Uno Por Uno

Hey everyone!!!

Can't believe I missed writing after TRANSFER WEEK! Actually I can because that week was absolutely crazy!

My old companion Hermana Hibbard finished her mission and is back home, I'm going to miss her so much! She was exactly what I needed to start my mission here in Kentucky, definitely a huge blessing in my life. She taught me how to make a mission fun, to give everything your all, and to always speak from the heart.

My new companion and trainer is Hermana Peine! I call her Hermana Panini :). I'm her first trainee, and she was actually Hermana Hibbard's first trainee, love all the posterity around here. I already love her so much, she's encouraging and positive and has amazing Spanish!

Humidity finally set in down here, makes for some lovely hair :). But I've loved the warm weather and thunderstorms! For some reason I've been so sleepy every morning, so Hermana Peine wakes me up by throwing this stuffed dog at my head, it's sadly really effective. Was kind of a stressful week with leading out the area, but I'm learning every day to lean on the Lord and give myself some grace. This area has so many people which is a huge blessing, but before I came out on my mission I told myself I wouldn't be the one concerned with numbers, I would be the one who focused on each individual person. This week I felt like I was rushing through lessons and contacting and trying to get as many people in a week as I could. Diligence is needed, but what's most important is loving and ministering one by one, as Jesus did. God has trusted me as a missionary to teach His precious children, to help them come unto Christ. That is such a privilege and blessing, and I don't ever want to take that for granted.

We have been praying so hard for our friend Mario who has been preparing to be baptized. He was struggling with understanding everything we've been teaching and he just felt really nervous. We invited him to pray and ask for a personal confirmation that this was the right decision for him. He told us that when he prayed he had a dream where someone appeared to him, he asked if he should be baptized and the person said yes. He was baptized and confirmed just yesterday, and I'm so happy for him. I got to see him from the start of teaching him to now, and the gospel has changed him. He has the light of Christ in Him, and his confidence in himself and in his Heavenly Father has grown so much. He bore his testimony after his baptism and the Spirit was so strong in that room. So grateful for him and his example to me!

Just a little spiritual thought to start y'alls week! We read in Luke 19 during Sunday School about the story of Zacchaeus. He was a publican and really wealthy, meaning a lot of the people saw him as a sinner and an outcast. When Zacchaeus heard that Jesus was coming, he climbed a tree to be able to see Him. Jesus looked up and saw him and called him by name to come down so that they could eat in his home. Often all we see is what's in front of us, but Jesus knows our hearts. He doesn't care about social standing or the opinions of others, He cares about you. I love the scripture that says "for are we not all beggars?" We are all imperfect, we all need the grace of our Savior. Jesus knows our names, He calls to us, welcomes us into His fold. He loves each of you and knows you personally. He's not just our Savior, He's your Savior.

Yo sé que tenemos un Pastor en Jesucristo. Él ama cada una de Sus ovejas, y Él siempre tiene Sus brazos abiertos a nosotros. Podemos venir a Él, y Él nos dará descanso de nuestras cargas. 

I love you all! Have an amazing week!

- Hermana Neil

Photos!

- Mario's BAPTISM!!!

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- always representing

- last interview with the Alders!