Hola!!

How is everyone doing?! It sounds like it's freezing cold up there in Utah right now.... I'm sorry! It's been pretty cold here the past two days, but last week it was in the high 70's! We were loving it, but until Wednesday it will be cold again. It's true... when it gets cold here it gets down to your bones cause of the humidity. It's not fun! I forgot how much I really hate the cold. But I can't complain since y'all have 0 degree weather.

 

I'm sad to hear about Sister Flacks Brother. Let their family know I'm praying for them. It's sad to see how quickly someone can go.

 

So, it's been great to be back to work this week. Sister Mekini is better finally, but it wasn't until Thursday that we had our full day back out working. Her poor stomach is so weak being here with all this new medicine, food, and virus'. She isn't used to it all. But she's a tough girl. She is so stubborn too! She'd be in the bathroom throwing up and then come out and say she wasn't sick... I'm like, "Sister! If we go out to work you're going to get everyone sick!" She doesn't quite understand how the virus' spread here. I have been giving her anatomy and physiology lessons. haha

 

We have been fasting and praying a ton because we set a goal to have 2 baptisms in January. We know it was inspired of the Lord because we've been feeling so strong about it. Right now we don't have any solid investigators who are progressing, but we fasted last week and yesterday to find someone who will listen. In almost every prayer we pray for this, and I know that Heavenly Father can provide someone if we just keep our faith. I was struggling with this while Sister Mekini was sick cause we weren't able to work. Then I got thinking how when we set our goals this month Heavenly Father gave us a confirmation that they were all achievable goals. He knew Sister Mekini was going to be sick... even though we didn't know. And still I know He can provide someone! Pray for us!

 

This Thursday when we got out to work we knew we had to find new investigators cause we didn't have anyone to teach. We went to an apartment complex to try some former investigators and I had a feeling to check to see if there were any less actives that lived there that we could try. Before we got out of the car we prayed that we could find 2 new investigators before we got back into the car. We went and tried the less active and there was a lady that answered the door who let us in. The less active wasn't there, but we were able to teach her and she accepted a baptismal date! She told us she has been looking for a church cause she just moved here with her cousin! AND THEN on our way out we were walking to try another former and there was this lady who was out walking her dog so we stopped to talk with her. We asked her what she was looking for in life and if we could pray for her. She began to cry, and she told us that she is going throgh so much in her life right now and she knew we were sent from God. We hope to get back in to see them. We are praying to see their progress in the gospel!

 

After our fast yesterday we also got a referral of a family in our area that we are going to try tonight! The zone leaders were the ones who gave us the referral and they told us they are very interested in the Book of Mormon and about how families can be together forever! Pray for them as well. :) 

 

This week we've been trying to work with the ward more to see what we can do to help them and get their support for us. We visisted with our Bishop, relief society president, young womens president, and a few other leaders in the ward. It was good to get some guidance from them and see what we can do to help ease their burdens. I hope this ward can get the spirit of missionary work. It's so hard to see how so many people here just expect to get so much from others here but aren't willing to give anything in return. The old relief society presidents husband got in a car accident on Friday night (they are in their 80's) and as we visited her the next day she told us that she tried for 30-45 minutes to try to find a ride to the hospital to go see her husband when he got in the accident and no one would do it. She gives EVERYTHING for everyone else, and always makes sure that peoples needs are met. It broke my heart to hear that after all she does for the people here no one will give in return when she needed it the most. That is what we heard from most of the ward leaders that this is a very needy ward. We are going to do our best to change that.... the only problem is we don't really know how! Any advice? We are trying to visit all the active members and talk about missionary work and looking beyond yourself, but we'll see where that goes. 

 

So on friday night after we heard about the car accident we went to the hospital. It was about 8:30 and we had to park in the parking garage.... scary! On our way back to our car there was no one in the elevators or around us as we were going to our car so I told Sister Mekini we needed to hurry. (Remember she's from Samoa where everything is safe so she doesn't hear of all the scary stuff that goes on) We couldn't remember what floor we parked on so we started at the top. As the elevator opened we peeked our heads out and noticed it wasn't the right one. We also noticed the smell of smoke as the doors opened So we got back in and hit the next level I said a quick prayer cause we both said how we didnt' have a good feeling. As the elevator stopped at the next level the doors didn't open, and then all the sudden it went down one more floor to the level that ended up being ours. Both of us ran to our car. We don't know who or what was going on the second floor we tried, but I know Heavenly Father was watching out for us. It made me realize how much your prayers are heard, and also all the prayers in the temples are heard for us missionaries. 

The next morning one of the men in the ward who was at the hospital right before us giving him a blessing told us that there was a guy roaming around the elevators when he left that he didn't have a good feeling about. That was probably who Heavenly Father saved us from! Thank you for your prayers for us. Very few times on my mission have I had that feeling to be cautious, but I know it's the Spirit that keeps us safe.

 

The best part of our week was on Saturday morning! Elder M. Russell Ballard came and spoke to all three of the Houston missions. It was really neat to be with an apostle of the Lord in that kind of setting. He is really funny, but very powerful too. He and the other two speakers-- Elder Davies of the presiding bishopric, and Elder Nielson of the 70-- spoke lots about how lucky we are to be missionaries representing the Lord and Savior. We won't realize it until we get home how much this time will change our lives. He also spoke to us about 3 Nephi 11 and placing us in those Nephites shoes seeing Christ and being taught by Him. We are lucky to have the Spirit to teach us so much on our missions.

 

Transfers are next week. I'm not sure what's going to happen yet, but I'll know next monday whether I'm staying here or getting transferred. I'll let y'all know! I pray for you and thank Heavenly Father for y'all everyday. Stay safe and healthy!

 

I love you!!!

 

Sister Avery