Hello Family!
This week was wonderful! I love Inwood and I'm happy to be here:) It's the very tip top of the island of Manhattan. There are similar things to Harlem which is really good! It's like Harlem but the smaller, quieter, nicer parts of Harlem. I was so surprised by how quiet it was at first haha! It's really pretty, and I'm super glad I'm still in the city because I still feel like I mostly know what I'm doing:) Our area is pretty small. We are roommates with the Spanish sisters, Hermanas Payne and Morales. Our apartment is pretty big and it's nice:) My wonderful companion, Sister Nielsen, is doing great:) It's funny to be together again but so far it's been good! She's only been here one transfer, so she's still pretty new to the area too. We've done lots of area book and less active lookups, and we've already seen some miracles from it!
Our greatest miracle is Ashley! She's golden! We went to look up her mom, but she wasn't home so we talked to Ashley (she's 15). We gave her a pamphlet and a Book of Mormon, and when we handed her the Book her face just lit up and she was so excited! We came back the next day and taught a really great Restoration lesson. She loved it and was just soaking it all in. She understands so much and she loved the experience of Joseph Smith! She was so excited to read the Book of Mormon and when we came back the next day she had read some! We talked about it and she explained how she felt and when we told her that was the Holy Ghost she brought her hands to her mouth and she was like "Really?? That makes me so happy!" She kept saying that:) We invited her to be baptized and she really wants to! Her mom is so so sad that she keeps missing us. So we're going again tonight and Ashley and Josephine should both be there. She wants this for her family so bad! It's been amazing to testify of how much the gospel really can and will bless her and her family:) She said she's been so happy the last few days because of us, and she can't believe there's even more happiness! We kept telling her it would bless her and her family and she said "I think it already has!" She could already see the the joy she's felt and the change it had made in her mom when she had seen the missionaries! So they're awesome and we're so excited to continue to teach them!
Another miracle is from my last day in Harlem. I learned that the gospel really is for EVERYONE! And sometimes it does just take time, but Heavenly Father is patient and it will all work out for everyone to accept the gospel. About two weeks ago we had a less active member reach out to the church. She knew she needed to come back so she did. She was busy so the closest time she could see us was on Monday. When we went to her house Sister Israelsen commented on her door mat, and it looked so familiar and I was pretty sure I had seen it before. We went in and taught her a lesson and I realized why it looked so familiar. Back up a few months when me and Sister Bongolto were companions and we were doing a bunch of less active look ups... we had visited her and I clearly remember that she told us she wasn't interested in the church because of certain beliefs she didn't agree with. We marked her as someone who wasn't interested so future people would know. Now 3+ months later, she's totally ready, willing to change, and she's been able to recognize that she needs the gospel! These are the kind of little miracles I live for as a missionary! Just being able to see Heavenly Father's love, patience, and see how the gospel really is for everyone:)
Oh and HAPPY NEW YEAR! I almost forgot haha! To celebrate we went to bed at 10:30, but we set an alarm at midnight so we could say Happy New Year and then go back to bed haha! I'm excited for 2017 and my full year of missionary work ahead of me! I set goals combining Luke 2:52 and D&C 4:2 - Serve with all your heart (social), might (spiritual), mind (mental), and strength (physical). I'm excited! I know as you take time to set goals and talk to Heavenly Father about them, He will help you achieve them! Have a great week and a happy new year:)
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