One Step at a Time -- Line upon Line, Precept upon Precept

Hola Querido Familia y Amigos Bonitos!!!!! :) :) :) :) :) YOU ARE MY FAVORITE PEOPLE EVER! I AM SOOOOOO EXCITED TO HEAR ABOUT ALL THAT IS HAPPENING AT THE WEENIG HOME!!

Tyler----MEXICO!!!!!! HOLY COW! I am so excited for you!! You will be amazing! And you may be out of the country before I am!! :) Austin, congrats on VP of NHS and cupcake making, Hayden, Congrats on Student Council and oreo cookie making, and Shaylie congrats on Soccer, dance and new braces!!! Mom! I hope your lesson goes awesome this week on modesty and Dad and Tyler have a BLAST in Samoa! Be safe, pleeeeease and sing lots of ukulele songs!  I wish I could just give you all the BIGGEST hug ever right now.

I love being a missionary! I have so much to learn. I love Spanish. I love the people. I love this place. I love the work. Even though some days are really hard---I just remember to "take one step at a time" and "take one day at a time." I am LOVING training Sister Schiess, although it is kinda stressful. It is a lot of fun too, because we are both trying to be 100% obedient and pushing each other to remain focused and lost in the work. Man, it is a LOT of hard work and a LOT of working through the investigators doubts and questions. I feel super blessed and lucky that I get to study the scriptures and prepare and learn Spanish in the mornings, so that I can help people resolve the questions of their minds and the doubts that they have about their lives and its purpose. It is really amazing how I have seen the scripture about loosing yourself and then you will find yourself come to full fruition. It is amazing to see that as I put the needs of the investigators before my own, for some reason I always find the answers to my own questions or doubts. So many people are lost. So many people need a pick me up, and I have been a first hand witness that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is ALWAYS there for people. It is the rock we should base our ENTIRE lives around. When we build upon (when we live) the Gospel of Jesus Christ day in and day out, despite how hard it may get, we will be seriously blessed. Watching these investigators change their lives one step at a time, slowly, but surely, there faith begins to grow and it is literally by them just doing the simple things.

For example....

Cintia Delacruz. She is amazing. She is on chapter 7 of the best book in the world (the Book of Mormon) and she TAKES notes as she reads. Every time we return to teach her, she gives us an update of what is going on in the Book of Mormon. She is dying to learn more, and says that she feels "peaceful, happy and loved" when we teach her (that is the Holy Ghost) and says that she really wants to learn all that she can. But, she is terrified of being baptized. She says that she has been baptized several other times in different churches, and doesn't want to be a hypocrite by getting baptized into a church that she doesn't know anything about. So we are teaching her. And Satan is hitting her from all angles, but the amazing thing is, is that Cintia says she isn't giving up. Her boyfriend lost his job and now they can't pay rent, food, or clothing bills and she was quite distressed. She called us crying saying that she had been praying all night, and God hadn't answered her prayers. We told her to keep praying and to come to church with us the next day. She showed up. Sister Schiess and I where speaking in sacrament meeting about the Restoration of the Gospel. Cintia cried the whole time. Our next lesson she told us that she wants to change, and that she feels so different than the person that she was. She said that through prayer and reading the Book of Mormon she has found peace in the hard times. Amazing. I pray that she continues to make the steps to be baptized soon.

As a missionary, I get the amazing opportunity to talk to people and meet with people that the Savior Himself would have met with were He still on the earth today. Time and time again, we go into people's humble homes whether they be in the trailer park or wherever, and people's eyes just scream "I need help. I need comfort." and It is amazing how the Spirit of the Lord enters their lives and comforts them. The Holy Ghost really is the "Comforter" and I have sworn to myself that I will never lead a life where the Holy Ghost can't be there to guide me. I NEED His help, comfort and direction. I rely so much upon Him as a missionary. He is the real teacher, I am but a mouthpiece. As we were walking down the street the other day a man ran out to greet us. He said "You are representatives of God. I could FEEL you walking up the sidewalk. Can you please bless me, my mother just died and I need help." Even though I was nervous to bless this man I had never seen before, I could feel of the love that Heavenly Father has for Him. I started to pray, all of the sudden my mouth was moving and I was talking and saying things and I don't remember all that I said. I just know that, man, I am glad for the Spirit. Because He is the one that does all of the talking. After the prayer was over the man was crying. He said thank you, "I needed to hear all of that and I know everything will be fine." We walked away, neither of us completely sure of what had just happened. The Holy Ghost is real and can help us help others if we listen. I realized that day the importance of the calling that I hold. I AM NOTHING. Yet, I know that I represent my Savior and my best friend. The plaque I get to put on every morning represents so much. It is a signifier that I am a messenger of the Lord, sent to be here at this time to find, help, serve, love, and teach His children. Just as the Savior would. Sometimes I feel so insignificant and not worthy to do so, but I rely fully on Him. My life is His. I will do what He needs, say what He wants and be what He needs me to be. Because I know that these are His children, and He wants them back. I just want to do all I can to make Him proud and help build the Kingdom of God here on the earth today. Even though I am weak. Even though I am not perfect.

Missionary work takes a lot of patience. Patience with people, with time and with the Lord. I am trying to acquire this attribute, but man. It is hard. It is like I need patience itself to even be able to develop patience. But I love every second of it, even if it does kill me :). It is developing patience with the investigators and loving them and respecting them with all that I am. It is also having patience to understand that they make their own decisions---man. We can teach them till the cows come home. But it is THEIR choice to accept to be baptized, to read the Book of Mormon and come to church. I always thought that I LOVED the concept of agency....but now I am not so sure....(haha just kidding, I know that it is divinely inspired, it is just hard to see some of these people not accept the greatest thing on the face of the earth.)

Random amazing story (to spice it up): The Lord takes care of His missionaries. He does. Sister Schiess and I (my wonderful companion that I am just so blessed to have and to get to train) are walking and tracting a lot. Sometimes we are really, really far away from our home, and so, when we leave in the mornings, we need to make sure that we have everything for the entire day. Well, we had just about gone a mile from our home and I realized that my hair elastic had fallen out. I was like "Oh no! Now my hair looks like a poof ball! I need a hair tie!" We didn't have time to go back, because we were so far away from our home. But then, no joke, 2 seconds later I looked down and there on the ground was a brand new hair tie. Amazing! My companion and I just looked at each other and thought---did that REALLY just happen? The tender little mercies that the Lord sends to His missionaries and to ALL His children are innumerable.

My life is now the life of the investigators. I eat, sleep, dream, talk and think only about how I can help these people come unto Christ and experience the joy that we have so greatly felt in our own lives due to the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ. I am so excited that we have 3 people working towards baptism! It is fun to be apart of the change in their lives, but what is even more amazing is to see them developing a real and strong relationship with our Heavenly Father. I can't wait to see what the next week holds for these people and I can't wait to work hard to help them understand and INVITE them to come to Christ.

By some miracle Spanish is finally coming along! Although I am still learning a lot, I am able to teach the lessons with greater ease! The Lord is FOR SURE helping me out, because there is NO way I am doing this by myself. All the lessons are strictly in Spanish and so we are speaking and teaching all day in another language. My companion says my English is fading fast. hahaha That may or may not be a good thing. Nonetheless I am grateful that the Lord is helping me learn. I love my companion. She is amazing and she is hilarious--she is learning her Spanish so fast! I am so proud of her! I have given her the nickname of Snow White, because she makes Snow White noises in a really high pitched voice and she is as sweet as a apple. I love her a lot. I consider it an honor to train her---although I am learning so much from HER!

Anyways, I love the work and I love the people so much. Also----guess what? I LOVE YOU!!! I pray for your everyday and hope that you are happy, safe, healthy and loving life. There is so much to love in life. I am so proud of each one of you and can't thank you enough for your support. It gives me strength and I am so grateful that I have all of you in my life. Remember that the most important things in life AREN'T things. They are the principles of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the people that are in our lives.

One of the most important lessons that I have learned thus far in my mission is that everyone you meet whether it be for a second or a long time, can teach you something and they need you. Take time to share your love with ALL those you come in contact with. You never know when someone will be looking for a pick-me-up and you'll be there to save the day. Share your testimony with all those you meet, even if it is just by your example. That is my prayer and my challenge to you all this week.

STAND STRONG.  

 

Please be safe, healthy and HAPPY. Rejoice. All the Savior asks is that we "Do as you have seen me do," and "Follow thou me." (2 Nephi 31:10)

Love your biggest fan,

Hermana Weenig

With Sister Schiess, P-day hike near Brigham City

We practiced street contacting at our last training.....Oh my!!  Edward was there!:)

The Secret is WORK. I Love this Work

Hola familia bonita!! Te amo muchisimo!! Hey Favorite people in the world, I love you all SO much! Hope this letter finds you smiling and happy. If not, go pray---that has a way of turning everything that is hard or sad upside down :). 

What. a. week. Busy. Crazzzzzzzzzzy busy and wee bit stressful. But guess what? I love it and I STILL love being a missionary ;). In fact, I NEVER want to stop being a missionary!!! NEVER! I love it so much! Being a new trainer, opening up a new area, teaching my "Greeny" companion Spanish (I have the COOLEST companion ever), and learning the ropes of being senior companion is a little overwhelming at times. But I am learning SO much and am exhausted at the end of each day. But it is the best type of exhaustion. Can I tell you something crazy cool? Well, everyday everything I do, think about and have become obsessed with is how I can be a better instrument in the hands of the Lord to help the people around me. Whether it is my companion, the investigators, bishops, ward mission leaders or ANYONE we come in contact with....I just want to help them, teach them and love them. I know that I am so far from perfect, but I know that the Lord is holding my hand and helping me along every step of the way to find and teach the people that He has prepared for us to teach. How I love this great work. But I am reminded over and over again...nothing worth it is EVER easy. I am also reminded that I am Nothing. And although sometimes the tasks ahead of us look super daunting, with the Lord EVERYTHING is possible. I LOVE IT SO MUCH. I LOVE THE PEOPLE SO MUCH!! I LOVE THE GOSPEL SO MUCH!!!!!! So much LOVE---but I am so happy even though I am so tired and I love it. I can't explain how I am feeling right now, but just know that I can't stop smiling SUPER huge when I am writing this email. (I may be scaring everyone else here in the computer lab because of this cheesy smile. But it is okay. I am happy and can't thank the Lord for all that He is helping us with and for this INCREDIBLE opportunity to serve.)

My companion and I, since we just had transfers are literally starting a new area that the Spanish sisters have never focused on before. I love my new companion with all my heart. Her name is Sister Schiess from Kaysville, UT (Also a VISA waiter to Argentina) and she is 19. She is so beautiful and so much fun. She likes to play sports and hike! So we are automatically best friends. She is a work horse too, and we push each other to be on our "A" game at all times. We are striving to be 100% obedient to the white handbook, and are setting goals to push us, but are striving everyday to reach those goals. She is the best! I honestly feel so blessed to be able to train her, and feel like she does a lot of training me! We are so excited for this area and this upcoming transfer period. And we have a LOT of work to do. We have literally had to start from ground zero. To say the least, it has been an intense wave of learning 1000000000 things within one week. I have only been out in the field 1 transfer and now have been put as trainer, senior companion and am starting a new area where sister missionaries have never been. It is really fun, but really hard (but a AWESOME type of hard....the type that makes you grow and stretch in all sorts of ways you never knew you would have to). We are working hard TOGETHER to do this. I love it. Lets just say I have been doing a LOT of relying upon the Lord and have been HUMBLED to the dust of the earth. I realize I have not been out long, and that I still have a lot to learn, but I know that the Lord knows what He is doing, even though I feel completely inadequate to do this. But I have been called in this position, and I am going to give it my best shot. I AM SO EXCITED TO START WORKING THIS AWESOME NEW AREA OF BRIGHAM CITY!!!!! so much to

With Sister Schiess (Argentina Bound--Kaysville, UT)

learn!

A little bit about the area. So we are on foot. We walk about 8-10 miles a day and we are knocking doors, and working extremely close with Ward Mission Leaders, bishops and members to find the Hispanics and share the restored Gospel with them. I remember when I found out that we would be opening a new area. I thought---man, how are we ever going to be able to do this? I remember praying, praying and praying and we are STILL praying to know and be guided to find the people the Lord has prepared for us. And this is the part when I tell you about the MIRACLES that have literally unfolded before our eyes. We have had to rely heavily upon the Lord and take leaps of faith into the unknown because we don't have any clue what to do---we are BOTH "greenys"! But the Lord is helping us immensely, thank goodness, because without Him we would be so lost. 

Miracle #50505005934099398: We had just had an big day of tracting. We had been knocking for about 6 hours and had found a new investigator. It was amazing. We honestly didn't think that there would be that many Hispanics...but there was! And they wanted to learn about the Gospel! So we taught a few lessons and it was around 8:45. We had 15 minutes left and decided to go visit one of our investigators. She wasn't home, and we were dead tired. But we decided to pray, because both of us felt like there was someone we needed to see and teach. We had the prompting to get up FAST and go outside on a street near the apartment complex. Just as we were walking to the street, this man was walking by. It was man from Argentina that had been excommunicated from the church and he was having what he called "the worst day of his life." We were able to talk with him for about 30 minutes about hope, the atonement and most importantly Jesus Christ and how he can change and turn his life around again. He is now coming to church with a bounce in his step and I know that one day, hopefully, he will be baptized again. The Lord truly does guide His servants to be exactly where they need to be when they need to be there, if we just let Him and are willing to listen. 

Miracle #3904810398409182908989: We received a couple referrals from the Elders and so we pretty much ran to them. (Anytime there is a hint of Hispanics we are there. We are kind of stalkers, but it is okay. hahaha) But anyways, we were walking through the trailer park and we saw this woman sweeping across from the trailers we had been referred too. She was Hispanic. My companion and I looked at each other and we walked over to her and we (the Spirit) taught her the Restoration and she committed to baptism--we will see if she is golden! Then we walked to the other two houses and one of the other Hispanic ladies was interested as well! amazing! There is so much work to do! 

Funny/loved this moment: We were knocking an apartment complex and this old man answered the door....(there stood us with the CHEESIEST smiles you have ever seen) and without even saying "Hello" he yelled..."Mormons??!?!" and we replied yes. and then without another word--he SLAMMED the door in our face. He was obviously not ready for the greatest blessing in his life.....man. But that is okay. My companion and I just stayed there standing at the door. Smiling. 

Anyways, I hope you know how much I love you. And how much the Lord loves you. The restored Gospel of Jesus Christ is the one sure way that we can be happy in this life. I know this is a time of finals, missionary calls, marriage and so much more! Life gets crazy. But never forget to stop and enjoy the journey. My companion is really good at reminding me to do that. We had just had a crazy day and we were about to walk into our apartment when she said. "Wait. Lets just stop and look at the stars." They were so beautiful that night and I was reminded that sometimes the greatest things about life are the simple things. 

I love you all so much and I pray for you everyday! I am so proud of you and all you are doing!! Thanks a million for the support, love, letters, prayers and everything you do and motivate me to become. I look to all of you as my examples and my strength. I love you dearly. Never forget that. 

HERE IS A SHOUT OUT TO MY BROTHER TYLER (SOON TO BE ELDER WEENIG)----- I LOVE YOU AND AM SO PROUD OF YOU FOR MAKING THE DECISION TO GO ON A MISSION. My guess for your call is Cordoba, Argentina!!! WE COULD SERVE TOGETHER!! I would love that SO SO SO MUCH! Let me know right when you get your call!! you are going to be the BEST missionary the world has EVER seen. I LOVE YOU! 

Be safe. Be healthy. Be YOU. And remember who you are and the divine path and plan your Father in Heaven has for you. Pray.

STAND STRONG.

Love you all more than anything in the world. 

xoxox

Hermana Weenig

P.S. Challenge of the week: Read the Book of Mormon 10 minutes everyday. It is the GREATEST book on the face of the earth. Study it. Love it. Live it. It makes a difference. I am so much happier when I read the Book of Mormon. :)

We get to serve the BEST people in the world.  I love them so much.

Trust in the Lord With All Your Heart

Hola mi Familia!!!! My loves!! how in the mundo are you!?! I love you all so much, did you know that? I can't thank you enough for the amazing support and love that you have shown to me over the past few weeks. It means the absolute world to me.

 

I LOVE being a missionary. Trust. I am learning trust. Trust in the Lord, He knows so much more about how I can help these people than I do. And when we trust Him, He always shows us a better way. I have been reminded over and over and over again what an opportunity it is to serve my and your Heavenly Father for this short amount of time that I get to do His work 24'7. TIME is flying and I feel like there is SO much work to do in such little time. I have been in Brigham City for a transfer and transfers are tomorrow....and....I am STAYING in Brigham City! I am so excited. I love the people and this area so much, and there is so much work that needs to be done, and I can't wait to keep going. I am a little nervous though because I have only been a missionary for a couple months now, and they are having me be the senior companion/helping train a "Greeny!" I am so excited. She is also waiting for her VISA to go to Argentina, and I am already learning so much from her. My new companion's name is Hermana Schiess. She is from Kaysville, UT. She doesn't know much Spanish, so I am also "trying" to help teach her Spanish (hahaha...but my Spanish isn't even that good yet....so hopefully she learns from the Natives more than me!).  My trainer Hermana Murillo, will be staying in this same area and in the same apartment, but she will be getting one of the brand new sister missionaries from the MTC--so we will be in different companionship's, but same house. She has been an incredible companion, and I learned a lot from her. I will miss her dearly.

 

Questions about VISA--I could have my VISA tomorrow or in 6 months. It kind of just depends. They say about average wait time is 2 months, which is totally fine by me---because I LOVE IT HERE. And every person on earth is a child of God and I know that this is where the Lord needs me right now....even if I am in Utah. My companions and I have been striving to ONLY speak Spanish, and now I can't speak English and I am combining Spanish and English so often that I officially think "Spanglish" should be a language. I don't know what is happening, but the Lord is helping me learn Spanish! Even though I am still not totally fluent, with His help--I can speak a lot more. But still, I have a LONG ways to go. :) Good thing too, because I am pretty sure Spanish will be the language they speak everywhere one day. I love the Spanish language.

 

We have a lot of new investigators! I am so so so SO excited. We have been working really hard to find through members, non-members and other investigators. I never knew the value of what it says in Preach My Gospel "Find when you teach, teach when you find." It is so true. We are starting to see a HUGE change in the amount of lessons we get in per day because we are focusing all of our energy on teaching/sharing the restored gospel message with everyone the Lord puts in our paths. As a missionary we plan for the next day every single night. I have never the realized the power of planning until now. When we pray for the Lord to help us to accomplish every goal, and every plan we set, it is amazing to see how the next day unfolds and we are lead and guided to the places and people that we need to be in order to reach those goals and plans.

 

Dalila and Cintia

I feel like I say this every week...but I keep seeing MIRACLE after MIRACLE! It is incredible. Let me tell you about this Sunday. The Lord Is helping us so much, and I can't even begin to thank Him, nor acknowledge every single moment that we get to see the Lord's hand in our lives--there are just too many! I try to write them down, but we are running from place to place sometimes I don't have time! But anyways....back to this Sunday. Let me first start off with my new best friend Cintia and Delila Delacruz. They were a referral that we received from some other elders in our zone. We met her (Cintia, the mom to Delila) and she had no idea what a Mormon was or what the LDS church was. She just moved from Washington. She has had a life full of child abuse, divorce and is now living with her boyfriend from Mexico. My companions and I refer to her as our second mom because she has been a huge example and done so much service for us as missionaries. We have taught her the first three lessons of Preach my Gospel and have extended for baptism a LOT of times. She says that she isn't sure yet, and wants to learn more. We have been trying to get her to come to church for weeks, but she says that she always has other plans. But this Sunday....SHE CAME! With Dalila, her sweet 5 year-old-daughter! I was so excited--yes, I cried! She came to ALL three hours and said that she loved it. She says that she is learning so much, and can't wait to learn more! I am so excited for her.

 

BUT if that wasn't enough ANOTHER family (The Rodreguiezs, and their two kids) came to church as well!!! We have been teaching them for about 6 weeks now, and they will never come to church. We finally made a break through when we showed them how the Book of Mormon can help their family to be happy. The Sunday after that they were in church!!!! AMAZING. They said that they are ready to be baptized, but they have some legal issues that we are trying to work out before that happens...but with the Lord nothing is impossible, so hopefully for them that will be SO SOON! :) They are such a cool family, and are striving in every way with everything they can to keep all the commandments. It isn't easy for them, but they are doing it. Just like for us right---life is NEVER easy. But it is ALWAYS worth it, if we are giving our best.

 

And THAT IS NOT ALL!! Yet ANOTHER family (The Hernandezs family of 6) are recent converts and haven't been going to church forever---but THEY CAME!!!! The mom and the dad are so inspiring. In fact, amazing. They live in a trailer park. Both their parents left them when they were young and put them in detention centers to be raised. They have been in and out of jail their entire lives and then she had a baby. They both decided to turn their lives around. Then they found the church, and know they tell us all they want is for "all their kids to be missionaries someday." Isn't that AMAZING!!!!?!?!?! THE GOSPEL CHANGES PEOPLE. AND IT IS NEVER EVER EVER EVER too late to change and repent and turn your act around. Their they were---despite they both don't have a job, they live in a trailer and hardly have food to eat. They were shining. It is because they know what is MOST important in life. Isn't that CRAZY! What is most important in life often gets through off to the side, yet, this family hardly has food and they still made an effort to be there for church. It made me question myself....what really IS the most important things in our lives? and how many times have I gotten distracted by lesser important things?.....All the time. Our families CENTERED upon Jesus Christ is BY FAR the most important thing. I hope you never let that go for something that seems to be more important at the time.

 

So you can imagine our branch president's face as we walked into church this Sunday. haha it was classic. Our branch probably has a total of 30 people that attend and here we come in walking in with 10 BRAND new people for the branch!! AMAZING. THE WORK IS ROLLING FORTH! And it isn't us, it is the Lord. He has prepared so many people, and I am just grateful that I get to be apart of their journey in finding their way back to our Savior Jesus Christ. I just pray and pray that they continue on that path.

 

I have a new obsession. Brigham City people and Baptism. is that weird? Whenever we meet a new person or investigator, no matter how scary or crazy they might look, I see them standing in the font dressed all in white. I can't help it. I just want everyone to be able to get back to our Father in Heaven SO bad!!!! And I know that Baptism is the first step in following the example of our amazing Savior Jesus Christ. I love it. Our zone this transfer had like 16 baptisms and seeing these people take that leap of faith and seeing these people change their lives by following Jesus Christ has motivated me to be better. Man, sometimes I feel like THEY are the Teacher and I am the student. I am learning SO much from these people. They are incredible. Jesus Christ is my best friend and YOUR best friend. He has made the path easy for us...but knows it won't be easy because we aren't perfect people. But guess what? He is ALWAYS there holding our hands....if we let Him. He will guide us to be everything and MORE than we ever dreamed we could be.

 

We get to do a lot of service as missionaries. I love it so much. Service has opened up SO many doors for us. We will show up in our work clothes and say "We are here to clean, where do we start?" and we work. Then we teach. I am learning more and more as a missionary and as a future mom that it is SO SO SO important to LOVE the people before you teach the people. And the best way to come to love someone is by doing service for them. I love it. I love serving. and It is so true. The more you serve (I have especially seen this with companions) the more you love them. The more you love them, the more willing they are to listen to the message that you have to share. That is one thing I am learning. Love is central to God's plan, without it, we are nothing. I have also learned that life is way to short not to think and serve others. We only have so much time on this earth to grow and develop. and "the best way to find yourself is to loose yourself," right? SO......loose yourself in service and you will find a much better you. That is what I am trying to do now too! Hopefully it works, because I am so far from perfect.

 

Anyways, the work is rolling forward and I am so excited to be here in Brigham City for another transfer! I am taking a leap of faith, and trusting in the Lord with all that I have got. Because----I am nothing. I am weak. I am His servant. And because of that, I trust Him. I need Him to help me become the person I need to be. And I trust Him with all my heart to take me there.....even if I feel like I am walking in the dark a lot.

 

I LOVE YOU GUYS ALL SO MUCH! I am so impressed with everyone and so proud of all the amazing work YOU are doing. I challenge you this week to think about being a member missionary. PRAY to have missionary experiences, and I promise you that the Lord will bless you with people to talk to and teach. And you never know who is watching your example. So, keep up the good work and always look to whom you can serve. I LOOK UP TO ALL OF YOU SO MUCH! YOU ARE MY HEROES!

 

STAND STRONG.

 

Love,

Hermana Weenig

Armando & Llorena Martinez -- We are helping them learn English  (By reading the Book or Mormon -- :) wink, wink)

P-day:  Hanging with the Elders

P-day fun at a trampoline park.

 

Nevertheless I Went Forth

MY FAVORITE, BEAUTIFUL STINKING AMAZING FAMILIA!!! AND EVERYONE I LOVE SO MUCH!!! 

I love being a missionary. What a week. Time is flying, and I honestly don't know what to do about it.

Words cannot describe this week. I feel like I was slapped in the face probably at least 100 times everyday, faced with things that I need to work on, weaknesses that I have that I need to work on. After conference, I felt like I just ran a marathon because I realized how much I need to work on to become the type of woman and the type of missionary that my Heavenly Father needs me to be. One thing that really stood out to me was the message of obedience and following the BASICS of the gospel. The Gospel really is that simple: we have the basics, and we are to follow those basics the absolute best way that we can, and then we will reap the rewards of our obedience.  But the trick is, is that we have to come unto Him, our Loving Heavenly Father, before we do anything else. We have to make our best effort to make sure that we are doing all we can to give our HEART, MIND, MIGHT and SOUL to Him, because once we do He will make much more out of our lives than we can on our own.  Life is crazy busy, but I challenge you to remember what is MOST important in life--and that is living the Gospel and thriving off of its simplicity.

Don't Cry for me........ARGENTINA!!!!! We met with the consulate finally today in Salt Lake City in the Joseph Smith Building! He approved me as a worthy VISA candidate, got my fingerprints and watched me sign the line for my VISA!!!! They said it will be here in 2 weeks to 2 months (average wait time), or possibly more! Apparently they only approve 5 visas a day, and missionaries are at the bottom of their stack, because they aren't going to be living there long. So we will see. I am sure that I will be in Argentina when the Lord needs me there. I have learned from this whole experience that the Lord's will is ALWAYS better than my will. I have felt a little bit like Nephi did when he was about to go into slay Laban. I feel like sometimes I have no idea what is happening with my VISA or whatever (because I have no control over it) but I HAVE to take that step into the dark to prove that I have faith enough to trust my Heavenly Father above. We have to "go forth, not knowing what to do." I am learning to walk by faith, and it is a little hard---because I want to control when I am going to Argentina. But I have to trust in the Lord and trust that He knows exactly what he is doing and trust that that is the greatest path for me. And He does. He does for all of us. It may not be the path we want or think we need....but He has got it all figured out. Apparently my mission (Cordoba) is DYING for missionaries down there...so hopefully it will be soon. But I will be incredibly sad to leave Utah, as I have learned to love the people here so much. 

Missionary work is WORK. And it is stressful at times, but it also brings the greatest joy that I have ever felt in my entire life! We have been doing a lot of tracting this week (in the rain and wind...my companions and I just smile and sing "Singing in the rain") and we have found a lot of new people to teach! We are so excited! But one of the most amazing miracles happened this week! I am so grateful for the power of the priesthood. So we were on exchanges (where we get a new companion for the day) and we had just switched and we had 15 minutes left. It was 8:45 and we had to be back in the apartment at 9:00 p.m. I had this really urgent and strong impression that we needed to run to one of the member in our branch's home (The Humes). So we ran, we got in the car and literally ran up the stairs. Strangely though, the Elders in the neighboring area where walking by just as we were running up to their home. As we got up to the front door of the Humes, the door swung open and we heard crying and screaming. Hermana Hume was bawling. Hermano Hume was in great pain and with a white face. I looked at my companion as we heard her say in Spanish "We are running to the ER he won't stop bleeding!!!!!!" She was crying and there was a sense of urgency and I didn't know what to do. All the sudden an idea raced into my head---"RUN. GO OUTSIDE AND GET THE ELDERS TO GIVE HIM A BLESSING." So, I ran. I didn't know where they were, but I found them and they ran up the stairs and quickly gave him a blessing. As they blessed him, the spirit rushed into the room. Hermana Hume calmed down, my heart stopped racing and the brother stood up with confidence on their way to the hospital. Hermano Hume, is now better and was able to get his problem under control. The power of the priesthood is amazing. I hope all the men in the world that are members of the church remember what an opportunity and what a blessing it is to have the priesthood. Use it well. and LIVE WORTHY FOR IT. We found out later that the Elders had a feeling too that they needed to be in the area at that exact point in time. Both of us had no idea why we were being led there, but "nevertheless we went forth" and we found a family who needed the power of the priesthood in their lives right at that moment. I also learned that when we following the simple but strong impressions from the Spirit we will be lead and guided and we will always be in the right place at the right time. I was so worried about their family, but I know they are under the good watch of God. 

I hope all of you got the chance to LISTEN to conference, and take all the things you thought you need to work on---and do it!! :) I promise you that the Lord will help your weakness become strengths....I have seen it over and over again in my life and I can't wait to get better. There is SO Much I need to work on, and I can't wait to get started...oh wait, where do I even start!?! haha. :)

Well, I hope this email finds you happy, healthy and loving your lives. Remember that you mean a LOT to your Heavenly Father. And He wants YOU back. Don't let Him down by not giving it your best shot ok? that is all He asks...is our best. And I am learning that more and more as a missionary. I am SO far from perfect, but as long as I am doing MY best to follow His commandments and striving to "feast" upon the gospel, He is ALWAYS there to do the rest. I know that as school comes to a close and as Finals at BYU are brewing, I hope you remember that your best and your strength is enough...WHEN you rely upon the Savior to do the rest. I hope that all of you know how much I love and pray for you every single day. I love you all so much. I pray that you find purpose in your lives and that you remember how much you mean to me. Even though the road ahead may seem dark, dreary and hard remember to rely upon him and give it your best. HE WILL GUIDE YOU EVERY SINGLE STEP OF THE WAY. I promise. we too can be like Nephi and say, "Nevertheless, I went forth." Take a jump into the dark, Why not? 

STAND STRONG.

I love you all so much. Never forget that. Never give up. The work is moving forward. 

xoxoxox

LOVE YOU.

Your biggest fan,

Hermana Weenig

Argentina called missionaries on the way meet with the Consulate in SLC.

Our visit to Salt Lake City to meet with the Consulate.  I love to see the Temple!

In the Waters of Baptism

(April 2, 2013)

HOOOOOOOLA~mis amores!! Como estan?! Nos quiero muchisimo familia bonita! MY FAVORITE PEOPLE EVER!! HI!!!!!

What an incredible week! This week has been a crazy roller coaster, but well worth the ride. I have absolutely loved every second of it. I have been learning so much about life, missionary work and the church. I just hope I can soak it all in!! We just got out of a session at the newly dedicated Brigham City Temple---and WOW. What a beautiful temple, one of the most beautiful I have ever seen. The peace and Spirit found within the walls of the temple is incredible. It reminded me as a missionary that my main goal is to invite people to come unto Christ so as families they can live together again forever. What an amazing calling. Can I tell you about one family that is one step closer to that eternal family!?! 

THE RESENDIZ! DANIEL AND NATE RESENDIZ WERE BAPTIZED THIS WEEK!! This was my first opportunity to teach (it was the Spirit that did all the teaching) and see two people COMPLETELY change their lives to follow Jesus Christ our Savior, by getting baptized. Their journey to Eternal Life with their family has started, and I am SO excited for them and their choice!!!  Through the waters of baptism and through the power of the atonement, we are able to cleansed and to become "new creatures" in Christ. We can change. We can be better than we ever thought with Jesus Christ. I was so blessed to see that change in a very literal way at the Baptism this past week. We have been teaching Daniel and Nate since I got here, and I am so glad that they finally made the decision to follow the example of their Savior Jesus Christ. I want to try to convey the joy and the change that I witnessed on this past Tuesday....but I don't think words are enough. As a missionary, we are blessed to be the instrument in the Lord's hand. As we taught these two wonderful children of God I saw a distinct change in them. When we taught them, things just made sense to them (which is amazing to me because I feel like my Spanish is still broken!). But I saw the Spirit testify of the truthfulness of the things that we were teaching. On the day of the Baptism---oh my goodness. I have NEVER in my life experienced so much stress...but the best kind. It is this kinda of stress...like....okay...are they going to show up? And they did! They were soooo excited and they were glowing when they changed into their white clothes to be baptized. Nate came up and gave me a huge hug and said "I FINALLY GET TO BE BAPTIZED! I LOVE YOU!" It made me smile. My companion and I got to plan and prepare the baptism! We had about 40 people turn out from the ward and community to see the baptism---it was a MIRACLE! My companion spoke on baptism and I got to sing in Spanish and English "I know my Redeemer lives" to Daniel and Nate. The COOLEST part was that this baptism was being translate into 3 languages: Spanish, English and NAVAJO! The wife is Navajo and her whole family of non-members (all of which grabbed a Book of Mormon after the Baptism--YES!) who are all Navajo. It was so great to meet them--got to learn some Navajo, but still know nothing. The opening prayer was given in the Navajo language--woah!! So incredible! But my most favorite part was, of course, the ordinance itself. Seeing Daniel and Nate walk into the baptismal font and seeing them go down and back up out of the water drove me to tears of joy. I cried because I was so happy for them and the journey that they have had in getting baptized. I have never felt the spirit so strong as I did in those moments...the chills...knowing that they have taken the first step to get back to our Heavenly Father. They changed. Through the Gospel we can change and be better than we ever thought. It strengthened my testimony so much because I was reminded of just how simple the Gospel of Jesus Christ actually is. We are to follow the footsteps of our Savior Jesus Christ as best as we can, EVERYDAY. I love that, and Daniel and Nate did that by being baptized. During the time they were getting changed we got to teach the restoration, I hope the non-members there felt something--even if it was just a little bit. Then when I saw Daniel and Nate again, they were GLOWING. Literally, I have never seen any person more happy and confident and with a light in their eyes than they had. Daniel bore his testimony. It blew me away. He kept saying thank you to us, but the thanks is not for us, it should be for the Lord. They were confirmed Easter Sunday and said that they have never felt a greater peace. I am so happy for them. They now have a goal set to be sealed as a family in one year!! I am so excited!

Daniel and Nate Resendiz's Baptism

MIRACLE: Cintia Delacruz. She is incredible. I can't describe her to you. She is an investigator that is really interested in the church. We invited her to come to the baptism, and knew that chances were slim that she would show up. But during my companion's wonderful talk...she walked in the door!!!! Oh my goodness! I screamed (on the inside) of shock, joy and love! They say 80 percent of investigators that go to a convert baptism, end up getting baptized themselves! We were SO excited! And she brought her beautiful little 6 year old girl with her! Members from our branch did an amazing job of coming up and fellowshipping her. I am so excited to see what happens with her! We met with her and her family to teach them about Easter and the Atonement of Christ. Cintia has changed so much since we met her. We have challenged her to baptism, and she is unsure about it, but says she needs to learn more. So that is exciting! 

With investigator, Cintia Delacruz, and her 6 year old daughter

MIRACLE: We found a man that we have been trying to contact for weeks! His name is Cruz and he is the spunkiest person I have ever met! He is our newest investigator and we are teaching him about the Book of Mormon tomorrow. He said that he is excited to learn about the things of God. I can't wait to get to know him better. 

MIRACLE: We have been trying to get one of our investigators to come to church for weeks. We were speaking in church this week on Easter Sunday (my first talk in Spanish....kinda rough, but hopefully the Spirit taught them) and we asked her to come! And low and behold, she walked in the door! Her name is Anasayi Vasquez, and we are looking forward to teaching her and getting to know her better. Also one of the members of the branch, Ana Ramirez, that we have been trying to reactivate and come to church for the past 4 weeks came to sacrament meeting! She brought all of her girls too! What an incredible miracle. The Lord truly is blessing all of these people and helping us be led and guided to find them. 

We have been participating in a lot of service activities to try to break down barriers in order to teach the Gospel. This has included cleaning the temple grounds, helping stock stores, helping others learn English and cleaning homes. I have loved it. It is amazing how serving and loving people first opens the door and window of opportunity to teach. We have seen many people, mainly the Vasquez and Martinez family, completely change their attitude about the Gospel because of service.

Cleaning the Temple Grounds

Other than that, I have loved that the weather has been getting warmer. We are really busing finding, teaching, working and serving. I love it so much. I consider it an honor to serve here. It truly is. I challenge you this week to enable the Atonement, by praying everyday for the strength to overcome a trial, sickness, or problem that you are having in your life. I promise you that it makes a HUGE difference! Our Savior doesn't judge anyone. He loves us all the same. Doesn't matter if you are a missionary or not. Doesn't matter if you are black or white or green or whatever! Doesn't matter if you feel like you will never make it back---HE believes in YOU. And HE wants you back. Rely upon Him, when you feel like you can turn no where else. He is always there. That is the one thing that I have learned better than anything else on mission. He is there for all of us. and He wants all of us back. The only thing is, is that WE have to be doing OUR best...not someone elses' best. But OURS. And He will ALWAYS be there to do the rest. And He always has the best plan and the best in store for us. I love my Savior and I know He loves you. Remember that. HE LOVES YOU. and I love you too. But He loves you WAY more :) 

I hope you all are safe, happy, healthy and loving life! I hope you know that I love you and pray for you so much.

Thanks for all you do to show your love and support for me!! I can't tell you how much it means to me! Have a great week! 

STAND STRONG

Your biggest fan,

Hermana Weenig

p.s. SMILE for me this week :)

Easter Fun!!!

With Ana Ramirez inside her store.

Brigham City's Amazing Spanish Speaking Sisters Threesome