We Had Eight Investigators at Church on Sunday!

The comments and or translations in bold, blue, italics are from Lauren's mom.

We've loved giving Valentines things away, thank so much for the thoughtful package! My sweet Lauren usually gives away a lot of the candy in the care packages we send her because she loves sharing.

We had eight investigators at church Sunday which was a complete miracle! (They actually had thirteen individuals from two families attend. Eight of them are baptismal age and are considered investigators.) Hermana Rios and I gave talks on Sunday. It was great that so many of our investigators were able to hear our talks :) The two families we've been teaching both came. We were ecstatic to see them especially because none of our investigators had come for the last few weeks. One of the BIGGEST blessings of being a missionary is seeing the gospel change lives, seeing the blessings of people righteously choosing to follow Christ.

The changes in Cynthia and Noe are some of the ones we've been blessed enough to see. She told us yesterday that they prayed on the phone together the other day, something they have never done before. Abner and Caleb, her two sons also seem to be getting closer. They are such a great family, all of them were at church Sunday (so was little Camilla their two year old daughter).

The other investigators at church were Sujey’s family. Sujey is a member who moved here from Farmington awhile back. She was baptized at eighteen, but wasn't active for a very long time. She has six children who are all so, so, so well behaved and so sweet. She has started reading the Book of Mormon and says it has made a lot of changes in her life, we are so happy for her!

I wanted share a funny story, so... I am ashamed to admit that sometimes I am hesitant to talk about the gospel with men that are anywhere close to our age... so silly I know. Sister Rios is not cursed with the same hesitation. In fact every time we've been to the library we've ended up talking to someone of the male gender with that scary age range. And every experience has been great! While some have hit on us (which is the main reason for my hesitation) many have led to great gospel conversations. Today we talked to 'Money Mitch' ... don't ask me…he's from Seattle. When he asked why in the world we were doing this missionary stuff Sister Rios started talking about cake how great it was and how that’s how the gospel was for us WE HAVE TO SHARE IT. Although he scoffed and wasn't receptive, I was so happy to Hermana Rios for opening her mouth. She is a great example to me!

Griselda had her baby!!!! We are going to go visit her in the hospital right now Keep them in your prayers, the pregnancy has been very, very hard for her and we're hoping that now things will be easier and she'll be able to go to church.

Family I know that this church is true. Don't be scared to open your mouth. Remember the joy that is the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Smile when people scoff, they may not understand now but they will one day :)

Love Hermana Perez!!!