El Poder de Arrepentimiento

Hola Familia!

Things have been going good out here in Minnesota! This week was a bit of a challenge because I have been pretty sick but we were still able to see lots of miracles and to stay positive!

Last Sunday we saw a man who we had never seen at church before so we went up and said hi. His name is Edgar Martinez! We learned that he was a member but has been inactive for a very long time. He also was on none of our lists so we didn't know him or never stopped by. He decided he wanted to come to church and change his life so he came all on his own. So we set up an appointment with him during the week and in lesson we learned that he has not been keeping the commandments (we'll put it softly). The spirit was very strong and he was brought to a very humble  point. He had tears in his eyes as he read from Alma 36. There is power in what the book of Mormon can teach us. I felt a strong prompting to commit him to stop smoking (he had been smoking cigarettes his biggest vice with the word of wisdom) starting then. I was very nervous because we hadn't even taught the Word of Wisdom and had no clue how to bring it up! So I just prayed in my heart to know what to say and we were able to commit him to stop smoking right then and there. We told him that we would give up sweets if he gave up his smoking...that's SUPER hard for me! But he gave us his last cigarette that he had and hasn't smoked since then. He's been eating our candy we gave to him hahah. It is amazing the power that comes from God the moment we choose to change, repent and get back on the path. We are so excited for this journey he is ready to take!

We also had another miracle this week of finding Anahi. Her sisters are both members of the church. They introduced us to her at church last Sunday as well. When we taught her she immediately opened up to us and told us she needed and wanted to change. She has a lot of pain. (its sad to me to see all the pain in these people's lives from choices they have made. Most of the time if not every time the pain comes from choosing to break one or more of God's commandments. It always starts out small too. Don't get stuck in the trap!) We didn't commit her to a baptismal date because when we were with her she said she was baptized into the church when she was a young girl. So obviously we believed her and told her she didn't have to be baptized she just needs to talk to the bishop. Well we later found out she was baptized into the reformed church....awkward!  She has a friend named willy who she brought with her to church and is very interested. He started reading the Book of Mormon on his own!!! It is so exciting that these people were put into our path they are prepared for the gospel. Anahi has 3 kids and her, willy and her 2 kids all came to church with us this Sunday!

The Rodriguez family was at church this week but Manuel choose not to come. We are still working on him slowly but surely. I had an experience this week I will never forget! So this past week was Jazmin's birthday. She is the now 15 year old daughter of Vicky. Vicky called us this week to thank us for the turkey we brought her and told us that it was jazmins birthday but she didn't have anything for her not even a cake! So we said we would take care of it. We were able to make her the cake that mom sent me for my birthday. We gave her some candy we had some nail polish and a used necklace that was in good shape. That's all she got for her birthday is what we brought with us! We had a great time together and were able to bring some joy. We shared a Christmas message and Jazmin said the last prayer. As she started to pray she started to cry. She was so thankful for us being put in her life and what God is doing for her. It was very tender. I love being able to serve its the best ever. There are so many people in need out here I just wish I could help them all! She was so thrilled with a gift of a used necklace. (that's all we had) It is helping me to be more selfless and have more gratitude to see these people's examples of gratitude.

I encourage you all to discover the gift, embrace the gift and #sharethegift christmas.mormon.org this Christmas season. It really can help and make a difference. Get out of your comfort zone. Out of your comfort zone miracles are waiting!!

I love you all! Have a great week! 

xoxox 

hermana Pentelute

Pictures:
1. Our christmas tree..we had to get creative
2. jazmins bday
3. hna cataneda "curing my illness"
4. taking edgars ciggs