Christmas Miracles and Funny Stories From this Week! :)

Great week!!! Two of my favorite investigators got baptized this past Saturday!!! Also we had some awesome experiences this week!

It was the best baptism I've ever been to! Everything went perfectly! And we got the sweetest text from Ashley!!!! I cannot believe how many blessings I've seen in my mission so far! I literally cried when I read the text. It was so powerful!!! She said that she feels like we were specifically sent to her, to change her life!!

The most powerful part of conversion in my opinion is when they receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Those blessings always give me goosebumps. 

Life in Hashtags...
#candycaneaddicts
We have had more candy canes in the last month than most people do in a lifetime. We have really good breath! :)

#Poweteam
She carries the dishes to the sink, and then I wash them. Hahaha. Also, on a more spiritual note. She is really good at explaining doctrines simply, and then as she says it, "You come in with a powerful testimony and seal the deal". hahaha.

#Certifieddogcatcher
Yesterday we were trying to contact a former. I opened the gate, and one of the dogs shot out. I watched in horror. I quickly realized that it wasn't going to come back. So I put my bag, my scriptures, and my planner on the ground next to my companion, and started running. Mid-run I kicked off my shoes, because no one has enough skill to run in flats. I finally caught up with the dog, and I grabbed it from it's sides. It hissed at me the whole walk back to the house. Hermana Allen totally stood there laughing the whole time. In the end, sadly she wouldn't talk to us. :/

We were at dinner with a member who is our age. She is about to have her first child, and just hit her first year of marriage. It is so interesting to go over to her house. This past week was hilarious though! I was trying to clear the dishes, and my straw flipped out of the cup, and in between her cup and plate. She yelled "GOOOOOAAAAL". I'm pretty sure I died laughing.

I got locked in the weird trash room at the retirement community, while my comp was in the bathroom. I thought I was going to die. Hahaha. I prayed and was able to jiggle the door handle to get out. My comp said my face looked panicky and super white when she saw me. Awk.

 "We live at opportunity village" -Me. "NOOOO! We live at VICTORY village"-Hna allen. Hahaha.

"I thought beans and rice, was already spanish." -Our elder bestie Butcher. He always trys to talk to us en espanol....

We read the Christmas story with a lot of investigators and less actives. My comp always wanted to read verse 21 in Luke.... Hahahaha. Awk.

"Hermana Cordova. Your Spanish has gotten so good.When you first got here you were like a bobble head.-Hno Lozano

I totally rocked zone white elephant. I got it from my mama!!

"Jesus wasn't a JW!!!" -Me, when my comp tried to justify her hatred for Christmas.

"You're not girls. You're my sisters." -Julius (our punky now recent convert. He cracks me up!!)

"I feel famous"-His response to the feeling he gets when he prays....

"Thanks for the missionaries, even though they didn't do anything." -Julius, when his grandparents didn't show up to our appointment, and we asked him to pray for us before we left.

"There was this hermana who came in. She looked hispanic but didn't speak any spanish. Like nothing..... Oh wait. That was you hna cordova."-A member at dinner last night. Hahahaha. (that was all said in spanish)

We got harcore pranked on new years eve, by the aspen peak elders. Ijole.... Pictures included.

My comp drove like a cholla yesterday. Proud trainer moment. hahaha. 

Hermana Allen has been sick for the past 5 days, but she is such a trooper!!! She has worked so hard through her sickness!!! I'm seriously so impressed with her. She is doing so well. We have finally figured out all the bugs in our relationship, so we are super open about everything! We are the alta vista besties, and our goal is to make Alta Vista branch into a ward! :) We have lofty goals, but we're working towards it!

We didn't find any new this week, but we did give out 2 english referrals, and one is a new investigator! :) Yay!!!!

I love being a missionary! It's such an amazing feeling!! I just feel like I belong out here. All of my recent converts, and investigators are like family to me. I love them all!!! I felt so loved this Christmas. <3 I'm so grateful for this opportunity that I've been given. I learn new things every single day. My testimony is strengthened and my desire to serve increased!!!

I love y'all!!!! Remember, that it's because of Him, that we can overcome any challenge in our lives! He loves us, we have a loving Father in Heaven. We are NEVER alone! Remember that you are an elect child of a most high KING!

<3 Hermana Cordova

*hope y'all like the random. I like to keep things interesting!!!

Elder Haddon as santa claus at the white elephant! And christmas adventures! :)

<3 Hermana Cordova

MERRY CHRISTMAS

This week was interesting to say the least. On Monday I ran into the screen door. Our apartment got inspected, and the inspector closed the screen door, and I wasn't paying attention. It was one of the funniest experiences of my life!!! Also, our screen door no longer is a problem.....

We had a 3 baptismal interviews this week. Martha was first. When we screened her, she answered yes to the serious sin question. We stopped and asked her what the sin was, and she said it was stealing candy at the store. Then she laughed, and we moved on. Then at her actual interview, she opened up. It was the first time that I have ever translated. It was the most powerful experience I've ever had. President C. came and finished the interview. I could see a visible change in her, she had experienced years of guilt and pain, and as I translated for President C. the spirit was so strong. It was so cool to see her experience the power of the atonement and repentance!!!!

At the end of Julius and Ashley's interviews, we promised that we would happy dance with them!!!! They are so ready to be baptized! They are so amazing!!!! I love them!!

Hermana Allen got peed on this week. She was so mad, I thought it was hilarious..... Dogs hate her, and they all love me for some reason!!!! Hahaha.

#spiritualpsychatrists
Missionaries are totally spiritual psychatrists!! I realized that while talking to one of our investigators, who is struggling to develop a strong enough testimony, to stand up to his friends who make fun of the church.

I taught Gospel Principles yesterday!!! There were so many people!!!! I was kind of nervous, but everything worked out so well! I followed the spirit and taught/spoke to the best of my ability!! Some of the recent converts asked me to teach again next week!!! <3

"Julius....What are you thinking about". "Donuts". We were trying to get him to be serious....

Then Saturday at the baptism we had some mishaps. First the font wasn't filled. I was getting lunch ready, when I had the prompting, "you should go check on the font". I told Hna Allen, and we ran out the door. It was such a blessing that we got there when we did!!! Then the copy machine broke, so we couldn't make copies of the music. So the Alta Vista 2 elders ran to the Palo Verde chapel to pick some up for us! The rest of the baptism went super well! And her confirmation blessing was one of the most powerful that I've ever heard! It was beautiful! Martha was so ready to be baptized, and she totally rocked answering questions in my class!! :)

We had a Christmas conference/party this week. It was pretty fun! :) I also learned a lot!

We had a dance off with our investigators at a stoplight. It was one of the funniest things ever!!!

Thank you so much for the awesome package Champions Ward Relief Society!!! <3 <3

I accidently called 2 people old this week. #confidencedestroyer. Ashley, our investigator makes fun of me all the time now. It's super hilarious. I was at the mall, when an older lady came up to me. I kind of freaked out, because being at the mall is already a shock to my system as a missionary. Then instead of asking if she was Pres. C's wife, and asked her if she was his mom...... Awk...

I'm pretty sure I've been blessed with the best area, with the best members, and the best investigators!!!!

Also an elder just gave me a bag of beef jerky, so I'm a happy camper right now! Thanks Elder Haddon!!

Hey!! One of our neighbors reminds me of that guy from Friday Night Dinner, the one with the german shepherd named Wilson. What's his name???

Also! And awesome member bought our lunch, when we were at the 99 cent store. And we found out that she speaks spanish, served in tx, and wants to come to lessons with us!!!! Blessed!!!!

I LOVE YOU ALL!!!!!!

<3 Hermana Cordova

Turn Down For What!!!! Best Hymn Ever

This week we have an investigator getting baptized!!! We also have solid baptisms lined up for all the weekends this transfer! :) Whoo hoo!!!

Also I love all our investigators so much!!! I love hearing them pray for us!!! It brings the spirit into the room so strong!!! Martha feeds us every time we go to teach her. Hahaha. It is so awesome!!!!

Then we got invited to a baby shower. We didn't go, but we were on bikes when we passed the house. The whole house was shaking with rap music. Thug baby shower, for the win.

We taught Prisma the law of chastity!!! This is how is went. "Oh....we're not married, so are we living in sin." Awkward silence... the Spirit prompted me and I asked. "So, do you want to get baptized?" "Yes." "Do you want to get married?" "Yes. But not to him". So then there was more awkward silence. Then she went to her room, and talked to her boyfriend, one minute later she came back and said, "Okay. We'll get married." My jaw dropped. But yay!!!

This is my life in hashtags:
#allmydreamscametrue
I finally, after 5 months of my mission, contacted a person driving down the street in a motorized scooter!!!! It was the most exciting thing in my life!!!! He was super nice! We also have been doing so much better in street contacting! Sister Allen, has even been taking the lead!!! :) I'm so proud of her.

#biblebashingscriptureman
Another interesting street contact. Some people literally just want to fight...

#Themissionariesgotyo'back
This is a quote from the other day!!! We were teaching some of our youth about sharing the gospel with their friends!!! This is what one of the girls said to another one who was worried about rejection!!

#grandmasgoldensweater
Only the best analogy of my life. Yesterday during a lesson Hermana Allen said, "Taking the Lord's name in vain is like taking your grandma's prized golden sweater, and then cleaning your car with it. She gave you a gift that was really important to her and then you totally just totally trash it."

Then we were talking to our 13 year old investigator, who will be getting baptized next week! We asked, "Julius, what is your favorite hymn, that you want to sing at your baptism." He took a few seconds and then excitedly said, "TURN DOWN FOR WHAT!" Hermana Allen and I literally fell over laughing!! Hahaha. That's my favorite hymn ever. :)

Hermana Allen got poisoned by cornbread this week. Ijole! :/

"You are the hardest working sisters I've met on my mission!" -Elder May. That was my favorite moment of the week.

21 lessons taught this week! Whoo hoo!!!!! We have so many people progressing toward baptisms!!!!

Love you!!! Have a great week! <3 Christmas Cards are in the mail!!!

<3 Hermana Cordova

End of Transfer 4!!!! Alta Vista 1 is Workin'!!!!!!

We FINALLY hit 10 mp's this week! :) This has never happened! We had 18 lessons total this week! It was sooooo busy! Hermana Allen and I are totally a power team, working together to bring souls unto the Lord! I've never seen so many miracles before!!!

We will have 7+ baptisms this transfer, we are excited beyond belief!!! Oh goodness! We also will hopefully have a mission wedding! Ashley needs to get married before the 27th so.....We are hoping!!!

We went bike riding on Tuesday, and it started raining so bad! We were going to give up and go back to the car, but I the phrase "one more door" kept repeating in my head. We found 3 new investigators that day, and we were able to talk to so many people!!!! One lady we stood on her doorstep, trying to figure out a day we could visit her, we stood there, on her doorstep for 5 minutes getting soaked. Then suddenly, her eyes lit up and she exclaimed, "Disculpeme!!! Come in, come in. Usted son muy mojado." We taught her the 1st lesson, and set a return appointment for 2 days after! Our other miracle person let us right in, she didn't have a lot of time, so we taught the 5 minute restoration to her. It was powerful! She has never met or talked to missionaries before, actually neither of them had!!! Then the last new investigator is a lady we street contacted a while ago, but she said she didn't have time. Imagine our surprise when she too welcomed us in, and said she wanted to learn more about Christ. #ridin'intherain

We received a referral the other day from the office. The guy called us and thanked us for leaving the "He is the Gift" card on his door. He was so appreciative, and was sorry that he wasn't home to welcome us! :) It was crazy!!!!

Funny quotes from this week:
"My soap operas are on..." Her excuse for not wanting us to pray with her....
"Jesus was jewish too" A street contact who did NOT want to hear a special Christmas Message.....

"Are those the CUTE mormons??!" -Random person driving by in a car, in our sketch area.

Then, I made cookies for our last "Nish-drict" meeting. I forgot about them, so they stayed out in the car. Later that night our investigators got back from Mexico, and we were able to run into them! We read scriptures with them, ones mostly about the plan of salvation. (her mom just died) Then her daughter-in-law told us as we were leaving, "It's her birthday". I got so excited, we ran out to the car, got the cookies, came back and sang happy birthday to her! She was crying, it was the most powerful moment ever! She was so happy, and I am sure it was a way for the Lord to show her how much He loves her! She is beyond amazing, she is getting baptized on December 20th, she told us, "Hermana's I've been repenting everyday, I'm ready to be baptized". Oh man! She is so ready! :)

I got food poisoning at the branch christmas party. Not. Fun. Potato salad was the only thing left, and I was the last person to eat. Dude. I literally almost died. Also our other investigator, the son of the alzheimer investigator, came to the party flat-out-drunk.... Ijole. Our members were super good about it. His poor mom was beyond embarrassed. Keep in mind he is in his late 40's. We taught the word of wisdom the next day. Now they have a picture of Jesus, and we wrote, "No tomo alcohol" on a sticky not to put on it!!! Jesus is watching now, friend.

We had one appointment after another on Sunday. We taught one of pretty much every lesson! And the best part was, we were on time to every single one of them. We were emotionally drained, but spiritually on fire by the end of the night. It was awesome!!!!

I seriously feel like the work is progressing so fast! We've been receiving tons of referrals, and people are letting us right in. Faith. I truly believe that is what it comes down to. We plan, we pray, we hope, we have faith, and THEN we see miracles.

Our primary kids want to be missionaries so bad. We go into their homes to teach their families how to be missionaries! It's so fun! "Member Missionary Training Center", I love seeing the youth and children get excited. Some of them are counting down to 16 so they can come out with us! :)

I love y'all! Thank you for the cute cards and packages that I've gotten! I will be writing back as soon as I possibly can!!! Thank you for your love and support! I'm so blessed to have you in my life!! <3

Have a great week!!!!!! I love you all!

<3 Hermana Cordova

*My favorite district EVER!!!! Most of them are leaving tomorrow. Transfers are bittersweet! My elder bestie Elder May is going to another area for his last transfer before going home to Cancun! He is awesome!

*Quick...Let me take a selfie....

Thanksgiving 1 in Field, and Tons of Other Stuff

Super short email time. I just played 2 hours of football. Tired.

My pictures aren't loading right now.

Watch the He is the Gift video, it's super good!!!! Cool experience with that. I'll hand write a letter with all the cool things from this week, during dinner or something.

Love y'all! Have a great week! Good luck with finals, and whatever else you have going on! :)

<3 Hermana Cordova