My Rock.

     Being in a trio has its perks and downs. Some perks are, less talking for me, I know bad, but it's so scary talking to people! But I'm getting better! This week has been hard yet rewarding. Sister Rex is the training leader which means she's in charge of all the battalion sisters so she has to go to a lot of meetings. Therefore we have even less time in our area :( but that helps us use our time wisely, plus more study time, which I definitely need! 

Here's the update on our Investigators:

The Lee Family- they were supposed to get baptized this Saturday but we have to push it back a week because we haven't taught everything, and the mission has a rule that they need to live the Word of Wisdom for at least 7 days before they get baptized. They do drink coffee and tea, but they aren't addicted, so they said they would obey the Word of Wisdom. :) They bought their daughter Hannah a triple! She was so happy! 

Joaquin- He came to the battalion with his sister Claudia! I had to give them a tour in Spanish! YIKES! I messed up so bad! I need to work on that! But I also blame Scott Eagleston for that because he surprised me by showing up and joining that tour even when he knows no Spanish at all! It was great to see him though! But also weird! Haha.

Guillermina y los nietos- They haven't come to church and we've tried to visit her but she's never home.... We did have a miracle though! One day while we were with the kids their uncle, Josue, came and sat with us! He said he wants to learn more! (might have mentioned this already, but I forget what I write)

     We found a lady named Karina, whose husband was recently deported, leaving her alone with four kids to support. She's been taught before and is super willing to keep learning but she went to church once and felt really out of place because everyone else was all dressed up and she doesn't have those kinds of clothes. :( We tried to help her understand but she would not budge, but no worries it's a work in  progress; we will get her to church! 

     We had a missionary activity. We wanted to bring to life the vision that Lehi had about the tree of life, it went ok. It wasn't well planned and not many people showed up, but we made the best of it!

     This is a story that President Clayton (Mission President) shared with us during our MTE training: There once was a man who was asleep one night in his cabin when suddenly his room filled with light and the Savior appeared to him. The Lord told him He had a work for him to do, and showed him a large rock in front of his cabin, explaining that he was to push against the rock with all his might. This the man did, and for many weeks he toiled from sunup to sundown, his shoulder set squarely against the cold massive surface of the unmoving rock, pushing with all his might. Each night the man returned to his cabin sore and worn out, feeling his whole day had been spent in vain.
     Seeing that the man showed signs of discouragement, Satan decided to enter the picture - placing thoughts in the man's mind, such as “Boy, you've been at it a long time and you're never going to move it!” or “Why kill yourself over this? Just put in a minimum effort, that will be enough,” giving the man the impression the task was impossible and the man was an unworthy servant because he wasn't moving the massive stone.
     These thoughts discouraged and disheartened the man and he considered easing up in his efforts, until, one day, he decided to take his troubles to the Lord in prayer. “Lord,” he said, “I have labored hard and long in Your service, putting forth all my strength to do that which You have asked of me. Yet after all this time, I have not budged that rock, not even half a millimeter. What is wrong? Why am I failing?”
    The Lord responded compassionately, “My friend, when long ago I asked you to serve Me and you accepted, I told you your task was to push against the rock with all your strength. That you have done. But never once did I mention to you that I expected you to move it. Your task was to push. And now you come to Me, your strength spent, ready to quit, thinking that you have failed. But is this really so?
“Look at yourself. Your arms are strong and muscled, your back sinewed and brown. Your hands are calloused from constant pressure and your legs have become massive and hard. Through opposition you have grown much and your ability now far surpasses that which you used to have. True, you haven't succeeded in moving the rock. But your calling was to be obedient and push, and to exercise your faith and trust in My wisdom. That you have done.

“Now, my friend, I will move the rock.”

     This story left a great impact on me. We all go through hardships, times where we think we can't do it anymore, times where we've felt that we've failed, but as we are obedient and we strive to do our best the lord will move that obstacle and because of our efforts we are enlightened, refined, and stronger. Sometimes we don't understand why we have to do some things, but if the Lord commands it it doesn't matter. As we put our faith in the Lord, as we strive to keep the commandments, as we put all our might, mind, and strength into living his gospel, in return we receive much more than what we put in. This mission is hard but it's worth it! Life is hard but our ultimate goal is worth it. I love you all! 

-Hermana Recinos

Pics: here's our tree of life! Sis. Benfield, Sis. Rex, and me! 

Transfer Calls!

     Probably the most stressful thing ever is waiting for that call, telling you if and/or where you will be serving next! So good news, I will be staying in Sweetwater, but I will be in a trio with Sister Benfield and someone else! This is good news because that means I will be here for all our baptisms. Yipee! I was really stressed out, but it's all good! This week has been good! 

     We had a Mission Fireside on Sunday. It was awesome! So usually what happens is that they choose 4-5 recent converts to give their testimony and then the President of the mission gives his testimony and there are musical numbers by missionaries! Joaquin came and liked it and he also brought his sister! She Loved it! We were really happy that they came! 

     We've been trying to be EXACT obedient. So that means being home before 9 so that we can plan exactly at 9. Be on time to our appointments and shifts at the battalion. There are a lot of rules but we've already seen so many miracles since we've been doing that! 

     We had a lesson with the Lee Family and we taught the Plan of Salvation! They loved it and it seems they already knew about it because they had looked it up! Talk about being prepared! We love them so much! Our next lesson is on Tithing! So if any of you have any experiences or want to share your testimony about tithing send me an email, I would love to share it with them! 

     Here's a miracle we had yesterday! So we went over Guillermina's house and she wasn't home :(, but the kids where home so we had them draw what they thought God looked like. We explained how God is happy when we do the right things and how we are his children and he loves us. Then their Uncle Josue came and wanted to join us! This is a miracle because we've been over their house so many times, and we never thought to ask him if he'd like to join us, but he asked us! We asked him to pray but he didn't want to, so Mariana (9yr old) prayed and at the end of it he was crying! We asked if it would be okay if we visited him, he said yes, that he wanted to change his life! Agh! Miracles! (every time I say "miracles" I start singing the song from princess diaries...haha not sure if that's good or bad)

     We had a lesson with Joaquin and started off by asking him what it meant to be a child of God. We had paper and we each wrote down what it meant to us. After a couple of minutes we shared it. Here's what it means to me: It means that he knows me perfectly, he loves me, and he wants me to grow. He wants me to make my own decisions but it doesn't mean that he doesn't help me. He knows that I will make mistakes, and fall, but that doesn't mean he will love me any less. He knows my divine potential and wants me to succeed. That's why he sent Jesus Christ, to atone and suffer for our sins. He wants to communicate with me, help me, and guide me, but I need to do my part. I am a daughter of my Heavenly Father. My invitation for you all is to write down what it means to be a child of God. I know he loves each and every one of us. We can all live with him once again, and be like him. Love you all!

-Hermana Recinos

One transfer down.

     So it's the end of my first transfer!!!!! Say what???? So that means that I am driving!!!! I was soo nervous to drive, especially here, since there are so many crazy drivers! But no worries I'm a good driver. ;) 

     So last Tuesday we went to the Midway! It was a lot of fun! It's so big so we didn't get to learn much, we just walked around and saw the planes, and took lots of pictures! We had a blast! 

     This week flew by for me!! We had MTE's, which means Missionary Training Experience. So what happens is, the Sister Training Leader (the sister that is in charge of all the sisters in the battalion and does scheduling and all that stuff) is our companion for the day and "coaches" us; helps us to be better missionaries. So we went with Sister Rex, we had a full day planned and were really excited because we were going to visit EVERYONE, but here's the thing, no matter how well you plan things always fall through! But we still had a great day! We visited the Lee family. They are the best! We taught them the principles of the gospel. Faith, Repentance, Baptism, receiving the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end. They understood it, accepted our invitation to repent and for baptism. March 1st will be the best day ever!!!!! Then they invited us to go out and eat with them for their anniversary!! How cute are they?! Sadly, it was yesterday and they cancelled on us. :( But its okay! We love them anyways!

     After that we went to visit Guillermina and her grandkids! We taught them what baptism is. We wanted to teach them how important it is and wanted them to understand what they are promising to God, and what he would bless them with after. These kids were so amazed! They love us and we love them! Guillermina is such a great person. She really cares for her grandkids and wants them to learn so that they don't end up like their parents. Her kids are unbelievable, they drink and smoke weed in the house with the kids around. Mariana is more responsible than they are and she's only 9! Its crazy! But we are trying really hard to work with the whole family! We know that this gospel changes people for the better! 

     Then we got food! So good! We went to a place called Rallys, it's a little burger joint and super good! After that we went to visit Esther. Esther is a former investigator who has a great testimony of the church and the Book Of Mormon! She's ready for baptism but her husband is holding her back. We are praying really hard so that he can open his heart and have a change of mind so that he can see how much it means to her! We'll see how it goes! 

     The rest of the week we tried to visit as may people as we could but since we had battalion shifts everyday it was hard. But we did have a great lesson with Jasmine! She is the sister of Jesus, an investigator we found. He's 18. We invited him to pray and we promised he would see a difference in his life! We stopped by and he wasn't there but his sister was. So we asked her if she's seen a difference in him. She said YES! He's a lot more open to her, they get along a lot better, and it's something that she's always wanted! We told her it was because he was reading and praying. We invited her to do the same and promised that their relationship would progress more. She said she would! We stopped by and saw her a couple of days later, she hasn't read but she has prayed and she says their relationship is improving! 

     Church on sunday was good! The Lee Family came again! They are the cutest ever and two of our less active members were there! 

     Today is going to be a good day! We have a mission conference. Clayton Christensen, who is the Author of "The Power of Everyday Missionaries", is our guest speaker! When I found out I freaked out because I read that book before I came to the mission and I didn't get the chance to finish reading it, but what I did read was soooooo good! I'm so excited to hear from him!!!! Then after that there is a fireside for our investigators, Joaquin is going to it! So hopefully he will feel the spirit and learn more! 

    I'm having trouble talking to people on the streets, it's what we call street contacting. We introduce ourselves, tell them our purpose, get to know them, and ask them if they'd like to learn more. I always get so nervous and always get tongue tied. Plus, I need to say it in Spanish so it's harder! I realized that I need to get over my pride. That's what's stopping me, so I've been really working on it! Also asking questions during lessons, thats super hard, but it makes a difference!! I found a scripture in D & C 28:16, "And thou must open thy mouth at all times, declaring my gospel with the sound of rejoicing. Amen." So this is my goal this week, to open my mouth, not be worried about what the others may think! I know this gospel is true! That it is the same church that Jesus Christ established when he was on the earth. I know it, I live it, and I LOVE IT! 

Love you all! 

-Hermana Recinos

Best week ever and velcro hair!

    So many things have happened this week! So on Sunday we had 11 people at church!!!!!!! Can you say miracle??? It was the best day ever!!!! The first family was the Lee family, who are the best people ever!!! They are super prepared! This was their second week at church! Carlos bought a white shirt and tie, Cynthia had a dress,and their daughters had dresses too! They loved it!!!!! We went to visit Cynthia yesterday (Monday), asked her about church, what she thought, and she loved it! We asked her what they did yesterday and she said they were home and they went on the Mormon channel and watched videos!!!!! Mormon messages are the best!!!! She said that she and Carlos were talking about baptism and how they want to get baptized!!! I had chills the whole lesson! I couldn't stop smiling!  We asked if they have seen a difference since they've been reading and going to church and Carlos shared with us how he is more patient with the kids! We see a HUGE difference as well! Carlos is smiling and laughing a lot more! They already know about how families can be sealed for all eternity and they want to do that! We mentioned to them how we wanted to have a lesson with them at the temple, and Carlos asked us on Sunday when we would be going! He wants to go! They have done so much of their own research! It's amazing how the church blesses families! I've seen it in my life but now I can see it in the Lee family! They are truly being converted because they are applying what they learn to their life and they are putting it into action! During one of the classes in church the teacher mentioned how we should be reading night and day, before meals and they've been doing it! We brought them to the Mormon Battalion and showed them a video called "God's plan for the family" and they loved it! Cynthia teared up, and we shared our testimony on how we can have eternal families and how we want them to have that. When we invited them to be baptized on March 1st, they accepted! Then we took them through the tour of the battalion and they loved it as well! 
     The other "family" that went to church was Guillermina and her grandkids. There where 5 kids! Mariana (9), Daphne (8), Anthony (6), Jesus (6), and Joselyn (5). Oh man, it was so hard to find them a ride to church but we did it! Although they only stayed for Sacrament and the kids wanted to stay and so did Guillermina, they are moving so they still had packing to do! Guillermina is amazing! She was crying during Sacrament and I know that as we teach her and and as she completes the commitments we leave her she will have a testimony of the restored gospel!  She also has a date for Feb 22 so we are trying really hard to see her so that she can be prepared!  
     Some funny things happened this week as well! A guy walked into the battalion with the same kind of hair as me, and I was like "Hey! We've got the same hair", and he said, "Yeah! Put us together and we're like Velcro!" and we just busted out laughing!!!!!! It was the best thing ever!  Then we had a little talent show at the battalion because it was super slow! So some sisters sang, and sis bermudez and I taught them how to dance! It was really funny! 
     I've learned a lot of things this week. The Atonement of Jesus Christ is for everyone! When we don't use it daily there was no point to his sacrifice. We need the Atonement so that we can live with Heavenly Father and our families forever. The Book of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ, when we read it daily and apply the teachings to our lives, we will know what true happiness is, OUR LIVES WILL BE SO BLESSED! We are all children of God, he loves us and wants us to be happy and for that reason he has given us the Book of Mormon, so that we may know what we have to do. We have a living prophet today who has the authority of God to help us, so that we may know how to return with our Heavenly Father. I know the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is the same church that Jesus Christ established when he was on the earth! Love you all! 

-Hermana Recinos

The Lee Family!!!!!!!!!! and The Lopez Family (Ward missionary leaders, people behind me)

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Commemoration Day!

   So last Saturday was Commemoration Day in Old Town. We celebrated when the Mormon battalion came to San Diego in 1847. In the Old Town State Park they set up booths and everyone dresses up in pioneer clothes, there's a little parade which i got to participate in and people just walk around. At the battalion it was madness! We had 1065 people come through which is our record amount!!! I was sooooo tired at the end of the day and I don't think I've ever smiled that much in my life! We got bombarded by a group of Chinese people. Oh man do they like taking pictures or what! Sis. Benfield and I were walking around and they came up and asked us to take a picture and we thought that it would be one group picture but nope! We took individual pictures with every one of them! Then more people started adding on; it was never ending but it was fun! 
     Sunday was the best day ever!!!!!! Carlos and Cynthia, our investigators, went to church!!!!!! Aghhhhhhh! I almost freaked out when I saw them sitting there! They even went out and bought clothes to come to church!!!! They are so awesome!!! We chatted with them a little after sacrament but they had to leave so we set up a time to go visit them on Friday. Later in the day we got a missed call from them and a voicemail asking if we could go on Wednesday instead!!! Agh! We are so excited! They are super prepared and are reading and praying. It's amazing!! I love missionary work!
     Here's the update on Joaquin: He sent us a text earlier this week telling us that he has set a date for baptism!!!!!! His baptismal date is April 12! I know it's kind of a long way away but he's praying for a sooner date!! Yay!! 
     We are also teaching Guillermina, she has a baptismal date for Feb 22 but it's a little hard getting her to church just because she doesn't have a car and also the fact that she has 6 grandchildren that she would need to take as well. But we are going over a couple times a week and teaching her. We watched the Restoration movie with her and she understood it! One of her grandchildren is named Mariana. Oh my goodness she is the smartest girl ever! She's been reading the Book of Mormon and she understands it!!! They are praying together and this week we'll be teaching them the Plan of Salvation! 
     Even though we've seen great things happening there were some down parts to our week. About 3 people have been dropped, or dropped us! It's really sad just because we have this gospel that we know will help them and bless them! But its okay, we will have to try again later. 
     We did find some other people to teach, we found a girl named Eliza. She's probably in her 20's, is going to school and has 2 jobs! We told her how the church that Jesus Christ established on the earth has once again been restored after it was lost. We asked if she would like to learn more and her response was funny. Ha she said, "yeah I'm down for that." Ha it was great! It kind of reminded me of people in Rhode Island, anyways were looking forward to seeing her again! 
     We also talked to this guy named Mel. We think he lives in a house with a druggy but he really wants to learn more and is so interested in the gospel! He's been taught before and he knows about the Restoration and The Plan of Salvation and agreed with everything! I'm excited to see how he progresses! 
     We went to visit a family in our ward, the Malfabones and talked about missionary work and how they can be missionaries. We gave them 3 books of Mormon, told them to write their testimonies in them, and give them to their friends. Their goal is to give out those books of Mormon in a month! But the funniest thing happened! At the end we asked the father to give the prayer and during it he asked for the protection of those crossing the border! Sis Benfield and I were laughing about it at the end of the day. They are an awesome family!
     I love everything I do! Being at the Mormon battalion historic site is awesome! I love taking people on tours, telling them about the journey that the men and women took as they walked over 2000 miles! We get people from all over the world!  We talk about the first principle of the gospel which is faith! Faith in God the Eternal Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. The men who enlisted weren't experienced soldiers, they were just ordinary people who did something extraordinary because of their faith. It's something that all of us can relate too! We all face challenges at some point in our life, we all have to go through something that seems impossible for us to do, but as we trust in the lord, stay faithful and obedient, he helps us! We sometimes wonder "why me?" What I've learned is that we are given these problems so that they can help us be stronger, help us be better. At the moment we don't know why but God does and that's why when we put our trust in him, and have faith, he will help us. We will overcome anything that is thrown at us. One of my favorite quotes from the tour is "God has given us what we wanted the most from where we least expected it." It is so true! So this week try and see all the blessings you've received. Have faith that what you are going through (Whether good or bad) will help you! Love you all! 

-Hermana Recinos

             

sis benfield and I in our bonnets and pioneer dresses!