Not a whole lot to write about this week. I definitely feel the Lord is testing our patience. Alma 7: 23 (https://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/alma/7.23?lang=eng) has been a good reminder for me this transfer. We are just continuing to try and get to know the area, and gain the trust of the ward members.
Some guys asked us out to drinks... Who would have thought my mission would be the first place I would be asked that? ha ha. What's funny is Sister Kramer isn't even old enough to drink yet. We got a good laugh out of that one.
We met an INCREDIBLE family last night. Their story is incredible. She grew up in Peru. She was the first family to ever be baptized in her small town Lima. She was persecuted a lot as a young girl for her faith. She was 1 out of 5 girls who was Mormon at her private school of 8,000 girls. Her friend (now her husband) joined the church at age 24. A few months after he converted she served a mission in South Peru. After, they were married. He is one of the most spiritual and amazing men I've ever met. They were dirt poor, but he knew how important it was to be married in the temple so they could be sealed together forever.
It was an EIGHT day travel by bus, train, and bicyclist with carriage. They were blessed to stay with members and friends along the way, and she didn't even shower in those 8 days! (Gross!) She said the day they got there she looked like a mess, was sweaty, stinky, and so tired. Members had them cleaned up and fed and they were sealed that day. She said it was an experience she will never forget!! So many miracles happened along the way that literally blew my mind! It took her about an hour for her to tell us the story! ha. I told them they should write a book! They always paid their tithing, and sacrificed so much to make it to the temple and because of it the Lord truly blessed them, and he truly is blessing them still to this day.
It was an EIGHT day travel by bus, train, and bicyclist with carriage. They were blessed to stay with members and friends along the way, and she didn't even shower in those 8 days! (Gross!) She said the day they got there she looked like a mess, was sweaty, stinky, and so tired. Members had them cleaned up and fed and they were sealed that day. She said it was an experience she will never forget!! So many miracles happened along the way that literally blew my mind! It took her about an hour for her to tell us the story! ha. I told them they should write a book! They always paid their tithing, and sacrificed so much to make it to the temple and because of it the Lord truly blessed them, and he truly is blessing them still to this day.
Right after returning from their trip her husband was called as bishop! Just two years after he joined the church!! Today he is a very well known and wealthy doctor here in Midland. They are such humble and great people though, and are INCREDIBLE at missionary work. She tells us today how much the gospel has grown in her small town Lima. She said there is a church building on every corner, and that Mormons are highly respected there now. They give all the credit to the Lord, and he truly has blessed them because they always put him first. What an example they are to me. I'll have to give you more details of the story when I return.
Love,
Sister Turner
God Bless America...oh wait...TEXAS!
Door Flourish. Another Texas thing.
EVERYONE decorates their door with ribbon and flowers for special events and parties and things.