Week 56

Update on Hurricane Maria:

So quick update;  Well after a very sleepless night and many prayers, we received a phone call from Hermana Green at 10:30 am this morning (Wednesday) to tell us, that she and all of the missionaries were safe, protected and made it through the category 5 Hurricane Maria that made landfall on the Island of Puerto Rico at 2:00 am this morning. In preparation for this massive Hurricane directly hitting Puerto Rico, Hermana Green and all of the Sister Missionaries and Elders in Puerto Rico (approx. 157) were evacuated on Tuesday from their homes and areas, and the Sisters went to the Mission Home, and the Elders went to the Mission Office in Guaynabo under the Mission Presidents direction.  They were well prepared and united in faith to ride out the storm, although they still did not have power restored from the damage caused by Hurricane Irma.  Hermana Green said; they held devotionals and knelt and prayed together with President and Sister Smart, and were comforted by the Spirit and never felt afraid.  She said; that Hurricane Irma prepared, strengthened and united the missionaries and the people of Puerto Rico, that they can endure hard things and overcome trials with the Lord's help.  Hermana Green said; that this experience was one of the greatest spiritual experiences of her mission. Although they have not been outside yet, they could see the devastation around the Mission Home.  They have no thought for themselves, but just want to go serve and help the people of Puerto Rico.  Hermana Green said; the Lord has preserved and prepared them to now go and be a light to the people by helping them put their Island, homes and lives back together, and letting the people know that they can be comforted and find peace and happiness through Jesus Christ.  Sister Smart said; "your lives have been saved, now go save another."  They do not know when they can go back to their areas and homes, or when power will be restored, but their spirits are strong and they are ready to serve, although they are concerned about the flooding and mud slides that are already happening.  Hermana Green closed with; don't worry about me, and just pray for the people, because that is all that I am concerned about! 

It was the best phone call, and we are so grateful for the Lord's hand in protecting our daughter, the missionaries, and people of Puerto Rico.  We would like to thank all of our family and friends for your thoughts and prayers this week.  We invite you to continue to pray for the people of Puerto Rico in the coming days and weeks as they work through the devastation and damage that was caused!

This Weeks (Monday's) Letter from Kali pre Hurricane Maria:

Buenas a Todos (Hello everyone)!

One spiritual experience has kept happening over and over.  I have been really trying to put ALL of my studies into studying for our investigators, their needs, and what we can do to help them. Sometimes I feel impressions to study certain things without knowing why, or without it having any correlation with the lesson plan we have, but I follow the promptings anyways.  As I have done this, and put my all into these studies, I have seen the results paying off as the things I have studied, planned or not planned, have ALWAYS seemed to be the thing that someone needs to hear.  These experiences have been super cool!!  Effective studies brings MIRACLES.

Investigators:

Ludumar: LUDUMAR IS THE BEST.  So, Hermana Pearce and her old companion found this family of four who welcomed them in and gladly heard their message.  We had a lesson with Ludumar, the Mom (who is in her late 20's) last week on the Book of Mormon and how it can help lead and guide her and her family.  We had a member present (also a miracle) and the Spirit was so strong in the lesson.  She told us that before she met Hermana Pearce and Hermana Turner, she had been praying to God to send her guidance and strength for her and her family.  Then, the missionaries showed up at her door.  She said she knew that they/we are sent from God and that the message we share truly will help her.  It was a great lesson, but we didn't feel the Spirit telling us to invite her to be baptized, which happens, and is not necessarily a bad thing.  So, we are going to have a cita (appointment) with her tomorrow and we are super excited!

Derek: Derek I still haven't met, but Hermana Pearce says that he has had a super hard life.  He's 20 years old and has gone through quite a bit.  We have a lesson with him tonight and we are going to teach him the Restoration and invite him to be baptized!  He loves reading the Book of Mormon and just recently quit smoking, Woo hoo!

Joann: I also haven't met her yet but during our intercambios on Saturday, Hermana Pearce went and visited her with Hermana Brooks and she accepted a fecha, baptismal date!!!!

We have some more, but these are those who are progressing. :)

So, their are different callings/positions of leadership in a mission. The AP's (assistants to the President) are usually two seasoned elders who help President and Hermana Smart with EVERYTHING. They are great leaders and they help train and lead us.  Under them are Zone Leaders and Sister Trainer Leaders (What I just got called to for the Caguas zone).  There are 5 zones in Puerto Rico (Mayaguez, Ponce, Caguas, Toa Baja and San Juan).  So, in every zone, there are 2 Zone Leaders and 2 Sister Trainers, Hermana Pearce and I are the Sister Trainers of the Caguas Zone.  We work with the Zone leaders to plan and set goals for our zone according to what we learn in MLC (Missionary Leadership Conference).  Every transfer the zone leaders and sister trainers will go to President's house and learn and be instructed by President, Hermana Smart and the AP's, it's like a zone conference for the leadership.  So, some of the key responsibilities of a Sister Trainer Leaders are to look over the well-being, missionary work efforts and help lead and guide the Sisters in the zone by example and by our experiences.  These are usually Sisters that have a lot of time on the mission.  We also do intercambios (exchanges) with all the Sisters in our zone, and we will get to work with them either in their or our area, depending on who we believe needs to be with who for the 24 hours we do the intercambios (exchanges).  We work with the zone leaders to make plans for our zone, and for zone conferences.  President & Hermana Smart, the AP's will all speak, and the Zone Leaders and Sister Trainers will speak and focus on the goals as a zone and what we need to do spiritually, and physically in the work and in our work ethic to accomplish these goals.  We will do intercambios (exchanges) every week, and every Sunday night, Hermana Pearce and I make calls to check in on the girls, to talk about the numbers we send in weekly, how their investigators are doing, etc.  It is such an honor to be in this calling.  I have seen so may wonderful examples of Sister Trainers in my mission that have helped shape me into the person and missionary I am today, like Hermana Gutierrez, Hermana Bird, Hermana Josie, Hermana Larsen, and many more.  I am grateful for their example and I hope that I can do all I can, in order to help others feel that same love I felt.

MY NEW HOUSE IS AMAZING. It is seriously probably the nicest house on the island, haha!!  seriously, it's beautiful!!!  I live with Hermana Brooks and Hermana Mann. :)

My Companion Hermana Pearce

QUICK THINGS:

Hermana Pearce and I have the FUNNIEST and most interesting times together. This week has been crazy. I love it.

GUAYAMA IS BEAUTIFUL.  It's called, "Zion" and now I understand why.  It has TONS of hills, and the first couple of days I was dying, haha!  We can see the ocean from where we are and we live right next to a mall and WALMART, I love walmart. it's the closest thing we have to Target. I miss Target. 

The members are SO HELPFUL and we get fed every day.  Their goal is to, "help missionaries leave a dress size bigger from when they came", yeah that terrifies me a little bit, but Hermana Pearce is training for the Air Force so we are exercising a ton, and the hills and miles we walk every day (our area is pretty big) so, I am not too worried. 

There is a song that is forever written on my heart, it is a song by the church from The Nashville Tribute (Church Country Songs, that are amazing) and its called, "Apostles" by Jason Deere.  This is exactly how I feel about missionary work. Listen to it, and let me know what you think.

It's pretty hot here. I've noticed that I have been put in the hottest pueblos on the island, haha!!  In order of heat, it goes Ponce, then Guayama, then Cabo Rojo, WOOO!!

Mom and Dad, I loved last week's spiritual thought. Dad you shared Helaman 10:4 with me, and I loooooove that verse.  They focused on this verse a couple of Zone Conferences ago and it changed my perspective on missionary work and my personal efforts, so thank you for that! 

Love you all, I thank you for your support, prayers for our island, and for your love. 

Love always,

Hermana Green