Dogs, Fields, and Joy!

Hi family!!

Another week here in good old Imbaya. This one went by soo fast because we were hardly in our sector at all. But... we were able to learn a lot from other missionaries, our President, and from the few lessons we DID get to have. I absolutely love testifying of Jesus Christ. There is something about it happier and deeper than anything else in life. I feel so so lucky to be able to do it every day... because He TRULY is the reason that I’ve been able to live my mission.

We had lots of miracles last Sunday. Lots of less actives came to church! Lots more than we were expecting, and they all left happy and surrounded by friends. One of the best feelings on the mission is when you’re standing there welcoming people to church before it starts and someone you’ve taught that week walks in. It’s amazing to see the spirit touching them enough to cause them to ACT. And we saw that a lot this week :)

I’ve talked a lot about the feisty devil dogs that are everywhere here. Well, this week I met the feistiest of them all. We had an appointment with one of our investigators and their dog was there sitting by the door. I knew from experience that I had to walk up to it carefully, not turn my back, not show fear, etc. But... I didn’t know that for some reason this dog had something against anyone who wanted to get into that house because right as I put my hand up to knock on the door, the dog completely freaked out and jerked up to bite my leg. I kind of flung my bag down to hit the dog.. luckily that kind of knocked it away and the bite didn’t go through my leg. No blood... just a good bruise now. It kept going crazy and looked like it was going to come at me again... everyone passing on the street took my side and was trying to scare the dog also. :) Someone even tried to run it over as they were passing by in their truck. Haha luckily I was saved when the owner came out. All is good

Helping weed the corn. :)  Loved it!

We had lots of opportunities to serve this week. And it is becoming one of my very favorite things. There is honestly nothing like working side by side with Otavalaneons in their fields while talking about the gospel. After a lesson with one of our investigators we had a few minutes until the bus was going to come so we asked if we could help them weed their corn that they needed to do. (Thanks mom and dad for helping me become a professional weeder before the mission. It made it a little easier):) I’m actually pretty sure my companion and I were both digging up more of their plants than the weeds because they seem to plant everything randomly and its soo hard to tell what is what, but they were nice and appreciative and I had one of those picture perfect, I’m never going to forget this, moments. It is so peaceful here. The sun setting, field, cows, hut like houses and the most humble people. We ran to catch the bus right in time and while on the bus... shook out our socks and shoes out the window because we were headed straight to interviews with president. Hahah. I guess that describes our sector pretty well. What you get when you’re called to Imbaya.....

One afternoon we didn’t really know who to visit so we said a prayer... two elementary girls came to mind that wanted to learn English and when we called, their mom said we could come over. We refreshed our language skills but also got to share part of the restoration and they were so interested and invited us back. :)

I think the highlight of this week was hearing that Jaider Altamiranda from Calderon got baptized. I don’t know if you remember him, but he was the dad in the family that we were teaching for so long. I remember so well what he said to us the first time that we met him. "Just warning you... I’m hard and you’re not going to convert me. I’ve already scared away two pairs of missionaries so I don’t think you’ll be any different." Well... loootts of lessons later, lots of prayers and visits with members, he gave permission that his girls could get baptized and this last weekend he got baptized. They were one of my very favorite families in Calderon... so it sure warms my heart that now they’re working to attend the temple. I love seeing miracles.

As I’ve said many times before, my mission president is so inspired. We had interviews and a few meetings with him this week and a few things he said really touched me. As he was closing and telling us how much he appreciated what we are doing, with tears in his eyes he said, "We don’t pray that you don’t have problems, but that you learn what the Lord would have you learn from those problems." Also.. that a successful missionary is one who can feel the spirit. I know that that’s not just talking about missionary work, but about life. Those who are successful are those who completely rely on the spirit and its guidance.

I read a quote this week that I absolutely LOVED. An elderly man that crossed the plains with the pioneers said, " We suffered beyond anything you can imagine and many died of exposure and starvation, but every one of us came through with the absolute knowledge that God lives, for we became acquainted with Him in our extremities... Was I sorry that I chose to come by handcart? No. Neither then nor any minute of my life since. The price we paid to become acquainted with God was a privilege to pay." I too am coming to know God here. And I know that every single one of us, in our unique trials can come to know God more than we ever have in our lives. But it’s our choice. And I promise you... that if you chose to pray to and trust Him before the world, you too will be able to look at your trials with gratitude and joy.

I love the gospel so very much. It is what keeps my feet moving each day. It is what keeps my heart full of joy even in rejection. It is the happiest message we could ever learn about.

Love you all!!

Hermana Yorgason