The Field is White

I LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY! Wow. What an incredible week, and I can't even express to you how happy and how grateful I am right now. So many miracles are happening right and left I don't even know where to start! We have been so busy and absolutely exhausted at the end of everyday, but it is truly the most amazing work. And the Lord carries us and give us the strength and leads us to the people that are ready. Amazing things are happening in this area and there is still so much to be done!

I am serving in the amazing Alexandria Old Town ward still, which I am so happy about! President told me that he wanted the sisters to go on an exchange where the area is a "model area" of how missionary work should be done! So now it is the area where all the sisters will come to hopefully learn amazing things from these people! I have the most wonderful new companion! Her name is Hermana Simpson! She is 22 and has been out for 12 months. It has been so much fun to get to know her. She is an absolute gem and we have set some HUGE, hairy, audacious goals for this transfer. We will start doing our exchanges this week with the other Hermanas. I am so excited to get to know them all. I am so grateful to be here in old town and to work with such a wonderful companion. I love this place. There are so many miracles happening in this place and I can't wait for all the ones that will happen this week. The people are incredible, and I love them SO much. What makes me the happiest is seeing CHANGE. These people are changing and it brings me a joy that I can't describe! They are on fire! Its so amazing to see the Lord in the details of their lives and to see them making changes to become better.

Miracle. REINA REYES GOT BAPTIZED EARLY FRIDAY MORNING!!!! WOW!!! I AM SO HAPPY!!!!  Seriously. I can testify to the fact that the Lord prepares people and allows them to be ready to receive the Gospel of Jesus Christ in their time. Reina Reyes is the most humble person I have ever met. She sleeps on the floor of her apartment complex and is ALWAYS serving others. I love her so much. Her daughter, Karen, was baptized back in August. We began teaching Reina and even though she prayed, came to church and read the entire Book of Mormon...she still had doubts about getting baptized. One day I felt prompted to get up and run into the door and explain to her that not getting baptized is like running into a door...and keeps us from progressing. She was silent. The Spirit bore testimony of the truth. Then she said that she wanted to get baptized...right then! We said we could set it up for 2 days LATER!!! AMAZING! A little stressful because it was Wed. night when she told us and she said that she wanted to get baptized ASAP. We had transfers wed, so it was so fun getting everything together! Thank you to miracles and willing ward members the baptism happened! Reina didn't want to tell anyone that it happened, but the amazing ward came to support her! She was so nervous! But she kept staring at the photos of Christ and saying that "I know that this is what God wants me to do, and so I am doing it for Him." She kept hugging us, and I just couldn't stop smiling because she was so happy!! We sang "Yo se que vive mi Senor" (I know that my Redeemer lives) and the baptism was perfect for Reina--short, simple and sweet.  After she was baptized there was such a light in her. She looks so happy! She is my sister and hero. I know that Reina will stay a strong convert forever! She is already wanting to get sealed to her family in the temple. She was confirmed yesterday in the church and the ward has grabbed her in and is fellowshipping her--amazing. I sat by her at church and she told me after she got confirmed that she feels so at peace, something that hasn't happened in years. Her life has literally turned upside down and I couldn't be happier for her. She is a hero for me. And she will be someone that I look up to and remember forever. I can't wait to see her be sealed with her family in a year. MIRACLE!

JORGE CASTENEDA BAPTIZED HIS LITTLE NEPHEW AND IS PREPPING FOR THE TEMPLE!! Jorge is AMAZING! When we first met him he was completely inactive. But slowly, and surely, he has come back to church. This week he got his temple recommend!! and yesterday he baptized his nephew Misael!!! Amazing! We taught Misael about the importance of baptism and worked with Jorge to teach him. Jorge and Misael were SO happy. I was so happy I couldn't even stand it. So see both of them in the font.....after so much that they have been through and changed so that they can be baptized...it truly is a miracle. Repentance and the Atonement are so real...and they work. It changes people. I really consider the Casteneda family to be like a second family to me. I love them so much, and have seen endless miracles in their lives! All of their family was at church this week! AMAZING.

JILL BETANCOURT IS GETTING BAPTIZED THIS FRIDAY!!! I am SO happy for her! We have been working with Jill for a while! She is proof that as missionaries we should talk to EVERYONE. Back in July, I saw Jill sitting in her apartment lobby. I went up and started talking to her and taught her the restoration. At first, she didn't except it. But, through time and through trials that the Lord put in her life, her heart was softened and NOW SHE IS SO STRONG AND GETTING BAPTIZED!!! She reads the Book of Mormon everyday and comes to church every week. The ward is taking care of her. She is changing. She is relying on Jesus Christ. She is changing her life. She is inviting EVERYONE to come to her baptism! So it is going to be HUGE. But we are so excited. She gave up her tea and coffee and is ready for baptism! I can't wait to see her all in white this Friday. She has done a TOTAL turnaround. And out of all the investigators I have ever taught, I have seen the powerful influence and ability of the Atonement of Jesus Christ to work within her life. It is truly amazing! I love her so much and consider her to be a best friend.

Juana Huerta is going to the temple! Remember back in August how we baptized Juana!?! She is my most favorite person in the ENTIRE world, and now she is getting her interview to enter the temple to do baptisms for her mom this Sunday! Apparently she has had a LOT of dreams this past week of her brother and mom appearing to her and asking her to get baptized for them. They talked about it in church and Juana is SO excited and SO ready. WOW! She is amazing. She loves coming out to preach the Gospel with us! She has made such a difference in the lives of Jill and other investigators to be there support team and she, too, is learning as they learn. It is AMAZING to watch. I am learning now that it really is true--that when the fruit is good it makes the people have the desire to share it with all they come in contact with.

The drunk men miracle. We had 15 minutes left, and we wanted to teach another lesson :). So we went to the house of some potentials that we have named Miguel and Jesus. We knocked the door. Out step the two of them and same with the rancid smell of alcohol. They were drunk....completely drunk. We started teaching them a little bit, and we realized that they were so out of it that they weren't taking anything in. They kept saying, "You have the most beautiful eyes. You are from Spain, aren't you?" Kinda creepy. But then something amazing happened. Miguel could hardly say a word to us because of all of the booze. But then we asked if we could pray with them. They agreed. We prayed, and blessed them with their night...then we said "Amen." Right when we did, Miguel started praying the most perfect, heartfelt prayer I have ever heard. It was from his heart. But what was even more amazing is that he didn't slur at all. He spoke fluently and without any glitches of any kind. Amazing. He talked to Heavenly Father like He was right there with us. It was incredible. I learned, from a drunk man, that prayer is for everyone. It is also communication with our Father in Heaven. It should be from the heart. It was incredible. It doesn't need to be fancy. I learned so much from him. The Spirit flooded that trailer-park doorstep as Miguel said, "You are the only one that can help me, protect my family, because I can't and you can." His sincerity almost brought me to tears. We are teaching him. We have an appointment tonight. I can't wait to see what happens!

Sunday MIRACLES. AMAZING. The Lord is working amazing miracles in the lives of our investigators! We had 5 investigators at church!!!! Jill came. Marta Lida came! Hna. Cardona's husband came! But the most incredible miracles were that Viviana brought her roommate that we started teaching a while ago, SANDRA, to CHURCH!!! It was amazing!! Sandra found anti-Mormon stuff and didn't want to talk to us anymore, but something changed. And now, she is talking to us and wants to be baptized! She also came to see the baptism yesterday!!! AMAZING! When she saw the baptism she asked me, "Is that how you do it?" and I said, "Yeah, do you want to be baptized." She said, "Yes, I really do." AMAZING!!!!!!! WOW!!! The other miracle at church was that RAMON CASTRO CAME! WOW!!!! He loved church because it was the primary program and loved seeing all of the children! How amazing! Jorge Casteneda took him under his wing. Ramon told us he wants to be baptized, but is held back by his family. I know miracles will happen and he will be baptized soon! WOW. AMAZING MIRACLES.

ALSO Ruben, a friend to the Rojas family, will be baptized on the 7th of DECEMBER!!!! I can't even wait! yesterday, He accepted the day full heartily and said that he had been thinking about it a lot and knows that this is what he is supposed to do in his life right now! AMAZING. He is so knowledgeable and I can't wait for a couple more weeks when he too has entered the waters of baptism!

Let Jesus Christ carry you, and let the Atonement CHANGE you. That seems to be the theme of the mission and of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This is a Gospel of change and we have been sent here to earth to be tried---it is supposed to challenge us and be hard--otherwise we wouldn't grow. But the cool part is that God gave us our Savior Jesus Christ to come an go through all that we would have to go through so that we can repent and we can change---EVERYDAY. To become a little better and better everyday. Use it. :)

I love you all so much and can't thank you enough for all your love, support and prayers. I love and pray for you always. I really do and hope that you know that YOU are the biggest blessings that I have in my life. I hope you never forget how much I love you and that your Savior Jesus Christ is ALWAYS there for you.

Stand Strong,

Hermana Weenig

 Reyna Reyes in front of the baptismal font, I am SO HAPPY for her.

Hermana Wilcox, Elder Olivo (our district leader) Reyna and me just before the baptism! SO HAPPY FOR HER!

Hna. Simpson, Jorge Casteneda, Misael, and me yesterday at his baptism! This is truly a double miracle! I am SO happy for them!!

The scary fog outside our house.

Every house we go to we get water bottles. So we have decided to collect them. This is just from 2 weeks. AMAZING.

The Truth is Marching On

I love being a missionary. So much. I have decided that you all should move out here and we can just preach the Gospel here together for the rest of our lives. Yeah? Perfect. NEWS! I have been called to serve as a Sister Trainer Leader here in the Washington D.C. South mission. Can you believe it? I am so nervous, but I am so humbled and excited to be able to serve and help all the sisters in this mission. What I am really excited about is that 2 times every week I get to go on exchanges with different missionaries and learn their areas and help them get "fired up" about missionary work. I LOVE THIS WORK SO MUCH and I can't wait to learn from all the hermanas here in Washington D.C. My companion told me that it is a curse because "Hermana Weenig--you love the people too much...having to travel is going to kill you." I do love the people so much, and part of me just wants to stay and knock doors and focus on the people in one area, but I am also so excited to be able to learn all different types of missionary work and be able to take what President Riggs wants us to take and train them on so that we can learn together how to be better missionaries. I am definitely learning that the Lord DOES NOT call the qualified, but He does (hopefully) qualify those who He calls.  I am really crossing my fingers for that, because I am going to need it. I am just SO SO SO excited to serve more and learn more from these incredible people and missionaries!!!! :) 

Transfers are this Thursday...:( Hermana Wilcox and I have dreaded this week since the beginning of this transfer. President has warned us every week that we will no longer be together. We love working together! Partners in preaching the gospel! We are attached at the hip and have been companions since the beginning of July. I wish I could keep her as my companion for the rest of my mission, but I know that she has a LOT more lives to change. I love her. I don't EVER want to leave Hna. Wilcox! She is ON FIRE! And she is going to change this mission and make a HUGE difference here....she already has. She truly has become one of my best friends, and I am going to miss her like crazy. But we have already decided that we are going to companions again right before I go home. So it is a done deal. The time serving with her has been absolutely incredible, and I don't want it to end. I have learned so much from her and am so grateful for her shimmering example. Also, I have no idea if I will stay in this area or be transferred to a different area. This ward and this area is now my home. I sincerely know and love all the ward members...they are literally my home away from home. I don't want to say goodbye ever to them either! I think it is going to be a bit of a hard week! Lots of tears! I have already cried a lot of losing Hna. Wilcox and even the thought of leaving this ward and area. But I trust that the Lord will let whatever is supposed to happen, happen. I trust His will, although His will is sometimes hard to accept....but it is ALWAYS better. 

As usual, THIS WEEK WAS A WEEK OF MIRACLES! First things first. Jill didn't get baptized this past Saturday because a HUGE miracle happened! Her daughter Adla (she is 12 years old), who never ever wanted to really listen to us when we taught, suddenly took a great interest in the lessons. She came to church last week, and said that she too--wants to be baptized! They are now preparing to be baptized TOGETHER! AMAZING!!!!! She is so smart and she knows so much about the Gospel already and it is so fun to see how fast she is progressing. She reads the Book of Mormon so much and studies the pamphlets we give her. I AM SO SO SO SO HAPPY FOR THEM! They told us that they are praying together as a family and that they are reading the scriptures together....AMAZING. They will be baptized on the 23rd of November! I can't wait for that day. They have been through a LOT and I can't wait to see what happens with them. It has also been amazing to see the ward reach out to them and help them. We have moved from teaching them outside of the homeless shelter of where they live, to inside member's homes. It truly is something spectacular....to see all of these ward members stepping in and helping her pay for what she cannot. It reminds me so much of the story of the good samaritan... Jill is a mere stranger to these people yet they are willing to take her in, feed her, clothe her and care for any need she needs. I hope someday I will be able to be TOTALLY unselfish and TOTALLY giving like the members of this ward. 

Restaurant Miracle. Probably one of the BIGGEST miracles that I have seen on my mission yet. So, it was dinner time, and usually we go home and make something..but we weren't really hungry, and we have a really strong impression to go buy a papusa from this little Hispanic restaurant. We had no idea why, but we went anyways. We walked in. Miracle #1: a less active member saw us, and told us she wants to come back to church. Apparently missionaries had saved her and her mom's life prior and has wanted to come back to church but just moved here from Africa. So we were able to help her find where to go. Miracle #2: There was a woman sitting by us, looking very down and alone, and we were able to teach her the Restoration and now she is investigating the church! Amazing! MIRACLE #3: Our waitress. Her name is Araceli. We hadn't talked to her much when she asked us if we are representatives of Christ and if we go to church. We said "yes!" Her eyes began to tear up as she told us that her husband has been trying to cross the border, but she hadn't heard from him in 18 days. Everyone told her that he was dead, and that he died crossing the river. She said, "But, I have faith and I know that you will help me. Can you please pray for him?" We said we would be more than happy to. We set up a time to go see her the next day. We prayed a lot for her husband to be safe and arrive here in safety. When we went to visit the next day, she came RUNNING outside. She gave us HUGE hugs and said. "It is a miracle, a miracle! My husband just called me from Texas 10 minutes ago! He IS ALIVE!!!!" Amazing. I know that prayer works, and if we have faith, miracles really can and will happen. We entered her home and she intently listened as we taught her that Heavenly Father loves her and sent us to her so that she could learn the Gospel. She said, "Well, I knew that you represented Jesus Christ right when I saw you." We thought she meant she had read our tags. But no. "No, it wasn't your tags there was a huge card on the table where I was serving you that said 'Jesus Christ'. That is how I knew to talk to you." There was no card. I got the chills. But WHAT A MIRACLE! Her and her husband are starting to take the missionary lessons and she says she wants to join our church! WHAT A MIRACLE! I had the goosebumps for like 30 minutes after. I know that Heavenly Father heard and responded to those prayers, and I know that they will be baptized soon! 

We had a couple of exchanges this week! (one due to the fact that I had to attend a Mission Leadership Conference--which I learned a TON!). I learned A LOT! It was super weird not having my buddy--Hna. Wilcox--right there! I am going to miss her! But on the upswing of things, I learned a lot and a TON of miracles happened on the exchanges. I went on an exchange with Hna. Shelton, who is currently a Sister Trainer leader, and we saw miracle after miracle! Juana, the most amazing recent convert ever, called us and told us that she wanted to come out all day and night with us to preach the Gospel. She is such a GEM! So she went to EVERY Lesson with us! It was wonderful! Reina Reyes, who has been praying and praying for her baptismal date, FINALLY received an answer!! She was SO happy and so excited to tell us! She studies the Book of Mormon and Bible everyday, comes to church, reads the Ensign, and knows more about the Gospel than anyone I have ever known. She will be baptized on the 23 of December! I believe that is her birthday, and that is why she wants to do it then. We have tried to get it sooner, but she is dead set on that day. BUT I AM SO SO HAPPY for her. When we heard the news I started jumping up and down! This is something that we have been praying and fasting for for months now. Miracles happen! Also Ruben has been praying and thinking about the Book of Mormon and wants to be baptized this month too!! AMAZING!! Apparently, the Hispanics of surrounding areas have heard my companion and I sing! One of them wants us to come down to Fairfax, VA to sing at her wedding! I don't think that is going to be possible, but I got a good laugh about that! 

Yesterday, SACRAMENT MEETING WAS INCREDIBLE!!!! We had 5 investigators at sacrament meeting!! MIRACLE!!!! We have been trying to get Marta Lida to come to church for like 2 months now and she always tells us that she has work....we were almost about to give up on her...but then! A MIRACLE! We have been praying for her and have tried every avenue to get her to come to church. But I have such a strong testimony of prayer ...We walked into church, and there on the back row was Marta! Sitting there, ready to go! We had called her earlier that morning to see if she was coming, and she didn't answer. But there she was in church! She said she wanted to make it a surprise...and boy were we surprised! We were smiling so big! She said that she has been working really hard to get Sundays off so that she can come to church every week! AMAZING! And if that wasn't enough, Sunday morning, Louderes, one of our other investigators that never comes to church, call us and told us that she wants to come and bring her little girl! She did! She got a ride with someone in the ward and told us that she only wanted to stay for the first hour, but after the first hour she wanted to stay for more. She fell in love with church and said that she wants to come back! MIRACLE! I know that she will be baptized soon. Also Ricardo and Jaqueline came! With their WHOLE family! What joy! Also, Jill came and sat next to Juana! THIS WARD IS ON FIRE! The Chapel was FILLED with investigators. I couldn't even stop smiling. The ward welcomed every single investigator with open arms and they commented on how "at home" they felt. AMAZING. 

Thank you so much for all of your love, support and prayers. I love you all so much and pray for you always. I hope you know how and realize what an opportunity it is to live here on the earth as such a time as this! We have such hope and such destiny to live!!! I can't thank you all enough for your examples and for all you do for me. I hope you take every advantage you possible have to serve other people and use this time that we have been given to become the absolute best we can be. That doesn't mean perfect. Also, I am starting to realize something. The more and more I study the life of our Savior Jesus Christ, the more I want to be like Him. He is my best friend, hero and never leaves our side. Rely on Him. Learn of Him. Become like Him. He is our number one fan. I love Him, and am so grateful for His atoning sacrifice so that I could have the opportunity to change. Rely on Him. Change. Smile. Serve.   Tear it up this week, champs! STAND UP for who you are and what you believe. This world makes you want to think that you are nothing, and not good enough! But, much on the contrary, YOU ARE NOBLE AND GREAT. Don't you ever forget that. 

STAND STRONG. 

Hermana Weenig

We went to Washington D.C. today with Hna. Escobar! What a blast! We saw Obama's 304983098 cars that passed by with 20 helicopters and the FBI escorting him! Here is the white house!

 I finally got to go to the famous Holocaust museum! It about ripped my heart out! It was so powerful, but sad. 

 Still looks like the Washington mounment is being re-done. 

God Speaks

 I love being a missionary. As missionaries we get the incredible opportunity to study like crazy for the people we teach. And it is so much fun. All I eat, sleep, drink, think, dream about is these incredible people. I love them SO much, and they have truly become like family. This is literally the dream life. I get to wake up every morning, each day totally dedicated to my Maker, and work to bring others to the truth that has changed my life forever. There is so much work to be done, and so little time to do it! Every single person that I see I have a sense of urgency to become their friend and help them and teach them something that will change their perspective and life forever. But what never ceases to amaze me is that the people that we have the chance to teach always seem to teach us a life lesson about how to be more like Christ. I am learning so much from these people---everyday. I love them. They took my heart and ran away with it, and I am totally okay with that.

 

The message of the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ can be simply put into two words: God speaks. He speaks because we are His children. He spoke in the days of Moses, Adam and Abraham, and He speaks today. To lead us and to guide us and to walk beside us--to help us find the way. He speaks through living prophets. He is a loving Heavenly Father and doesn't want us to be confused, so He speaks. I know that. This week, more than ever, I was so excited to tell everyone that I saw that Heavenly Father is our loving Father and that He speaks--Now. A lot of people don't know that--they don't even understand what it means to be a child of God. We are ALL children of God and He loves us more than we can imagine, but sometimes we forget to listen--He is always there for us--but the world drowns out His still, small voice.

 

I have never had someone be so angry at me and hate me for the things that I stand for and believe--that being that God speaks, and the Gospel has been restored through living prophets. We were doing some tracting and decided to knock a potential named Alfa. We knocked and her door and her brother Louis answered. He said we could come in for 5 minutes. Well, that five minutes turned into 2 hours. He FIRED us with questions. He was genuinely interested, and then his sister, who is a die-hard protestant, came in and started yelling at us. Right in our face. She was waving her hands around and making fun of us and laughing at us. She told us we are dumb for believing in Joseph Smith and that the Book of Mormon is a lie and that we are wasting our lives and that we should just go home. She made fun of the temple, of everything I hold sacred. We sat there. I was grounded by peace...nothing she could say would shake me. I was praying like crazy the entire time that we could say something that would soften her heart. Usually I would have been really upset. But there was a peace and a calmness. I bore testimony of what I know. She asked a billion questions about "where in the bible" does it say that. We showed her....and slowly she calmed down. Her brother was in shock. Then something came out of my mouth that I have never though about before. I said, "Our message can be simplified into 2 words--God speaks." They were in shock. Louis said everything we explained about the temple and the restoration makes sense.  We went in with the intentions of teaching how the Gospel blesses families, but then ended up teaching the restoration and plan of salvation. He had SO many questions! After we were both about to fall over because we were so spiritually exhausted! The Spirit literally guided ever step of that lesson, and gave us the power to stand and stand with dignity and calmness amid the bashing. I will NEVER abandon what I know. The restored Gospel of Jesus Christ makes sense. It is logical. It is true and it fills me with peace and comfort. I am so grateful for it. What I know ALWAYS trumps what I don't.

 

JILL IS GETTING BAPTIZED THIS SATURDAY!!!!! Amazing turn around! We met Jill back in July, just as a happen-stance. She was sitting in the lobby of a building we were tracting in and felt prompted to talk to her. At first her heart was really hard and didn't really want to listen to us. But with time she went through a couple of HUGE trials. Her husband abused her and left her with nothing. She now is living in a shelter. The ward members are taking such amazing care of her, and Jill now has a burning desire to learn everything she can about the Gospel. She wants us coming everyday! We teach her and her 14 year-old daughter outside in front of the homeless shelter.  The other day we were teaching her the plan of Salvation--and I will never forget the look on her face when we taught her about her purpose in life. Our purpose in life is really so simple. It isn't to make money, have a sweet job, have the nicest house etc. It is about proving ourselves to the Lord that we will do whatsoever He commands us to do. And here was Jill. She has nothing. No roof, no food, no nothing---yet she is happy. Why is she happy? Because she has been reading the Book of Mormon like it is cake and has been praying, and learning and becoming the wonderful daughter of God that she was always meant to be. There is such a light in her eyes. I am so excited to see her and her daughter changing their lives. Jill is now living the word of wisdom and is DRINKING in the Gospel. She is such a walking testimony to me that we can be happy if we live the Gospel. We really don't need anything else.

 

We took Reina Reyes to the temple visitor's center this week!!! What an amazing miracle!! :) We have been trying to set up a "cita" (appointment) with Reina to go visit the temple and learn about how family can be together forever, and it finally happened! It was incredible. Reina absolutely loved it. We called in advanced to the missionaries that work there are we had them set up and teach a powerful lesson on how families can be together forever and how we can feel the love of the Savior in a stronger sense when we are following the example of Jesus Christ. Reina is like my best friend, I love her a lot. There is no doubt in my mind that she will be baptized. I know she will be. The tour was amazing. And at the end, we looked out over the beautiful temple. I got the chills, and the Spirit was so strong as we testified that we KNOW that Reina can enter the temple and be sealed with her family forever. The coolest thing happened. I saw Reina in white and surrounded with her family. I know she will enter the temple someday, and I hope to come back after my mission to see her be sealed to her family. At the end of the tour...Reina cried. FOR THE FIRST TIME! She is such a strong woman. Right now she is being tested and tried in EVERY essence of the word---she is broke, can't pay rent or buy food, her car broke down and she lost her job. But she said something as we sat there staring at the beautiful temple. "I need to be baptized. I know it. And I will be. It has been such evidence that God loves me, because every time I am alone or feel like I can't go on, He has sent you to guide me. And I don't know much, but I know that you have the message that will guide me to happiness, and I trust you." WOW. I was in shock. She is searching the Book of Mormon and coming to church and making all the necessary sacrifice to learn more about Jesus Christ. She is amazing, and it really is incredible to see the changes that are happening in her life. She also taught us how to make amazing El Salvador bread! I just can wait for the day when she enters the waters of baptism--her first step to an eternal family. This gospel is incredible. We are so lucky to have what we have. I was reminded of my beautiful family. Of how much I love them and how lucky I feel that I will get to spend eternity with them. Family is the most important thing, and is what our Gospel message centers around. As we stood in front of the Christos with Reina, I couldn't help but tear up. This work is LITERALLY about bringing other people unto Jesus Christ....whose arms are always WIDE open for us.  

 

Marta Lida. She is a gem! I love her so much. She is growing and progressing so much in the Gospel. It is truly amazing to see. She is reading the Book of Mormon a lot, and truly coming unto Christ. She tells us that the Gospel is changing her way of life and her perspective. The other day we taught her the word of wisdom...and she drinks alcohol everyday (Ah, man)....so we have a lot of work to do. But she says she is willing to do it, if its what God wants her to do.

 

Companionship unity. 5 months together and Sister Wilcox and I are SO connected it is crazy! During district meeting we did a role play that we had to switch off every single word with our companions and teach an entire lesson! It was a role play the zone leaders called "impossible." Apparently most companionships only teach one point of the restoration. Well, when it came our turn we taught the entire restoration, first vision, invited to baptism and shared 2 scriptures in 10 minutes switching off every other word in Spanish! It wasn't even us! It was the Spirit. I really can bear testimony that the Spirit is the one that, if we let it, will guide our thoughts and our words to say exactly what needs to be said. It was SO cool. After it was over, Sister Wilcox and I looked at each other in shock. The Zone Leaders didn't know what to say other than, "That isn't supposed to happen." I love my companion. We work together like peanut butter and jelly. We had president interviews this week, and unfortunately it looks like we will be split up next transfer. The first thing president said to me was, "You guys are on FIRE--and that is why I need to split you up. Are you ready to share the fire?" We have been a little bit sad since then, but we are working hard to give everything we have got together for these next 2 1/2 weeks before transfers. Sister Wilcox had bronchitis this week. She is such a trooper. I took her to an Instacare (more like I had to force her) because she was throwing up like crazy and coughing up blood. I was so worried about her! But she got an antibiotic and I think it is helping her. While she was sleeping because of her sickness, I chatted with a lot of our investigators and ward members via phone. I literally called 50 different people! They are all my dearest friends. I taught lessons via phone, helped them with their lives and got to know them more. It was a fun day, but I missed my companion. I hope that she gets totally better!! :)

 

Halloween as missionary--we weren't allowed to work, because of all of the trick or treaters and all of the drinking, and sketchy stuff that goes on. So President had all of the missionaries watch a Disney movie. We watched "Monster's University". Apparently it is like the new Monster's Inc? It was so weird watching a movie. I fell asleep in it because I was so tired. But I realized that EVERYTHING is funny as a missionary. Things I would have never thought were funny before are hilarious now. It was fun, but I just wanted to be out working. We wanted to go trick-or-treating, but we weren't allowed. We thought about handing Book of Mormons out to all the trick or treaters, but to no avail. Last Monday, for P-day we had a Halloween activity with the zone! We carved pumpkins, played volleyball and had a pie eating contest! It was a blast! Sister Wilcox represented our companionship like a champ! There was NO WAY I was eating the pies....because the Elders prepared them. But Sister Wilcox took 2nd place in the pie eating contest. I was so proud of her! Also we carved the 2 little pumpkins mom sent us! "CTR" on one and "HLJ" on the other! (Choose the Right in Spanish and English) We took 3rd place in the pumpkin carving contest! What a blast.

 

Side note: Remember a couple weeks ago, that man that stopped us in the street from Ghana? (his name is Prince) and told us that we knew the way God wants for him? He is getting baptized in a week! We are so excited for him!!! Miracles happen.

 

Fall is BEAUTIFUL here. The leaves are GORGEOUS. Everyday is a sweet reminder that God created this beautiful earth so that we could come here and have joy. But also so that we could pass through the hard things so that we could learn and grow and BECOME who we need to become. As a missionary, sometimes I am stressed out of my mind because there is so much to do and so many people to find and teach! But the other day I stopped. I saw some kids jumping in the leaves. There were running, laughing and playing. I joined them. I ran with the little children into the leaves and just enjoyed the beautiful creations that are Heavenly Father has given us. My companion probably thought I was crazy. But sometimes it is good to enjoy. In fact, we need to. God has given us our bodies to take care of them, but also to enjoy. I love all the fall leaves and all the beautiful colors! I hope you stop to enjoy.

 

HUGE MIRACLE!!!! We had 5 investigators in church this Sunday! What an incredible miracle! Juana, our amazing recent convert, met someone on the bus on her way to church and brought her to sacrament meeting! The woman, Maria, has been having a terribly hard life and is looking for truth. She said that she has never felt the way she did when she walked into the church. She said that she has "never felt this way before" and can't wait to learn more! Juana apparently thinks I am the "problem-solver" of the universe. She grabbed my hand during sacrament meeting and took me to her friend. She said, "Here is a woman, she needs your help. She is having problems, and I know you have the answers. She needs to be baptized." Wow. AMAZING! It isn't me that has the answers, but I know Who does! Ruben also came! And also Hermana Alcorn brought a friend to church and introduce us to her, and Maria and Jill came! Sacrament meeting was packed! There was also 20 less-active members in church! WHAT A MIRACLE!!! It was so amazing to see all of the people there! This ward is on fire with missionary work. Everyone is inviting their friends, family and everything! Truly, it is a miracle!

 

I love this great work. I am happy, working hard and TOTALLY exhausted. But I am so happy. and so in love with these people. I hope all of you are happy and truly know that you are children of God. I can't thank you enough for your support, love, prayers and everything. I think of you and pray for you always. I just hope the best for you and hope you are happy. Please never forget who you are. And remember that God Speaks. He is just waiting for us to listen. I love you all so SO much. I can't believe it is November. Time is literally FLYING faster and faster. It is slipping through my fingers. Never take one single moment for granted. If you are down, go find someone else that is having it worse than you are. You are incredible.

 

STAND STRONG.

 

Hermana Weenig

Reina, Hermana Wilcox and I at the temple visitor's center. She is truly coming unto Christ.

Champion pie-eater Hermana Wilcox! I was her cheerleader!

CTR pumpkin!

 The beautiful fall leaves! So incredible! :)

Like Unto Moroni

 I love being a missionary. Have I told you that before? THANK YOU for giving me this incredible opportunity to serve God's children 24/7 with all that I have got for this short time. I feel that my love for the people and this great work continues to grow and grow everyday. THIS WAS ANOTHER INCREDIBLE WEEK OF MIRACLES! I know for a fact that God, our Heavenly Father, is a Father of Miracles, the Master of change and perfection and the one who loves us more than our mortal minds can imagine. Thanks to the atonement of Jesus Christ and this incredible Gospel, I am changing. A lot. I learned so much this week and was so spiritually fed through sister mission conference, launching leaders and stake conference this weekend---information overload. I also realized how much I need to work on. God doesn't ask us to be perfect though. He asks us to be better each day, and that is why we have been given repentance. In launching leaders we learned about the importance of becoming a LEADER. and STANDING for something always. I want to be like unto Moroni someday! "Yea, verily, verily I say unto you, if all men had been and were and ever would be, like unto Moroni, behold, the very powers of @#!*% would have been SHAKEN forever; yea the devil would never have power over the hearts of the children of men." (Alma 38:17) We can all be so strong like Moroni, so much so that Satan will not have power over us. How incredible! This is who I want to become, and I hope that you all are becoming this also.

MIRACLES. Reina has been searching for answers, and I have no doubt that in a few short weeks Reina will be baptized. Reina could actually be baptized tomorrow. She has received all the lessons, reads the Book of Mormon everyday, comes to church and fasts for answers. She is incredible!! She knows that she needs to be baptized and she has a sincere desire to be baptized. She says she wants to wait till December because that is when her birthday is...:) She is a keeper. I truly do love Reina, and to see the changes that she is making in her life, it is incredible. We had the opportunity to fast with Reina. She told us the purpose of her fast was so that God would provide her ideas of where she could work so that she can have Sundays free to go to church every week. She has such incredible faith.  Yesterday, Reina told us that she had received an idea to start making El Salvador food and going door to door to sell it for money, so that she doesn't have to work on Sunday! What was crazy about that is that I had the exact same idea earlier that day! The Spirit works in incredible ways. Reina says she is going to start now, so that she can make the sacrifice to come to church. She says that she knows that is exactly what she is supposed to do, and doesn't care if she doesn't have enough funds for awhile. She is deciding to put God first. She truly is raising her own "title of liberty." It is incredible to see the change. She studies, asks questions and feasts on the word of God. She tells us that she knows that we were sent as angels to her from God to help her be on the right path. There is light growing and shining in her face. She is happy. Although she doesn't have many worldly things, she HAS EVERYTHING. and she is so happy. She is truly "like unto Moroni." I know that she will be baptized, and I can't wait to see her go to the temple in just over a year :).

We had an incredible stake conference! We got an entire new stake presidency and they took the bishop of our ward with them! Bishop Matos has been the bishop of the Old Town ward for 10 years! can you believe it? And now will be incredible in the stake presidency. We will be getting a new bishop soon! Also, Elder Fallabella (of the seventy) came and spoke! He was such an incredible speaker and talked about how we can hasten the work for the people here on earth, but especially for those on the other side of the vail! He stressed the importance of going to the temple because we are ALL missionaries! And there is so much work to do. He is from Guatemala and the ward cooked everyone a Guatemala meal for after! I had the chance to met him, and he is the type of person I hope to be like. Humble and funny. I also had the opportunity to TRANSLATE stake conference from English to Spanish! There wasn't enough headphone sets for all the members in the ward, so Hermana Casteneda asked me to translate the 2 hour meeting for her! I was super nervous at first, but I said a little prayer and said, "help me do this, because I have no idea!" It was quite difficult, but I made it through. They talked so fast, and it was hard to keep up at times! I think she may have got a little bit different of a version of conference than everyone else, but she said she understood perfectly! MIRACLE!

We stopped in on a family that has helped us with a referral to see how they were doing. The entire family speaks Portuguese. They have 3 little kids under the age of 8 and they all gathered around to hear what we were going to say. I felt the Spirit so strong that we needed to sing "I am a Child of God" but in 3 different languages. So, they sang the first verse in Portuguese, we sang the second in Spanish and we all sang together in English for the third. That song has become the theme song of my mission. Everywhere we go we sing that song. It is literally the most important truth of this gospel. As we sang all together I looked in the eyes of those kids...they were so shining with hope and renewed joy. I started to cry. The Spirit was so strong. We REALLY all are CHILDREN of God. We are brothers and sisters, here to help and lead and guide each other back to Him. Amazing.

MIRACLES. Marta Lida is a walking example of how the Book of Mormon changes lives. I think I have told you a little bit about her, but her neighbor, is LDS and decided one day to open her mouth and share the Gospel with her neighbor. She gave her a Book of Mormon in Spanish. A week later we began having lessons with Marta. She loves it. This week, we went to Marta's house and SHE IS ON CHAPTER 8 of the Book of Mormon. How great our joy was and I couldn't stop smiling as she said that whenever she is lonely or sad, she reads. Whenever she has a spare moment, she reads. That book is real, and it changes lives. It can change yours too if you read it, ponder about it and apply it. I also can't tell you how powerful members are when they share their testimony and the gospel with their friends! It truly makes ALL the difference. Now, Marta is going to be baptized on November 22. Yesterday we had an incredible lesson with her. We taught lesson 3, the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The Spirit testified as we taught of the 5 steps we take to follow in the example of Jesus Christ--Faith, repentance, baptism, the gift of the Holy Ghost and persevering to the end. As we taught, her eyes filled with tears. "This is exactly what I have been looking for, for so long. My life is going to change. I will do whatever it takes to follow Jesus Christ and be baptized." WOW! We almost fell off of our chairs. Not only that, but she told us that she is making every sacrifice and arrangement necessary so that she can come to church. One of the major issues serving the Hispanic people is that most all of them work on Sundays. Giving up their job is like giving up their life line for food, clothes, rent everything! But Marta said she is willing to do it. What an incredible example. She told us she has already given up her Sunday job so she can come to church. AMAZING WOMAN of FAITH! After the lesson, Marta prayed the most sincere prayer I have ever heard. She was talking to her Father. She promised she would follow in His steps. The Spirit flooded the room. It was incredible. Marta then turned to her neighbor, who was in the lesson with us, and said "Thank you for giving me the opportunity to learn the truth." That is what it is all about. We never know who is prepared to hear the Gospel. I know she will be baptized. I am so happy for her. She is taking steps to become more "like unto Moroni."

This ward is absolutely incredible. They are bringing their friends to church and they have truly "caught the wave" of missionary work. Hna. Sussane Rojas is incredible! She has referred us to 2 solid investigators and was the one who referred us to both our recent converts Juana Huerta and Jaqueline Jimmenez. This week we had the chance to have a couple of lessons at her home with a friend of hers named Ruben. He is golden! He cannot read, but he listens and he memorizes so quickly. In fact, he has the entire new testament of the Bible memorized. He has just listened to it over and over again, and that is how he learns. AMAZING! He is so ready and loves learning about the Gospel of Jesus Christ. As we taught him about Joseph Smith and about the Book of Mormon, he sat there in amazement. He told us that he didn't know why but he just feels and know that what we are teaching him is true. We are going to read the Book of Mormon to him daily and get him a Book of Mormon in Spanish on tape. Hopefully he will memorize that too. :) He is so ready for baptism, and I know that he will be baptized soon! He also always brings us food, even though he barely has enough for himself. He tells us that we are servants of the Lord, and that the least he can do is feed us. What an amazing man!

We had a sister conference this week with President Riggs! How inspiring! They talked about our role in the Priesthood and how ALL of us (male or female) have access to the POWER of the priesthood. It was so inspired! Apparently a lot has been happening in SLC about woman having the Priesthood. So they got all of us sister missionaries together and broke down every aspect of the Priesthood and now I understand so much better! I am so grateful for the priesthood and I know that I am a woman that has my own divine role...it is crucial. Men and women are different, but they are EQUAL in God's eyes--we are both ENDOWED with the Priesthood power, and I know that if I keep the covenants I have made with God...I will have access to this great amazing power. Never forget your divine role of being a virtuous woman (or man).

We also had the opportunity to attend a ward member's "quincenera" (which is a HUGE Hispanic tradition to celebrate when their youth turn 15 years old.) These events are always huge! Everyone comes there is food for 100's of people, there is a dancing, decorations, and the girl that is turning 15 has a huge dress on and all the youth dress up in best dress and dance for all the adults. IT WAS AMAZING and IT WAS MASSIVE! I couldn't believe it. It was held in the gym of the stake center! The family that was having it, the Argueta family, has been out of a job for months and didn't have enough money to fund the event. So by a miracle, the ward stepped in and helped her to have her quincenera. What an incredible spirit that was there, also a LOT of investigators came. So we were running table to table getting to know them all and spreading the Gospel. Amazing! Hna. Rojas brought a new friend! Her name is Enma and we are starting to teach her! What a miracle!

This literally was a week of miracles. I love this great work and these people.

Thank you so much for all of your love, support and prayers. I need them dearly. I look up to all of you so much and hope that you know that you are always in my heart and prayers. I love you so much and hope that you never take one single moment for granted. This is our time to PROVE that we are Noble and Great. WE ARE CHILDREN OF GOD. We were chosen before we came to this earth, and we were NOBLE AND GREAT. "Among these there were many of the noble and great ones; and God saw these souls that they were good, and he stood in the midst of them, and he said: These I will make my rulers...thou wast chosen before thou wast born." (Abraham 3:22-23) And now is our WONDERFUL opportunity on earth to truly SHOW and to "prove them herewith, to see if they will do all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them." (Abraham 3:25). How amazing is our opportunity in life! It is amazing! You truly are noble and great, and NOW is the chance to prove to your Heavenly Father that you will REMAIN noble and great for always! :) Don't be afraid to be "like unto Moroni" and stand for what you believe. I hope that you have a great week, and that you reach out and remember that you are noble and great. He needs you, and you need Him. STAND UP TO YOUR TRUE IDENTITY.

STAND STRONG.

Hermana Weenig

Elder Fallabella from the quorum of the Seventy and I. He is such an incredible speaker and example. It was fun to speak Spanish with him! :)

The quincenera cake! it was huge!

The set up at the quincenera!

Stephanie and I. She was the woman of the night! She turned 15! The Hispanics celebrate it like it is the end of the world! I want all my girls to have quinceneras :)

Last P-day we had the chance to visit the Historic high school T.C. Williams! It is the high school where "Remember the Titans" was based off of. True story! First school to allow black athletes to play ball :) "Oh, ah I feel, Oh an feel good!"

This is Incredible

I love LOVE LOVE being a missionary. I can't even express in words how much I love this work. This work and Gospel is incredible. Every day...more and more it continues to overpower me with "awe". Miracles, huge miracles, are happening everyday. It is a LOT of work...but in reality it is the dream life. I just wish I could give more. I love it. All of it. The good, the bad and everything. It is so worth it for THEM. I love these people so much. I am learning so much about our Savior, our Heavenly Father, our purpose in life, and my weaknesses. I seriously can't say thank you enough for giving me the opportunity to serve the Lord with ALL that I have got for 18 months. IT IS SO SHORT! And it is going by way too fast, and there is so much to be done! :) I am giving all that I am, all my thoughts, actions, words and EVERYTHING to Him. Because I want Him to be glorified, not me. That is what this life is about---making our Heavenly Father proud. Even though I am so far from perfect, I know that all of us can become and reach our full potential through prayer and diligence and faith.

There is something that I like to do everyday in my missionary planner. Because I know Heavenly Father sends us miracles everyday, I write down the miracles that I see that day each night when we get home. This week, everyday was PLASTERED with miracles. This area and these people are lighting fire and it is so amazing to see. I am so grateful to be apart of it. Although it is getting freezing, the people are warming up, and cold hearts are being opened. It is a miracle.

We have officially become the singers for every ward activity, mutual night and any other time that the ward wants music. I love it! I never thought singing would play such a huge role in sharing the Gospel. It has been incredible to learn the Hymns in Spanish and be able to share our testimonies through music! This week one of my dreams came true! The young women's president called us and wanted us to come sing for a less-active girl's birthday. She said that she wants to start working really closely with us, due to the new efforts of members and missionaries working more together. We were so excited! The young women's activity was to bring a cake and visit a less active girl on her birthday! It was a dream---I LOVE THE YOUNG WOMEN! The young women in this ward are gems. It was such a great experience to visit the less active girl, Casey, and get to know all the youth. The youth are so powerful, but I know that Satan has got a powerful grip on them. That is why it is so important for the youth to Stand ALWAYS in Holy places. If you do that, Satan is going to have a really tough time getting you. But that doesn't mean life is always easy and doesn't mean you won't trip up and fall. Some of the greatest prophets in the history of the world talk about their sins, and how they, too, were not perfect. They too had to experience the miracle of forgiveness. Don't ever let Satan win...and he will try really hard...trying to get you to believe that to be accepted, like or whatever you need the glory and adoration of the world. But that is vain. What REALLY matters is how Christ sees us. He doesn't look at accomplishments, grades, clothes, beauty, or anything. He looks at our heart. Remember that, and you will never be insecure with yourself and you will be able to accomplish miracles--because you will be living your life in a way to PLEASE HIM....not ANYONE ELSE. It doesn't matter what anyone else thinks or says....just what He does.

Funny side story: Juana, our recent convert, LOVES coming out with us to share the Gospel with people. She is already an amazing missionary (probably because she studies the Bible and Book of Mormon 3-4 hours a day). Anyways, the other day we called her to see if she would want to come on splits with us. When we called her she was at Costco. Juana doesn't have hardly any money and has been out of a job for quite some time (which recently she just received one...MIRACLE!) and so we were a little bit confused to as why she was at Costco. She then told us that she had taken the bus all the way down to Costco so she could watch the "Telenovelas" (Mexican drama shows) on the big screens at Costco. We asked her why and she told us that "Cable is too expensive and it is better to watch it at Costco." I probably laughed for 10 minutes. But the great thing was is that she was laughing too, only she was dead serious. She is such a ray of sunshine, I love her. So if you ever come to Alexandria and you happen to stop by Costco, you may just find Juana watching her telenovelas. What a gem.

Prayer works. I know it does, because I have seen it work in so many people's lives including my own. The BIGGEST miracle of the week came through prayer. We were following up with some potential investigators in Sacrament Dr. Apartments, and weren't having any luck. We decided to pray. When we prayed we were guided to slowly walk over to a corner of the street and just stand there. I was a little bit confused at why the Holy Ghost would guide us to do such a thing. But, we did it. We waited there for a couple minutes and saw some Hispanic moms waiting to pick up their kids from the bus stop. I thought, "maybe we are supposed to talk to them?" but it didn't feel quite right. That was when we heard, "HERMANAS!!" It was Viriana. A ward member that we have been trying to contact for WEEKS. She is from Bolivia. She is a single mom that is 28 years old and absolutely stunning. She has always been so happy and nice, but little did we know she has been depressed, burdened and devastated for the past couple of months because of sin. When we saw her she seemed happy and everything, but her eyes said differently. We sat down and she introduced us to her non-member friend (she is super interested in the church---SO EXCITING) and she asked us to sing. We felt inspired to sing "I am a child of God". As we sang, Viriana started to cry....(hopefully it was the Spirit and not the horrendous sound...haha). She said that we had been an answer to a prayer. She said she has been caught up in a lot of sin and a lot of hardship, and had prayed earlier that morning for God to send her a sign that He loves her. She said we were the answer to that prayer. She said how she had forgotten what it actually means to be a child of God. I learned in that moment that not everyone who looks perfect and happy is actually perfect and happy. EVERYONE needs a friend and a shoulder to cry on. Sometimes they are the ones that need it the most. As we continued talking, Viriana looked me in the eyes and said, "Hermana, I know I knew you before this life. Thank you for coming on your mission to tell me, teach me and love me in the way that you have. I feel happy for the first time in 6 months." Chills went up and down my spine as I looked her in the eyes and saw her Spirit. I too know that I knew Viriana before this life. It was like seeing an old friend. That made my entire 18 month mission worth it. Just to see her smile. As we talked, we told her that God loves her and wants her to be happy. He wants her to be clean, He wants her to accomplish her dreams. But it takes patience, virtue and bravery to face the fact that we aren't perfect. Repenting and becoming more and more like God has been on my mind a lot lately, and she said something that really hit me...."Each time you say 'no' to a temptation or to a vice that you are trying to overcome, you become more perfect." It is so true, and Jesus Christ is our best friend that is right by our side supporting us to overcome whatever weakness or trial we might have. She kept saying, "Why not me?" and she is right! "Why not be the most virtuous person you can?" "Why not serve with all you have got?" "Why not?" God is on our side and ready to help us accomplish any goal He sees fit. She is striving to become temple worthy, so she can get married there someday. We are going to help her through this rough time, and I know that if she follows the steps of true repentance, she will be able to go back to the temple and enjoy the blessings and the happiness she knew long ago. She keeps telling me that she is going to invite me to the wedding! I am so excited for her goals, and know that she is on the right track to accomplish them! Had we not been on that corner right then, we would have missed her. The Lord works in incredible ways. Prayer is real.

Jill needs a little more prep time before getting baptized...a little bit of tea and coffee...but we know that she will be getting baptized soon! We helped her move out this week, and she is loving reading the Book of Mormon. We are really excited to see all of the changes that are happening in her life!

We were walking to one of our lessons in the Audubon trailer parks to visit Jose and Ramon. They were the two that we met by a miracle last week. When we were walking down the street, we saw Jose on his porch...he was reading the restoration pamphlet we left him!!! AMAZING! What a miracle! When we started teaching the lesson he had a billion questions. He said he also read all about the Plan of Salvation and loves it. He has been so prepared by the Lord. We taught him about the Book of Mormon, and he says that he can't wait to read it. Both Ramon and Jose have been carefully prepared by the Lord. And every time we leave them passages in the Book of Mormon to read and things to think about---they do. And when we go back to teach them, they drill us with a thousand questions. They are really thinking about getting baptized and I am SO excited for them!!! I know that they will, and they will be incredible disciples of Christ. Miracle. They offered us coffee, and when we told them we don't drink...Jose immediately decided to stop drinking coffee. MIRACLE.

We were walking through "Little Mexico" and this little girl came biking up to us. "Hermanas!" She kept saying, "please sing, please sing!" And then we remembered that she was one of the little girls that we had sang to a few weeks ago. We said, "Of course." And she screamed with excitement, and then she said, "WAIT! Let me please get my mom!!" She ran inside to bring out her mom. All the sudden a whole bunch of little children gathered around. They asked us to sing "Soy un hijo de Dios" (I am a child of God.) We did. They sang a long with us! In fact, one of the little girls knew remembered the song! AMAZING! I hope that they never forget that they really are children of God. What was even more amazing is that through that experience we are now teaching the little girl's mom! Miracles.

We are working with a in-active lady named Hna. Garcia. She got baptized in a different church, and doesn't really want anything to do with us. The other day we asked her to pray about whether or not she is in the path that God wants for her. Apparently she got her answer. The day she prayed she was sent to the hospital for 8 days straight. We just happened to knock on her door the day she got back from the hospital. While in the hospital, she told us, she did a lot of thinking. She says that she know it was a sign from God that she needs to come back to church. AMAZING. She really is having a change of heart, and I am excited to see where it takes her.

The ward is on fire still. They are bringing non-member friends to church. Jelitza Oliva grabbed my hand in sacrament meeting and pulled me to the front to introduce me to her best friend. Miracle! Maria is her name and she loved church and wants to know more about how she can be baptized. :)

I love this ward so much, the people are incredible. I love all of the investigators, less actives, in-actives and all we come in contact with. I just hope that they can feel of the love that Heavenly Father has for them. I know that I am not much, but I want to be an efficient and powerful tool in His hands. We taught a lot of lessons this week and were exhausted. The Lord really is opening up the windows of Heaven in this area. I am so excited for the miracles that are in store.

Thank you so much for all your love, support and prayers! I love you all so much! You all mean the world to me and you are always in my thoughts and prayers. Thank you for everything and for the examples you are to me! This really is the greatest work that there is!!

STAND STRONG.

Hermana Weenig

All the beautiful young women in our ward!

The Miracle of Change

I love being a missionary, and I believe in miracles. But I especially believe in the miracle of change. The gospel was never meant or created for perfect people. EVER. It was made and created for us, sinners and humans, to change--to be molded into something better, someone greater. Kind of like a hospital or physical therapy--but for our Spirits. Over and over again in my mission I have messed up or I have seen people mess up, but thanks to the Gospel, I can be better and better everyday. I have SEEN that first hand literally turn around the lives of the people that I serve. The Gospel steps have 5 important steps, among those are faith and repentance. I truly believe that there is a good reason that those two are the first couple of steps...because in reality, we NEVER stop doing those things, it is one endless cycle. I have changed SO much on my mission already, and I have seen, firsthand, what the Atonement of Jesus Christ has in my life and for other people. Over and over again. It changes people's attitudes, lives, lifestyles, goals, focuses, and happiness. Its incredible. I believe that our Heavenly Father is the master of change, or the "master painter" of all of our lives. At first we may think that the painting is terrible and destroyed, but through time, faith and diligence He allows us to grow and to see the grander picture----and that is what life is all about-- creating, with the Lord, a MASTERPIECE.

 

The miracles are not stopping, and I know that there are much more to come. When I first got into the area, we met a woman named Jill. We literally just saw her in the lobby of an apartment building and started talking to her. We taught her the restoration and invited her to be baptized right on the spot. She accepted. But, that was back in July. She had a hard heart at the beginning and was very shut toward us and the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We would call her and try to set up appointments, but she would never keep appointments and she would never come to church (although we invited her every week.) We had kinda put her on hold, because we have been so busy with so many people wanting to hear the Gospel. Well, just last week, we got a call from her. She was in tears. Her husband had abused her and left her out to dry---she was left as a single mother, can't speak English and has a little girl. She said that she didn't know where to go for comfort. So she started reading the Book of Mormon we had left for her 2 months prior. She said that she had remembered us telling her that the book would give her comfort and help her. She said that she opened up the Book of Mormon to a random page in an act of desperation and there she found the scripture that gave her peace and hope. That is when she called us. MIRACLE.We ran to teach her and we taught her the power of prayer and accessing help through the power of prayer. At the end of the lesson she was bawling. I remember taking her hands and looking her in the eyes and saying, "With God you can do this, because He LOVES YOU. Believe that." She smiled. She has now come to church for the past 2 weeks and loves it--she is a totally changed woman. She even came to the ward activity and brought a friend this past week. Now, she has committed to being baptized on October 28!! Can you believe that? Although it wasn't her time when we first met her Heavenly Father worked a way for us to met her and help prepare her for her trials, and now she is ready to accept the Gospel! AMAZING! I believe in change. Jill changed from a lady that didn't seem to have any time for us before to one that is studying the Gospel Principles book like its candy and going with us to a temple tour this Friday. AMAZING!

 

This past week was the infamous "Noche de Hispanidad," a ward activity that they do every year to celebrate all the diverse cultures! We made flyers and gave them to EVERYONE we met! At the activity there was EASILY 800 Hispanics crowding the Chapel gym. and about half of those were investigators! Can you believe it? The event comprised of every ward member from their home country (Bolivia, Guatemala, Brazil, Mexico, El Salvador, Panama, Honduras, and Peru) got together and made the traditional food from their country and dressed up in the traditional dress as well. They all decked out their tables with things from their country. It was INCREDIBLE!! I seriously feel like I am serving in 8 different countries! Because they all have such different cultures, foods and EVERYTHING! It is so incredible. So everyone went around and tried a little bit of food from all the different countries! It was a blast! And such interesting foods! Then, every country did their traditional form of dance! It was incredible. These people know how to dance, and they are so amazing at it. I couldn't believe how they can move their feet! Then, one of the ward members--Hno. Escobar came running up to me midway during the dance program. "Hna. Weenig!!! To represent America you need to sing for us!!" I kinda laughed it off and then I saw him talking to Bishop Matos who was directing the HUGE event. Bishop asked if that would be okay. Of course! So, my companion and I sang "I am a child of God", the first verse in English and the last verse in Spanish. What a blast! I seriously could not BELIEVE how many people were there. And we got to meet like 10000 new investigators. I probably gave out like 2084398203948098 besitos. Delicious. I love these people so much. The missionaries were the only white people there, so we stuck out like sore thumbs. But it made it really easy to talk to people and get to know them. We missionaries had a table as well! We had a huge model of the Washington D.C. temple lit up on our table with Books of Mormons and party-favor bags for all the investigators (filled with the missionary pamphlets and the Book of Mormon). It was incredible! A lot of the members brought friends, and the night was spent getting to know them! SO COOL! I love these people and want to be just like them...so loving and so humble and so nonjudgemental. After this event I have decided something: I will have a Mexican wedding....Mariachi Band, Pasole, sombreros and all. I LOVE THESE CULTURES SO MUCH AND I WANT THEM APART OF MY LIFE FOREVER! Also I tell my companion every morning and night that I just want to be Hispanic---I love the culture, the language and the people so much. I can't even explain.

 

I am loving this place so much. But more than that, the people. The ward, the investigators...EVERYONE. The other day Hna. Aquipua (from Peru) taught us how to make tres leches cake! A recipe all the way from Peru! I will make it for the rest of my life!!! I am learning how to cook like a Hispanic on my mission! So fun! The people here are so giving and so humble. Yet they are the happiest people I have met. They have nothing, yet they have everything.

 

 We were teaching Reina, one of our investigators (who said she was making Papusas the other day and the feeling of "I need to get baptized came to her"), about tithing and fast offerings. We asked her if she knew what tithing was and she taught us. She nailed it! As we were teaching the lesson, a man knocked on her door and asked to borrow some money. Reina got up and grabbed a twenty, and gave it to him. I looked at her in shock. I asked her why she had done it and she said that "God knows my heart, and if I don't serve, it is my mistake." I asked her about what if the man uses it on illegal substances. She said, "I am not the judge, only the servant." She is such a role model and a powerful example of giving to the poor! I can't wait for her to be baptized! She said that she knows the Book of Mormon is totally true, but she wants to get baptized on her birthday...which isn't till December. But we have been helping her to receive an answer through prayer as to when she should actually be baptized. I honestly think it is so soon! I am so excited for her. She is changing day by day...even though it is slow. I can see it in her eyes. I love that woman so much.

 

Ghana is the word. So, serving in Washington D.C. you feel like you are in 100 different countries at the same time. It is the coolest thing ever. There are a TON of Ghanans here, working to provide for their families in Africa. One day we felt inspired to take a different route home than usual. So we began to walk. All the sudden this man ran up to us and said "Sisters!" We were both a little bit startled by the fact, and turned to find Prince, a Ghanan man, whom we had met on the street about a month ago. He began to tell us that he has watched us "Mormons" and wants to join with our congregation and be baptized. He says that he knows that we are the ones that can lead him to where God needs him to be! He said "PLEASE, send me the missionaries!" Can you believe it!? Miracle! We quickly called our Zone Leaders to give them the referral, and they almost passed out in shock! What a miracle! I am excited to see if he gets baptized soon. 

 

Study Preach my Gospel---it is changing my life and I know it will change yours too. There is a section on asking inspired questions. We had one lesson where we sat down and the people started telling us all of their Catholic beliefs. They were so excited to tell us about baptizing their babies and praying to Mary and everything. I was scared for a moment, because I had no idea how I was going to tell them what we know and that the true priesthood authority has been restored on the earth again. I didn't want to judge or offend because I love these people so much and respect them every wit. It was then I remembered something I had studied in Preach my Gospel about the Great Apostasy. I read in "Jesus the Christ" about the history of the Catholic church and felt inspired to ask a question. So I asked, "Can you tell me the history of your church?" And they looked at me dumbfounded. They said no. Then we asked them if we could explain our history and how we know and claim to have the priesthood power that Christ had when He was on the earth. They agreed. We taught the restoration and they were shocked. They couldn't believe it. They want to know more.That question came out of thin air it seemed (it was the Holy Ghost) but I know that we will never be dumbfounded on what to say if we are studying the scriptures and doing our best to treasure the word up in our minds.

 

Hermana Wilcox and I are COMPLETELY fasting from English. It is a blast!!! Its really fun to see Hermana Wilcox excelling in the language. She went from nothing to saying "Andale!" I am so proud. But now it is really hard for me to write or do anything in English. All of the members and investigators say that I sound like a Mexican....I think that is a good thing? haha But that is the goal anyways. I am trying really hard to study their mannerisms and their accents and culture and everything so I can connect with them in every way possible. I am trying to un-"gringa" myself, but I am not sure how well it is working.

 

Yesterday we had the opportunity to attend the temple with a "in-active" (now TOTALLY ACTIVE) member that we have been working with! Her name is Hermana Ventura! What a treat! She is a amazing lady and this was her first time back to the temple in a really long time. She is now referring us to all of her friends! Amazing chains! MEMBERS ARE AMAZING!

 

It has been raining like CRAZY here. Like non-stop. Hermana Wilcox and I, last p-day decided it was time to do some running and jumping in the rain puddles. I don't know if you have ever seen Virginia rain but when it rains, it pours. And the puddles around our apartment where like mini swimming pools. We splashed and jumped in the puddles for like 30 minutes laughing and screaming like little children. I learned something. We can either choose to complain about the "rain" that is in our lives or we can DANCE in it. Choose to dance, it is so much more fun.

 

It is CRAZY busy---so many people are interested in this incredible message we have been called to share. Which is good, but we are working like little work horses and trying to get everything done. There never seems like there is enough time in the day, but we are loving and enjoying every moment that we have to serve.

 

Thank you so much for all of your love, support, prayers and EVERYTHING. I am so lucky to know you and be apart of your life, even if it is in a small way. I love all of you so much and pray for you and think of you always. This work is truly HASTENING, and I can't believe how lucky I am to see it first hand. I hope that you always remember to give of yourself and that you NEVER give up. Because there is ALWAYS time and a chance to change for the better. I love you all so much. Thanks for all that you do for me. Have a beautiful week. Rely on your Savior. He is waiting.

 

STAND STRONG.

 

Hermana Weenig

Making tres leches with Hermana Aiquipa

Our table at the Noche de Hispanidad! Klondie MADE the temple! What an amazing artist!

The Casteneda family from Mexico!! ay, ay ay!!

Cute little girls from Guatamala!

The ladies in the ward from Columbia!

The ladies in the ward from Panama! So cool!

Hermano Teeter from Guatamala! Such a cool costume!

Hermana Ventura and I at the temple yesterday! Love her!

Dancing in the rain after the HUGE rainstorm on p-day. We were soaked!