Second shot

Hola familia

 

We recieved permission to write our families. And I got my second shot, haha. I finally felt an earthquake and it was actually pretty scary. Hermana Romero and I were in a super market and we just took out money. Thank goodness because we needed it.

 

We were in the bathroom and then all of a sudden everything started shaking like crazy. We ran out and everyone was screaming and sobbing. It was like a movie and it made me think a lot about the second coming and how those who are prepared won't fear.

 

Anyways we are doing good. There is some damage in our house so we stayed with the Hermanas in Xonacatepec. The dueno is going to check it out tonight and we have to report to President. 

Hermana Herrera

Once in a lifetime...

Sooo, this week went well. Hermana Romero and I are searching for more investigators to teach! 

I think the biggest up date I can share is what happened on Thursday night with the biggest earthquake in Mexico's history. The earthquake started at 11:50 and lasted for about 4 minutes with strength of 8.2. Magnitude 8.2 and I was dead asleep... our apartment building is on the third floor and I'm on the top of a bunk bed...asleep. 

We got a ton of phone calls and that's when I woke up, barely. My gift is still going strong! But I did miss a once in a lifetime opportunity to feel an earthquake. Heavenly Father really protects His missionaries, especially the obedient ones that go to bed on time.

This week is September 15th and you know what that means: pozole every day, attempts at the cucaracha and crazy fireworks. All exciting stuff! 

Love you all,

Hermana Herrera 

My cute compa on the bridge we cross everyday

Looking for those investigators

We found some cow friends!

Wisdom from a Seventy Elder Reyes

Hola! 

So sorry  that I didn't write yesterday. We had interviews with president that went long. There is proof at the bottom!

This week was sooo great. We had the privilege to hear from Elder Reyes from the Seventy because our stake got a new patriarch. He was going to speak on Saturday and Sunday. We had a quick lesson with the Martinez family on Saturday afternoon.  We were enjoying a bit of arroz con leche when they told me that the stake president came with an hermano from Mexico that morning.  I was super confused and then they said  that he was going to speak that night. Then it all clicked and I almost swallowed my spoon. A SEVENTY WENT TO GO SEE THE MARTINEZ FAMILY! 

They told me how he blessed them and their home. The Martinez family shared their news with him that Isis´s mom (the daughter of Ulisses and Yolanda) was going to be baptized because of the change that she saw in her daughter. Also, they gave a gold reference of one of Ulisses´s sons in Mexico City for the missionaries which Elder Reyes is going to personally deliver. Those elders are going to have a field day. It's a family of 8! They also have 2 generations ready for the ward temple trip in September. My joy was filled!

We had the opportunity to hear from Elder Reyes later that day. He talked about the importance of being prepared and shared the last line in Doctrine and Covenants 38:30 which says that if we are prepared we will not fear. The purpose of this life is to be prepared, prepared to live with our Heavenly Father and His Son again! 

I love the example of Enos. His final statements show that he was really prepared to see his maker again (everyones' goal) And how did he get prepared? The answer is in the final verses of 26 and 27, ¨I must preach and prophesy unto this people, and declare the word according to the truth which is in Christ. And I have declared it in all my days, and have rejoiced in it above that of the world. And I soon go to the place of my rest, which is with my Redeemer; for I know that in him I shall REST.  And I will rejoice in the day...¨ 

How do we prepare in the necessary way that Elder Reyes directs? By preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. Everyone is a missionary and we are called to do a great and marvelous work. 

Love you all,

Hermana Herrera 

AXEL, mi hermanito that got baptized this Saturday! It was so great to teach him!
Love him and his family!

Proof that I had interviews this week! President and Sister Nelson

Hermana Romero from the North: Hermosillo, Sonora baby!

The heavens are rejoicing!

 

So the best news I can give is that the Martinez family got baptized this Saturday! I can not describe in words how that Saturday evening went. The spirit felt like it was bursting from the room! There wasn't a dry eye in the room. 

Some of my favorite moments were:

1. Singing ¨Oh my Father¨ with the sisters

2. A lot of members from the Martinez family came to support them and agreed to be taught! 

3. Watching Ulises help his wife into the font 

4. Having the towel ready for Isis 

5. Hearing Ulises' testimony 

6. AND SO MUCH MORE!

 

It is amazing how people come unto Christ by small and simple actions. Ulises was a contact on the street! I can not express the importance of following the spirit.

 

Hope you guys enjoy the pictures! 

Also update I have a new compa! She is Hermana Romero from Hermosillo, Sonora!

 

With love,

Hermana Herrera 

All the missionaries that were a part of the Martinez family conversion

The Martinez Family

Saying hard goodbyes!

And we all cried with one VOICE

This week was super crazy and hard. I think a week before a baptism always is. The good news is that the Martinez family passed their interview and are getting baptized this Saturday! Whoop whoop! The whole ward is supporting, loving and attending on Saturday. 

As I have said before I love Bosques and I love these people! I think that's the best part of missionary work,  learning how to work with our fellow brothers and sisters in our Father's plan. That is how I describe missionary work.

This week we have a conference with our Mission President called ¨ Why do I believe.¨ People that have just joined the church go up and share their conversion stories and then our President gives a talk. I love these meetings because they are completely by the spirit. Personal testimonies are one of the best ways of inviting the spirit. 

President mentioned a scripture, which I think defines 3 important things in Mosiah 5:2

 

1. To be converted, you must be united. That is why we need to cry in one voice. 

2. The spirit is necessary in order to know God and come closer to him. 

3. We can only be 100% disciples of Christ, not half of the time or 75% of the time. We must be examples of the believers in word, in conversation, in CHARITY, etc. When we are united and have the spirit to be with us we will have no desires to do bad. Our actions will reflect our love for God and our fellowmen. 

I felt love for everyone that was in the room. I felt the love I have for the Savior that's still growing! And I have a great love for you guys back home. Have a great week! 

Hermana Herrera 

Family portrait and a Happy Wedding to Madeline! I was totally matching haha!

Good eats! Puebla is known for its food.

The Martinez family: Ulisses, Yolanda and Isis

Just in case...

A teacher that helps save souls

This week was one for the books. I think one of the highlights was definitely our zone conference.We focused on charity and 3 big questions. 1. How is charity defined? 2. What does it look like? 3. How do we live it? 

I think charity is absolutely key to missionary work. People become converted when they can feel the love from the members, from their missionaries and from the Lord. 

I've heard that the only thing that Satan and Christ have in common is that they want us to become like them. So if Christ wants us to be full of charity, Satan wants us to be full of pride. I feel like pride is one of the most powerful tools that Satan uses because it delays the Lord's work. It is very important that a missionary is full of charity, not pride. President Nelson had us kneel down and ask our Heavenly Father what we needed to change to become more charitable. I invite you guys to do the same.

Hermana Nelson gave us this good advice, ¨Beware of pride! Think about the person, not what's gonna come to benefit you but how you are going to help them have a better life.¨

Charity has really impacted me here on my mission. Maybe because I get to serve other people everyday but also that people have served me in ways that I will never forget. I think that charity has made the difference in our teaching as well. In the July 2017 Ensign there is an article that is titled ¨A teacher who helps save souls.¨  It's my go to and I encourage you guys to read it. It says ¨The Saviors whole desire and mission is to save Heavenly Father's children (2 Nephi 26:24)  In our quest to teach as He did, we can learn to be motivated by the same purpose that motivated him.¨

Being a missionary is hard.  You get put in situations that you can't fully understand because people´s lives are just so different and unique. I have often found that the only way that people will get something out of our lessons is that we have this determination to save souls. I think 2 Nephi 33:6-9 helps explain this better,  "I glory in plainness; I glory in truth; I glory in my Jesus..." I hope that I can express the message in order to help save their souls.

The second coming of Christ is coming, do you really believe it? If you believe it than you will do everything you can to help Heavenly Father´s children come into the fold.

Love you all,

Hermana Herrera 

Saying goodbye

Intercambios

It's CHILES EN NOGADA time! It's only for two weeks and they are so good. They are chiles rellenos filled with fruit and cream and toped with an almond sauce and pomegranate seeds.

Mom, I want to buy all of these and take them home to you!

Visitor Center Sister for a day

So for this week, after a really bad case of salmonella, the highlight would be getting the clear to go and work. We had an open house in our stake center. All of the missionaries in our zone were there! The tour started with a cutout of Christ with the voice that they use in the temple visitor centers. The Spirit was so strong! We had a lot of success but it was tough to get people into the church. It reminded me a lot of Lehi's vision of the tree of life. As we contacted people to go in some of them looked embarrassed or ashamed but those who did go in learned something that's so worth it! 

I actually contacted a man that didn't seem interested but I had a strong impression to ask about his health. He softened up and explained that he was going through some serious blood problems. I asked him if he would want a blessing and he said yes and walked right in. After the blessing, he put his name down so the Elders can go teach him! 

But I think the crowning jewel was seeing the Martinez family walk in. We showed them the font and the Elders explained about baptism. It's a moment on my mission that I will never forget. As Hermano Ulysses looked at the font he turned to me and smiled and said ¨ I feel more and more happy every step I take to prepare to enter this font.¨ I said that is called conversion, in other words coming unto Christ through the only way, which is baptism. You are happy because you are aligned with God and His plan for you and your family. 

To close I want to share a quote by Elder Ballard, ¨One important key to happiness is to learn how to set our own goals and establish our own plans within the framework of our Heavenly Father's eternal plan.¨

I know this is true because that's what I'm doing with my life in these moments and I'm happy really happy. 

Have a great week!

 

Hermana Herrera 

Hitting up Krispy Cremes after 13 months. Glory!

Where we start the tour. Visitor Center sisters?

The boards that we displayed

Old friends compa compa