I wanted to start with this scripture because 12 years ago around this time, I believe the 4 of September.... I was baptized as a member of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints! A few days before my baptism, I was playing soccer in the backyard and I broke my arm.... (I won't go into details) but I remember running inside after and laying on the couch just crying and crying and bawling my eyes out because I didn't know if I could still get baptized that weekend. Luckily I had a soft cast and we could take it off for a minute for the baptism. Miracle day and such a special day, and a day I will never ever forget. As members of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, when we are baptized, we make that first covenant with God and after we receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Every week when we partake of the sacrament, we are renewing our baptismal covenant and we are reminded of those things we promised; to take upon His name, to always remember Him, and to keep the commandments.
Something that I love is that it doesn't matter your age you make this covenant and when you are baptized. Both of my companions so far have only been baptized and known the church for about 2 years and for me that in incredible. This is a testimony to me because Everyday we can work and improve to become more like our savior. Invitation, think about your baptismal day and how you can remember that more in your life.
So, a little bit about the week!! -this week was hot and a lot of sun -We met with a lot more of our new friends and had first lessons and were invited to come back! -Saturday we did a bit of exploring and spent the morning in Guargacho. Our area is huge and is the whole south of the island. So we spent the morning there and headed to a different town to have a lesson at 4 in el fraile. We then had to take the guagua (bus) back to Los Cristianos and get on another bus to Adeje, which take about 40 minutes. Long enough already but because it was the weekend, there were extra tourists and it took up about an hour and a half to get there. (Luckily I had UNO in my bag and hermana jimenez and I played for a bit) haha. We had got on the wrong guagua (bus) and ended up at a stop farther than we thought, so we ran up a huge hill, and made it. We were late.. But she was grateful we were there :) -we have ward conference next week and the ladies from the ward are singing and I'm playing the violin, I'll let you know how it goes. Wahoo! -the next week we have stake conference and our whole ward is going on a guagua to the top part of the Island. So cool!!
Today we had a little bit of a different p day.. There is a huge festival thing here in Los Cristianos and it's been going on all this past week. It starts like at 7/8 pm and it goes until like 3 in the morning... It's really close to our piso, so there is usually really loud music playing, and last night there were fireworks. Thanks Mom for sending me with earplugs, never thought I would use them, but oh so grateful.
we asked permission if we could go, and they said yes, so we worked this morning and have preparation day a little later. We invited some of the members and our investigators to come and it should be fun! and I'm soooo excited because tonight I get to eat cotton candy!! Haha it's the little things right? (Don't worry, we're not staying out until 3)
Ok so I've talked a little bit about Andrés, our friend and this past week was sad because we didn't get to meet with him. He had a really hard week last week, he had to move, he's trying to find a job and a lot is going on. We finally met with him this morning and it was incredible. He told us about his week last week and there is so much happening with him right now, and he's so worried about transfers in 3 weeks with one of us leaving. These weeks have been a little difficult for me and I have felt really clouded in the head and never really know what to say, in English or in Spanish. Andres explained that at church he couldn't really focus because he was feeling clouded and he just wanted to talk to us, so we could help him. Even though these past weeks have been really difficult for me, I've learned a lot on my own, but I think a little bit of it and my struggle was for me to testify to him today that he's not alone and I've felt this way. Very recently. Those moments when we don't want to pray, we don't want to read, and we just want to lay in bed and do nothing, those are the moments we really need to get up, work, and serve. When we think of others and when we're serving, that's when we're really losing ourselves.
There is a song from the the youth music called "its not about you". Look up it and listen to it! "It's for the people who are blessed by what you do.. It's for the people who are searching for the truth... It's not about you.." Sorry for scarred thoughts again!
“The best antidote I know for worry is work. The best medicine for despair is service. The best cure for weariness is the challenge of helping someone who is even more tired” - president Hinckley
“I have often said one of the greatest secrets of missionary work is work! If a missionary works, he will get the Spirit; if he gets the Spirit, he will teach by the Spirit; and if he teaches by the Spirit, he will touch the hearts of the people and he will be happy. There will be no homesickness, no worrying about families, for all time and talents and interests are centered on the work of the ministry. Work, work, work--there is no satisfactory substitute, especially in missionary work.” - president Ezra Taft Benson
Much love, and have a great week!
Hermanita Curtis
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A note to mom and dad
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Hello! Thank you mom and dad, both for your emails. I am so blessed and grateful for the both of you. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers always.
This week I got news of 2 deaths... One was one of my camp leaders at Brighton, Harmony. (She was in charge of the music, so I knew her from singing and violin at camp.) She passed away a few months ago in her sleep, but I just found out. and the other was one of our investigators that we were working with. She passed away of cancer. We only had met with her once, but passed by several times, took her flowers, and did what we could to help her during this time...
I only say this, because in our church the plan of salvation is huge and something special we have. We know that we can live with our families forever , and for me I am forever grateful for that. Mom, dad. You 2 are amazing and literally everything to me, and I hope to be a mom like you, and find a husband like dad. I am so grateful for your example, love, and faith. Thank you for your support in everything. Give each other a giant hug and a kiss to each other from me tonight. (Also give the brothers and sisters a hug from me too) I hope all is well, and I love you both oh so much. Thank you so much!
I LOVE YOU BOTH SO SO MUCH
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