Another p-day... Here we are again.
The majority of this week was spent inside as Hna. Tello was sick with some kind of cold/flu mutant and was confined to her bed the majority of Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. And being the non-sick missionary really isn't too exciting... Okay no. It's not exciting at all. But alas. You do what you have to do: Study. Haha
For that reason, we were not able to do divisions this week with the Hermanas in El Colorado. We feel bad because we keep changing our plans. But you have to coordinate well when you have to travel so far to do divisions. This week for sure. We sí o sí have to do them. So that will be fun. (If it happens. Haha kidding.) Divisions are a great opportunity to learn. Even until my last day in the mission, there will be things I can learn. And I always learn something from divisions. Just seeing how other people work or react to crazy mission situtations is a learning experience. I'm excited.
In other news, Lucas is doing great. We had a really great, spiritual lesson last night about the temple and what makes it different from the church. It was really great. The spirit was there and Lucas felt it. He's made a lot of changes in his life thanks to his new knowledge of the Gospel. That's because it's true.
If there's one thing that testifies to me of the truthfulness of the Gospel, it's the changes I've seen it make in people. I've only had two areas thus far in the mission, but I've met a lot of people. And I've seen the Gospel work miracles. It doesn't matter where we are or what we've done, Christ's teachings apply to ALL of us. Because we all need to be healed in one way or another. And it's an absolute privilege to see that healing take place. I'm not anybody. I'm just a tool in the Lord's hands. And it's an honor.
Sorry that once again, this was such a shorty. We did lose half the week thanks to the imperfections of the human body. Haha. I didn't have any pictures either. Sorry. Next week will be more exciting. But until then, take care.
con cariño,
Hermana Hein
Monday, June 29, 2015
Tuesday, June 23, 2015
Blank Slate
Greetings from Chaco! (How weird... I thought it would always be Formosa...) Winter is in full swing here in Resistencia and I'm loving it! I always liked the cold better than the heat... and then I got sent to Argentina! Haha Yeeeaaaahh... Nah. It's great. I love it. And the new area is awesome!
I've only been here in Resistencia for a week, but from what I've seen I don't mind it at all. Maybe it's just the fact that I was in the same area for 5 transfers... But it's been so nice to see a new area. It's a breath of fresh air. And I love it. Our area isn't super huge... apparently it used to be bigger but then it got split so the assistants to president would have a place to work. So now, it's a bit smaller. But there's still so much to see and so many people to talk to. I love it.
We have one investigator named Lucas who's the grandson of a member in our ward. He's great. We're hoping he can be baptized on the 4th of July. Yeah. FREEDOM! (from sin... haha so funny.) I'm pretty sure yesterday was his 3rd time to church so now, we just need to finish teaching him. The race is on! Also, Hna. Tello and I are sister training leaders so we have to do divisions this week with the Hermanas that are in El Colorado, which is like an hour and half away from here so that's gonna cut our time here in our area a little bit short. Time is the true enemy of the missionary.
Being a missionary is a weird thing. It's such a privilege to be able to say that I'm here as a representative of Jesus Christ. My purpose is to help others come to know Him. I have such joy in my life for the blessings I've received from the knowledge I have of Christ and His Atoning sacrifice. And know, I have the chance to help others have that same joy. What a blessing. I am thankful to the Lord everyday for giving me this chance. It's my responsability to use this time, and do the best that I can. I know Christ lives. I know that He gave His life to give us the chance to better ourselves and come unto Him. Moroni 10:32 "deny yourselves of all undgodliness... then is His grace sufficient for you, that by His grace ye may be perfect in Christ"
Con amor,
Hermana Hein
 |
| The neighborhood horses. That's a thing. There's a LOT of horses here. |
We have one investigator named Lucas who's the grandson of a member in our ward. He's great. We're hoping he can be baptized on the 4th of July. Yeah. FREEDOM! (from sin... haha so funny.) I'm pretty sure yesterday was his 3rd time to church so now, we just need to finish teaching him. The race is on! Also, Hna. Tello and I are sister training leaders so we have to do divisions this week with the Hermanas that are in El Colorado, which is like an hour and half away from here so that's gonna cut our time here in our area a little bit short. Time is the true enemy of the missionary.
 |
| Lucas wanted Hna. Tello to wear his hat, so we took some gangsta pics. Haha. Riddikulus. |
Being a missionary is a weird thing. It's such a privilege to be able to say that I'm here as a representative of Jesus Christ. My purpose is to help others come to know Him. I have such joy in my life for the blessings I've received from the knowledge I have of Christ and His Atoning sacrifice. And know, I have the chance to help others have that same joy. What a blessing. I am thankful to the Lord everyday for giving me this chance. It's my responsability to use this time, and do the best that I can. I know Christ lives. I know that He gave His life to give us the chance to better ourselves and come unto Him. Moroni 10:32 "deny yourselves of all undgodliness... then is His grace sufficient for you, that by His grace ye may be perfect in Christ"
Con amor,
Hermana Hein
Tuesday, June 16, 2015
Not in Kansas anymore...
Hello All:
Transfer Tuesday. Guess where I got transferred? Resistencia. Capital. Am I amped? Yes I am. It's a whole new world here in Chaco. We're definitely not in Kansas--er-- Formosa anymore. Here I am, companions with Hermana Tello de Chile. She's so cool. She actually got to the mission the same time I did. I'm super stoked to work with her. It's a weird thing, transfers. You get to the new pensión and think, "What can I touch? Do I need to ask permission to use the bathroom?" But no. You don't. Haha. Lots of transition. But as I've said before, that's the mission.
Not going to lie, it was a little hard leaving Terminal. I've been there for 5 transfers and I definitely felt like it was time to move on. But spending 8 months in the same area definitely gives you time to make a lot of lasting friendships. And I've never been good at goodbyes. It's rough. But it will be really good to have fresh eyes searching for those the Lord has prepared. And I'm excited to help new people.
Yesterday, as I was riding on the bus over here, I was thinking back on my first bus ride in Argentina and how terrified I was. I had no idea what I was doing. But as I was on the bus leaving Formosa, I didn't have that fear anymore. The Lord doesn't call the qualified. He qualifies the called. Those first transfers were hard, but the Lord helped me through. He knows what I have to do and He's been preparing me from that first day. and He still is. I'm a missionary now. This is life. And it's awesome.
With every transfer, every new area, and every new companion, you learn something new. I'm not sure what it's going to be this transfer, but I know that whatever it ends up being, it's what I need. We're not put in these places with these people on accident. The Lord knows what He's doing. Just gotta be humble and do what He asks. That's when the miracles come.
Well, sorry this was such a shorty. My brain isn't really present today. But anyway, I'm grateful to be here and excited to get to work.
With lots of love, Hermana Hein
Transfer Tuesday. Guess where I got transferred? Resistencia. Capital. Am I amped? Yes I am. It's a whole new world here in Chaco. We're definitely not in Kansas--er-- Formosa anymore. Here I am, companions with Hermana Tello de Chile. She's so cool. She actually got to the mission the same time I did. I'm super stoked to work with her. It's a weird thing, transfers. You get to the new pensión and think, "What can I touch? Do I need to ask permission to use the bathroom?" But no. You don't. Haha. Lots of transition. But as I've said before, that's the mission.
 |
| Hma. Dustin & me at the bus station. Good bye for now. |
Yesterday, as I was riding on the bus over here, I was thinking back on my first bus ride in Argentina and how terrified I was. I had no idea what I was doing. But as I was on the bus leaving Formosa, I didn't have that fear anymore. The Lord doesn't call the qualified. He qualifies the called. Those first transfers were hard, but the Lord helped me through. He knows what I have to do and He's been preparing me from that first day. and He still is. I'm a missionary now. This is life. And it's awesome.
 |
| Into the City |
 |
| One last Formosa sunset. |
With lots of love, Hermana Hein
Tuesday, June 9, 2015
The Work is Hastening
Well... another week gone. Time just flies. As a matter of fact, today marks my 8 month mark in the mission. Hard to believe but alas... here we are.
The week was good. Another of those weeks that feels like nothing happened. Things do happen. But when you do the same thing everyday, it all kind of runs together. I'm not saying that's a bad thing. It's just hard to keep track sometimes of the little things that happen. But I'll see if I can remember.
A couple of weeks ago, Hna. Dustin and I were walking down our street toward our house, when this girl named Micaela stopped us in the street. She asked us about the Book of Mormon and wanted us to come back to her house and tell her about it. It was late that night and we didn't have time right then, so we fixed another time to come back and left. When we did go back to teach her, she was the coolest, smartest person ever. She completed her commitments and really did her part to search for her answers. The last time we went back to teach her, she told us she can't keep taking the lessons because her whole family is really Catholic and they wouldn't accept her if she lived a different religion. Oh man. That hurt. She was really sad about it too. She told us in our second lesson that she was Catholic but that she really wasn't in agreement with a lot of their practices. So obviously we gave her a Book of Mormon and told her to read it. And she did. "I believe everything you've told me." she told us. "It all makes sense. But right now, I just can't risk losing my family." I shared with her Alma 26:27 "bear with patience thine afflictions and I will give unto you success." (It's one of my absolute favorite scriptures BTW) We invited her to keep reading the Book of Mormon and keep pondering its message. And she will. The Lord has his time for every person. We had the opportunity to plant that little seed of the Book of Mormon. And just as the seed that grows in secret, (Mark 4:26-29) one day, she WILL be ready. The Book of Mormon works MIRACLES.
In other news, Hector's the best person ever. Love that guy. Such a weirdo. But so great. He's like my spirit animal. We went to talk to him last night to see how his first fast went. (Friday, we talked to him about fasting with purpose and committed him to fast on Sunday. When we asked him what he could fast for he suggested, "a girlfriend?" Haha. Maybe...) He only managed to fast for the night before. He had to eat breakfast. *eye roll* But anyway, we got talking about miracles. "I don't really believe in big, amazing miracles," Hector said. "sure they can happen, but the everyday miracles are people. God's not going to take away all of our problems if we ask Him. He's going to send people to help us in our trials. Those people are the real miracles." I should just reiterate at this time that Hector's really not a sentimental guy. He's really intelligent and closed off. But he continued. "Like you guys. For me, and I'm sure for other people too, you're a real help." (my tender heart!) It was seriously the sweetest thing. I'ma miss that guy...
Just as my title suggests, the work IS hastening. After a long time of drought here in Barrio Terminal, the work exploded and we've had baptisms almost every week this transfer. Yesterday at church, they had to fill more cups for the Sacrament because there were too many people there. That doesn't happen! It was so cool. Less actives are reactivating and we're finding the people the Lord has prepared for us to find. After church, I was watching all the people file out of the building, giving besitos and waving as they all headed off on their motos, and I was just hit with the coolest feeling. I can't even describe it. It just felt right. It was like, "Yeah. This IS the right place." Ugh. So cool. I love the Gospel so much. It has changed ME. I'm here to help other people make that change but at the same time, it's happening in me. I love the Lord and I love this work. I'm so grateful to be apart of it. Just take a peek at Alma 26:16 to get an idea of my thoughts. It's a current fave. Well, until next week, sending lots of love.
Hermana Hein
The week was good. Another of those weeks that feels like nothing happened. Things do happen. But when you do the same thing everyday, it all kind of runs together. I'm not saying that's a bad thing. It's just hard to keep track sometimes of the little things that happen. But I'll see if I can remember.
A couple of weeks ago, Hna. Dustin and I were walking down our street toward our house, when this girl named Micaela stopped us in the street. She asked us about the Book of Mormon and wanted us to come back to her house and tell her about it. It was late that night and we didn't have time right then, so we fixed another time to come back and left. When we did go back to teach her, she was the coolest, smartest person ever. She completed her commitments and really did her part to search for her answers. The last time we went back to teach her, she told us she can't keep taking the lessons because her whole family is really Catholic and they wouldn't accept her if she lived a different religion. Oh man. That hurt. She was really sad about it too. She told us in our second lesson that she was Catholic but that she really wasn't in agreement with a lot of their practices. So obviously we gave her a Book of Mormon and told her to read it. And she did. "I believe everything you've told me." she told us. "It all makes sense. But right now, I just can't risk losing my family." I shared with her Alma 26:27 "bear with patience thine afflictions and I will give unto you success." (It's one of my absolute favorite scriptures BTW) We invited her to keep reading the Book of Mormon and keep pondering its message. And she will. The Lord has his time for every person. We had the opportunity to plant that little seed of the Book of Mormon. And just as the seed that grows in secret, (Mark 4:26-29) one day, she WILL be ready. The Book of Mormon works MIRACLES.
In other news, Hector's the best person ever. Love that guy. Such a weirdo. But so great. He's like my spirit animal. We went to talk to him last night to see how his first fast went. (Friday, we talked to him about fasting with purpose and committed him to fast on Sunday. When we asked him what he could fast for he suggested, "a girlfriend?" Haha. Maybe...) He only managed to fast for the night before. He had to eat breakfast. *eye roll* But anyway, we got talking about miracles. "I don't really believe in big, amazing miracles," Hector said. "sure they can happen, but the everyday miracles are people. God's not going to take away all of our problems if we ask Him. He's going to send people to help us in our trials. Those people are the real miracles." I should just reiterate at this time that Hector's really not a sentimental guy. He's really intelligent and closed off. But he continued. "Like you guys. For me, and I'm sure for other people too, you're a real help." (my tender heart!) It was seriously the sweetest thing. I'ma miss that guy...
Just as my title suggests, the work IS hastening. After a long time of drought here in Barrio Terminal, the work exploded and we've had baptisms almost every week this transfer. Yesterday at church, they had to fill more cups for the Sacrament because there were too many people there. That doesn't happen! It was so cool. Less actives are reactivating and we're finding the people the Lord has prepared for us to find. After church, I was watching all the people file out of the building, giving besitos and waving as they all headed off on their motos, and I was just hit with the coolest feeling. I can't even describe it. It just felt right. It was like, "Yeah. This IS the right place." Ugh. So cool. I love the Gospel so much. It has changed ME. I'm here to help other people make that change but at the same time, it's happening in me. I love the Lord and I love this work. I'm so grateful to be apart of it. Just take a peek at Alma 26:16 to get an idea of my thoughts. It's a current fave. Well, until next week, sending lots of love.
Hermana Hein
Monday, June 1, 2015
Hector!
Yes. It FINALLY happened: Hector got baptized!
And let me tell you what... it has been a JOURNEY. It all started February 21 when we first contacted his house. 3 months. The Lord has His time for everything. We don't always know what that timing will be. But we have to trust Him. Needless to say, it wasn't all a walk in the park with Hector. These past three months have been the wildest roller coaster you can find. And this last week was no exception.
It was raining all at the beginning of the week which means we couldn't teach Hector because we have to teach him in his front yard. (Oh. Not to mention on Tuesday, Formosa was hit with a mini tornado...) But we finally were able to teach the last lesson and schedule a time for the interview with Elder Enright. Lemme just tell you what. That was the most intense 40 minutes of my life. Put alas. He passed the trial and the race was on for Hna. Dustin and I to plan the whole Baptism before Saturday. In the end, it was a small service, but I know Hector would have hated it if there had been more people. So I'd say it was just perfectísimo. And it was really nice. But the journey's far from over...
As previously mentioned, Formosa was graced with the presence of a mini tornado Tuesday night. It was pretty late; we only had maybe 30 minutes left to work so we decided to see if we could talk to Hector, teach him that last lesson. But when we went to his house, he basically yelled at us to go home because the weather was bad. Haha. Hector hates the rain. It was barely drizzling at this point. But we told him that sí o sí we were coming back on Wednesday and then we left.
We hadn't gotten more than a block away from Hector's when I looked up at the sky to see a whiff of cloud moving REALLY fast toward us. Huh. That's funny. Hna. Dustin and I only realized what it was half a second before it was upon us: a WALL of thick rain. "OH CRAP!!" We began to run but it was futile. We were soaked through before we could take three steps. It was CRAZY. We ran home and found that the wind had blown down our ceiling tiles. (along with all the poop of the creature living up there... *shifty eyes*) It's always an adventure, the mission. But I wouldn't have it any other way.
The mission can be really hard. We can't always see the results of our work. And a lot of times, it feels like we're really not doing anything. But if we are working hard, and patiently doing what the Lord has asked us to do, we're going to have success. Alma 26:27. Read it. It's these tiny moments that make the mission. It's so worth every crappy moment, every rainstorm (literally and figuratively speaking) just to see one person make it to that water. I have seen the Lord's hand in this work and I'm so grateful to Him. He knows what He's doing. All we have to do is trust Him.
Thanks for tuning in this week. Until the next one,
Hermana Hein
 |
| Hooray for Hector! Jenessa, Gustavo, Hector and Hermana Dustin |
And let me tell you what... it has been a JOURNEY. It all started February 21 when we first contacted his house. 3 months. The Lord has His time for everything. We don't always know what that timing will be. But we have to trust Him. Needless to say, it wasn't all a walk in the park with Hector. These past three months have been the wildest roller coaster you can find. And this last week was no exception.
It was raining all at the beginning of the week which means we couldn't teach Hector because we have to teach him in his front yard. (Oh. Not to mention on Tuesday, Formosa was hit with a mini tornado...) But we finally were able to teach the last lesson and schedule a time for the interview with Elder Enright. Lemme just tell you what. That was the most intense 40 minutes of my life. Put alas. He passed the trial and the race was on for Hna. Dustin and I to plan the whole Baptism before Saturday. In the end, it was a small service, but I know Hector would have hated it if there had been more people. So I'd say it was just perfectísimo. And it was really nice. But the journey's far from over...
As previously mentioned, Formosa was graced with the presence of a mini tornado Tuesday night. It was pretty late; we only had maybe 30 minutes left to work so we decided to see if we could talk to Hector, teach him that last lesson. But when we went to his house, he basically yelled at us to go home because the weather was bad. Haha. Hector hates the rain. It was barely drizzling at this point. But we told him that sí o sí we were coming back on Wednesday and then we left.
We hadn't gotten more than a block away from Hector's when I looked up at the sky to see a whiff of cloud moving REALLY fast toward us. Huh. That's funny. Hna. Dustin and I only realized what it was half a second before it was upon us: a WALL of thick rain. "OH CRAP!!" We began to run but it was futile. We were soaked through before we could take three steps. It was CRAZY. We ran home and found that the wind had blown down our ceiling tiles. (along with all the poop of the creature living up there... *shifty eyes*) It's always an adventure, the mission. But I wouldn't have it any other way.
 |
| Damage from the freak storm. |
The mission can be really hard. We can't always see the results of our work. And a lot of times, it feels like we're really not doing anything. But if we are working hard, and patiently doing what the Lord has asked us to do, we're going to have success. Alma 26:27. Read it. It's these tiny moments that make the mission. It's so worth every crappy moment, every rainstorm (literally and figuratively speaking) just to see one person make it to that water. I have seen the Lord's hand in this work and I'm so grateful to Him. He knows what He's doing. All we have to do is trust Him.
 |
| Love to see the smiles! |
Thanks for tuning in this week. Until the next one,
Hermana Hein
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)