Last Thursday following my P-Day, I had the most spiritual experience that reminded me of the reason why I am here. My companion and I had our 2nd lesson with our investigator for TRC. Her name is Maribel and we loved her from the minute that we met her at our first lesson. She was super sweet and would say "I can't speak too much English to you because they are watching" and point to the camera where our teachers listen in on our lessons. She would help us if we couldn't figure out how to say something in spanish though. Well, this lesson, we decided to teach her about the first half of the plan of salvation. As we taught her, we asked her what she thought her purpose in life was. She then got really emotional and started to say that she doesn't know if she has one. She works 4 jobs to help support her family (with her husband) and she says she feels like that's all her life is made for. Then she comes home and her kids don't do anything to help. Instead, they make things difficult for her and wait for her to tell them to do something before they do it. She is afraid that as she gets older, she will never fully understand her purpose. That broke my heart. Further in the lesson she talked about trials that she is currently facing with her family and buying a new house. Long story short, the house that she was planning on getting fell through and now she is struggling to find somewhere for her family to live. I couldn't hold back tears as she told me how upset she has been. I bore my testimony to her of prayer. I asked her to continue to pray for strength and for guidance as she is looking for a house and makes difficult decisions. She said that she will. We ended our lesson by asking her if she would come to church. She said that she would love to which made us so happy! We just needed to get in contact with the missionaries near her home so she wouldn't have to go to church by herself. When we finished our lesson, we told Maribel how much we and her Heavenly Father loves her. We wanted her to know that we would pray for her and that we had faith that things would work out as long as she prayed too. When Hermana Geurts and I left the room and started heading down the stairs we looked at each other and just started bawling. We felt a mixture of happiness and sadness. I was heartbroken that she didn't feel like she had a purpose here. Also, that she has to endure such hard trials that she is right now. I just want to help her in any way that I can. However, I was so grateful for the spirit. It was so strong and I know that it testified to Maribel that the things that we were teaching were true. Thinking about that experience makes me so excited to go to Costa Rica and teach the people there. I love them already and want them to have peace and joy.
Sunday was such a great day! It was fast Sunday which was a little difficult but I'm glad that we had the opportunity to have a testimony meeting while we are here. The missionaries in my zone inspire me and their testimonies are so strong. Sunday morning, the Branch 1st Counselor asked me to come meet with him without my companion. We then went and found Hermana Castleton and went into another room. He then asked us if we would be the new Sister Training Leaders. I was really excited. My first calling as a leader on my mission! He said that they usually call companionships to be STLs but the Branch President felt strongly about his decision. I hope I can live up to his expectations and be a great leader to the other sisters. Sunday night devotional blew my mind. SHERI DEW! I was so stoked to hear her speak. She is such a strong woman and actually reminded me of Nana. She talked about missionary experiences that she has had and I was inspired. She teaches people about the gospel just by being a friend. One of her friends came to conference by herself just because she was interested! Like wow she must be a great example! That's the kind of missionary I want to be.
Everyday brings new experiences. Monday we taught 4 lessons and I decided to go without notes. AHH TALK ABOUT SCARY! I was so nervous but I am really proud about how far my spanish has come. The food hasn't gotten any better. I don't want to join the "complaining club" (yes there is one) but it's not very good. I feel sick half of the meals I eat. I usually just stick with a salad or a bowl of marshmallow mateys (lucky charms) and my caffeiene free diet coke(lol). I am so grateful for a mom that sends me snacks!
Yesterday was so great. We have Tuesday night devotionals every week and I have been wanting to do choir for the past few devotionals. My whole district decided to do it last night and I am so grateful that we did! The speaker was Russell M Nelson, the new President of the Qurorum of the 12 apostles. We got to sing "Be Still My Soul" for an apostle...I still have chills. Because the devotional was so big, they broadcasted it to the other 8 MTCs around the world! My friend told me that I was on the screen 3 times while singing. Not that that is my focus but it's still cool :) Russell M Nelson's talk was so good. He talked about having the doctrine of Christ engraved on our hearts. I took so many notes and will definitely be working on applying them.
Not much has changed within my district except the Elders have gotten crazier. We have one elfder from Canada and now EVERYONE says "eh' after EVERY SENTENCE! It's really funny!
Well I love you all and pray for you 2+ times a day. I think of you all the time and nothing makes me happier than getting Dear Elders letter or emails from you! Tell the boys i love them so much and miss them like crazy! Thank you so much for the packages! THESE SHORTS ARE LIFE! I was wearing the same weird pants every day for gym. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU! Oh and that fireworks bar, brownie brittle, and granola bars...almost cried! Oh and the picture album!! I cant express to you how amazing that package was! No joke. Tell Nana I love her so much and I am so grateful for the Dear Elder letter she sent me! It made me so happy and the quote was so encouraging! I wrote it in my missionary planner!
I hope you are all doing well!
Te amo!
Adios!
-Hermana Zerilli
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