This week was a little hard. We weren't able to visit with a lot of our investigators this week because they 1. cancelled or 2. weren't there. Some of them for the second week in a row. This is frustrating because 1. they usually stop progressing 2. They come up with all these new doubts 3. It makes it really hard to help them because we almost have to start over sometimes. Most of our investigators right now seem to have anxiety problems over the idea of leaving being catholic (even though theynever go to church). One investigator, Alejandra, has lately taken the "oh it's all the same" stand point. For example we explained what happens at church and then she proceeded to explain about how really it was just the same as the catholic church. The standpoint of "All churches have the same God so it doesn't matter what church you go to". That's probably one of the most common viewpoints I hear.
The past few weeks we've been sort of the branch therapists listening to everyone complain about each other and it got me a little discouraged I think. I'm feeling better about things now and hopefully thinks will continue to improve. One good thing about being the branch therapists is that some of the less actives are coming back now! We had a really good session...lesson with one of the less actives on Saturday. She came to church the week before and paid her tithing. She said she felt happier all week long! She's planning to keep coming, start bringing her kids to the activities again, and help her 8 yr. old son get baptized as soon as possible. She came to church again yesterday and came on time for the classes this time! Another woman came again for the second week in a row too. She said it's part of her new years resolution. So that's good.
Jose came to church again too and brought 3 of his grand daughters. They all seemed to love primary. We felt last week that we should tell Jose that if he doesn't make the decision to get baptized soon we wont be able to keep stopping by because we've taught him almost everything we can and we can't help him progress more w/o baptism. It made him really sad because he loves our visits. We're hoping that this will just give him the little push he needs and that we wont actually have to stop visiting him. About baptism he says it will be "soon" but that he will let us know when he's ready.
I've been working on overcoming feelings of discouragement, lack of motivation, and lack of faith. It's one of the challenges of being in an area for so long - especially one where everyone around you is so negative all the time. So my studies have been a little more focused on that lately. It's helping. I think it's interesting...even though I feel bad about losing motivation temporarily I think maybe I needed the down in order to better understand how to get back up. I hope maybe I can help all the other discouraged people in the branch a little better now. They're coming up with a branch mission plan now! well at least they've started. They invited us to branch council yesterday. I saw a lot of discouragement but hopefully coming up with a plan will help.
Branch President: "Lets try to put a goal for when the branch can be a ward. What do you all think? how long?"
Ward mission leader (muttering) "300 years".
<Branch President proceeds to give him a little whack on the shoulder>
I thought It was funny. I don't know if anyone else noticed.
Thanks for all the e-mails and letters! Kevin: It sounds like you had lots of fun at the Klondike Derby! I testify to the fact that wearing more socks doesn't necessarily make your feet warmer. Megan: Homecoming? whats that? but mint chocolate is good. We'll see if I make it. It depends on how persistent they are at finding me and putting me on the plane. My area is pretty big...hmmm
I love you all and hope everything goes fantastically these next few weeks! I'll be praying for Grandma hope it all goes smoothly! Talk to you next week!
Hermana West
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