Hola Family y Amigos,
Well, this week sure was a different week for me here in Bolivia. But a sweet blessing that Pres. Hansen and Sister Hansen were here in Sucre to give the news about Grandma in person. The Lord was definitely a part of that. After I talked to you, Mom and Dad, I got a blessing from Pres. which was really nice. We then left the stake center and got back to work. It really is a blessing to be able to be here in the mission and be able to serve people each and every day and forget the other things that are going on around the world and at home.
It's been a little hard actually accepting that Grandma 4C isn't there anymore but with the priesthood blessings that I have received, I've been able to know and feel that Grandma is right here with me in sucre. Also Granny Traylor. I guess I could say I'm a pretty lucky missionary to have all of my grandmas here with me including Grandma Traylor. I know that the Plan of Salvation is real and that our loved ones who have passed away are needed on the other side of the vail to keep on working for the Lord and help and protect us here on earth.
Well, I was thinking this past week of a memory of grandma that Aunt Diane could include in the funeral but I couldn't just think of my favorite. haha So I will just put a few of the great memories I have in my mind and you will have to pick the best! :)
- Every year at Christmas when Dad read Rindercella, we all thought Grandma was going to die from laughing so hard. haha For that, Dad always had to pause a bit so that she could take another breath before she started laughing again.
- The great smile on Grandma's face every time Dad and Grandpa took her on a fourwheeling ride up in UM.
- Well, I don't think any of us could top grandma in skippo.. (at least that's what she liked to tell us.) :)
- Grandma always loved to sing the BYU Cougar song while she waved her hand so valiently in the air :)
- Definitely can't forget the great smile on Grandma's face in UM listening to Neil Diamond
- One day when Dad was leaving the house from helping with the sprinklers or something, Grandma looked at him and asked if he got lunch to eat. My dad replied with a no and then Grandma says, "Well I hope you go find some!" hahaha
Oh boy, I will never forget some of the great things grandma did and all the love she has for each and every one of us. What a great reunion we all have to look forward to!
So down here in Sucre, we have just been working and working. As I said last week, Pres. and Hna Hansen had plans to accompany us to one of our appointments. So Tuesday night, they met us outside our investigators house and we had a great lesson on the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the 5 basic doctrine Chist taught us that we need here on earth to receive the greatest blessings of the Plan of Salvation in the life to come.
Pres. returned to Cochamba and they had their zone conferences with the missionaries there.. We then got a couple calls from those in Cochamba saying how Pres. mentioned my comp and I in the conference and said a few great things about us and how we taught. :) that felt pretty good getting that news and knowing that we aren't all that bad as missionaries.. haha Just kiddin.
So Saturday, we went to visit a less active family. One of the uncles of the two kids we usually talk to, came to the door and we started talking to him. Afterward, he just said thank you for coming and helping him remember a lot of things he had been forgetting. He said that he would start reading the Book of Mormon again to start coming back little by little but he was going to think about coming to church tomorrow. So we just challenged him to read that night and then pray and ask if he needed to come to church. The next morning we gave him a call and he said him and his nephew were getting ready for church!! It was sure a miracle seeing him show up to church for the first time in years and see his smile and happiness as he was leaving. We have another appointment with him this week and we will start going over the lessons with him to help him regain the testimony he once had.
Well, despite the things that happen in life, the work of the Lord will go on until it is complete. I love this gospel more than anything and I know without a single doubt that it is true. I know that Grandma 4C and all those who have already passed, are in a great place and are continueing this marvelous work of the Lord in many other ways. :)
I love you all and I appreciate all the love and support in this time of grandma's passing. What would I do without all of the many blessings in my life and the divine help from the other side of the vail!? Well, I honestly have no clue haha
Love,
Hermana Forsey