Tuesday, September 23, 2014

9-16-14 Deported! [this came a day late - on Tuesday]



If you're all wondering why I didn't write this week, and why my letter is so short, it's because...I got deported to Panama! I just wanted to wish everyone a happy week. Life is good, and transfers are this week, so we'll see where I am next week.

Love,
Hermana Romero

                 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

[then about fifteen minutes later:]

Oh and don't worry, it's completely normal. If you don't get your residency visa, you have to leave the country... Since my temporary visa expired about 6 months ago, I had been expecting that something like this might happen. I flew to Panama yesterday, had a two hour tour of the country and then flew back. Today was a normal day of missionary work.

Tuesday, September 9, 2014

9-8-14 One year of being a missionary!



Dear Family,

A bit crazy and a lot of fun as always in the mission! This week has been soo rainy! But it always rains right before the end of the day, so we can just go home and change instead of having to keep visiting and while being soaked (we have umbrellas...but not that they do much good). The other great news of the week is that we have a cook! She is an investigator and the sister of a member (suggestion of the member because she thinks it will help us gain more confidence with her).

This week, I celebrated one year of being a missionary! Crazy how time flies, right? I wish I could say I have some cool insight or cool experience, but more than anything I've just been working hard to dedicate this time to finding and teaching and helping people change their lives and come unto Christ. This is my purpose as a missionary, and it hasn't changed in my time here...just my understanding and dedication to completing this purpose have increased.

I love you all and wish you a great week!
Hermana Romero

Thursday, September 4, 2014

9-1-14 A woman came to the door ... and screamed!

Dear Family,

Life is really good in Roosevelt. I looove being with Hermana Herrera because she is so obedient and focused, and she is helping me be a better person and missionary. (And we have fun together but maintain the balance of working hard, which I love). With the two of us giving all we've got, I feel like we're seeing a ton of miracles.

For instance, remember how I told you last week about a woman who, in spite of that her sister had been a faithful member for 10 years, had never attended church? Well this week she came! and, even better, she liked it! When I see things like this in the mission, it reminds me that it's not my work, but the Lord's. He prepares people, and we just have to be in the right place in the right time. (See attached...Me, my comanion, two members, and a nonmember).

 


Funny story: Saturday, we went to contact a reference, and we knocked on the door and shouted a greeting. We were waiting and waiting for someone to answer because they were obviously home, and a woman came to the door...she hadn't heard us knock, so she screamed! After we explained who we are, we all had a good laugh, and they told us they're Evangelicals so...we ended up not teaching them. But it was a great moment hahaha.

I love you so much! I love being a missionary, and I love that the Lord is helping me be a more selfless and humble person. Have a wonderful week!

Hermana Romero

8-25-14 A child's prayer



Dear family,

From what I hear from Mom, Dad, and Pete, you are all pretty busy enjoying the last little bit of summer. Winter in El Salvador is basically like summer over there...It's still been raining a lot (and the rain shoes I bought in the market for $3 have been really useful!) and it's hot like always. But I really love the ward (even though the work is always full of so many challenges) and it's such a blessing to help other people change their lives and come closer to God.

Cute story of the week: We went to visit a member family, and asked their teenage daughter to pray. Well their 5 year old nephew was visiting, and he's used to giving the prayer in the sense that he repeats after someone else. So while she was praying, he started repeating everything she was saying!! He was getting about 2 out of every 10 words ("....Jesucristo....familia...la salud") so she slowed down and made her prayer simpler so he could follow along. It ended up being really cute, but I was laughing silently during the prayer.

Cool moment of the week: we stopped by to visit a member Lea, who always attends church and leaves to visit with us but this week didn't show up. Turns out she was sick (and since her calling is in the Primary, didn't want to infect the kiddos). The cool thing is we just started talking to her sister (who isn't a member, and herself admitted that she never felt a desire to learn about the church) and during the conversation, she explained a few of her doubts and then volunteered herself to go to church. We just sat there and listened. I guess that's one of the keys to missionary work, is that people will tell you what they need if you listen. I really hope she keeps this promise...I know that Lea wants so badly to see her whole family together in the Gospel, and it's one of my greatest desires as well. I love this family a ton.

I love having Hermana Herrera as my companion. She is pretty hilarious and a great missionary. I feel like, together, we are being guided by the spirit to the people that are prepared, and to the people that NEED our message. There are so many less active members in this ward that need to feel the Savior's love and the peace of his forgiveness. There are nonmembers who don't know what they don't have. The Gospel is the cure to so many of life's problems (and when it doesn't solve our problems, it gives a peace of mind, an eternal perspective, and the strength to confront them), and we're just helping people to recognize that.

I love you all!
Hermana Romero

PS. Photos from last week's baptism. Jason is a miracle. One day I have to tell you a story about how we found and taught him...and hopefully by then, his sister and mother will have gotten baptized as well. :)




8-18-14 Jason got baptized



Dear everyone!

So we've been teaching the nephew of a member for a few weeks, because she (the member) called us saying he really wanted to get baptized! This weekend, Jason, the nephew got baptized. Between finding clothing, finding a moment when the chapel was available, organizing speakers, getting the approval of the bishop, etc., I was pretty stressed...but miraculously we were able to pull everything together, and he was so happy. Actually I think the biggest miracle was that his brother was the one to baptize him! (My computer isn't letting me attach photos, so I'll send them next week).

We keep working to help other people make this important decision and change in their life. I feel really happy because we're helping people change their lives for the better (leaving behind alcoholism, spending more time with their family, developing a relationship with God). It's hard work, helping people change their nature, but I'm so grateful we have divine help on our side.

With much love,
Hermana Romero