September 22, 2014 Another week in Pilar

Hello family!

Another week in Pilar.  It's so funny because we feel like we are being really successful, we have really good lessons, and then we get to church and our attendance is really down.  it's because of the rain.  It's funny, you would think because they have lived here their whole lives, they would be used to the rain.  But they still use it as an excuse to not come to church.  It was kind of interesting yesterday at church because all the people that attended were either investigators, recent converts, or less actives.  We had 5 active members come to church.  So at least our investigator class was really well attended :)

Delio's family! Left to right: James, Delio, Grace, Marlene, Me!

Good news of the week: Delio's son James is going to get baptized on Saturday!!  Kind of sad news: Jocelyn couldn't come to church because her boss called her unexpectedly to work.  So she can't be baptized on Saturday.  But don't worry, she'll be baptized in October.  And the Trajano family is doing good.  Marilyn, the wife isn't sure still about all of this but Mark has a really solid testimony.  He said the prayer in gospel principles class and I just remember in his prayer he said something about "our church".  He is really excited to be baptized and is loving the Book of Mormon.  I think that he would be a really good young men's leader someday and I can see him also in the branch presidency.  He has a really good understanding of gospel principles.  We're going to do a FHE with their family later tonight.  hopefully we can get Marilyn interested!

Other than that, pretty normal week.  Trying to find lots of new investigators and people who will listen to us.  Also trying to help the less actives come back to church.  One of the less actives, Helen Alfuente, is a really neat story.  I remember when we were first going to her, she was always really tired and had a hard time paying attention to us and would often say "next time, sisters."  Told her about the temple and challenged her to prepare and be worthy to go in December to the temple for the first time.  It is really amazing when we teach people about the temple.  She got really excited and is now active, every week coming to church and she is reading the Book of Mormon (before she would never do her reading assignments) and doing everything she can to be worthy.  She said that years before, she heard about the temple trip but never had an interest in going.  But now, she understands and really wants to go.  And she really looks forward to our visits and seems so happy now.  I love seeing the effect that the gospel has on people's lives!  I don't think anything in her life changed except becoming active but she is so much happier.  I know that is the effect that the gospel can have on all of us.  Just like it says in the scriptures to come unto Christ and take his yoke upon us.  That sounds like it would be harder, but it actually eases our burdens.  Just like the people in Alma experienced their burdens lightened even though they were in captivity and had heavy burdens placed upon them.

Well, that's the update for the week!  We have transfer day this week and I feel like I'm going to be transferred.  It's always exciting to get a new area but it is kind of sad to leave a really progressing area like Pilar.  We'll see what the Lord has in store.

mahal ko kayo!
Sister Sirrine