SUN! [Letter 68]

Well its that time again and the sun has come out. I don´t know why but I love it! Dos Hermanas is doing great. We are working hard and seeing great things in the ward but also in the work. They finally announced that the new chapel will have its ground breaking this next month. everyone is really excited. I´m sorry that I don´t have a ton of time to write today. But I would love to leave you with my testimony. I know that this is the work of the Lord. That He has a purpose and a time for everything. I know that He loves us and looks after us. He holds us when we cry and laughs with us when we are having good clean fun. I know that this is His chruch. He directs it through a prophet today like He has done since the time of Adam. I am grateful for the opportunity to be called one of His servants and to see His hand in the work everyday. I love you all and hope you have an amazing week!!!!!

love,
Hermana Petru

REAL LIFE [Letter 67]

Dear Family,

Well it has been a really good week. Seriously, after about half a transfer of prayers to find a person prepared to act in the gospel we were handed a wonderful young lady. Let me start from the beginning. Wednesday morning we went a knockin. And seriously nothing. So my companion was like well lets head to a less active so the whole morning isn´t a waste. As we started out no joke a member jumped out of his car ran over and declared (translated) "Sisters I have someone that wants to hear the learn about the Book of Mormon. Here is her name, number and address. I told her you would call this afternoon." After he jumped back in his car and left my companion and I looked at each other with gaping mouths. "did that seriously just happen?" I thought. "must be a fluke." Well that afternoon we called and she said that she was expecting our call and that we could come over later that week. No seriously family MIRACLE! We have taught her twice now and she is amazing. Catia is a single mother and has been looking for the true church most of her adult life. She has studied with many churches but hasn´t felt it to be right yet. She loves that we ask her to ask God if we teach the truth. She is use to other churches trying to use reason. She is progressing, loves the Book of Mormon and wants to learn everything. She has amazing questions. I am so excited for her!

Also this week I learned something amazing.I was reading in the Bible in the part where Jesus forgives the sins of the palsy man and then the pharasis ask how he has the power to that. Jesus responds that is it easier to tell a man you sins are forgiven or to arise and take up his bed. Jesus then heals the man.(Matt 9:2¨-8) As I pondered this lesson something amazing happen. I remembered the scripture in 2 Nephi 2:26 "And the Messiah cometh in the fulness of time, that he may redeem the children of men from the fall. And because that they are redeemed from the fall they have become free forever, knowing good from evil; to act for themselves and not to be acted upon, save it be by the punishment of the law at the great and last day, according to the commandments which God hath given." and 27 "Wherefore, men are free according to the flesh; and call things are given them which are expedient unto man. And they are free to choose liberty and ternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil; for he seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself."

In this act Christ was showing His power to heal. He was explaining that we are freed from the vices of sin not only physically but also spiritually through His Atonement. I testify that Jesus is the Christ. I know that He has risen with healing in His wings. He loves and fights for us daily. He wants us to find freedom and joy. But also as these scriptures explain it is our choice. We can choose to follow His commandments and thereby freedom and eternal life. He exhorts us to follow and obey but it comes down to us to take up our cross and follow. I know that it isn´t easy. I am there with you but I also have felt, seen and know that His yoke is easy, and His burden is light. Come unto Him I pray and you will experience joy I testify. I love you all and pray that you see miracles this week.

Love,
Hermana Petru

Hello! [Letter 66]

BOO!
 okay couldn´t find a new way to greet so that's what you get.

Life is going really well here in Spain. The sun has finally come out and we are enjoying it until it becomes the bane of our existence. The work is moving forward and miracles abound. Seriously I don´t know if ya´ll get sick of the miracles. I never do. God does not cease to amaze me. This week we were really struggling for new investigators. Like every week. but it was Saturday morning and the rest of the weekend was going to be spent in travel and watching General Conference (we´ll get to that). So we prayed. No joke. Right before Companionship study a member called and gave us the name of a less active that would like to come back to church and was expecting us to drop by with a Book of Mormon. The member said she is a mother of 3. Well all of our plans fell through for Saturday morning and off we went to meet our reference. Yes the mother wants to come back to church. She wants the amazing blessing promised by the Savior for her family. Her oldest is 11, then 8 then 1. The 11 year old is excited for church and is unbaptized. NEW INVESTIGATOR!!! Seriously the Lord has His hand in everything. I truly can´t thank Him enough. Thank you for all your prayers.

Next GENERAL CONFERENCE!!!  one word  AWESOME!!! truly awe inspiring. It was wonderful. Everyone got something out of it. I don´t know how the Lord does it truly. Everyone around the world gets personal revelation, missionaries get revelation for thier area, investigators. Seriously it is never ending. Also I loved Sister Dalton´s Talk. and President Monson´s. and Elder Bednar´s. Okay I loved it all! I still haven´t heard Sunday night because of the time difference but I have it downloaded and already on a pin drive. I want to hear from everyone their favorite part so let me know! I love you all!!! May the Spirit be with you.

love,
Hermana Petru

BOO YYYAAAAAA!! [Letter 65]

HOLA MIS QUERIDOS!!

Well it has been another great wet week here in Spain. Yes it rained EVERY DAY here this passed week but it was wonderful. We had a great specialized training in Sevilla. Which means that we had 8 HERMANAS in our flat overnight. We have 2 beds and one couch and of course only ONE BATHROOM! now that was fun. It really was because Hermana Roderick and Hermana Nelson were both able to come. I love talking to those girls. We learned a lot from president about how we can more effectively use the Book of Mormon in our teaching and how it is the tool the Lord has prepared to gather Israel. I loved it.

Also this week I finished the Book of Mormon with the mission. It was Amazing to read it so quickly. I found new patterns and gained a greater understanding of basic gospel principles. It was Awesome truly. This week also we had the wonderful experience to see SEMANA SANTA. yep its crazy. I have attached some fotos. Also one of my companion. It was so funny this week. She pushed the door bell and the plate came off. She then yelp and said "I broke it." It was really funny.

All in all a really good week. We are teaching some amazing people. A young couple who is waiting to be married so the guy and be baptized. They have such a strong testimony. Also a single mother who is truly finding peace in obeying the commandments and guidance in prayer and scripture study. Truly everyday there is a witness that this gospel is true. The counsel that we receive is from God and truly for out benefit. It is wonderful. Sadly though we get to see the other side as well. We passed by this wonderful old man. He was kind of investigating but was really sure what to believe. Well we went over and read a bit of the Book of Mormon with him but as we testified of its divinity he just said no. He doesn´t believe in God. As we invited him to pray and ask he said no there was no point. It is sad to see. I know that what Alma says is true that even if we have a desire to believe and act on that desire and do not thrust out the seed by our unbelief the seed will grow until it is a beautiful tree that gives forth fruit meet for repentance. And it is in that moment that we have the strength to change and become more like God. Then God gives us the opportunity to be baptized or partake of the sacrament. To rid our self of our former life and promise to continue in His path. And to help us continue to feel His presence He gives us the Gift of the Holy Ghost. The plan is PERFECT. I know that it is true. I love you all and hope that you have a wonderful week full of miracles!

love,
Hermana Petru