Craving alfajores!

Wed April 21, 2010

hello family. I just have some little things to share

On Monday, my comp and I were in desperate need of some alfajor [fancy cookies] action. So we went to a kiosco and I bought Terrabussi, it wasnt that great. I took a bite and was like oh man! My comp said let's go get you a capitan del espacio (best kind ever!!) and i was like alright. Im so glad we did. We ended up talking a little more to the woman and she was just about to close for the siesta and so she let us in and we taught her! haha i knew my cravings for good desserts was not in vain.

We have been teaching Agustina the sobrina of Maira (the girl that stopped us in the street last week) and she is so great. She is getting baptized on Sunday and we are so excited. When we talked to her cousin about getting baptized too, Candela, she said "but I was already baptized". Agustina said yeah but you have to be baptized again in the true church of Jesus Christ. If only everyone had that attitude and belief. I guess that is why I am here- to help them gain that.

The other day we walked by a car of young men, who found it necessary to honk incessantly at my comp and me. She said, gosh we are like dogs or something! My comp is a SUPER rubia, and apparently I'm beautiful here too. haha its nuts HOW many people (ok, men, boys) stare at us everyday.

I love the power I have as a missionary to just talk to whomever. The other day a lady was like hola que tal, and I stopped and just knew she somehow knew the missionaries, more from then just having seen them in the streets. I asked her how and she said she was baptized. We made an appointment, went by and literally, five minutes in her and her mom and me and my comp act as if we are old best friends. Another time we passed for a menos activo, who now calls us her conejitos (little bunnies) o hijas, o lo que sea. She wants us to pass by all the time, unfortunately her husband is only interested in learning about our lives in the United States, and she hasn't found the fuerza to get to church. But really, I love the power the gospel has, in uniting people in their beliefs and ya, are great best friends. It is a miracle in my eyes. I have to aprovechar these situations always as I serve the Lord and truly am set apart to talk to everyone. I have never felt a love for so many people. It is a really really cool feeling.

On Sunday I taught Gospel Principles (I still can't believe I can whip up a lesson unprepared and do a good job -if i do say so myself- in another language, what a miraculous blessing) and it was cool to hear the testimonies of a lot of the recent converts and the investigators that are preparing for baptism. I also gave a talk, and I gave my testimony on how the Book of Mormon is truly the manual for our happiness in this life and for the eternity. It tells us to keep the commandments of God (mosiah 2.41, alma 41.10, 2 ne 1.20) It helps to have more love in our hearts (4 ne 1.15, moroni 7. 46-48- this scripture is the bomb"!) how to repent (mosiah 5.2, alma 5.26, alma 26.13) and it teaches us to share the gospel (alma 36.24, helaman 6.3)

I do testify that this book is the manual for our lives- how we can receive the blessings of happiness and prosperity now, and how we can gain eternal life. I know that the words are so important, for through them, we will be judged. I hope we can learn the stories, gain a knowledge of the examples and doctrine, and pray for the revelation on how the teachings can be applied to our own lives. I love the book of mormon with all my heart.

Bye! Hermana Dunford

"Some Greater Influence"

Wednesday April 14, 2010

This last week two grandes milagros ocurrieron. On Thursday my companion and I were walking when we heard a woman yelling chicas chicas! we stopped and began talking to her. She wanted us to go talk to her son because he speaks english very well (learned from the online gaming world). She also told us she wanted to ask forgiveness for having rejected two missionaries like us a while back- she didn't want to let us in because of she thought we were jehovah's witnesses. So when she saw us walking she just had to call us to be able to talk to us. Anyway we went to talk to her son, and since we couldn't enter talked in front of the house for a while, about his life the book of mormon etc. Luckily we chatted just long enough that the mom returned from her trip to the bank. We all entered and started talking about the Book of Mormon and the Restoration of the True church of Jesus Christ. The Spirit was especially strong during the first vision and when we were talking about how Jesus Christ visited the America's. She said she knew some greater influence lead her to walk a different way to go to the bank, and that she could feel it very strongly in that moment. Ernesto also said he could feel something different. We explained that it is the Spirit of God, and can be their constant guide and help. They of course want to have and it and accepted to be baptized. Unfortunately they did not come to the church on Sunday, but Ernesto came to a baptism and he loved it. He might be moving soon to a different we have already coordinated the transfer of his information to the Elders that would be in his area. It was a great testamant to me of the truthfulness of the spirit in helping la obra misional. That really the people that are ready and have been prepared by the hand of the Lord are waiting for this message of hope and happiness.

The second miracle happened yesterday when we were walking in the rain to go back to our pench for lunch when a chica stopped me and asked for the time. She then proceeded to say she knew missionaries like us before and that she had had a libro de mormon. She also asked us about the ¨man whose brothers wanted to kill him and then there were two diffferent nations¨. She has a very good memory. it was neat to go back later yesterday and be able to teach her and her sister and brother and then also see them accept a baptismal date, This girl, Maira, really already knows that this is the only true church of Jesus Christ. I know God is telling me something. That I really need to talk to everyone that comes in my path. My comp commented on that to me and we then contacted the next person- a member that hasn´t been for a very long time. We are now esforzandonos to talk to everyone, and not be so focused on just the appointments we have.

We are also using the Book of Mormon more in contacts, finding people´s questions and doubts and testifing that the Book of Mormon truly answers the questions of the soul.

I know this is the true and living Church of Jesus Christ. That he truly lives and directs His church through the power that our prophet Thomas Monson has. I know I am daughter of God, priveleged to have the gospel truths in my life. I know I have the responsibility to help share his gospel and That Jesus Christ is our Saviour with all of the children of God.

Love, Hermana Dunford

Pergamino with Hermana Kusilek

Wed April 7, 2010

So last Wednesday I began to travel to Pergamino. First I left La Paz and traveled 3 hours to Parana. Then After that it was three hours to Rosario. Then it was another 2 and half to get to Pergamino. It was a long day. I also traveled all by myself. It was pretty weird to be alone al day. Usually they try and avoid that but I guess no one else was going my way. So I arrived at the terminal and in walks my comp. I just have to say, she. is. the coolest. person. ever. I went and unpacked just a little and we were best friends after like 2 minutes. I feel like she is my long lost sister. We love all of the same stuff and we just click. it is SO rad. She is from Wisconsin- mom and dad she lives in your mission. Hermana Madeline Kusilek. I dont know if maybe you would know anyone that lives around where she lived. Hudson, Wisconsin. I dont know.

I am so grateful to always be blessed with amazing companions that I just really love a lot. It makes la obra so much easier when i dont have to worry about how the companionship is going. So Pergamino is so rad. I really love it, the people are so cool, the missionaries here are great, and it is so nice. There is a Carrefour here which is like a really big grocery store it makes me think of Walmart. Also our pench is so great. I love it. so much. It is so clean and big. So we live with two other sisters, hermana seclen and hermana morales. from peru and chile. Super great. They work realy hard and have a lot of success. I was a little worried from things I had heard, but I have learned in the little time I have been here that killing with kindness truly is the way to make everyone happy. If there is ever a problem with someone, solve it with service. Love abides and there is no reason for anyone to be unhappy.

My new area is smaller- it was just recently split for four hermanas in the barrio and there really aren't many people to be teaching right now. I was a little scared because when I got here, I felt, I am here for a reason. The stake president told me when I met him at conference that the Mission President told him I was coming. That made me a little nervous. Then today I saw from my President that he thanked me for doing a really good job in my last area and that I left a tradition for hard work and dedication. Then my comp got a letter that said enjoy your time with sister Dunford- an exceptional missionary. That is seriously the nicest thing I have ever heard. I feel so privielged to have A Man of God say something like that. I dont know if I am supposed to share stuff like that but I just was really happy to hear that. you know, sometimes the work is hard. But I feel a lot of success coming, if i seguir being obedient and gaining a love for the people.

Yesterday we had zone conference and it was with 6 zones. It was really fun to see all the missionaries i have been with previously and strengthen my determination for the work.

Ok so we were talking about the Book of Mormon in Conference and there were many strong testimonies about how the book of mormon truly answers questions of the soul. I sat there and this feeling just struck me- This is my only time to be here teaching like I do, with the authority and power of God and to use the Book of Mormon like I do now. I dont know I felt really sad, and just thought, I dont want that to ever end.

In conference I went with the question, How can I aprovechar my time in the mission to learn how to live a great life for my future family. One thing that really struck me was how parents need to help their children recognize the Spirit. I was like woah, that is totally what I do now, help them feel it and help them then have the strength and determination to follow it. So that is something that will really help me my whole life- helping my chilrdren and family members recognize the Spirit and always want to follow it and its councils.

I really felt like everyone focuses on love in the home, being able to superar adversity and the redeeming power of the Atonement. I really love the lideres of the church and their ability to recieve revelation to help us seguir firme in the gospel. Chau!

Love the Human Heart

Hermana Hansen and Hermana Dunford

photos of our service in La Paz

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Welp transfers have arrived again. I kind of can´t believe it but I´m leaving again. I was convinced I was going to stay with my comp here. We were both sure, but I am leaving to Pergamino, a city in the province of Buenos Aires. It is at the other end of the mission. oh yeah! the new pench is a four man pench (Apartment)! and it is the nicest one in the mission with hot water!!! that is one thing i am really escited for!! woohoo!! wooh- lots of travel tomorrow! Ok I am really excited to go and scared though too. I am also very sad. I have grown to love La Paz, A LOT. I have never wanted to say goodbye to so many people. It was the best thing ever though and very sad too to see already 3 people cry because I am leaving. I never thought people would love me so much, haha that sounds kind of funny. But its true I have received gifts too! wow. I am pretty emotional right now. I have never felt so much love for people here. a woman today at lunch just left and cried for 10 minutes because i told her i was leaving. she is called angelica and she loves me so much- and i feel the same way. She is such a great strong woman and always goes to chruch even when her husband won´t. He has started coming back more and more though. She also gave me this beautiful sweater that I told her i loved once. The other day I was like angelica i love you, you are so great and she said oh thanks. Then at the sewing activity we had on friday (i sewed a shirt it was so fun! i am totally taking a sewing class when I go home) she gave me a letter and i went and read it- it was the best thing ever. she said that my testimony was so strong like a two edged sword, and that she prays everyday that I can have the ´gran bautismo´ that i want so bad. It was the nicest thing ever. I am so grateful that she chose to do that, esp. now that i am leaving. I love the human heart. That we can learn to love so easily and grow close to really, our brothers and sisters. I also love the gospel of Jesus Christ. That I can see these people again. I made my comp promise to baptize all our investigators that I love so much.

I also love my companion a lot. We have grown really close, and I have been very blessed to be her comp. She is so great. My new comp is called Hermana Kusilek. She just arrived last transfer from the MTC. I actually met her in the MTC! she was volunteering there when I was a missionary and she told me she was going to the same mission but didn´t go to the MTC until December. Anyway I joked with her that maybe I would be her trainer. Well not exactly, but her step mom! This is my third step daughter! haha crazy. wow i just realized that. Anyway I am so grateful now that my Spanish sufficeth me. It has been a long journey that will continue for a long time still but the progress I have made in the language is truly a miracle of God.

I love the mission. I find many struggles here just as in my regular life. But its amazing the help I receive from the Spirit, and my Savior Jesus Christ. And what a great time of my life. What a cool thing. THere really aren´t words to express the emotions that come with the mission. THe love, The disappoinment, the heartbreak, the pure joy. But the joy is that much sweeter after experiencing the sadness. I also know that this joy will be exponentially greater and will last for the eternities if I prove faithful.

I am leaving a place I love, and I am very sad, but I look forward to getting to know another wonderful place in Argentina. Thanks for your love! Until next week.

Hermana Dunford.

Mauro's Baptism

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Miracle weekend!!! yay! mauro agreed to be baptized! on thursday hermana hansen and i were planning and i was like lets have mauro´s baptism on saturday. he is ready. she said alright lets do it! so we went and taught him and just told he is ready and we know he knows it is true. he said ok, you´re right but give me til tomorrow to decide. I said no we are waiting here until you give us an answer. he said ok, well i will do it! it was really exciting. I am so proud of him. We then quickly went about to planning it. A man he knows in the church said he would baptize him but we went to get it all figured out none of the baptismal clthing fit him! I was kind of freaking out. miracle happened though and dario esquevel showed up for support and he was the perfect size for the baptismal clothing. he is only one year older than mauro so it was actually even better because of the age and that they can be good friends. I asked him, hi dario do you want to do something really special for mauro? haha he said yes. he was acutally just baptized in september so he was pretty nervous but it was a really great experience. Mauro´s mom came too celia- I LOVE HER. she still says she wont get baptized though. We are going to work on that though. Also we found these great women, well actually they were a reference from a member. and anyway we´ve been teaching them and they are programmed to get baptized the 30 and they are so great we invited them to chruch and they came by themselves! haha that is really a miracle. Like i know that they are ready now to be members of the true chruch. as always there are some obstacles but i really believe they can be baptized on the 30. I know they can if we show our faith and if it is god´s will. I know this is the true church. I know that we always have stress and problems and difficulites and temptations. But we just have to look at the big picture. We are children of God. He loves us. He is perfect. He is all powerful. He wants us to return to Him. And so, with His love, His plan, His Son, and His power- we can!! We can be happy now, and we can be happy forever. I know that the temple is the most important thing we can do in this life. Whoever reads this, I ask you to think about the last time you went, and then make plans to go again. As soon as possible. Or get a reccommend. Or work toward getting one. The way we can be happy is if we are on the path to the Temple, and then we never leave the path. And then we need to help everyone else get there too. I love you all. Thanks for your love and prayers.

Sister Dunford

Kindness and Love and Smiles

Wed, March 17, 2010

I remember one time in my singles ward, it was the end of the Summer right before we were about to get callings for the fall. I went to my Bishop and said ok, don´t even think about giving me a calling to be a teacher because I will just say no. He just kind of chuckled and said well we´ll see. To my relief I did not receive calling as a teacher. The nicest thing I have basically ever heard then is when yesterday my companion said, you know I really think you should look into teaching. I think you are such a good teacher. Wow, it is so cool to see how long I have come, especially I really do love it now.

I have been feeling a little down because two of our investigadores are really ready for baptism, but aren´t accepting to do it- they want more time. I know they will get there, but I guess right now it is a really big test of my patience. So I have been feeling better lately with some really great experiences we have been having.

On Saturday we were leaving a family that wasn´t there for an appointment we had. I just turned the corner and was like ok we should knock this house. A lady came out (Ok, a little back up, we have been looking for a lot of menos activos right now too because they are part member families and because if the assistance goes up past 60 for 6 months they will build a big new beautiful chapel. The problem is, our ward list has very vague directions- Bo Estacion sin numero- ok that neighborhood is SO big. dang) This lady turns out to be a member that hasn´t gone in like ten years. But she lets us share something with her (she is the daughter of the family we were trying to activate like two months ago with 9 kids or something like that but she lives allado de ellos and we were coming from a different direction this time so I had no idea she lived there) ok ANYWAY, haha sorry, so at the end she was like yes I would like to go back to church I think that would be good, And then I said can we come back and teach your whole family another time? She said well I guess but my marido isn´t really interested, (not really marido, more like novio) And I said ok, well when he is home? So we passed by last night and she was really scared I could tell to let us talk with him, she was like no another time he is duro, he doesnt really want to hear. Last night i was like its ok, and I was about to just give up and be like whatever all men are duro and leave their house. But I just kept talking and then asked if we could come in anyway and she said pasen pasen! So we went in and the marido- Cristian, was like no I dont want to listen. And i was like well we are really just going to pray just come and join us. And he just kept watching tele and I was like no really we are just going to pray. So finally he came over, and I was kind of scared because I was being really pushy. But he participated and then after he just sat there. Like my mind is running a million miles an hour- ok ok what can I share he is still here listening like I was so scared! haha anyway So I was like alright the restoration! So I started sharing. my comp and I just really focused on the priesthood and how he could have it. I asked how could it help you to have this power in your home? and he was like well, I dont know really but like I need to start going to church and see whats it like. I was like oh my gosh! haha then I said yeah and you need to get married. they were like yeah....we do. The way he changed from the beginning to the end of the lesson was crazy. At first he wanted to run from us, at the end he was talking about he wanted to pray to know its true, and when we could pass by again to share more.

Even though i was really scared, it ws so cool to see how the spirit kept pushing me and we were able to be led by the spirit to be able to share exactly what he needed to hear, to realize how the restored gospel of Jesus Christ would bless his life. It was so cool.... i felt likeI was walking on clouds after the lesson.

Also the other day we were teaching this reference from a member and her husband is being treated for cancer and so she is really receptive to the message. we were teachign the plan of salvation and how following the gospel of Jesus Christ is the only way to be saved and return to God. I turned to my comp to let her teach baptism and then invite her to be baptized. All my comp said was se bautizará? Even though my comp doesn´t speak spanish super well, she has the Spirit. and that was all Irma needed to hear, and she just said yes. It taught me a lesson because I was like no we have to explain it ( we did later ) and really ask like if she will follow the example of the Savior and blah blah. All we need is the Spirit and the Lord takes care of the rest. I really feel like more than ever this transfer I have been learning the importance of the Spirit in the mission work. Which is kind of sad because it is absolutely necessary.

Another thing I learned is just to really follow the way the Savior lived. People often times will reject our message but we just treat them with kindness and love and smiles and when at first they are super cold and rude, al final, they are smiling and laughing and thanking us for coming by. Truly the Savior had it right. We just need to show our love always for everyone and just be happy. Which I am happy, I have the truth in my life. And I know the way to continue being happy forever. Even though sometimes, just like the Savior we are rejected rudely no matter how nice we try to be. I challenge all of you to show your love for others this week. And if maybe they´re aren´t some people you can really get along with, pray with all the energy of your heart to receive that charity, the pure love of Christ (moroni 7)

I love you all, and I know that following Christ in all He did is the only way to happiness.

Love, Hermanita Dunford

Rockin' Conference

Wed Mar 10, 2010

This last week, ok yesterday and monday, we had this rockin conference in the mission home for my zone and one other zone. Not only exists the fact that I slept in a home with A/C, on a comfortable bed, and a Real shower, one where I can choose the temperature, It was the most fun and spiritual thing I´ve done. We played so many games-one was where ´temptors´ were supposed to persuade us to play games and of course i went to play futbol, while the good people were supposed to do this almost hidden obstacle course to get to the celestial kingdom. Anyway we got kicked off the field and so I went to the obstacle course with my comp just to see what was going on and Elder Hildreth asked why we came over, I said it was because they wouldn´t let us play soccer, and he was like oh uh, our satan isn´t very good then. Its alright I said, I didnt really want to come over here, so I guess I just was compelled to be humble. so we made it to the CK but then before lunch instead of helping i played volleyball instead, whoops, and my comp and i got bumped down to the Terrestrial kingdom, which meant we didnt get to eat inside with the AC. I found that the Terrestrial kingdom is actaully pretty fun. haha jk.

Also we had olympics and Sister Redfern, who was also there and I make a pretty competitive team. We totally whomped these elderes in basketball, and then in volleyball tambien. it was so fun!!

We also watched the movie Hoosiers and it is so good. I had never seen it before. we looked for things in the movie to help us with missionary work and our lives spiritually and it was really neat to see how many things compare. We also had a testimony meeting which was very powerful and we watched equipo de aguilas, about the superbowl chicago bears team and it helped learn mejor como podemos trabajar en en equipo en la mision para ayudar los demas realizar su sueno, llegar al reino celestial.

We had a who knows their comp best game, and my comp and I totally won. It was cool especially since we beat this other companionship that has been together for four transfers. I love my comp so much. She is so great. I also love my zone and my district like I never thought. It is really cool to see normal people stretch themselves to become powerful servants of the Lord. I love this church so much. I love la obra misional so much. Even though i am so inadequate to be out here doing this work. It really is a scary burden sometimes to think about what it all comes down to- that I am dealing with people´s salvation. I guess I just need to learn more to rely on the Lord and trust in His poder y habilidades.

I love you all. Let´s always think about what we want for the eternities, and how little are the things we want now, in comparison. Let´s work to change our wants, so that our desires are always in agreement with the Lord´s. Let´s think about sacrifice and how much we truly owe our Savior. I know this is the true and Living church. Because Our Savior lives, and we have a living prophet to tell us His will.

Love Hermana Dunford

Come Back Every Day!

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

In a zone conference a while back, our President told us we need to be like Ammon in that we have his same desires ¨deseo morar entre este pueblo por algún tiempo; sí, y quizás hasta el día que muera¨(Alma 17:23). I was like yeah right! I can´t wait to get back to America! Oh how great is the change we can have in ourselves. The thing is the other day we had just ran into a member, Sister Catalina Noya, and her Husband. I felt so happy and I thought to myself I want to live here. I want to live here for the rest of my life!

It was so cool to feel that love, this charity that I know only comes from Christ. Even though I still don't do all I can to be the best missionary, I am feeling more than ever a love for people in general. I´m sure some of you can be genuinely surprised at this. But it´s true, it is the coolest thing to see the change in yourself. And it really is a miracle. And it really comes from being a servant of Christ, or desiring to be and working to be. I am so grateful to have been called to serve in this great country and learn to love more of God´s children.

My companion and I are doing great. I really love her lots, and her desires to share her testimony. She is doing such a great job- this is her third transfer and she still struggles a bit with the language, as do I, but it is really neat to see that I can explain to her what is going on. It is the coolest thing ever to be able to speak another language!

We have had a big problem this week. To be able to baptize children under the age of 18 I think, it requires signature of the parents. We have been working with some children, Pepe and Nazarena, the friends of Micaela for a baptism. They have been going to church and we were even teaching the mom, but now she has no interest. She won´t even beso us in the street or saludarnos. For those of you who know the beso tradition in Argentina its pretty maleducado. Anyway. She won´t sign their registros. We even asked for the apoyo of the rama and they yes they were ok with the kid´s baptisms and all. It is just really sad. I want these kids to have the blessing of the gift of the holy ghost. We are thinking of different ways that we can show our love for her and help Nazarena and Pepe have this ordenanza of salvation.

Mauro and Celia are progressing nicely. It is so exciting. Especially when we can see them feel the Spirit. They still say they aren´t sure for their baptism the 13 but I know they will get there soon enough. We are really excited for them. And we love them so much.

This week we saw a house that looked hidden in this secret garden with a beautiful like vine gate entrance. Anyway we clapped and we heard ´ya va!´ so we waited and waited. I said sorry we are still here waiting, are you coming? no one came, so we just left. Then two days later we walked by again and saw a woman working outside and she let us in and we shared our message. Then we met her birds, one of which is a parrot. We found out he was the one that said `ya va`. We were talking to a bird the last time. We chuckled when we found out.

Sunday was a pretty rough day. We found family last week that was so beautiful. We programmed them to be baptized. We asked when we could come back again and the mom said, Everyday if you can! (haha another family when we were talking about another appointment said why don´t you just move in here?) Anyway this family we passed by the next day and they weren´t there. Then the next day they were and they said yes we will come to Church, and we made great plans to search them (they already even had a Book of Mormon and everything) We were sorely disappointed when they either weren´t there or didn´t attend us on Sunday morning. Then I taught Relief Society (crazy! I have never done that in my life) Then I had a surprise talk thrown at me for Sacrament Meeting. Plus all the worry of trying to get all of your investigators to Church is basically more stress than one person can handle. I unfortunately left with a migraine that refused to be comforted. But our strongest investigators went and felt the Spirit. Heavenly Father helped me fulfil my role as happy loving servant of His Son. And we were able to fulfill our goals 100%. The gospel truly is amazing. I know this is an important work and that, well important isn´t really a sufficient adjective. This is the only work in our lives- bringing salvation to more of God´s children. I also know that Satan likes to work against us faithful workers. Let´s pray always to overcome temptation and follow the path to Eternal happiness.

Welp. That´s all for now.

Love Sister Dunford.

Great New Companion, Hermana Hansen

Wed Feb 24, 2010

Hola familia. I am loving my new comp, she is SO great. We get along so well and we have been finding lots of great people to teach. It is the first time that I have been the better speaker of the two. She is so positive and eager and is a great motivator and helper for me in this area. I didn´t start working with her either until Thursday and we reached our goals of the standards again. It feels good! :) And we had five in the chapel! It was so great to see. A miracle that happened this week is that on Wednesday I was comps with Hermana Redfern, my good friend from, well, the mission, haha. Anyway we found this family and shared with them prayer and set an appt for the next day. The next day Hermana Hansen and I went and I went to clap at their door and right as I clapped I realized that it was the wrong house. And I was like oh crap oops (which is dumb because we should talk with everyone anyways) But the lady came out and was like come in! I was like hi ok! So we went in and turns out the woman, Celia,had been an investigator before but decided to not get baptized. Anyway the fact that we passed by to her is because God is trying to tell her something. We agreed whole heartedly. Anyway, we are now going for her and her son´s, Mauro, baptism. They are the greatest people. I really love them. They have agreed to be baptized if they feel it´s true and they are definitely on the right track. It was truly a testament to my Companion and me that the Lord is truly on our side and wants us to have success in helping save God´s other children.

I have never felt so much love for the people here. And it is so cool to see that I actually have an impact on their lives too. Like in the way more than the gospel. Like we are really good friends! It was so sweet, Mauro and Celia made for us this sweetened squash dessert, and it was so delicious! They did it because we told them we had never tried it. Then Micaela the recent convert is always making us cards to tell us she loves us. Then this other member (SO great I love her) gave me some lipstick because she noticed I ¨like the pinturas¨. Ah. The mission is so wonderful.

I testify that God helps us when we show our faith first. I testify that miracles are real and still happen. I know that if we don´t have the desires to be righteous, we can get on our knees and then beg God until we do. And then He will continually help us to stay on the path back to the Celestial Kingdom.

I love you all, and I especially love my Saviour Jesus Christ.

Thanks for your support and love. I feel it every day.

La Hermana Dunford

We Got The Standards!! And Staying in La Paz

Tuesday February 16, 2010

Por fin, tengo un traslado normal! jaja, pero en serio, me voy a quedar en La Paz, y estoy tan agradecida por eso porque no estoy lista para salir. Pero, mi compañera se va a Rosario. Hoy dia hicimos algo muy divertido para recordar nuestros dos traslados juntas y nuestra amistad muy muy fuerte. (Finally, I have a normal transfer! haha, but seriously, I'm going to stay in La Paz, and I am so thankful for that because I'm not ready to go. But my companion is going to Rosario. Today we did a lot of fun to remember our two transfers together and our friendship very very strong.) [Funny - when I put it in the translator, transfer came up as 'shipment' and companion came up as 'partner'. Also - alfajore= a fancy cookie, like a sandwich cookie that is coated in chocolate or something, then the edges are rolled in nuts or sprinkles or the like. how do I know all that when the translator told me it is gingerbread? One of my visiting teachers is from Argentina and fills me in on stuff like that! In fact, she recently had a party and served some Argentine food - that was fun!!]

Ok Im going to write the rest in English now. But anyway we rented bicis again and we rode down to Las Termas the warm springs in La Paz and today was fresca woohoo! like im not sweating. its a miracle truly. Anyway we found a little artesenal alfajor shop and had to go down this huge muddy hill and like there were all these signs ¨chocolates 700 mts¨ haha. I felt like we were on a movie and the signs just kept pointing in the right way. But the woman was so nice, the view was beautiful, and the alfajores were delicious. It was a perfect adventure to end our transfers together. I am so grateful the best friend I have in my companion and that LAST WEEK WE GOT THE STANDARDS!!! woohoo!! Im so stoked. It really required just working with the members and really just talking to everyone we saw about the gospel. It was really neat. It feels really really good to have accomplished the goals the Lord has set for me in my mission. And it was fun too and so great to hear all the testimonies of the members in the lessons and meet so many new people. I just love it here in La Paz. I am so glad I get to stay. Ps I am forwarding the weekly email that shows the pics of the comps that lograr los estandartes.
So a little miracle that happened el viernes. We went to teach Guillermina and Mario this great couple we found and we took Marcelo with us, a member that returned from his mission two years ago. Anyway right as we arrived and figured out they weren´t there, this really pretty girl comes and is looking too to see if they are there and then is like welp they aren´t here. My comp explains who we are and why we are looking for them and offers to share with her our message. She is like sure, and im like can we go to your house right now? sure she says. so we follow her up this little campo path to her house and her mom comes out (ok she looks like 25 and so does the daughter, she is 14 and the mom is 32, its crazy NO ONE LOOKS THEIR AGE HERE) and then the rest of the kids come out there are five and they are this beautiful family and we share this super powerful Restoration lesson and Marcelo bore testimony of just the right thing to impact them. It was so great. The dad showed up at the end and we all said a prayer together and the mom and two of the kids accepted una fecha bautismal. iT was really cool that we were able to meet them, heck i didnt even know houses existed up where they lived. Our next goal is to get them to the church. But i love finding good people. And even though its hard to know maybe in the end they wont accept it, por lo menos I know they felt the Spirit and I know they know now where to find true happiness. It was great when we taught them again last night the Plan of Salvation.
So Sunday is always the day of anticipation where all the work you´ve done all week basically boils down into one little thing: who you can get to go to church with you. So we went and knocked a full because we invited everyone we talked to of course but really committed two families to going and we passed for them, and the parents just refused to go. Por ejemplo, Maria the mom who said the day efore yes yes i will go yes i know i need the blessings. ANyway we go and I was being super bold because these people need the church. I was like maria go you will feel the Love of God and He will help you do what you need to , and then after we´ll come back with you and help you do your chores. She just stood there thinking and thinking and I could tell she was struggling so bad, like wanting to go and just not having the will to do it. Anyway Im there bearing my soul of a testimony and at the end she just said no. but she let her kid come with us. The other family we passed for the parents also said no but let their kids come with us, and this little member girl Micaela invited her neighbor friend and so it was really cool to see the support we received from her. But it was a little sad to see that the families just wouldn´t come together. They just trust us with their kids. So our investigators in the church were 8-11 year old kids. But they were so great. I sat with them in Sacrament and they were like are we going to sing again? yay! and then after the two boys Pepe and Matias said I loved it me encantó! and they helped collect the hymn books and returned them. it was so cute to see such gentlemanly young boys. They then made me promise I would buscar them every sunday..... I reluctantly agreed, well I told them my comp and i or a member por lo menos.
Another miracle is that God held off the rain. I was so nervous Sunday morning i had stomache aches for the clouds so ominously looming. The rain here is seriously like a shut all the doors and remain inside kinda thing. But it didnt rain, so we were able to accomplish our goals this week. and i again I know it is because we stretched ourselves and put our faith in the Lord that he would help us do it. It was really cool.
Sunday night we had a noche de hogar with the family Lopez cut out little hearts so they could write down why they wanted to live with their families for ever. Its becuase the daughter is juntado´d and they just had a baby. Anyway it was really powerful because we promised this non member boyfriend that he could live with his new baby forever and his beautiful gf through the power of God that is again on the earth. It was perfect timing because he really just loves his little baby so much. NEw life and the family is such a powerful thing and so I invite all of you who know someone in this circumstance to share the gospel message and the hope of living as an eternal family together in Happiness.
Today at lunch the member said did you have any baptisms in La Paz yet? and i was like no, thinking duh you would know, but then she pointed to her husband and said well its ok becuase you reactivated someone. It was really neat to hear that and see how happy they are that their whole family is now going back to church. I know i really dont have much part in it, but it is still really cool to be a small part of the process.
Ok so I guess i can tell you about my new comp I am going to get. She is Hermana Hansen, super beautiful sister from Utah. this will be her third transfer, but her last transfer with her trainer she was stuck inside the whole time for her back pains (the comps back not hermana hansen´s) anyway so it might be a little refresher this transfer for her. Im excited I have met her on various ocassions and she is super nice. Woo hoo!!!
PS GOOD JOB CURTIS. I am so proud. Dad your little account of what happened was well written. I was literally sitting on the edge of my seat. and then of course i cried when i saw that he won. What a great kid, i always talk about him, and how proud I am of him. I love you all so much and My Heavenly Father too. Everyday i look at the amount of blessings that I recieve and I am blown away. Yay for happiness!!

The Decision Comes From Within

Wed February 10, 2010

So this week has been a little of a let down. We went and talked to Enriquez again to prepare him for his baptism and he told us that number one his sister won´t let him get baptized and that two he didn't feel anything when he prayed to know if the church is true. Or in his words, ¨nada¨ oh man if only you could hear his voice.
So we were like ok we testified and then we decided to drop him. But then Saturday I was like ok we need to pass for him again and invite him to church and explain that continuing to do the things and praying will help him receive an answer and feel something. So we passed by and he said ok sounds good I will continue coming! And then we were like great now we are going to sing a song together, because before he never sang in the church. so we all sang I am a child of god together. and he can sing pretty well! anyway so I felt really good about that. So then Sunday morning we went to get Mikaela this recent convert who just melts my heart and her friend who wants to get baptized. On the way to their houses we saw Enriquez. Smoking, (He told us the night before he never even thought about smoking anymore) and going to work with a wheelbarrow. My heart just dropped. The night before had gone so well I thought. Anyway he crossed the road to talk to us, and I was pretty darn frank with him. he threw his cig and then said welp im just a lost cause. I said NO, no one is a lost cause. and he said do you want to save me? I said yes, and God too. Then he asked my comp and she said no. he laughed. Then I said, ¨you can be saved and I want it and God wants it. But I can´t do it. Neither can He. You have to do it. You have to put forth the effort. And if you do, thanks to our Savior Jesus Christ, you can be saved!¨ I guess right now isn´t his time to want to try. It made me sad. I hope he remembers how much better he felt when he prayed and when he read in the book of Mormon and went to church and I hope he returns to it someday.
On Friday we had a ward Activity to watch the Lion King and compare it to our lives here. For example, Mufasa plays the role of God and Jesus Christ. Zazu is the Holy Ghost, Rafiki is the prophet, Timon and Pumba are things of the world, Scar is Satan, and we are Simba. The part that hit me most powerfully is when Mufasa says (dont quote me on this, It was in spanish) You have forgotten me. and Simba says no never! And mufasa says yes you have forgotten who you are and so you have forgotten me. I know that we must always remember who we really are. That we are sons and daughters of a Heavenly Being, and that he wants us to return to Him and claim our place as rulers in His kingdom. I encourage that as a Fhe activity and to look for the teachings from this movie and how we can remember who we are. Remember who we are so we can have the valor and the courage to be strong in the world. Give place to be guided by the Holy Ghost and have the humility to admit our mistakes and change! Wow i forgot how much i love that movie and the powerful lesson it teaches us.
So i am so excited because this week we have received more animo (well my comp is feeling more ready to work) and so we went and found so many awesome families. I told her I feel happy in the mission when we really do talk to everyone about our message. And so it felt to good to get out and teach people and find new people with a good interest in the message! It is true I am happy here when I am loving the people, giving them service, and most of all testifying of the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the hope that comes from the Atonement. And that there is a prophet and the power of God in the earth!
We also received some really good references from members of the ward. Although one man, Quiko Lopez, gave us one on the condition that we baptize his friend. Uh, we already passed for him and he told us the only reason he let us in is because we are pretty. Haha. Oh well Im confident someday he´ll find another reason to listen to the gospel message. Quiko´s wife, Graciela, gave her daughter´s boyfriends as references to us, and we are going to have a big Fhe on Sunday. She started crying later when we shared a message about the power of prayer. She told us she is always praying so that her kids will come back to the church. Then I thought about our Heavenly Father. He is sad all the time I´m sure because of all the things his kids do. And here we are as faithful members that are always presented with the opportunities to help them know the truth. I hope that we can take those opportunities so there aren´t so many sad parents. That we can help them find the path of righteousness, and really of true happiness.
Love, Hermana Dunford
(haha something I shouted on my mission that I don´t think I will ever do again: El dia de su arrepentimiento es ahora! It was to the mom of Mikaela. She was across her muddied yard that i couldnt cross. I love her so much but she wont come back to church! after i said that i loved her, she was like yeah i know...I have never loved people so much that I cant help, but thats all I want to do. The decision really comes from within!)