Crashing Parties

 

This week we crashed two parties. One, was the birthday party of a 7 year old boy. Who lives with one of our new members, and one of our friends whom we are teaching. We came expecting the friend, but he wasn't home and the new member invited us in. Than invited us to eat pasole with his family. I've always been so surprised how welcoming our friends are. It was a child's birthday and yet we were still invited in, given food, and offered cake. And we'd never met many of them before. It has definitely been a process with that member too. He always says he will come and than never does. But it's a process, and hopefully he'll lean into it more. He even came to church yesterday, even though it was stake conference translated from english to spanish. 

Than the second party we crashed was yesterday on cinco de mayo! Which was a coincidence, but cool nonetheless. The Elders in ou
r ward had invited us though they didn't even know who's house it was. There were a ton of members, but also family where the one of the parents weren't both members. So it was actually a really cool opportunity to get to know more people! 

We also had an incredible phone lesson with our friend Marlon. We invited one of the Elder's friends named Pedro who had been baptized a couple weeks ago to join the lesson. It worked out so perfectly because Pedro is about the same age as Marlon. Plus Pedro was with another friend named Emily who is also about the same age. The lesson was the perfect mix of joking around and talking about the gospel. And afterward, Marlon was so excited about coming to church! 

This was difficult because we had to find him and quite a few other people rides to church. And on top of that, church yesterday was stake conference. Which means two hours of spanish translation and no sacrament. But the incredible thing was so many people still came and wanted to come. 

And later in the evening, the daughter of a couple who are both recent converts, was baptized by her Dad. And her Mom gave an amazing talk about their experiences and the gospel. A lot of our friends came and it was such a spirit filled service. 

I'd say if there is one thing I learned this week, is that you can't just learn to trust in God. Everything is really a process, and once you kinda figure it out, then it's just another process. 

Bonus story

6 missionaries stand waiting to cross the street. A shorter, younger blond man wearing a black suit walks to our left. 

He says "I'm not a part of this" referring to the elders also in white shirts and ties. 

The Elders respond "well what's the occasion then?" 

"I'm english."

We talked a little bit and as he was leaving said he wasn't a member, but appreciated what we were doing.

Les quiero

Hermana qué?