Another week here in the field. Where do I begin? Really time is such a fickle thing, there are moments when it’s so slow, and then before you know it, its Monday again, and there are only seven more Mondays and tomorrow begins December. WHAT?!

Pues si….. This week we worked and worked and worked some more. I think we were on the devil’s radar but the Lord was always there to pour out a tender mercy.

Hermana Reyes got a nasty cold Wednesday night. On Thursday she was even worse and all attempts to try to do divisions so I could go and work backfired so we got to stay in a couple hours and rest. I was really stressed out, thinking about all the things that we needed to do, about a fickle thing called time, and worried about my companion, and well, basically I was just a little anxious. So, I pulled out our disk of Mormon messages and I happened across one that follows children from their birth to when they enter the mission field. I don’t know what it’s called but it’s accompanied by the hymns “I hope they call me on a mission” and “To bring the world his truth.” I remembered what day it was. Thursday, the 26th of November. A year since I had finished my training, a year since I had said goodbye to Hna Judd, I thought about all that I had learned in a year, all that has happened. I also remembered that it was Thanksgiving. The spirit came and I was filled with such a strong sense of gratitude towards the mission, towards all the people I have met, towards my family that have helped prepare and support me, and more than anything to my Heavenly Father for all he has given me. Sure, I had a weepy moment, but it was a great little reminder that everything is in the Lord’s hands, we are just here for the ride. He longs to bless us, and he is constantly doing so.

On Friday, my comp was feeling much better and so we got back to work, full force! Dennis, the little boy we have been teaching was supposed to be baptized but everything was falling through and working against us. We couldn’t find pants, the cake was too small, the members were getting frustrated, lots of drama. But then before we knew it, it was Saturday.

We got up, studied and left to work. I was still stressed out, and we weren’t quite sure what to expect. We went to the chapel to help support a Relief Society Activity. A less active sister that we have been visiting came, along with her nonmember mother that we have been teaching. #miracles! The activity was beautiful, and encouraged the sisters to be more loving and to look for the good in everyone. The spirit was definitely there. And then a visiting sister stood up to share some thoughts and my heart stopped. I had seen her before, almost exactly a year ago, on my las P-day with Hermana Judd. It was one of her converts. I think that she recognized me to too because she gave me a weird look, but she did not remember who I was…. After the activity I walked up to her, and I introduced myself, and started to explain who I was. I had scarcely mentioned the name of Hermana Judd when she threw her arms around me and said “Te conozco, te conozco!” (I know you, I know you!) We both sobbed into each other’s shoulders and she asked how I have been. I asked a little of her story too. She was sealed in the temple earlier this year and continues faithful in the church. It was a beautiful reunion.

In true El Salvadoran style, Dennis was an hour late to his baptism. People were so caught up in cakes, and piñatas, and all the other logistical stuff, it was a little frustrating that no one was too focused on the ordinance. But then everything was calmed down and we were all there in the baptistry. Primary children all gave the baptismal talks and then Dennis was baptized by his Dad. Our musical number fell through, and so I sang “I know that my Redeemer Lives.” The spirit was so strong, and all the stress and tension that had lingered around was dispersed. It was a beautiful tender mercy.

So some closing thoughts. We had a fantastic talk given yesterday about pride, using a talk by Ezra Taft Benson, and the brother said something fantastic. He said, “Pride is asking yourself ‘what do I do with my life?’ instead of asking ‘what does God want me to do with my life?” Wow, it was a nice reminder that I need to accept the Lords will and trust in his timing.

I love you all!! Hoorah for Israel!

Love, Hermana Hipol!