Let's just talk about how much I l.o.v.e. this area! Birmingham is the best :) I just feel so blessed to be here and to have this opportunity to come in contact with so many different kinds of people.
I guess you could say that this week kind of defined the mission thus far. ALEJANDRO GOT BAPTIZED!!! His whole story has been a miracle and I can't believe I had the opportunity to be a part of it. After 6 months of waiting, it finally happened! And it was so special. The whole service was in spanish and we still had such awesome support from the ward even though they couldn't understand what was being said. The Bishop gets up there to welcome him to the ward and he says, "Hola! Soy Dora!" hilarious!The best thing though was when Alejandro showed up at church yesterday and with a big smile on his face was wearing a suit!!!! He looked so good and we couldn't even believe it. Brother Westenhofer gave him his mission suit! It was unreal. We've gotten so close to Alejandro and we love teaching him! His desire to learn is amazing and he is so dedicated. We have had so much help from the few members that speak any spanish and it is such a blessing to have our first hispanic baptism. We are fulfilling our purpose as spanish speaking missionaries!
Last monday, we went to the McWane Science Center in Birmingham with Sister Rich and her 5 year old, Eric. It was a blast! We had so much fun just playing around and there was hardly anyone there! We learned a lot and I was also reminded about how much I don't like science haha! It is an awesome place though and all of it is interactive and it was a great afternoon!
Yesterday at church was the primary program! It's been a while since I've seen one of those because of being in an YSA ward, but I loved every minute of it! The kids did such a good job and they knew all the words and most of them even had their parts memorized! And of course, it was so funny as well! Especially because you always have those few who start crying because they're so scared or are singing way too loud. Ahh it was the best! Plus, I was sitting next to this way cute family! It was their firstsunday back to church in a while and I got to color with the little girls and showed them the words to some of the songs that were being sung. I absolutely love Primary songs because they have the best melodies and the lyrics teach so much truth! The gospel couldn't be taught more simply. Definitely a highlight of my week!
Because we've been teaching so many kids, I've been trying to think of more creative ways to teach them and help it stick. So far I made a commandmens matching game which has been successful so far and this week I made a jeopardy game to review all the lessons. We tried it out for the first time and it was awesome! It's going to be so fun to use it in the future with both members and investigators. More ideas are in the works :) I've never been one to get inspiration in the shower, but ever since I've been on my mission, all my good ideas come at 7 o'clock in the morning!
Deantra is moving to Utah next year!!! And she's applying to BYU in a couple weeks! We are beyond excited and are already planning all the fun things we're going to do with her :) Hermana Wong and I just can't even believe that someone we taught and love is still going to be a part of our lives and going to be at the same school as us! It will be such a blessing in her life, I just know it!
This week we had an appointment with this really sweet lady named Mary. Yeah, it freaks me out every single time I write it haha! Anyways, our district leader decided to change our meeting right to the time that we were supposed to meet with her. So we're on our way to the library and we had just typed up a text to send to her as we pulled into the parking lot. We looked up, and there she was, getting out of her car!! So instead of having to worry about rescheduling our appointment we went up to her and asked if she had time right then! She did and we had an awesome discussion. This is just one example of the many tender mercies that happen every single day! The Lord really is in the details of our lives.
So on friday night we had an appointment with the Johnson's. Serena and Sarah have been coming to church the past couple weeks which is so good but we're still waiting for David to make that step. We were just expecting to do the usual sitdown lesson but when we pull into the driveway we see David starting a fire. Sarah was so excited to see us and couldn't wait to teach us all about roasting marshmallows. They had gotten hot dogs and s'mores stuff. It was such a wonderful surprise! We got to get to know them better and talk about mission life and just enjoy each other's company. We were joking around and laughing with Sarah and it was such a cool experience. David brought out his guitar and started playing while we talked. ANd David and Serena sang together which we hadn't seen them do before. They really do have an awesome marriage and obviously the gospel will make it even better! There's something about nature and music that totally invites the spirit. I was lovin' it! But then it got better...
He has been begging me to play the violin but I haven't yet because I don't really have anything memorized and he's like way better than me. But he brings out this violin and lets me play it. I was a little rusty but it felt so good to hold a violin again. Then he tells me the story behind it. It was made in 1800 in Germany and has been played in both the Tennessee and Alabama symphony orchestras. I was DYING! I couldn't even believe it and I immdiately fell in love with that violin! It has amazing tone and the color is gorgeous and I just wanted it haha! He was planning on selling it a while ago, but then changed his mind. But he told me to write home to mom and dad and tell them about it. Wink, wink... haha :) It was a really special friday night!
Well, all that being said. I'm just really, really happy! I feel so blessed every day and absolutely love every minute of being a missionary! There is so much more to do and so much more I want to become, but I wouldn't trade this for anything in the world.
This next week is going to be a great one so I can't wait to tell you all about it! In the meantime, my invitation is to focus on your prayers this week! Really making each one a spiritual experience and being in tune with the Holy Ghost so that you can communicate with our Heavenly Father. And prepare yourself for conference! Write down so good questions!!
con mucho amor,
Hermana Blackner
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