Week Nineteen!

"I used to pray that God would feed the hungry, or do this or that, but now I pray that He will guide me to do whatever I´m supposed to do, what I can do. I used to pray for answers, but now I´m praying for strength. I used to believe that prayer changes things, but now I believe that prayer changes us and we change things¨-Mother Teresa

"I slept and I dreamed that life is all joy. I woke and I saw that life is all service. I served and I saw that service is joy" -Kahlil Gibran

Quite a few of you have already heard this news, but I think it´s about time that I make it public. I have another cyst, the same problem that sent me home last time. I´ve been working with doctors (aka the top gynecologist in all of Uruguay I am well taken care of) for a few weeks now, trying to make it so I could stay here in Uruguay as a missionary for as long as possible, but it looks like my time is coming to a close this week. Honestly my mission has been the greatest miracle of my life, and I have seen miracles every day that I will never be able to deny. I feel so blessed for the time I have spent here, the people I have met, and the things I have learned. I could not have asked for an experience more perfect for me. 

This week I was talking to a sweet Hermana that I don´t know very well, and she told me that when things are completely out of our control, that´s when we can know for sure that God is controlling them. I know that my Heavenly Father has a plan for my life, and I´m just trying my best to live it. I´m really grateful for all of your help in this. I haven´t actually heard when I will be home yet, but it should be by the end of this week. We are going to the temple in Montevideo this Wednesday and Thursday, and I am supposed to bring all of my things to take home with me from there. 

 Now on a more normal note, I would just like to say that tomorrow is December and that is really weird because it is about a million degrees here. And also because I feel like it was October yesterday. 

Yesterday was the Primary Program. Basically what that is is all of the children in the church ages 3 to 11 sing songs and say lines that they (should) have memorized. I was informed (not asked) the day before that I was going to lead all of the songs for it hahahahaha. I think you can all imagine me trying to sing songs in Spanish and controlling little Uruguayos. Then the day of the pianist did not show up, of course, so I just winged it and asked someone to play the songs on their phone. I pretty much looked crazy trying to get the 5 kids excited and to sing louder, but it was an experience I will never forget. Overall I think it all went well and a lot of the people in the ward told me I did well, so I´m not too stressed. 

Not a whole lot more happened this week. We just worked hard and saw miracles. I made potatos on Thanksgiving but other than that it was a normal day. I will probably see you all in a few days!

Love,

Hermana Marsh

p.s. Healing blessings come in many ways, each suited to our individual needs, as known to Him who loves us best. Sometimes a "healing" cures our illness or lifts our burden, but sometimes we are "healed" by being given strength or understanding or patience to bear the burdens placed upon us." -Elder Dallin H. Oaks

Week 18!

I think on the mission I am constantly reminded of my weaknesses and imperfections. None of us are perfect. However, "we are infinitely more than our limitations and our afflictions" (Jeffrey R. Holland). We all have weaknesses, but we are not defined by them. Our Heavenly Father does not expect any of us to be perfect.In the Book of Mormon, we read that "And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them" (Ether 12:27).

 He knows we have weakness. He knows we cannot do this on our own. But He has promised us that if we are humbled and have faith , he will turn our weakness into strength. We are enough as long as we are trying our hardest. I have been trying to give it my all every day, and have seen the hand of God making up the rest.

We have two investigators, Andres and Marinella, who are progressing really well. When we met them, they were homeless and she was pretty sick. They have a 4 year old son as well. Anyway everytime we have met with them (always in the chapel because they don´t have a real home), the only thing they have asked of us is that we pray for them. And we have been praying a lot. They also have been praying and really searching for the truth. This week Andres found a job and a house they can afford with his new salary!!! I was so happy. Marinella said that she knew it was Heavenly Father answering her prayers, and her testimony really touched me. He is involved in our lives, we just usually don´t see it. They have decided to be baptized. We still haven´t chosen a date for their baptism yet, because they need to get married first, but we are all really excited for it. 

Our sweet recent converts Lucia and Sofia absolutely love going to church, especially primary, but their mom started working on Sundays and can´t take them. We had a lesson with them this week where they both prayed to be able to go to church this week, and then asked us to pray for that as well. On Sunday morning they walked into church and I almost cried I was so happy. Their mom was able to take a few minutes just to walk them to church and then go back to work. They are my little angels. 

This week there was a soccer game between Uruguay and Chile. The streets literally go crazy. Like three people cancelled our appointments with them because of it as well. Also the next day someone slammed the door on us after they found out my companion was from Chile. Uruguayos take their fútbol seriously. 

Everything is going good here. We are working hard and seeing miracles every day. Everyone eat a lot on Thursday for me.

Love,

Hermana Marsh