Hermana Stevenson: First week in Trujillo, Granados

Hna Martinez and I have had a good but interesting week here in Granados. Good because we get along great! And interesting because there are not any progressing investigators. There are like 2 or maybe 3 “kind-of” investigators. So this week has been contacting and asking for references. The first real lesson we had was Friday and it was with a lady we had contacted on Thursday. But this Saturday we have a capilla abierta! It is the area activity of the year and it’s like the temple open house, but with the church buildings. The sister missionaries start the whole tour, then the members lead the groups through the classrooms and talk about all the organizations in the church and what they do Then the tour ends with two elders talking about baptism. They had one two weeks ago in one chapel, and we did one last Saturday in another. It was super cool. We talked for almost three hours straight because the groups just kept coming, but it was awesome! We have one in our building this Saturday and we're really excited about that, it could really help get the work going in our area. The ward is super great, they're so supportive and in Consejo de Barrio yesterday one of the first things the bishop said is that missionary work is a priority in this ward. The members are so super awesome and I love them so much.

On Saturday afternoon President called to tell us that for the rest of the transfer we will be in a trio! Long story short, Hna O’Brien arrived this morning from central! My first American companion! We all get along super great and it should be a great five weeks.

I am also learning how awkward I am at contacting. We have had some really uncomfortable moments with us trying to give out a contact card, them trying to run away, and me trying to ask if we can come to their house. There are lots of people who end up escaping from our very well-planned contacting tactics, and that is kind of hard sometimes. But this morning I was reading in Alma about the anti-Nephi-Lehis. A lot of them were super wicked before and were originally taught by Aaron, but didn't convert until later. That helped me realize that I just need to do the best I can do here, and maybe the success will come with someone else. I love the people (and their hard hearts) so much and we will continue with our awkward contacting until someone listens or we find a way to not be awkward(:

‘The Standard of Truth has been erected; no unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing; persecutions may rage, mobs may combine, armies may assemble, calumny may defame [people may try to escape from the missionaries], but the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly, and independent, till it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every country, and sounded in every ear, till the purposes of God shall be accomplished, and the Great Jehovah shall say the work is done’ --Joseph Smith