Friendswood Round 7 With Another Baby!

Yeah, you read that right. I'm training again! President Hall texted me on Sunday asking if that was okay and, of course, I told him yes. There were a lot of mixed emotions running through my head like the fact that I've been in Friendswood for 9 months now, but it's okay because I know it's the Lord's will. 

Who knows if I'm ever going to go back to speaking Spanish, but it's not my will. During our trainers' meeting Monday morning, President Hall expressed to us that the Lord specifically chose all of us. He said that it was so clear to him. Then he asked all those that have trained before to raise their hands and everyone but about 3 rose their hands. He said he didn't even look at who had trained before, it was all on revelation. It was a really cool experience. Training is fun. I just love these new missionaries, or our new "babies" as we call them here.

So, MIRACLES. We had an AMAZING week. It was so fun. On Thursday, we went to the temple with John for his first time and we took Minor, too, for his second time. We had helped John previously to prepare two names to take, his mother and his father. He was baptized for his dad and had Sister Andersen get baptized for his mother. He was crying the whole time. It was so special! I've never felt the Spirit so strongly in my entire life. He was just mesmerized at the beauty of the Lord's house and the Spirit that's so evidently present there. It was and has been a huge part of his conversion process. It was amazing. I really can't explain it much in words, but it was truly the best day. He leaned over to me after we all had changed and he said, "when do I get to work here in the temple? I want to be here everyday." AHHH! I told him that a year from his baptismal date, I will come back and he can receive his endowments. He's really excited. It was the best feeling ever! No words really.

We also went on exchanges this week with the girls that I take care of as an STL. I went to their area with Sister Elliot and Sister Campbell her companion came to Friendswood with Sister Andersen. They have a bike area, so I was worried about that ... . We biked EVERYWHERE. It was so hard! I lost my shoe at one point and we had to turn back around. Ha, ha. I was just so tired at the end of the day and they live on the third floor so they have to carry their bikes up and down all the time! Man, I have a new found respect for bike areas! I love my car ... . I also went with Sister Elliot to their investigator Claudia's, house. She speaks VERY broken English and her native language is Portuguese. There are no Portuguese-speaking missionaries, so the sisters have to teach her. Sometimes, they have the hardest time understanding her, but when I went I was able to understand ALL of her Portuguese! I was so shocked! She didn't want to speak in English anymore so she spoke to me in Portuguese and I translated. Honestly, it was ALL the Spirit helping me translate. I could actually understand a majority of it. It was a miracle. She's awesome!

We had a baptism Monday evening, too! John is going to baptize his daughter, Savannah! And he blessed the Sacrament on Sunday in church! He's the best convert ever. The Spirit worked really hard on him and it all paid off! We also have a baptism on Aug. 1 for our investigator Jacob and then on Aug. 8, Fern is getting baptized! It was so incredible.

I'm so happy. SO SO HAPPY. I've never been so happy in my entire life. I love this work and I love Heavenly Father for pushing me to come out here! This week I've been studying about Alma and Amulek in the Book of Mormon. Man, I wish I could be like them! They were such awesome missionaries!

Such a good week. How are y'all?

Sister Sanchez

The Texas Houston LDS Temple.

I'm The Pencil

Yesterday was the best day ever. I have seriously never had such an amazing day. Well, I probably have, but you know what I mean. It was so good. WE had invited all our investigators to church and we had four of them come! It was such a good feeling.

Our investigator, Fern, came for the first time since she was 14 and she loved it. She told us, "There will be nothing stopping me from coming next week." I asked her, "So is this the church for you? The one you have been searching for?" And she smiled and said, "YES!" It was so amazing! She was so excited to go all week! And yesterday she was glowing. She met so many people and just loved the feeling she had being in Sacrament and all the classes. I'm so happy! She's so happy! It's been a huge miracle! She's getting baptized on Aug. 1! 

Jacob also came to church and he's also doing really well. He's planning on being baptized on Aug. 1 with Fern and he seems to be pretty excited. WE scheduled an interview for him with the bishop so he could get to know him a little bit better. He's so awesome. 18 years old and he knows already what he wants to do with his life and, most importantly, he knows that he needs God in it. It's just been a month full of miracles for us. I really am shocked at how much the Lord has blessed us and our area.

John, Minor and Jon, our recent converts, all passed the Sacrament yesterday for the first time. It was incredible. I honestly sat there and watched them smiling so much. Bishop asked me after Sacrament, "How were you feeling knowing that you played a part in each of their conversion stories" and I really had nothing to say. I was speechless. I started to tear up. It's so special to me. I really can't describe it in words or even begin to try, but it's what has changed me. I really love the people we teach and baptize. I love them too much that I will do anything for them. I'm very proud of who they have become and I know that it was all Heavenly Father. I'm just the pencil.

Savannah, John's daughter, will be baptized next Monday! And he's baptizing her! He's really excited and so is she! She'll be baptized on her birthday. Isn't that so cool? They're my family away from home. This whole ward is. The thought of having to leave anytime soon kills me ... I'm going to be one big mess. But thankfully I still have another transfer, so that keeps me sane.

We're going to the temple this week with John for his first time and we're taking some of our other recent converts! He's so excited. We introduced him to family history and he LOVES it. He said he stayed up doing it the other night and he went to the family history class on Sunday, too. It's so fun! He's going to be taking his mother and father to the temple to do their work and then any others that we can find. It's going to be so great!

Okay, huge miracle story. So a while back, about 3 months ago, Sister Robinson and I went to go get some Taco Bell for lunch. I was ordering and the cashier's name was Dustin. He was really nice and so after I ordered, I thought, why not talk to him about the church. I did and he proceeded to tell me that he's Jewish, but I still gave him our church pass-a-long card so he knew where the building was and what time we meet. Well, last week, our bishop contacted us and told us that this boy named Dustin came to the church looking to speak to someone about the Book of Mormon. I didn't recognize the name since I hadn't seen him again in 3 months, but Bishop told us that he invited him to church and that he would be there, so we needed to keep an eye out. So we did, and when I saw him, I TOTALLY RECOGNIZED HIM, but I didn't know from where. I honestly thought I was just recognizing him from the pre-existence or something ... ha, ha, but then he says, "Hey, you were the one that talked to me at Taco Bell." THEN IT HIT! I remembered! It was so crazy! And he actually came to church! We got to talking and he ended up living in the other ward's boundary so I told that ward's elders and they've been teaching him. He's getting baptized in three weeks. ISN'T THAT INSANE!? So yes, I testify that sometimes the fruits of our labors don't show until later on, but if it's God's will, they'll show. Such a cool experience. I really loved being a part of that.

Anyways, we're so happy! Loving the work and loving the people daily. I cannot thank y'all enough for supporting me. I wouldn't want or need to be anywhere else.

Brother McDowell spoke on Sunday and after his talk he said, "In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen. Brother McDowell, OUT." Ha, ha, ha, ha, I thought of dad always saying "Papi, OUT" It was so funny!

Love y'all tons!

Sister Sanchez

Chick-fil-A day!

Bathroom Selfie

Grape challenge!

I'm The Savior's Investigator

Amazing week full of so many miracles! We were really busy, which is always the best. I loved it because we had FUN. We're always laughing and making the best of everyday. It's the best thing with my amazing companion. I'm so sad she's leaving in two weeks! She put her mission papers in last week so her call should be here soon! We got permission from new Mission President Aaron Tracy Hall to go to her home if they come while she's still my companion and watch her open her mission call! It's going to be a blast. We're so excited!

Yesterday at church John came up to us and set a secure date for his daughter's baptism!! She'll be officially baptized on her birthday, July 27! We're so happy and he's so excited to baptize her! We're also planning a date to take John to the temple this week and he's really excited for that, too! She's just progressing so well as a member now. He called us the other day, randomly and said, "Sisters, I just want to thank you so much for everything. I was just driving home thinking about how greateful I am for the church and for the membership I now have." It was so wonderful. He's so converted and just loves being a member! We're so pleased that he feels that way because this has been our goal for him for a long time now! He's incredible! I love them both so much and we're so thrilled for the day they'll be sealed. I'LL BE THERE! No doubt about it. 

Our other investigator, Jacob, is progressing and doing so awesome. We have his date set for July 25 and he seems to be really okay with that. We're so excited. He has been so ready since our first lesson. His curiosity has let the Spirit really teach him a lot and we don't have many lessons left, so he's close!! It's so awesome to see his testimony grow. He comes to church every Sunday even though he comes alone! He has such courage. I wouldn't want to go to church by myself, but he's so willing. He has a lot of church friends that he has met and they sit with him. We always sit with him, too. He's just so great and we're so excited for him!

Sister Andersen and I had another AMAZING experience this week. We have been teaching two less-active members and one of their husbands. We had THE MOST AWESOME lesson with them the other day. The Spirit was so strong so we invited them all to come to church. They seemed a little hesitant since it had been years since they had attended, but we still invited them! So we ended up fasting because we really wanted them to come and guess what? One of them came! The other two were going to come, but his aunt had to go to hospital, but Brandon came! After years of not going to church, he came and everyone greeted him with warm arms and they got to catch up a lot. It was so wonderful. We went to his house later on that night to see how he enjoyed church and he said that he felt really good after it was over and knew he did something right. It was great. They're all on the right path. Please pray for them! We know they'll progress.

The Lord is seriously blessing us so much. We have four baptismal dates and five progressing investigators. We're constantly finding throughout the week. Sometimes I wonder why the Lord is so kind to us when we're always making mistakes, but I'm super grateful. I love this work SO MUCH. I just love visiting people and getting to know more and more of my brothers and sisters everyday. It's so fun! 

One thing that really hit me this week is why I came on a mission. Of course, there were various reasons for why I decided to serve and what I've learned is that the mission isn't only to find those who need the Gospel, but mainly, it's to convert ourselves. I'm the Savior's investigator right now. He's trying to teach me. Most of the time I'm listening, but sometimes I don't and I don't keep my commitments. I know that we're learning what the Savior feels as He tries to teach us daily in hopes that we'll continue to progress. Not exactly to baptism, but mainly to eternal life to live with Him again. I'm so grateful that He found me! He spoke to me when I asked Him and He's diligent and He keeps coming. I'm grateful for who I'm becoming. 

Texas is great. It's hot as ever, but I love it. This week I got a free antler! Souvenir!! 

Have an amazing week!

Sister Sanchez

Fourth of July potluck. 

President and Sister Hall arrive as President and Sister Ashton leave the Texas Houston South Mission. 

His Hands Shaped The World

This week was BUSY, which always makes it a good one because it keeps us going when we have a lot to do. I love seeing people. Some days are harder than others, but this week we talked to so many and learned so much. You don't go a day on the mission without learning something valuable for life. It's pretty cool.

Well the Fourth of July was pretty fun for us! We went to our member's home who was having a pretty big party. They had a huge water slide and a volleyball court. It was super fun. We had to be home by curfew and that was sad because we didn't get to see any fireworks, but it was okay because we know we'll get the blessings for being home on time. Ha, ha. I really miss watching the fireworks up at school with the roommates, though! Those times were the best!

We met President Hall this week and it was so great. A lot of missionaries were nervous because of the possibility of many changes and different leadership tactics, etc, but President Hall hasn't really changed much. He's so great! It was such a pleasure getting to know him and his family. They all greeted us one by one and he had a funny video for us to watch called "Meet The Halls." Ha, ha. Have y'all seen it? It should be on the THSM Facebook page! We also had our missionary leadership council meeting with President Hall and it was a really spiritual experience. We learned a lot from him and it was great to see the small changes he has been inspired to make to the mission. We definitely needed him to get our work progressing. He's really focusing on planning and planning to succeed. It's been an awesome change for the mission. We love them so much!

Heavenly Father is blessing our area so much! We have an awesome new investigator who just showed up to church on Sunday and now we're teaching him. We invited him to be baptized on the 25th of this month and, at first, he was pretty hesitant because he knows his family wouldn't be too happy about it, but yesterday, we taught him the Gospel of Jesus Christ and he told us that he's been praying and reading daily and that he feels good about his date! He still has some concerns, but we read some scriptures and reassured him that the Lord will bless him as he does what the Spirit is prompting him to do. It's been so amazing! We're also teaching another investigator named Emilio and he's great. His wife is a less active who we're teaching as well, along with her brother Brandon who is a less active. We had a lesson with them the other night and it was awesome. They have so many great questions! Brandon told us that he's always known the church was true, he's just been rejecting it because he knows it comes with a life change, but we know he can do it. We're right there to help him. It's been such a big miracle. Man, I can never thank God enough because He always blesses us more. We're always in debt. 

John got the Priesthood this Sunday along with his temple recommend. IT WAS THE BEST SUNDAY EVER. I was smiling from ear to ear. He's so excited to go to the temple and we set a date for his daughter Savannah to be baptized by him and they accepted! He's just so happy. A lot of people have been commenting on how they have never seen John so happy and I agree! The Spirit is just illuminating him. He's so wonderful. He was crying on Sunday because he told us that as a kid he always wanted to be a priest, but he knew he would never be able to. Then he left the Catholic church and FOR SURE knew he would never be able to become one.... and then on Sunday, he gets the Priesthood and gets ordained to the office of Priest. He was so happy because it's something he's always wanted! Isn't that so cool? I was so happy for him. We're planning to go to the temple soon!

We went to the temple today as a district and just had so much fun. I had about 3 questions in my mind as we entered the temple and left with all of them answered. My patriarchal blessing talks a lot about how I will grow to love the temple and the things that are done inside and I really do. I love the temple so much. When I get off my mission, I will be in the temple as often as I can. 

This week I was touched by the scripture in Alma 26:27-28. Sometimes when life gets hard in general and we want to turn back, the Lord comforts us and allows us to do hard things.

"Now when our hearts were depressed, and we were about to turn back, behold, the Lord comforted us, and said: Go amongst thy brethren, the Lamanites, and bear with patience thine afflictions, and I will give unto you success. And now behold, we have come and been forth amongst them; and we have been patient in our sufferings, and we have suffered every privation; yea, we have traveled from house to house, relying upon the mercies of the world - not upon the mercies of the world alone but upon the mercies of God."

I love this work!

Have an amazing week.

Happy Fourth of July! 

Schott family, love them!

John got the priesthood and his temple recommend!

Corn rowed a members hair! SERVICE

Love Sister Andersen!

Temple jump!