Last Week......:(

Hola...

pues... this will be the last letter from me as a missionary.... :(  

This last week in our area was great.  We weren't able to work too much because of a stake activity- family search, had to go to the hospital for my comp (everything is good for now), and had my last zone conference.  But besides that- the most important was we had the baptism of hermana R!!!!! :D   

During the whole time we have been teaching her, she has always completed with her comitments, always reads her Book of Mormon, always offered us flavored water and sometimes gelatina when we went to visit her.... She is the best.  After her baptism she said 'thank you so much my little sister.  My missionaries.'  2 of her children were able to attend, and her son brought her flowers. :)

This past friday like I said I had my last zone conference, and it was my favorite conference of my whole mission.  Our zone leaders had asked a few of the missionaries share messages from Chapter one of PME, about Our Purpose as misionaries.  Then Pte. Egginton (mission pres.)  and our stake president also talked.  It was all very inspired, and more than anything- I received an answer to a prayer I have had even before the mission.  :)  God answers... eventually.. but always. 

I have learned, at the end of every transfer, or everytime I have had a change of comps, that even though there are differences in every companionship, I have loved the opportunity to be able to get to know better all of my comps.  Especially with my comp right now, my last one... I remember when we started out, because she was new, well there are always things that new missionaries need to learn.  But I was a little worried, because she looked like a challenge.. (haha she'll be fine that I share this.)  But in our last weekly planning session on thursday, we were able to open up completely, and we really have a strong bond.  I have loved that about being here in the mission, learning to overcome differences, and being able to become a better person.  

And I realize that I had to come on the mission, to become a better person... to change who I am, and to leave even the smallest things behind.. even though I still am imperfect.  I have learned that one of the most important things in the mission, is to accept the counsel of your leaders.  They know what is best for you, and as you obey their guidance, you... or I have learned how to become a better me.  Just a quick invite to those who are in the mission... LET THE MISSION CHANGE YOU, don't try to change your mission... I remember when I first started the mission, our pte. had lots of rules, we weren't like any other mission.   My trainer on top of that was a very obedient missionary, and always tried to be a better person.  I am grateful that I could change.. 

Yesterday at church, the bishop asked us all as misionaries to speak, and it was also one of the most spiritul sacrament meetings..  Each of our talks were very different, talking about how one missionary is a convert- before they knew the gospel, they didn't think they could be happy.  Because they found the gospel- they decided to serve a mission, to help others find happiness in a darkened world.  Another talked about how he converted at age 16, and one of his goals was to find a 16 year old young man to baptize him.  And he was able to do it here in this ward.  Another missionary reminded the members to be more conscious of the new members and the new investigators that go to church- we need to be more loving towards them.  And I got to talk about basically my whole mission- the impact it has had on me.... haha I definitely cried- but I was happy because I was still able to talk. :)  It was all very... great. 

Then yesterday we went to say goodbye to a convert- because he is only home on sundays, and when we got there they had a chocolate cake and a present for me. :)  ahhhh and already many members have invited us to eat dinner with them... yay!  yesterday at our meeting with our ward mission leader. his wife made me my favorite enchiladas rojas.. YUM

I have grown to love this ward, and Mexico.. It's kind of funny because I never thought I would serve in the mission, especially in Mexico.  But I have loved everything about here- the food, the people, the area... and I really will miss everything so much.... The mission has taught me so much- I will miss that....

But... we will see how this week goes. :)  The work with always continue, and there is even more work at home.  A quote I love from PME is 'The most important of the Lord's work you'll ever do will be within the walls of your own homes'.  

One last thing that I wanted to testify- I know that the Gospel of Jesus Christ blesses the family.  We only need to understand how to live it, and any problem that any family has- can be solved. 

With that I leave you with one scripture... 3 John 1:

13 I had many things to write, but I will not with ink and pen write unto thee:

 14 But I trust I shall shortly see thee, and we shall speak face to face. Peace be to thee. Our friends salute thee. Greet the friends by name.

For those who are still serving in the mission field- please send me your weekly letters to my other email- haleyzimm8@hotmail.com :)

LOVE YOU ALL!

Hermana Zimmerman

see you next monday ;)

last zone activity!  volleyball for life.

  not a very good pic... but our convert- member, and the rest of the fam and a friend investigators. :)  they are the best

 Hermana R, my comp and I.. 

 BAPTISM!

sisters in the zone. :) 

 

Almost there :D

HEY!

first off- happy birthday shout out to my mom!! :)  

Ok, this past week was a great week for work.  We were able to start off contacting and focusing more on the less actives in the ward, and we were able to visit of ton of them and have some cool experiences with them.  For example on saturday we were able to visit a few families, and we shared a message with basically all of them about how the Gospel blesses our families.  And it really reminded me how blessed we all are to have the gospel in our lives.  Because maybe our families aren't perfect.  But God has blessed us with his teachings so that if we apply them (such as faith, prayer, respect... etc. (what it says in the Proclamation) )  we can really be happy here in our homes.  

Our super star investigator Hermana R. is doing great!  This week we finished teaching the commandments, and she told us that as of a few weeks ago she has already been paying her tithing. :)  And on sunday we had such a cool experience!!!  Like I said the temple in Mexico City was dedicated, so we went to the morning session, but afterward we went to our chapel at 12:30 to teach our investigator.  Well, I had been praying that we could have a member there with us, but the sister that we had invited sent us a message saying that she couldn't.  But- when we got to the church there was a brother there!  But he didn't want to stay so he left... BUT  then another man showed up saying that he had just moved into our area.  And then right after another sister showed up who hasn't been to church in a long time, and we told them both that there wasn't going to be church services, but they could accompany us in the lesson. :)  So they stayed and we had a great lesson!  Also, about 2 other whole families showed up, and 2 other less actives... it made me happy that they had been able to come, but then sad because church wasn't going to happen.. :/  darn it. But it was a huge blessing. 

Ever since we started the week looking and focusing more on less actives, they have been popping up out of nowhere!  We went to contact a reference on friday, and as we knocked on the door, in the apartment above us a man poked his head our and said 'elders!!!  When you are done come up and visit us!'  So we did, and it was a family tha had recently moved from another ward in the stake, and we were able to get to know them and share a message. :) After we explained that we weren't elders... but sisters..

Embarassng moment... on saturday we were running a little late and we saw the bus so we started running to catch it.  Well, the bus didn't stop so a whole group of people who were watching us yelled so we could get on.. maybe not that embarassing, just a little wierd. 

Yesterday as we went to contact another less active there was a dog that kept barking at us- and tried to pee on me!  Not cool.. good thing he missed. 

That's about it this week, but I just want to say that I am grateful for the gospel in my life, and for the opportunity to be here. 

Love you all, have a great week!

Hermana Zimmerman

 A family in the ward we visit. :)  

 our miracle visit yesterday at the chapel!  

 Some of my friends... :)  And Hermana R.! (on the right)

 

 our food yesterday... YUM.  Tacos durados

 con agua de melon con fresas.

It rained one night and my comp decided not to bring her umbrella... so trash bag it is!

 

17 months in hte Mission :D

Hey everyone!

Sorry, not much to say this week... but everything is going great!

Here in the work, especially in our stake we had a meeting with the other missionaries and the stake pres. and other ward leaders last sunday to talk about how we can work better in our wards, in the ward council and everything.  We are now changing our perspective especially in our stake, to reactivating the less actives. wooh!  But let's just say it is a lot of work.... But I am excited because there are a ton of families we need to teach, and help them remember the covenents that they have made. :)  

I had my last zone meeting on friday... wow...

Hermano J. was confirmed yesterday!! When he was confirmed the elder gave him a beautiful blessing.  it was funny because during the week we went to visit his family with another investigator, and she asked if there was going to be anything special in church.  And he said 'yes!  There is a confirmation 'pendiente'' On the other hand, another investigator was asked to teach his own class last sunday, yay!  And he said he did a great job. 

Today we went to the center of Tlaquepaque with a wonderful sister in our ward.  And it was great.... 

Have a great week everyone! :)

Love,

Hermana Zimmerman

 Finished 17 months in the mission!!!

 today we went to the center... hahaha of tlaquepaque, and it was sooooo beautiful.. :)  

 this week we went to the temple!!!! yay!!!

 ZONE!