Members are so Important in Missionary Work

Hola!

So as you all know transfers were this past week. We had so say goodbye to Hermana Seely which was really sad but Hermana Arcila and I have a lot of good plans for this transfer so we are really excited! We have been keeping really, really busy which has been really fun. One thing that we are trying to do right now is put together a back-to-school BBQ for our branch. We think that it would really help the branch grow closer together and it would be something really fun to invite our investigators and less actives to so they can meet people in the branch! We are thinking about doing it in a week or so, so I'll keep you posted! We are also still trying to set up a Spanish class. We want to do it at the church but since this isn't Utah and there isn't an LDS church on every corner (unfortunately), the church is pretty far away from some people's houses and a lot of them don't have cars. But we are trying to figure it out and it's going to be great!

So I have really sad news. Alex and Alfonzo told us that their parents won't let them get baptized. They told us they don't see the point in talking to us anymore so they want to stop taking the lessons. It took everything I had in me not to cry. I looked over at Hermana Arcila and I knew she was feeling the same way. We just love those two so much and we know this gospel could change their lives for the better and make them happy I just wish they they could see it. But we are not going to give up on them just yet! We are hoping we can talk to their parents and teach them as a family! They told us that they have felt a change inside of them since they have been talking with us so we know there is hope.

In better news, Roci, our other investigator, is doing really well! We invited her to be baptized the other day and she said that she feels really good about it and she will pray about it. She wants us to talk to her whole family so we have a cita with them this next week. She is so great. And she is an amazing cook! She made us these really good cookies that I had never had before and really good tamales. Roci is a perfect example of why members are so important in missionary work. So after the first time we met Roci, Hermana Arcila and I were talking about what we could do to help her and this Hermana in our ward poped into my mind, Hermana Gutierez. She is about the same age as Roci, about 40 and they have a lot of similarities. We called Hermana Gutierez and asked her if she would like to come to our next appointment with Roci. She came with us and it went SO well. They hit it off. So now she comes with us to all of our lessons with Roci and it is so great. Hermana Gutierez is so awesome, she bears such strong testimony to Roci. She can touch Roci in a way that neither me nor Hermana Arcila could. Members are so so so important to missionary work!

Can I just tell you how much I love my tiny branch. There are about 40 people in it and they are all just so great. They are so strong and so involved with missionary work. I love being in a small branch becuase you get to know everyone individually. It's the best. But the bad part is that it's going to be really hard to say goodbye to these amazing people. I hope I don't leave anytime soon.

Anyway thats about it for my week! 

I can't believe it's already time to start school again! I wish all those who are going to be starting school soon good luck! Was the first day today? It was for the people here in Port Arthur. Spencer, Hayden, and Paige, love you guys. Have a great time at school and make the most of it!