Singing the song of redeeming love

I know I say this at the beginning of all my letters, but once again I am astonished at how fast time is flying and how great of a week I had! Time has never gone by so fast in my entire life and it seems to just be speeding up. I'm loving it more and more each day too. :) Last Monday after P day Hermana Crosby and I went to the YSA FHE to play volleyball because C came too! It was so fun to see her having fun. I know it seems so simple something like playing a sport in the church gym, and I can't really explain it, but maybe because I have seen her so unhappy and know what her life has been like, it just is so great to see her being happy. And it isn't that her life has gotten easier. That's the thing about basically every single person I have taught on my mission so far. They have unbelievably hard lives/backgrounds and yet the difference of their happiness lies in their willingness to follow Jesus Christ. Despite what people have to deal with, they can be happy and that is the message I am so privileged to share with others. :) Tuesday Hermana Crosby had a leadership meeting so I went and spent the day with the Bloomington Sisters- Hermana Pelaez and Hendersen. I think I have told you before about Hermana Pelaez, but she is from Mexico and is so sweet. Hermana Hendersen is bran new, and seems to be pretty cool too! We had a great day. We knocked some doors and found a few people to teach and then spent a few hours doing service at a member's house. We painted one of the rooms in her house for her and it was so much fun! We sung hymns while doing it- alternating between English and Spanish. Hermana Pelaez is really good at English but still learning. So fun!! The next day we had exchanges. I was again with Hermana Watson, but this time in Lakeville. So I led out all day which was an interesting experience. I felt pretty stressed out, especially when President grounded all the mission cars because of the snow and we had to coordinate rides with members to make it to our appointments which then fell through. But, at the same time, I felt so much more confident in my ability to both speak Spanish and be in charge. It was kind of like being thrown into the deep end, but I guess that's how you learn faster. We went back to Bloomington on Thursday to have Zone Conference! It was really fun and inspiring. We even got to watch the movie Miracle.. (the Disney one about hockey) Turns out it is set here in Minnesota!! Afterwards we had a delicious dinner with Karla and her family and then one of the best lessons yet with P and S ! Maura, a super solid member in the YSA ward, came with us and we taught about the Word of Wisdom!! It was super good. Ok, so I actually am going to finish writing this a little later because I am heading to Minneapolis right now with the other Sisters in our ward and a girl from the YSA. Should be fun! So sorry, but I will write the rest of this at about 5 tonight. Love you!! Pt. 2 Ok I just got back from a super fun trip to Minneapolis! Macy's has this cute Santa display that we went to and then we ate lunch and did a bit of shopping :) But to continue with my week... We taught P and S about the Word of Wisdom and it couldn't have gone better. They understood why we would have this commandment and committed to living it!! As we were leaving we offered to take their alcohol with us to get rid of it. They agreed and we had a grand time flushing it all down the toilet!! Their biggest problem is going to be coffee because they drink it every morning before work. We had another great lesson with them last night at the Montecillo's home (active, amazing Hispanic family in our ward) and they said they had been doing pretty well... They had one cup of coffee, but they said they won't have any more! Unfortunately we have to push their date a little bit because they were sick yesterday morning and couldn't come to church, but it might be better anyways because Hermana Crosby and I were thinking maybe we are pushing them a little too hard to get to a date that we want rather than what will be best for them. Really it depends on what the Lord wants for them so that is what we are trying to figure out, but hopefully it should still be pretty soon! We weren't able to teach as many lessons as usual this week since we had so much going on, but we also had a really good one with F. He has been so busy with school and everything so it has been hard to see him. I can't remember what I've told you about him, but the sisters before me had been teaching his mom before I came. Then we saw her awhile ago and she said that her son wanted us to meet with him too! He is a super cool kid that wants to do what is right and follow Christ! We taught the Plan of Salvation and had a girl who just got home from her mission come too. He is still figuring out things with work so he can come to church, but he is another person that is so prepared! M and D are still coming along as well. Slowly, but surely. We still haven't quite set a date with them, but this week we will try again. We decided to ask them the baptismal interview questions to see where their fears and doubts lie. We didn't get through all of them yet, but it really comes down to if Joseph Smith was true prophet called of God and if he is the only prophet... Apparently there were a bunch of other 'prophets' in Guatemala. The lesson went really well though and D made a lot of connections between herself and Joseph Smith. :) Well family, I love you tons! Hope you all have a great week! Do something good!! :) Love, Hermana Pierce