Return with Honor

Hermana Sherman's mom here... This will be the last post on Hermana Sherman's blog.

It's with mixed feelings to close her blog.  I'll miss checking my email a dozen times every Monday morning awaiting her emails :)

I would like to express my gratitude for President Klein & Hermana Klein who has forever impacted my daughters life.  I'm grateful for Presidents' spiritual direction in which he led, for his fatherly love, & for his wise counsel he gave her throughout her mission.

I'm grateful for the missionaries she served with and every one of her companions, it's blessed her with a greater capacity to love.

I'm grateful for the people of Honduras who by their humble ways, showed her that happiness doesn't come from temporal things & showed her a part of the law of consecration in sharing what you have no matter the circumstance.  Most importantly the meaning of faith and trusting in the Lord.

I'm grateful for Heavenly Father for His protection, tender mercies, & miracles that have touched her life as well as our family through her obedience, while she was in Honduras.

Lastly, I know our Savior Jesus Christ lives and has restored His gospel here on earth.  That through Him and His atonement we are able to return to our Heavenly Father and be with our families not just here on earth, but through eternity. 

Last email from Honduras...

Okaaaaaaay. I dont even know where to begin... I know I always say that I had the best week filled with miracles, but really... this week tops them all. 

I saw AUNTIE CHIPS!!!!!!!! She is the cutest little old Asian lady ever! And the sweetest!!! We met up with her and her husband in San Pedro Sula today and ate lunch and walked around. It was so special and she made a huge sacrifice to meet up with me. HUGE tender mercy!!!

We had 3 baptisms on Saturday and another one Sunday morning. They are all 16 or 17 yrs old and are PILAS!! (Awesome) They all bore their testimonies afterward and the spirit was so strong. Im so grateful I was able to teach them and feel like i really didnt do anything because the Lord already had prepared their hearts to hear the Gospel. 

Sunday was rough. It was Fast and Testimony meeting and I almost cried. I felt a pit in my stomach the entire time that was horrible. I felt like i was homesick even though im going home. This is by far the best area and best ward ive been in during my mission and the time has been way too short. The members support the missionaries so much and it makes the world of difference! 

Tomorrow, we get to go to the airport and pick up all the new missionaries. There's 19 newbies! Then we give orientations all day, which is always fun. We then have a huge sleep over with all the sisters and Wednesday is when I officially lose my companion. I honestly cant even explain how i feel right now. I either have nerves or a parasite haha Im just grateful. Grateful for this time ive had to share with the people in Honduras. Grateful for my companions ive had, grateful for my mission president, grateful for my testimony.

Ive finally started to understand how much love Heavenly Father has for His children and how perfect the Gospel of Jesus Christ is. I know there is only true eternal happiness through keeping the commandments of God. Thank you familia mia for your love and support while being here in Honduras. 

Mama and papi, I love you and how much ive taken you for granted. Brothers and Sisters and Inlaws, I fully expect to have a volleyball and pingpong tournament when i get back. Cant wait to squeeze your guts! I might be a little emotionally unstable for a little bit, but if i randomly start crying in fetal position in the corner, just ignore me and Ill turn back to normal soon. I am looking forward to baths, carpet, and washing machines. Woohoo!!

Love,

Hermana Sherman

Baptisms of Ricardo, Guadelupe and Alejandro

Auntie Chieko (Chips) & Rafael

Escobar family

Baptism of Katia

 

This week was amazing...lemme tell ya!

This week was amazing...lemme tell ya!

I got to go to TELA!!!!! We did exchanges and I worked in Tela (my first area). We had two activities with the Branch and a Relief Society Training. I got to see a lot of members and it was so fun! I also got to see Hazy! The cute little girl that used to live by us and would always ask us to sing I am a child of God. I was walking up to her house yelling her name and she ran out and gave me the biggest hug. Her Mom looked really good and happy and said her husband has changed and isnt drinking anymore, so the Hermanas are going to visit them. It was especially fun seeing all of the fruits of our labors. 

We contacted a family when I was there and this last Saturday, one of the daughters got baptized. The church attendance has now tripled and has reached 120, when it was only around 40 when I was there. I wish I could visit every one of my areas and all the members because they've all made an impact in my life.

We got a toilet seat!! It was like Christmas morning. For Thanksgiving we ate rice, beans, and gineo (boiled bananas),which I'm totally fine with that! Just grateful for my area and my Companion, and all of the blessings Heavenly Father has given me.

Last week we fasted for our investigators, especially for K_ and B_. We were a little bummed one night because Satan has been working really hard with K_. We were joking around saying that we needed to fast again because it didnt work. We called B_ 5 minutes later to remind him to read his Book of Mormon when he says," Soooo my brother and friend Ricardo want to be baptized and they want to know what they need to do." We were like OKAYYY, the Lord blessed us with 2 more investigators. It turns out K_ only was a little bit down because one of her best friends moved away, but has already read to 2 Nephi in the Book of Mormon! Shes also attended church the past 4 Sundays and loves it. She is an awesome example to her sister and friends.

B_ was baptized Saturday!! There was such a sweet spirit there and when he bore his testimony and thanked us for teaching him. All the hard work pays off in moments like those.

We have 4 set baptismal dates this Saturday with possibilities of 2 more. We are working really hard sprinting to the finish line. We are seeing more miracles every day and I now have a strong testimony of the power in fasting. 

 

A weird fruit that's between a pear and an apple

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

I just need to worry about being obedient and the Lord will do His part in protecting me...

Hi!

We had Stake conference this last week and 7 new investigators showed up! Success! The ward hired a bus to go around and pick everyone up and take them to the stake center. The talks had a theme of directly talking to the youth. The youth are tempted so much these days with internet at their finger tips. I read a talk about being where you're at. If you're with your friends be with your friends, not texting other friends. If you're driving, drive, not on your phone. If you're in church, listen and learn instead of playing games or using facebook. Before i left on my mission, this was turning into a big problem with everyone on their phones or computers all the time and not enjoying peoples company. Most of our progressing investigators are youth and we have taught them to put their phones away and turn off the tv when we're there. We are teaching a lot of amazing youth that keep every challenge we give them and have testimonies of the church. We have also been teaching a lot of couples, but their challenge is getting married. It's so hard for someone to get married here in Honduras, it's ridiculous, but we still have faith. 

We were walking home one night and all of a sudden the biggest, scariest, Rottweiler dog escaped through his gate and was running at us snarling and growling. I  thought for sure I was going to die. We both just stood there frozen and the dogs owner was screaming at him not to bite. The dogs here are guard dogs, crazy they go in for the kill. All of a sudden, the dog stopped two feet right in front of us just staring at us. It then turned around and went in its house. The owner was in shock and didnt know how, but we were definitely protected that night. I dont even know how many times I've been protected. It's such a comfort to know that as a missionary, I just need to worry about being obedient and the Lord will do His part in protecting me... especially in Honduras. 

Yet another week has flown by and I dont even know where the time has gone :( I am trying to enjoy my time here while i still have it, but every day just keeps getting faster and faster! I am grateful for the time I have to serve my Savior and know He lives!! 

Love,

Hermana Sherman

Hermano Oscar!

Gabi and her family

Derien!

Making bread with Hermana Flores

Wakiria and Berta. My favorite people in Ceiba with their dog Bindy!

These things are everywhere and they're huge!

Serving by sweeping garbage in front of our investigators house.

Pday with our Zone, we went to a park to have a picnic

We had a day of miracles this past week...

This week we had divisions in Santa Rita and in Morazan! I traveled to Santa Rita and worked with Hermana Rodriguez for a day. It rained all day and was pretty cold, but we still taught a ton of lessons. Not one lesson fell through, which was a miracle in itself. We ended up challenging 6 people for baptism and all 6 accepted. Another miracle! The sisters house is the biggest in the mission. It"s huge! It has 6 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms, 2 sets of sisters live there which is pretty fun.

We both traveled to Morazan, which is like the country of Honduras filled with cowboys, goats, horses, and cows. There's more stray dogs than usual, which is a ton. Divisions with Morazan were a little different than other areas because, literally every single appointment would fall through that we contacted. Morazan is an amazing place to contact! We didn't even have to say who we were and people invited us in. During divisions we found and taught 18 new investigators.

It started getting pretty cold here and I thought i was going to die. I had to sleep with 3 blankets. I looked at a thermometer and it was only 65 degrees... How am i going to survive this winter? I think I'm going to go into shock. 

We had a day of miracles this past week.We taught a lot about the Plan of Salvation. We found so many awesome investigators who have been prepared to hear the gospel. We found a couple  of teenagers and taught the plan of salvation. One is named K__ , she read her pamphlet and saw that there was a little picture of a Book of Mormon and begged us to give her one. She also has so many awesome questions and is only 15 years old.

We were contacting a little old lady and she just pointed to a house across the street and walked away haha. We contacted the house and a guy in a wheel chair came out. He asked if we were Latter-day Saints then invited us in. He said his name was Juan. Juan just recently had his leg amputated and said he was on the line of life and death. It was a miracle that he lived and knew it was for something. He said that when he saw us it was a confirmation that God had something he still needed to do on earth. 

We found a sweet lady named Jessica who recently lost her Grandma and when we told her she would be able to see her again she started crying for joy.

We met another young mother whose husband was just killed and said she was never taught there was life after death. 

Another Grandma we found said her grandson had been killed not even 20 days ago and wants to know what she can do to see him again.

With so many deaths in Honduras it also makes everyone prepared to hear the Gospel. Its just sad when they choose to use their agency to reject it. It still breaks my heart every time, but the little things like hearing someone pray for the first time makes up for all of those depressing moments. I know that life doesn't end at death. Salvation is individual, but exaltation is with your family, that's why we need to work together.

Love,

Hermana Sherman

I've been transferred to Palmermo!

So Im in a tiny internet cafe in Progreso and the internet is pretty slow so we'll see how this goes. 

IVE BEEN TRANSFERRED TO PALERMO and my new companion is Hermana Ramoz!! She is from Panama and has been out on her mission for 14 months. We are the Sister Training Leaders over 4 zones and closer to San Pedro Sula. We are over 16 sister missionaries and one of the areas I get to do divisions with is TELA!! My first area! So excited!

On Sunday the attendance was 133! Ive never been in a ward so big during my time here in Honduras and they said it was low this week from all the rain. I guess its usually around 220. There are 4 missionaries working in this ward us and our zone leaders. The members are so strong and love to do missionary work! I think I'm in heaven.

Sorry dont have very much time to write this week, but i love you all!! The church is true! Read your scriptures and pray every day. You will see miracles.

Love,

Hermana Sherman

My new companion Hermana Ramoz :)

I guess missionaries have been living in this house for 12 years...May look like a jail cell,but its pretty cozy

You have to be careful not to cut yourself on the toilet seat...

It's very common to check for lice.