Biking, Miracles, Blessings, and

We saw many many blessings this week.

So on Tuesday we had walked for miles and miles. I was exhausted,frustrated, and it was super hot. All of our appointments had fallen through, and we had knocked on a million doors. I was just at the point of giving up, when I looked down. I saw a $20 bill looking up at me from the street. It was dirty because it looked like it had been in a puddle when it rained last week. It was a once in a lifetime thing. Espinosa found a $5 bill right next to it. The crazy thing is, that we had walked that same street twice already!!! Heavenly Father sure knows how to get me motivated again! ;) hahaha. I stopped, and prayed to thank Him. Then went back to work with a smile on my face, and some pep in my step.

We rode our bikes all day on Wednesday. I filled my tires in the morning at the house. We ended up going back to the apartment to meet up with a member for a few minutes. I got the prompting,"Fill your bike tires." I was like,"Why? I already did it this morning. They are fine." So ignored the prompting. As we were riding up to dinner, Espinosa started riding faster than me. Which never happens. I'm always in the front and ride faster. I thought to myself,"Man. This is so hard. I can't possibly so tired that I can't ride a bike. It feels like I'm riding uphill on a flat tire." I got off my bike, and I saw that I was indeed riding uphill on a flat. So then we ended up walking the rest of the way to dinner. We walked our area all night, and then got a ride home with the STL's. It took a lot to call for help. I am a very prideful person, and I hate asking for help. But I remembered that President told me that I need to let people fulfill their callings, and serve me. So I sucked up my pride and called. Later that night, while walking for days, I found out that Espinosa ignored a prompting to bring her bike pump.....Hahaha. We are still learning how to listen and follow through on promptings from the Lord, obviously.

We street contacted a guy this week. He started yelling at us, and got really close to my face to scream. I really thought he was going to spit in my face. Thankfully he didn't, something happened, his face changed, and he just walked away. Miracles.

So on Thursday I woke up and I could barely hear anything. Then we had an all day meeting we had to go to. It was a blessing in disguise. If i didn't want to listen to someone, I would just lean on the ear I could kind of hear from, and pretend to listen. Hahah. I did get a little worried, so I talked to the mission president's wife, and got permission to go to the doctor. I went immediately after the meeting, and it literally took 2 hours, but I can hear now. Plus, it wasn't a double ear infection like I thought it was. After getting my hearing back, I had super hearing for 2 days...I guess I've been having problems for a while and just never noticed it. I literally heard everything. I could hear the cars on the street at night, and we live in the middle of the apartment complex....And I was able to share a little bit about the gospel with the nurse, and we became besties. She's awesome. Shout out to Gene from the Philippines.

We got followed on Friday night. We parked the car, and went walking so we could street contact the people in the area. We were pretty far away from the car, and I started to feel a little uneasy. As we continued walking to the people that we planned, the feeling got stronger. I told sister Espinosa and we turned around to walk back. We passed a lot of completely drunk people, and a lot of high people, and I was freaking out because the feeling of uneasiness kept getting stronger. Then when we were about 5 minutes from out car, and group of people passed us. One of the guys yelled out,"Hey girl. You single?" I shook my head, and continued walking. "Girl don't mess with me." He yelled. Then he started walking really fast after us, someone from his group pulled him back. I swear it was like an angel or something. We also passed a huge group of French tourist. It was super cool. They were nice, and they did not harass us. I am absolutely positive that the Spirit warned us to get out of that area. I'm so grateful for Heavenly Father's protection. Seriously.

Saturday we got saved by a mustang. We literally walked 4 miles, to get to a part of our area. When we finally got there, we knocked on a door, and no one answered. It was almost time to start our long trek back, but I felt like we needed to try a family that I contacted with sister Leete 3 transfers ago. So we knocked, and the teenage girl answered. She let us right in. She asked us a bunch of questions about Mormonism. We explained everything to her, and invited her to learn more. She was so excited!!!! So we are going to visit her and her friend (and hopefully her family) on Tuesday! It was such a miracle!!!!! After that awesome experience, we started the long walk back to the car. I prayed in my heart that Heavenly Father would send someone to pick us up, because I knew we would never make it to the next plans on time just walking. 5 minutes later a lady in an awesome silver mustang convertible pulled up next to us,"Sisters!! I want to give you a ride. You two are NOT wearing walking shoes." She told us she was a member, and we hopped right in. She saved us 30 minutes of walking, and we were able to contact a few more people before dinner!!

Also I got to see my Rancho besties, and the Rameriez from Alta Vista! <3 I love my mission, and all the amazing people that I've met! <3 <3 <3

So I just to let y'all know, I'm not giving up. I am happy. I know that the Lord loves me. I'm grateful for answered prayers. I know that prayer really does work! Sometimes it feels like He takes too long to answer them, but I know that He always will answer! This week was hard, but we had a lot of fun. We talked to a lot of people, we worked hard, and we were diligent. I'm so grateful for all the many miracles we saw this week!!! They were so awesome!

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

Tight Like Unto A Dish!!! :)

This week was MUCH better! I love you all! Thank you so much for your love and concern!!!! You are amazing amazing people! I am seriously so blessed to have y'all in my life!

So this week I learned a new way to describe the Spirit World, in the plan of salvation lesson!!! We were practicing our lessons with a member, and the daughter got really excited. "Omg. It's like Harry Potter! When they accept the gospel the people in prison can become wizards and go through the wall, to Hogwarts (paradise)." It was an eye opening moment for me.

So we walked a lot. We biked a ton. We knocked on a million doors. We talked to 170 people. Only ten of those people were interested, and they were all for the English missionaries. Struggle of my life. #spanishmissionaryinamerica #spanishmissionaryprobs

On Tuesday we knocked on the door of a potential investigator. A little boy answered the door and in Spanish said,"This is a catholic house." Espinosa,"That's nice. Can we talk to your parents." "They are praying." So we just walked away. That small child had been trained quite well...... #missionaryavoidencetactics

Then we got money for dinner on Tuesday. We decided to try a pizza place that was close, because we are cutting it close for miles this month. As we got out of the car, a little hispanic man on a motor scooter came up to us. In Spanish he said,"Movies, movies. I have movies. Only $5." I was like bro, we don't have any money, so then he left. Spanish lesson for the day,"No tengo dinero." Which is, "I don't have money", aka, theme song of my life! ;)

The theme of our companionship "Never Late to Dinner". We were at a meeting 45 minutes away, and somehow we made it to dinner with a minute to spare! Miracles!!!!!

So we were at dinner two days in a row, and the dumb elders showed up. We are not allowed to eat dinner with the elders, because of inappropriate relationships between elders and sisters in the past. It's no problem for me because the elders are DUMB and I don't really like them. Anyway. So I was looking through the Gymboree baby Christmas ad, and saw a super cute baby. I blurted out,"Awww....I want to marry a black guy so I can have a cute baby like this one, with curly hair." Then I made really really awkward eye contact with the black elder from the Dominican.......Then the second day, a member had a non-member friend over for dinner with us. She just so happens to be Dominican as well. She asked me if I had ever been, I of course said, no. She turns to the Elder and says. "Elder. You need to take her after your mission." All the missionaries just laughed super awkwardly.......I wanted to die.

I am making plans for Espinosa's wedding. I came up with the budget for both of our weddings. "Tight...Like unto a dish". #scripturequote

I met someone who is on the dancing ministry for her church!!! I want to dance for Jesus!!!!!!!!!!!! Ya know....If I didn't dance like a white girl.....

So that was my week. We still don't have any investigators, and we are working super super hard. It's kind of disheartening sometimes, but I take comfort in the fact that I am doing the best that I can. I know that our Heavenly Father knows exactly where the elect are, and He could lead me right to them. He trusts me enough to go to those neighborhoods were everyone is mean, and not interested. He trust me that I'm going to talk to the people that are scary looking, and try to be the best representative of Christ that I can be. He trusts me to work hard, even when I am exhusted, and don't think I can go on. I am grateful that He trusts me enough, to go through hard trials. It sucks yes, and teaching people would be nice, but I am happy. I am trusted, and I am HIS daughter, and He knows I'm giving my all. What more can I ask for?

I love y'all!!!!! Have a great week!!!!!!! Remember to choose the right! And to trust our Heavenly Father!!!!!!!!

<3 Hermana Cordova

The Universe Hates Me....Jilted at the Baptismal Font.....

So this was probably one of the worst weeks of my life. Literally.

So I'll start with some good stuff that happened earlier in the week, and then write about when the crap hit the fan.

So last Monday I woke up feeling really sad, for no reason. I tried to pretend to be happy, so I was smiling a lot when we went shopping. You know, "fake it till you make it". I said "good morning" to a lot of people in the 99 cent store. As I was taking the cart back, a guy stopped me and said,"I just feel like I need to tell you this, you are really pretty. Thanks for smiling." Then he walked away. I was super grateful for the compliment, seriously sometimes a nice word is all you need to completely change a persons day!!

Then Tuesday. I ate the dollar hummus I found on sale at smiths. I brushed my teeth before we left the house. Unfortunately, the smell kept getting stronger and stronger. I finally begged sister Espinosa to take me home to shower. I think she was secretly relieved, I seriously was a walking garlic bulb.......

Wednesday I had to use the bathroom sooooo bad. We were a mile away from our car, and far away from any of the people we planned to see. So we contacted this HUGE Hispanic family. The patriarch of the family was drunk, but I caught a glimpse of a old Hispanic lady inside. I asked to use their bathroom. It was super nice, and then I looked over and saw a Huggies wipe container covered in profanity..... People are so weird. #thugbaby

Thursday nothing really happened, I met a lady from Argentina who's name was Stephanie Cordova, before she got married! It was crazy! It was the day after my sister, Stefanee Cordova left on her mission!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Crazy!!!

Friday we walked 2.5 miles and I made Sister Espinosa role play with me. We rolled played dating scenarios, so she can be ready when she goes home. It worked out great, because there was literally nobody outside..... I have trained her well, she is ready for the dating world! hahah.

Sunday. We were walking out of our recent convert, Omar's house. We saw a giant spot light. Then we got pulled over by a police officer. Apparently we were walking too fast. Jk. They were doing a manhunt in the neighborhood we were in....... #eastside

So on Wednesday, we went to see Nacho, to plan his baptism. He was so excited. We felt prompted to ask about his living situation. Turns out his wife moved back in....So we canceled the baptism right there. I almost cried. It was heartbreaking. He was so close. I did get a little upset because he got mad at Espinosa (she was the bearer of bad news). I don't understand what is so hard to understand about the law of chastity...... Anyway. So that was the first heartbreak of the week. We are dropping him this week, because he didn't come to church again, he hasn't been reading the Book of Mormon, and he doesn't really understand the importance of our visits. I love him, so it's going to be hard, but I know it has to be done. Missionaries will find him again one day, and he will be willing and ready to LIVE the gospel in action , and not just in word.

We taught Cesar every single day this week. We followed up with the word of wisdom, and he said he didn't even have the desire to smoke! He had his interview, we planned the baptism, his family from the west mission said they would drive across town for the baptism!!! We were so excited! He was incredibly excited every single time we met with him. He was so ready to change his life, and start a new one through Christ. We showed up to the church on Saturday, a lot of our members came early! :) It was so awesome, and then we waited. I called him, and he said he was showering, but he would be on his way. The time past soooo slow. I called 30 minutes after, and said,"Cesar, your baptism is in 10 minutes, and you only live 5 minutes away, where are you?" He didn't answer. Then at 6:15, 15 minutes after the baptism we called again. His dad answered, "I'm so sorry sisters. He is not coming. He left to go on a walk. I don't think he is ready." And that was it. My little heart that had already been broken, was literally smashed into a million tiny pieces. My favorite people, the Machado's were there, they comforted us. I only cried a tiny bit (I'll explain why later). The ward members were super nice to us about it and very supportive. But our Bishop literally harassed us on Sunday 3 times, demanding to know why Cesar hadn't gotten baptized. (he didn't show up to the baptism either....) I almost had a mental breakdown the 3rd time. It was too much....He is a polo (don't translate that word....it's Samoan.....Tui taught it to me).

Then Friday night I got really really really really bad food poison. I threw up every hour starting at 6pm, until 6am. Every. single. hour. At a couple different points in the night I got on my knees and begged Heavenly Father to take the atrocious pain in my stomach away. I slept almost the whole day on Saturday. I was borderline dead. The mission doctor called me 8 hours after I texted him. He told me to take medicine, I told him I did and ended up throwing it up a few minutes later. He told me I was being a baby and to try harder to keep it in. He is heartless.

So I didn't eat for 38 hours, and I barely had any liquid left in my body, because I was sick from both ends, and then I got stood up at the baptismal font....I literally had no tears to cry (thanks food poisoning). I guess the food poisoning was a blessing in disguise.

So that was my week.........There is no moral to the story. Just that. I am on the verge of a mental breakdown. I am done. Plus I can still barely eat. Everything still makes me sick.What-freakin'-ever Satan.....

<3 Hermana Cordova

Guess What!!?? Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ Love YOU!!!!!!!!!!!

So Nacho and his "wife" broke up. We began our lesson, and he told us what happened. It was super sad, but it was a long time coming. He has been cracking jokes about how he has to find a nice "Mormon woman to marry", those jokes were of course made all throughout conference. Oh Nacho.... I really liked something he said after conference though. He said,"I just feel so much love and joy. I want my family to feel it. I wish I could convince them to just come, and feel the spirit here. I know that this is the true church. I am sad that I am having to travel this journey on my own right now, but I hope that one day they will see how happy I am, and follow me." 

This week was a week of apologies. I had to apologize for being a brat to the elders. It's hard to be nice to them, because they act like dumb little boys sometimes. However, I know they are representatives of Jesus Christ, just like me, and I need to treat them as such. 

We taught Cesar the word of wisdom on Monday, so then he spent the week trying to quit smoking. We invited the elders quorum president to the lesson on Wednesday. He was super late, so we ended up just teaching another lesson. Finally he shows up, and he brought the obispo, and another brother! It was perfect! They were able to give him a priesthood blessing, to give him strength to quit smoking. The other brother is a gringo, who served his mission in Kentucky, the tobacco capitol of the world. He gave him a bunch of tips, like using cinnamon, because apparently if you eat cinnamon products and then smoke, it makes a nasty taste in your mouth. The next day we came to the lesson armed with cinnamon gum, cinnamon candies, and other cinnamon stuff. Hahaha. 

"I'm addicted to chocolate and tacos". -E.Q. President. Then he invited us to go and eat taco's with his family! He called us at 8:30, and we met a taco truck! My life was changed forever. I might be a taco addict now!!!!!!!!!!!!!! They were the best street taco's of my life!!! "Look. Have you ever seen a sad person eating taco's. No!!! Taco's make people happy!" Hahaha. 

I met a guy named Bacon this week. That was cool. 

General Conference was amazing! I received so much personal revelation! I have been a little worried about what I am going to do with my life after my mission. A lot of those questions and concerns that I had, have been put to rest, which is a blessing!  

I am grateful for this amazing work! I am so happy that 2 of my beloved brothers will be entering into the waters of baptism this Saturday! I love Cesar and Nacho so much. I have learned a lot about the grace of Christ the last couple months. Because of Christ we can literally change who we were, and because better people. We can overcome addictions, and temptations. The grace of Christ covers all the children of men, we are all God's children. I am grateful of the love that our Eternal Father has for us, it is a great blessing to serve Him, to represent Him, and to help people change their lives through Him!

Have a great week y'all!!! Les quiero! I am praying always for you!!!! <3 <3 <3

<3 Hermana Cordova