Buenas tardes, President Murphy,
We are seeing such miracles here in Mitad del Mundo. First off, we just love Carolina and her kids. They are progressing so well. We were a little worried about her son, Luis, because he didn't come to church last week, and he doesn't listen super well in the lessons, but we have found that he really does want to learn, but he hasn't learned how to put God first (which makes sense for a ten-year-old who has essentially grown up without religion). However, he did come to church this past week, and Carolina said that he asked if they could come next week too! Carolina really likes church. She came on her own this week, and she came to the ward activity last Friday. She and her kids are of course still a little timid at church, but they want to come and are reading the Book of Mormon and something really interesting happened after. We were on the same bus as them heading back to our sector, and since it was Sunday, we knew we couldn't contact, and so we were planning on spending the day with members, but planned on going back home to study since we didn't have lunch for a couple of hours. However, the night before, we had gone singing with the elders and our mission leader at the houses of investigators, and we had passed by Carolina's house, and she wasn't home, but her mom lives next door, and she let us (six strangers) come in and sing for her. So, while riding the bus with Carolina, we asked about her mom, Delia. Carolina actually couldn't believe that she had let us come in. I think her mom is kind of a hard woman, so the fact that she let strangers into her house was kind of a miracle. Anyway, we asked if her mom was home, and she said that she was, and would we like to try and teach her? Of course we would! She let us in again, and we learned about the relationship between Carolina and Delia. Delia feels like all she does is love Carolina and try and help her, and all Carolina does is disappoint her. It was a little uncomfortable at first because Carolina was right there, so how could we agree with her, but also not shut her down? It was time to hand the reins over to the Spirit, and that's what we did. We felt inspired to share a scripture about Christ, seeing as it was Christmas Eve, and about God's love for his children, and how He only wants to help us, but because of agency, sometimes He is sad too. But as children, we are trying to learn, and of course we will fail. That's part of why He sent us here, but Jesus Christ came to this earth to give us salvation and a chance at exaltation. It's amazing how the Spirit works sometimes. Delia wants to learn more, and I am excited to see how the Gospel will bless them both and help them learn to love each other more. Anyway, Carolina and her two kids have baptismal dates for the 13th of January and they are very excited.
Too, we have Carmen Munoz for the 27th of January, but we are a little worried, because we haven't been able to find her for about two weeks because she's been in Milagro, but we are hoping to find her this week.
I love that at this time of year, we really get to celebrate the birth of our Savior. I was feeling a little down this past week because it's hard at Christmastime to be far from family, but focusing on why we are here really helps me feel closer to my Savior. He had no home and no property and was always far from his family, but He loved the people He taught, and He did what the Father asked of Him, and that is why we are here. Not only to remember Him, but to honor the life He lived, and try to be more like Him each and every day. What a blessing it is to be here as a missionary.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Thank you for all that you do!
Hermana Kennedy
Man, it was so fun to talk to you all yesterday. Sorry for crying. I think I just haven't realized how much I've missed you all this Christmas season until I saw you, and then it hit me a little. Sometimes, I think as a missionary, we become a little distanced from our families, so when we see them, it's a little shocking. But you all are so darn beautiful! Thanks for making me laugh. I do feel like I was bragging a lot, and I didn't mean for it to come out that way, so sorry about that.Anyway, Christmas in Ecuador is weird. First off, it hasn't felt like Christmas because where's the snow, man? Where's the cold weather? I'm wearing short-sleeved dresses, and I'm HOT! Second, I think the lack of snow adds to people not feeling like it's a reverent time of the year. Barely anything closes, and like no one is off work for Christmas. We talked to our families at a member's house, and after we finished, she asked if she could take us out to eat. Out to eat on Christmas? What in the world? So we went out, and I got spaghetti with pesto because at least it's green! Too, the talks on Sunday in church were just regular talks with a little bit more focus on Christ, and I'm like, people, c'mon! Luke, Chapter 2!!
Anyway, it was a little bit different of a Christmas, but it was still good. We got to watch movies as a zone which was our Christmas treat :-)
Too, we continued helping the elders clean the hoarder house. We totally finished with one room, and this week we are sanding and painting the walls. At least the kids will have somewhere to sleep other than a pile of gross, moldy and wet clothes. It's slow progress, but it's progress, and it's fun to serve. In the campo, people were always willing to let us help shell peas or de grain corn or peel potatoes, but here we almost never get to do service, so it's fun to do.
So on a personal note to Mama, remember that conference talk you sent me a couple of weeks ago about miracles, and how we won't always be given a miracle even when we are living our life in accordance with Heavenly Father? I think you have to stop thinking of the house not selling in terms of God. The best gift God gave us when we came to earth (other than Jesus Christ) was our agency. I think sometimes we fall into this thought process that God can do anything, and to a sense, that is true, but He cannot force anyone to do anything. I'm sure He would love to *poof* someone out of thin air to buy the house, but He cannot force anyone to buy it. He can soften people's hearts and turn them towards buying it, and we have seen that miracle. There have been people interested. But ultimately, He cannot force them to buy the house. You need to think of this as business. It's not anything having to do with too little faith or prayer or patience. It's just life. Good things happen to bad people, and bad things happen to good people. Sometimes being a good person means that you will have more trials and hardship, because Heavenly Father knows that you'll be okay. But He sent Christ here to earth so we could find peace in our trials. Mama, I know this house thing is so hard. I don't understand the exact stress you and Daddy are under, because I'm not there, but I do worry about you and pray for you guys everyday. But there's even a limit to missionary prayers. Heavenly Father blesses us here with miracles every day. That's what our purpose is.
Too, everything with Chief will work out. If it is necessary to put him down, it's okay. It's better that he doesn't suffer, and maybe it's a little blessing from Heavenly Father that I'm never there when things happen to my animals. He's a good dog, and we will see him again someday in the celestial kingdom. All of the animals are going to die someday (although I think Roxy and Jake might be immortal...). But everything will be okay. This isn't God punishing you or testing you. It's just life. Think about the blessings you've seen since moving to Michigan! You have friends, we have a beautiful house, you have good kids, and grandbabios! Mark is getting married in the temple, and Glo is killing it at school. I'm a pretty good and at least obedient missionary. You're having all these new opportunities to do musical things. Daddy is so much happier at his job and doesn't have to commute anymore. God is blessing you and Daddy a lot, but this is one hurdle that maybe we can't overcome, and that's okay. It'll be okay.
Okay, that's my counsel. It's not doctrine. It's just my opinion. I love you, and I am praying for you.
Well, I think that's about it. I got to tell you all lots of stuff yesterday, so not much to say today. However, as always, I love you all a lot, and I still can't believe I actually got to talk to you face to face.
Be kind and good and happy. I love you all!
Love,
Hermana Kennedy
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| Oh my, I was so excited to build my Lego Santa! You know, I actually really like Legos but I feel like such a loser with Mark and Glo and Ethan cuz they just build stuff, but if I have directions, I can DO IT! |
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