My loved ones,
We did service again for Sister Pendelton last Thursday. This time she wanted us to clean out her son’s closets. We arrived there with the elders and got to work. Some did tiling in the bathrooms while the others emptied out the closets. I was on the closet crew. We found out a lot of interesting things about her son, Chris, who is 20 years old. He was not at home at the time we were cleaning. He loves Spice Girls. Or he did, at least. There were toys from when he was younger. It was amazing at how much junk was in there.
She has to be moved out by next Wednesday. You can tell that she is stressing out, but she has her head on and is maintaining a good attitude. What a wonderful example of faith and patience! I have learned a lot from her. She truly loves us missionaries. We completed the task given to us and now she is a little bit closer to having things organized for the final move out.
That same night we had dinner with the Wasden family. Brother Wasden is in the Bishopric, and works out of state (he flies to jobsites for work!) and was not home. They have 3 little girls who are just adorable and so well behaved. Well, in front of guests, anyway. It was a pleasant dinner and the spirit was there. We both could tell there was something on Sister Wasden’s mind. She was preoccupied. She admitted that there were some things going on in the family that have come up and she is trying to deal with them, but that is all she said to us.
After dinner, the phone rang and she left the room to answer it. Sister Grant, another sister from the ward, was also there for dinner. We have eaten at her home as well, and she is a sweet sister. We started taking the dishes to the sink and took it upon ourselves to wash the dishes. It was easy and quick considering they had a dishwasher, but the feeling of serving her for her sacrifice in feeding was great, for we knew that we were indeed serving the Lord.
After her phone call, she came out and was relieved that they had been. She thanked us and then we shared a message. It was my turn to share the spiritual thought, and as I sat there flipping through my Book of Mormon, I felt impressed to share about prophets as General Conference would be that weekend. With a prayer, we left. We asked if we could do anything for the family, and she said no. She still had that look of worry on her face, and I felt bad that I didn’t know how to quite address it. We hugged them goodbye and we walked out the door.
As we were turning the corner, we heard our names called out. Sister Wasden came stood on her pathway. She humbly asked if we could help her tomorrow. She finally confided in us that there was a death in the family and she needed help cleaning her home as she was flying out on Saturday. (It was Thursday evening when we were at her home) We said yes quickly and told her we would be at her home the next morning at 10am.
As we piled into our car, we were both overcome with the spirit of gratitude. We were so thankful that she asked us to help her. WE LOVE WHEN PEOPLE ASK US TO SERVE THEM. We thrive on that!
The next morning we arrived at her home. We were in skirts and she asked, “are you going to be able to clean in those?” We laughed and told her that we were in our “service skirts.” We cleaned her home for her. She helped alongside. I was able to help her upstairs while my companion vacuumed downstairs. I was able to talk to her and get to know her. What a wonderful woman she is! Her husband is hardly home because of his calling and because of work. She is doing everything on her own while he is away. What an amazing woman she is! I confided in her some personal stories and she did the same. I felt a connection with her and a love for the things she does as a mother. We folded laundry together and talked about our dreams. As I folded her little girls’ laundry the though dawned on me that I would one day be doing the same, for that is the next step of my life. Marriage and children. We won’t get into that, though.
She relayed to us that because we had so willingly helped her, that she would now be able to spend time with her children when they arrived home from school. She wouldn’t have to worry about cleaning the home because it was now clean, and she could just spend time with her girls. She could play and laugh with them before leaving them for 4 days to go to Utah for the funeral. What a blessing to have been able to help her so she could love her children. What a tender mercy! I am so grateful for that.
I have learned a lot in this area the importance of service. It seems to me that English work is full of service. Since people don’t want to be taught, they do need help in yardwork, housework, etc. I have learned that service is a form of love. I have served other people here so much and I love it! I love serving others. I have heeded the counsel in my patriarchal blessing concerning service and the promises are coming true! I love it! I love it all!
We also went to eat at the Spanish Branch President’s new restaurant in Trenton. We went with the Hightstown elders, elders Waite and Ritchie. It was soooo good! They are from Peru, but their restaurant is a mexi one. I love mexi food! He is the cook and cooks all the food. It was delicious to the taste and we all enjoyed ourselves. He said that anytime we are hungry and in Trenton, to come and eat.
Also, Friday, we were driving along and we both felt like we needed to talk to Dave. A man we had met several weeks ago. I’m sure I have told you about him. Anyway, as we turned a corner, we saw him walking! We waved to him and he said to meet him by his car. When we met up, we learned that he had a feeling that he needed to talk to us. It was a tender mercy from the Lord! We talked a little about the church. His friend was there. His friend didn’t believe in God, well he did, but not in the God we believed in. It was kind of hard because two different conversations were going on, but we were able to clarify some things. Eventually, we parked and his friend left. Dave wanted to know what exactly we taught as we hadn’t had a formal sit down lesson with him as of yet.
We walked and sat on benches in front of a church. The day was cool and there was a slight breeze the rustled the leaves every which way. We taught Dave the first lesson: The Restoration. It was amazing. The spirit was tender. Dave was reluctant at first to accept the things were sharing. You could see the unbelief on his face as we testified. We knew it was because trust was something very dear to him. He had often put his trust in people only to be trampled. It was easy to see that he wanted to trust us, but was reluctant.
Our tongues were loosened that day. I remember asking questions that literally just left my lips. I had not thought about them, they just came out. Truly, the Holy Ghost was with us that day. The spirit intensified with each passing minute. He agreed to read the pamphlet we left him. We are eager to see what happens. He is leaving out of town, and in fact, is already gone, but we both know that he will progess and eventually be baptized in the church. We had lunch with Ben Topham yesterday. He is the guy that is trying to share the gospel with Angela. I know I’ve talked about them before. Well, Angela was not able to come to lunch, so it was just us and Ben. We talked a lot about Angela. He felt like he didn’t know whether or not to share more with her because she was so set in her beliefs and so was he. We gave him some advice and encouraged him fast and pray for her. We told him he is a great member missionary!
We had family home evening with the Wertenbakers. I haven’t talked about them because we haven’t really been able to see them. Brother Wertenbaker is not a member, but his wife and children are. They are a wonderful family. Sister Wertenbaker is from the Philipines. She is an amazing lady with a strong testimony of the gospel. We decided to share the plan of salvation. It was a good lesson. It was a very powerful lesson. We taught simply enough for the young children to understand (they are 6 and 9 years old). They are very intelligent children! We spoke of temples and the reality that families can indeed, be together forever. At one point, Sister Wertenbaker looked at her husband and said, “One day we’ll make it to the temple.” It was so sincere. He just looked at her but you could tell the wheels were turning inside.
I know that it will take time for him to fully accept the gospel, to fully understand it and to pray for himself if it is true and to know if families can be together forever. They are a sweet family, and I know that future missionaries will help them follow that path that leads to eternal happiness.
We also had interviews with President Winegar. I now have the new barcode temple recommend. I feel so nifty! I was told that it expires 3 months after I get home because I need another interview with my Bishop and Stake President. It’s something the Brethren are requiring all Returned Missionaries.
We visited with the Esteban family last night. They are the family that we ate dinner with that I absolutely fell in love with. The one with the humble home. We visited for a bit and played some games with the family. It was really fun. I have a learned a lot from them.
La Familia Esteban
Since we didn’t have dinner and we hadn’t eaten since 12pm that day, we were literally starving. Since we were in Trenton, we decided to take Presidente Calle’s offer to come and eat whenever we were hungry.
We arrived to find him and his wife eating alone in an empty restaurant. It was sweet to see them so in love! He asked us if we were hungry and we sheepishly said yes. He was quick to get up and cook us a meal. What a nice man! The food he cooked for us was delicious. I’d go into details, but there is no need. Needless to say that it was succulent. We were very blessed to have been given food. We pretty much inhaled the food.
Presidente Calle and his wife
and...that is him...pole dancing I think...
So, there it is. Our week in a nutshell. I’m loving it. Things are looking up. We are being blessed left and right. Just today, we called to confirm a dinner appointment and they said they would not be able to. Believe me when I say we literally have no food. We have been relying on the members for food. And we have been tremendously blessed. (mom I am so excited that you fed the missionaries! I know you will be blessed!)
Mrs. Toto called this morning because she found the note that we had left on her door yesterday. We tried to set up an appointment for Thursday but she said she wouldn’t be able to. She suggested we come by tonight at 7pm. We agreed. After my companion hung up the phone, we knew that we would have to find somewhere to eat. 10 minutes later, Mrs. Toto calls back and asks us if we have somewhere to eat. We told her we did not and she said that she would be cooking for us! With dessert and everything! This is a testimony to me that Heavenly Father knows us. He is mindful of our situation. He provides a way to feed his servants. I now understand how the apostles from the New Testament and prophets and great missionaries from the Book of Mormon didn’t worry about food or money. It was because they knew that the Lord would provide.
I have seen that countless times on my mission. I know my Heavenly Father is aware of me. He blesses us. He does not want us to go hungry. This church is true! I hope that you were all able to watch General Conference. Be comfortable with bearing your testimony! Learn to receive personal revelation! Know that Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost are 3 separate beings. I wish I had time to talk about my thoughts about conference, but as we all know, there will be time. I love this work! It’s flourishing!
I love you! Until next week,
All my love,
Sister Ramirez
