chapters in Alma. It has been so amazing to compare the missions of Alma and the sons of Mosiah. I have learned so much about how to be a more consecrated missionary and about my own mission. I was really struck by the faith of the Lamanites as they buried their weapons of war as a testimony of the covenant they made with the Lord. So, I have decided to do the same. Each week of my mission I am going to pick a “weapon”, something that keeps me from being more consecrated and I am going to work on that throughout the week. This week we witnessed so many miracles as we tried to be more obedient.

I love Hermana Judd. She is so amazing and teaches me more and more every day about the love of our Savior. She has let me take the lead in a lot of aspects now, prepping me for when she finishes the mission and I wont have her there to lead me along. I think I am still in denial that she is leaving, but it has given me a lot of practice that I need. This past week was halloween, so, in true Gringa fashion, we dressed up! I wrapped Hermana Judd up in toilet paper and threw my bedsheet over my head and we were spirit world missionaries. Super, cheesy, but super fun all the same! We had way too much fun trying to race the camera timer. I love her so much!

There are two experiences that really stood out to me this week. The first was when we were teaching a family that we have been workin with for a long time. They have had dates but hust havent really committed yet. They finally told us that they dont want to be baptized. So, we went to visit them with the bishop and we read 1Nefi 8.  We talked about the vision with the whole family and the spirit was so strong. And then, the craziest thing happened…. the sister looked at us and said she didnt want to be baptized. We quickly corrected the misunderstanding and things were getting a little tense. I was so shocked I had no idea what to say or do. Hermana Judd did her thing, testifying with power and i just argued with myself. I finally heard a voice in my mind, almost shouting, telling me to open my mouth. So, I did. I dont remember a lot of what I said, but I know that the words werent my own. I just wanted them to know I loved them and that we are here to help them prepare to be an eternal family but that there is no other way to obtain eternal life… I just wanted them to feel how I felt. I practically begged them to pray, to ask the Lord if this message was true. Then i pointed to my tag and said, “I promise as a representative of Jesus Christ that if you pray with this desire to know that you will remember these experiences that you have had and will know that this is what you need to do.” There was dead silence… I actually felt a little embarrassed. I looked around at this family, at the bishop, at my companion. No one said a word. Then, the sister looked at me and simply said, “You have great faith, Hermana Hipol.” I am not sure what the Lord wants us to do with this family but I know what I am supposed to do… I will just keep testifying and trusting in him….

Our second experience was with a young man named Julio. He was just a guy we contacted in the street, but he is so positive. We met with him one morning and we taught him the restoration and he loved it. When we went back and asked if he had prayed he looked at us and said “yep, I prayed and I know that all you say is true.” We were so blindsided. We have been trying so hard to find new investigators that want to progress. We invited him with a date and, bless him, he said yes! He came to church with us yesterday and he loved it as well! He is reading the Book of Mormon in English and in Spanish. He is just so cool. It is so humbling to see how the Lord trusts us so much, to let us teach his children.

I love you all so much! Thank you for your support!
Hurrah for Israel!