Attended my last Consejo de Lideres...

Last week we did divisions with Hermanas Stott, Odekirk and Dias! They are in a trio and so I worked with all the Norties Hermana Stott and Odekirk, and Hermana Dias worked with Hermana Ramos. It was a blast and we got a couple really good lessons in and the spirit was really strong. It was pouring most of the time so we got to hike in a lot of mud which was pretty funny.

The buses here are comical. Its always stick shift and I swear all of the bus drivers are just learning. Whenever they stop to pick you up they scream GET ON GET ON!!!! And push you on even if its completely full and no space. Then as you are walking to find a seat they gun it, pedal to the floor, and they are shifting and everyone is flying everywhere. As we were coming from Santa Rita, it was especially rough because I had my hands full with my pillow and 2 backpacks. I was flying everywhere and eventually pegged a little kid in the head with my elbow and I hit him hard. I felt so bad and gave him all of the cookies I could find in my backpack. We finally got a seat then that's when the bus preachers get up. Yes. People preach on buses for their jobs. There's always preachers or clowns on the buses doing acts for money. This preacher was pretty intense. I was amazed at how loud he could yell. He kept saying," If you have money, you have nothing!!" and everyone on the bus was yelling, "AMEN!" Then of course he went around with his hat asking for money. Just a little piece of the apostasy that goes around here.

One of the young men that we are teaching is getting baptized this Saturday! Hes awesome and his name is B__. He is the one that the day I got here to Palermo was the day his Grandma died. He definitely was prepared to hear the gospel and the members are so helpful in befriending him. This ward is the strongest ward Ive been in here because the Members do their part. It makes missionary work so much easier!

We have been visiting a single mom with 3 daughters whose name is Rosa. We washed her clothes the other day. After, she said shes never received that kind of service or company before and was really touched.

I forgot that this week is Thanksgiving until I received a couple emails about it! Sad they dont celebrate it here :) Mom sent me some instant mashed potatoes and gravy so I'll definitely be making those puppies. 

What a week to be grateful! I attended my last Consejo de Lideres meeting last week. I forgot it was my last until they asked everyone who is leaving this transfer to bear their testimonies. Hermana Klein had us write one hundred reasons why were grateful. Earlier in my mission, I would have thought of the little temporal things like a washing machine, hot water, clean water, air conditioning, and things like that. Ive come to realize how bless I am through the Gospel of Jesus Christ, that Ive been born under the covenant with great parents and a great family. It is very rare to meet a Latin missionary with both parents living, members of the church, or active and have seen how much Ive taken it for granted. Im grateful for the Plan of Salvation, that through my Savior and Redeemer I may live again in perfect peace and happiness. I am grateful to be living in the times of the last dispensation where we have another testament of Jesus Christ, the Book of Mormon, and living Prophet Seers and Revelators. But most importantly, I have come to appreciate and witness miracles through the power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ and how we are able to be completely cleansed from sin. That is a great miracle to be thankful for. I hope each and everyone of you are able to reflect on what you guys are thankful for and how the gospel has blessed, or can bless your lives. 

Doctrine and Covenants Section 78

17 Verily, verily, I say unto you, ye are little children, and ye have not as yet understood how great blessings the Father hath in his own hands and prepared for you;

 18 And ye cannot bear all things now; nevertheless, be of good cheer, for I will lead you along. The kingdom is yours and the blessings thereof are yours, and the riches of eternity are yours.

 19 And he who receiveth all things with thankfulness shall be made glorious; and the things of this earth shall be added unto him, even an hundred fold, yea, more.

Love,

Hermana Sherman

Last Leadership council meeting