Wow, I am not too sure where to start. So many things have happened, culminating into a great week. In our companionship studies we have been analyzing Christ’s ministry to the Nephites. It is as beautiful as we have studied the Savior’s words and compared them to those that he shared in Jerusalem. It is so interesting to see the small changes and differences between Christ before Gethsemane and after his resurrection. The message he shared was the same but as he went through his own trials, and personal growth, he became more compassionate and dedicated to his own cause.

That being said….. I think that is so true, that as we go through our own personal trials in the mission, it enables us to become much better teachers as we have to rededicate ourselves to the cause of truth. As my time with Hermana Steel comes to an end, there is only one word that comes to mind: bittersweet. I love her so much, and I continue to learn from her every day. It is so crazy, we dedicate everything to the work, but helping prepare her to go home and giving advice on her goals has helped me do a lot of personal reflection. It is awful!!!! I HATE KILLING PEOPLE!! It is so painful, especially when it is your best friend. We are in a limbo of constant goodbyes and farewells…. it hurts a lot but, well, I am used to it by now. I am not sure why the Lord has had me in so many situations where I have to think about the life after the mission.

I finished a year in the mission this week. To celebrate we went to eat pupusas, and since we are nice representatives of Christ and the Zone Leaders were out of money they came too. The power went out, and we invited some people to baptism. Really, a fairly low key day. But I cannot believe that the time has come and gone so fast and I am excited to keep working and to use this, frankly painful, experience of killing my comp as fuel to rededicate myself to my own mission. I love the mission. But with so many things happening all at once, I cannot help but be terrified at what the future holds. So, I am just going to go out, teach my brothers and sisters, and invite them to come to Jesus.

Due to some unforeseen illness, we could not do intercambios this week (yay parasites), but we were able to buckle down and work hard in our own area. We have walked a lot, my comp killed a chicken, oh and I totally found out that I am allergic to red peppers…. that was a fun experience, almost died. No, that is a lie. My lips and tongue just went numb and my throat began to swell. So, we ate some ice cream and I took some Benadryl. All is well. This week, we found so many beautiful new families to teach and we have been working with a lot of less active members, trying to help everyone. As we have stopped teaching those who are not progressing, and branching out to areas where we have not focused before, the Lord has definitely begun to bless us.

I love you all. Keep the faith! Be epic!

Hoorah for Israel!