{5.11.15} Family Land

Mother's Day Skype with Elder Johns
and a blurry Elder Gomez in the background

Yesterday was the best! It was so good to get to talk to Mom and Dad. I wish Jenna and Lorren could have been there too! It was also great to hear from Grandpa Johns for a few seconds.

Auntie Sue: I finally got your cookies hahah. They're a great paperweight as they're all rock hard. But the rest of the candy was still good, so thank you very much for the package/late Easter basket!

So this week, Elder Gomez and I have been working in "Family Land." It's a few blocks waayyy far out in our area that has Families EVERYWHERE. So we've been spending all of our time there. We have about 12 Potentials there right now, most in families. It's hard because we have to ride our  bikes for about 40 mins to get there each day, but it's super worth it. We found this cuban girl named Idalma, and when we invited her to be baptized she instantly was so down! We asked why and her desires are super solid. She loves the idea of all of it-- especially making promises to God. Her mom is very strong Pentacostal, but was willing to listen and set up a return appointment. She seemed very supportive of her daughter being baptized in our Church, but it's really cool and helpful when families make the choice together. We also met a lady named Claudia, who's been baptized in several churches but left all of them because she doesn't like Pastors or Priests. We just smiled when she told us, and we explained about our church. She was really intrigued, and asks the best questions. We've been bringing members over and as soon as she comes to church and sees the difference I'm positive she will accept a date as well.

Also, Xxxxx, who's a cuban lady who showed up to church last week, is super down to get baptized! The best part is she wants it for her entire family, especially her two sons. Her husband is still married to his ex-wife, which is the only thing really holding them back. she refuses to sign the divorce papers, but we promised them if they pray and truly desire to be baptized the Lord will help them. Also, we told her that we, the bishop, and the Relief Society would help them with a wedding. She got soooo excited! She was like "I've never had a wedding before!" hahaha she's a really great lady. She's very easy to get along with, and all of the sisters in the Ward like her already.

We went to the Glades last week with the Josephs! Josh caught us a gator and I got to hold it.. pretty sweet. It's the dry season right now so there aren't as many alligators and other things out and about, but we still got to play with some gators and see a lot of animals.

I had to teach the Gospel Principles class last Sunday. Scariest thing of my life, because my Spanish is super bad and the class was really full. BUT somebody was helping me because I somehow made it through the whole 45 min lesson.

I hope everyone has a great week! Thank you to everyone for the letters and packages. I haven't had any time to write letters lately but I will definitely have time today.

I have really sweet pictures, holding an alligators and what not... buuuuut we forgot our camera chord. Next week. 

Love,