Week 20

Okay, man, I don't even know where to start!
We had exchanges TWICE this week... usually it's only supposed to happen once a week but this week I got to spend a little time with both of my companions alone in our area while the other one left.
Something that like- blows my mind mom and that I believe with all my heart but I don't quite understand is how much the Lord truely knows us, and how willing He is to fix our mistakes and how no matter how fallen we are He helps us overcome.
For example, we have a part-member family... the non-member is the husband (which happens a lot actually), Hermano Analla. He's like the most shy timid little thing in the world but one of the must humble men I've ever met. His wife got converted in UTAH when she went and visited her daughter for like- a month. Well now her daughter has to move here because her husband is getting deported and she wants to move closer to the border so she can go visit him. We keep feeling like she moved here to help her family (Hno Analla) find the gospel. I'm like "Would God do that? Would he make things work out the way they have so much because He loves Hermano Analla- that timid man that doesn't think he's very much- and he wants him to come back to Him. He wants Him to have the gospel. Would He do that just for Him? He loves him that much?"
And I think about it- yes! He gave His whole life. I honestly can't wrap my head around it. I'm praying to understand the deepness and intimacy of His love for us. 2 Nefi 26:24.
So this week I got to go to a quincenera... (I don't know if that's how you spell it) but it's a big party that Hispanics have when they turn 15. We went to one of our less active's family... she's the best! We took a picture with a mariatchi band and everything. I was in Hispanic Heaven!
Yesterday we went to Hermano Analla's house for Labor Day and had corn with mayonase and cheese! I know. It sounds like the grossest thing in the world but it was the BEST! They had all their family over- like their 20 grandkids and their 3 daughters or daughters-in-law but it was so much fun! I was like- this is almost a Labor-day BBQ! Whoot!
The members are KILLING IT! We had a member family invite US over to their house to teach their friends. We're like - what is this!? The best! There was this little black kid named Jaden that just walked in and was so cute with all the hispanics. He's like "I know spanish- I can count to ten. Como estas?" It was so funny! But we taught them about the Plan of Salvation and the spirit was really strong! I know that the Lord is preparing them.
I actually had a lot of opportunities to bear testimony of the Plan of Salvation this week. To a lady who lost her father and didn't even get to say goodbye to him. Who feels like it was just yesterday that he left. She just started crying. It was cool to be able to teach her a little and to help her find the comfort that comes from the gospel.
Something else that I've come to realize is the power and the importance of the Spirit. It is literally almost a physical presence that you can feel. I know that when we follow His promtings that we not only bless ourselves and increase our faith- but more importantly we bless the lives of others and God gives us the chance to be an answer to their prayers.
I guess more things I'm learning is that charity is the most important- and everything kinda comes after that. Like- everything just comes. You can "by the book" have charity, or you can have charity and then play it by the book. It works a lot better to have charity first. I think that's why it's the greatest commandment.
Well, Love you! Thanks for everything!
Hermana Johnson