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VIRGINIA RICHMOND MISSION
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Hermana Raquel Lara. We are both heading home!
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Hasta la vista
Well, this is it!
I cant believe time is already gone and I will be back into cold winter in Utah on Thursday!
This week was so fun! We had a mission conference with Elder Bennett of the quorum of the 70 and learned a lot about the importance of keeping the spirit with us always and the power we gain when we have the spirit. I've been so blessed to have the opportunity to share this gospel with such amazing people.
With transfer calls, Hna Lara and I are both going home and we found out elders will be taking over our area! It will be a huge blessing because there are a lot of men we are teaching and we have been having our lessons outside since we cant go inside (mission rules) but now they will have more lessons not freezing AND I will be able to call in for lessons!!
We invited our friends to church on sunday to hear us give our last testimonies in church and we had 5 people come and see! Marvin and Maria came- we taught them in english class! In english class we told them we were going home. As we were leaving the building she ran back inside and gave Hna Lara the sweatshirt off of her back and her husband took his hat off of his head and gave them to us as a thank you and a goodbye gift. They come from very humble circumstances, it was one of the most special moments I've had. I love these people so much.
Alma 26:37 " Now my brethren, we see that God is mindful of every people, whatsoever land they may be in; yea, he numbereth his people, and his bowels of mercy are over all the earth. Now this is my joy, and my great thanksgiving; yea, and I will give thanks unto my God forever. Amen."
I am so full of gratitude for the time I've had to be able to serve the Lord and share His gospel with these Hispanics in Virginia.
I've learned so much these past 18 months, the power of prayer is real. Every prayer is heard. I know we can receive answers to every question we have through reading and studying the scriptures. I know this gospel is true. I will always be so grateful for each of you and your support to me these past 18 months! See you soon! β€
Hermana Slack
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SAVE THE DATE: DEC 21
Hola buenas!
Hermana Lara and I had a few AWESOME lessons with Edgardo this week who is now on date to be baptized Dec 21!!! Hes 16 years old and just moved here about 3 months ago from Honduras. We are teaching him English as well as reading and teaching him almost daily π we invited him to be baptized and to pray for a day to set as a goal, the next day he said he prayed and felt so good and excited and we all chose the 21st! A good Christmas present to himself and God ππ½ππ
We have also had a few lessons with Olga this week! She is so funny and loves feeding us. We started teaching her a lesson but that quickly changed to her teaching US the lesson. We started reading in 1 Nefi 8 and she didn't understand anything that was going on so we decided to watch the new book of Mormon video with her instead! As soon as it finished she sat up and shared all of her thoughts with us and started teaching us about repentance!
If you haven't seen the new book of Mormon videos yet, WATCH THEM.
I wish they came out a long time ago but that puts a whole game changer on missionary work for sure!
As Spanish missionaries we (have to) eat anything we are given. I realize it is not the same with English missionaries. Well, we were fed some eggs and here in Stafford everyone cooks their eggs the same- aka not cooked π
so I was served some eggs and I usually eat them first to get them out of the way. Well I quickly realized I was served a rotten egg..... I still ate it. I just swallowed it whole..... we went home and I sat by the toilet for an hour. Did I learn my lesson? Probably not π
Sunday night we had another family home evening with the Bonilla family and Carlos! They served us posole for lunch ππ we watched the restoration video with him and Carlos had some great insights on Joseph Smith since he's been to Palmyra and walked the forest he went to pray in! It gave him a deeper connection with Joseph Smith and he already has such a strong testimony of him whether he realizes it or not yet haha π their daughter leaves from the MTC for the mission field tomorrow! Its really softened his heart having a daughter out serving. It has been so cool to see the promises made to us come true about the gospel truly blessing families.
I have such a strong testimony of this. Missions can be hard and there are so many times I've thought "if i could just click my heels three times and be home...." π but there are way too many more better reasons to stay here! I've seen my own personal family being blessed as well as I've seen this gospel truly blessing other people's lives and it blesses mine as I get to be a living witness of it all. I know this is the true and restored church of Jesus Christ.
This next sunday we will be putting up a Christmas tree and celebrating Christmas with the Bonilla family on Sunday and watching the new Christ Child video! (Secret: We are the first and only missionaries in the world who have seen it! Our mission president was one of the guys who created it so hes given us the sneak peak a couple months ago and we are sharing our secret video with the members this week π) the Christ child will be shown this Christmas for the new Light the World and Christmas nativity but it is a movie this year- 20ish minutes long. Sorry, we've been told we cant share it with family at home.
Well I love you all and hope you have a great Veteran's Day and a great week!
Con amor, Hermana Slack π
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"Jesus died on the cruz"
This week was awesome! Full of so many miracles. I think I say that every week but I hope you understand how awesome every day of the mission truly is. Such a privilege to be here!
Saturday I had my last exchange, I did not want the day to end! It was miracle after miracle the entire day. We see miracles daily but for the second day of my mission I've really not liked the fact that we have curfew and the day really felt too short!! I'll be honest, not every day I feel that way ππ
We are teaching Carlos, he is a non member and dad of a member family! After 20 years he's finally decided to take the lessons we teach and has been coming to church and every meeting the church has. In church yesterday before they could even ask who would volunteer for the closing prayer he raised his hand in Sunday school and asked "can I say the closing prayer?" He has great support from his family who in every lesson tells him how much they want to be a family forever and all eternity sealed in the temple. Yesterday in our lesson his 13 year old son patted him on the back and said "Dad, this is why we want you to be baptized." We are patiently waiting for the day he will say yes, but we know it is so soon!!
We had the opportunity to have a family home evening with a recent convert family with two crazy little kids running around wild. With the parents stressing out and yelling, the spirit was not really there. We decided to involve the kids more. I asked the 6 year old daughter to sit by me and to read the scripture I had to share. Then I had the 3 year old say the prayer for us. Although I whispered every word in his ear, the spirit was so so strong. Prayer is so powerful! Kids have such a strong and innocent spirit to them. I know that every prayer is heard, no matter how simple we may think they may be. Heavenly Father wants to hear from each of us!
So funny story for the week:We were on exchanges and teaching someone in English and I was teaching him what the Atonement is. I said "a part of it is when Jesus died on the Cruz" and continued to go on for a couple of seconds before i realized Cruz is not the English word for cross π€¦π½ββοΈπ its more funny to me because my first transfer a little Hispanic girl said it and I joked about it my whole mission... well.. what goes around comes around π
Halloween was awesome! We had to be inside at 6, which ended up being perfect because there was tornado warnings all night and crazy weather but we still got about 25 kids we gave candy out to! It was so fun. We made cupcakes and danced to some (gospel) music! The owners of the house we live with were at a party so we decided to throw our own ππ»π hope you all had a great Halloween!
Hermana Slack π€π½π
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ONLY 3 MORE EMAILS!!
Monday we had the best Family Home Evening with a part member family, the Bonillas. We are trying to get to the dad to help him be baptized! Our goal is to get him baptized so when his daughter gets home in 17 months from her mission they can be sealed as a family forever! I know families are forever and is one of the greatest blessings offered to us. β€
Tuesday we had dinner with a family from Bolivia that fed us a super ethnic dinner.. she apologized when I looked at what it was π... rice and sardines haha! It was one of those meals you swallow whole and hold your breath while you try to hold back the ugly face and keep smiling π
π but I'm so grateful the members feed us, donβt get me wrong! ππ½β€
Wednesday to Saturday we were locked in the house my companion had a bad fever and didn't feel well π but Saturday we got to drive back to my old area to see David be baptized! I got to be one of the witnesses! He is so happy. I love seeing the gospel change other people's lives and bring them true joy.
Sunday night we had another AWESOME family home evening with the Bonilla family! We talked about baptism by fire and invited Carlos to take the lessons, he accepted! The family is so ready for him and I know his daughter on her mission will be on cloud NINE to hear about it!
Coolest miracle of the week!I met someone on Facebook named Jorge we were finally able to set up a time to meet and teach him. We started talking and explaining what we do as missionaries and he told us he had a friend who also was like us but went to Peru. We soon found out that he is best friends with our ward mission leader's son!! He said he went to his mission call opening and Adrian had told him about the book of Mormon before. We have a lesson with him at the house of our ward mission leader and his family, we are doing a family home evening and dinner together tonight!!!
Love you all and hope you all have a fun Halloween! π
Hermana Slack
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Baptism Week #2!
Alma 26:22 "Yea, he that repenteth and exerciseth faith, and bringeth forth good works, and prayeth continually without ceasingβunto such it is given to know the mysteries of God; yea, unto such it shall be given to reveal things which never have been revealed; yea, and it shall be given unto such to bring thousands of souls to repentance, even as it has been given unto us to bring these our brethren to repentance."
It was the best feeling to finally see Oscar and Gloria get baptized this week. I can't begin to explain the trials their family has seen the past year but I know they were finally able to ve baptized through continuous prayers. Never give up, keep going! God has a plan, greater than we know.
I love you all and hope you have a great week! ππ½
Hermana Slack
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Baptism Week!!!
First day of the new transfer and we saw two miracles! We went to have dinner with a member family and they had a nonmember there joining us! We talked about general conference and had the members explain to her what conference was. Then after that we asked how their book of Mormon reading was going, which we also had them explain to her what the book of Mormon was. It was so cool because they got to see what it was like to share the gospel and in a normal and casual way! Fabiola, the nonmember, gladly accepted a book of Mormon and she told us the next day she started reading immediately and told her husband all about it!
When we got in the car we saw a text message from someone else they've been trying to get in contact with asking if we could have a lesson that night! We taught him and his two kids who are 8 and 9 and were so excited to hear about church on Sunday! They weren't able to come this week but we are going to help them come next week ππ½
We are teaching some really awesome families here.
In Chesterfield Oscar and Gloria are getting baptized this Saturday!!! I am so excited for them! Also David is going to be baptized Saturday the 26th! I can't wait to go see them again π
I've got lots of mixed feelings about this being my last transfer. I am so grateful to be here and still feel like I have so much to learn and do here! I truly feel like I'm on my fifth transfer rather than my 12th but I am so excited to see so many great miracles this transfer!
I know this church is true and that Jesus Christ is our Savior. I love you all and hope you all have a great and safe week!
Hermana Slack ππ
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LAST TRANSFER
We had an awesome week!
Got my last transfer calls! In interviews on Tuesday with president he asked me if I had any questions for him. I asked... "can i be companions with Hermana Lara again?" Saturday comes and he called me to release me as STL and told me "I don't do this with anyone else but I just wanted to let you know i will be putting you back with Hermana Lara for both of your lasts transfers!!" ππ
(because this sister doesn't know she will be with Hermana Slack, Pres asked H.Slack to keep it private, I've deleted her name...You'll have to wait until next Monday!!)
So I will be ending my mission in Stafford, going back to an old area where I just served for just 6 weeks!
DAVID IS ON DATE TO BE BAPTIZED! He accepted to be baptized on Oct 26th and Oscar and Gloria are still doing great and will be baptized on the 19th! President gave me permission to go to both baptisms!
David was able to come to the last conference session on Sunday and loved it! He met all the members and told everyone with a big smile on his face that he is getting baptized!
We had great lessons with Patti and Lydia and her family of 6! We have seen sooo many miracles this transfer.
A funny story of the week:
We got a package delivered to our door from my mom! I told my companion "yaay my mom never sends me packages!!" I was so surprised and so excited to open it, we took it with us as we ran out the door to a meeting. While in a traffic jam I was so anxious so I opened it up..... THE ELDERS PRANKED US. They forged the package and put a bunge of plastic bags and a 5 lb weight inside.. well played elders, well played... ππΌππΌπππ
We are planning on getting them back tomorrow at English class! We have plans to saran wrap their bikes and attach balloons π hopefully it will work out and next week there will be photos!
This week was great! General conference was so inspiring. I thought of so many goals and plans I need to prepare for before I return back home. I tried something I haven't done before. Instead of writing phrases that usually stand out to me in conference I decided to think of what the spirit was saying to ME instead. It was so cool how much I learned and how much revelation I was able to receive.Β
I hope you were all able to watch general conference and hear from our living prophet! I testify that he is called of God and that this is the true and restored church of Jesus Christ!
New address!
Hermana Slack ππ3 Legal CtStafford, VA 22554
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God is Soooo Good
Quick email for a really quick weekΒ
We've been so busy and this week looks like its going to be even busier! We wont be back to our apartment until Wednesday night π
Saturday was the best day just FILLED with miracles. We had a crazy packed day full of lessons back to back and realized we accidentally even double booked. We were on our way out the door when one lesson canceled so we were able to go to the other! We were able to go visit Jessica in the hospital (a less active now reaching out for the gospel again). Then we were on our way to another lesson but they called and canceled as well.. as soon as we got off the phone a set of sisters called us with an emergency they needed us ASAP. Because our lesson had just canceled we were able to go and help out without worrying of what to do! It was a huge blessing to us. It reminded me that we can make our own plans and do our own things but God has His own plan and we are here to do HIS will.Β
Because our schedule freed up a little but we were able to go contact a member when we saw a Hispanic standing outside of his house cleaning up his yard. We went to talk to him and found out he just moved in with his family of SIX! We visited them 3 days in a row and they are the sweetest and most solid family. We are so excited for Lydia and Eduardo and their kids to start learning more!
Eduardo hasn't wanted to hear anything religious or go to church for years now. He told his wife who later told us that talking to us his decision has changed completely. He said he felt so good and wants and is EXCITED to meet with us and learn more. We are so excited! God is so good!! Β (Makell told me on the phone that she and her companion only talked for a few minutes hardly saying anything and Eduardo talked for like 20! Β Just being with them he felt the spirit enough to have an interest in their message. Β Too often I think we are so afraid of offending people we don't say anything, but just being where the Lord needs us to be, gives that person what they are need of. )
Oscar and Gloria are on date to be baptized on the 19th of October in Buckingham! They were able to go to the open house for the temple in North Carolina and LOVED it. They called us after and had the biggest smiles.
We are trying to put David on date this next week, please keep him in your prayers! He is praying for a date now π
Transfers are next week! Ahh! Β (can you believe she comes home in 7 weeks?????)
Love you all and hope you all get the opportunity to watch conference and hear from our living prophet!
Hermana Slack β€
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Sick Week
We had a crazy busy week with so many miracles!
On Monday we had exchanged with the Hermanas. I got to be with Hermana Keck! We got to go in my old area where I served a year ago and visit some people!! Then we had exchanges with the YSA Sisters that are on an all black college campus- we were the only white people on the whole campus, apparently they pay white students to go to school there π it was so fun! But man English work is soo different than Spanish work π
πΒ
On Saturday a member drove us out to Buckingham (farm land 2 hours away from where we live) to visit Oscar and his boys! We had the best tacos de pastor π
So Oscar's wife, Gloria, had to go to Mexico because she is waiting for a bone marrow transplant there but we are still in contact with her. She texted us this week and said she had news for us... (Oscar later told us they argued on who could be the one to tell us π) That they decided to be baptized on Oct 19th in Buckingham, FINALLY!!! When I was here a year ago we were teaching them and they had so much going on but ya es tiempo!! ππ½we are so excited.
We are teaching some REALLY awesome people! David brings up baptism himself in every lesson we have with him and has become bffs with all the members and elders in the ward!
The other day we parked and got out of the car outside of a Spanish tienda and a lady came and asked if we were las misioneras. She told she was baptized when she was 9 in her country but hasn't come to church really since. She has two daughters and one has read the entire book of Mormon they still have and brought with them in the country! We are excited for our lesson with them this week! She said she still reads the book of Mormon every day.Β
The power of the Book of Mormon is so true! I promise if you read it every day you will be able to get through anything. I've really learned that to be true on my mission.
A member brought her friend to church, Vicki, who we are now teaching as well! What's gotten her to come to church and to receive the lessons from us is because of her friend's (the member) example. She said she knew she was different and sincerely a good person and it made her want to learn more.I can't tell you how important members are in missionary work! Always be a good example and disciple of Jesus Christ!
Hermana Slack π
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La panza de vaca and fiestas
We have about 2 exchanges a week now! I got to go with Sister Nef and Sister Turpin this week! (They both don't speak Spanish but I always make them read with us in the Libros de Mormon π)
Β Monday night we met a really solid family, Luis and Patti! They had never talked to missionaries before but welcomed us right in and we talked and read in the book of Mormon together. On Thursday I went back on the other exchange and followed up on her reading we left her in 3 Nefi 11. She read it all and told me every little thing by memory that it covered including when Jesus Christ gave Nefi the correct authority to baptize. I was shocked- shes so solid!Β
We are still teaching David almost every other day, he asks the best questions and LOVES church. He comes to church in his white shirt and black slacks he bought for church π
The end of my mission is killing me with tiredness π
this week we were adding 9 plus two and I said " 9,6,7... no, thatβs not right..." and I didnβt it twice πππ€£
Our English class is still growing like crazy! We had 63 people come this week!
Friday we had our DΓa de Hispanidad party in the church! (day for celebrating different Hispanic countries). It was so fun but our dance to Nacho Libre the elders made us dance to was not as much fun ππ
This week I got to try two new foods! We had la Panza de Vaca (cow stomach) and the day before we had beans that had been cooking in with Carolina reapers (the second hottest pepper in the world!) Let's just say I think my taste buds to hot stuff is gone and I won't ever complain about my mom's cooking again π
π I ate the Panza de Vaca whole hahah it was so hard to put down with a smile on my face π
π€£π€£
Saturday we sat down to do personal study and got 3 different calls for service! We ran out the door and got to go to a hiking trail and clean up all the garbage on the trail, it was so fun!Β
Alma 37:37 Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for good; yea, when thou liest down at night lie down unto the Lord, that he may watch over you in your sleep; and when thou risest in the morning let thy heart be full of thanks unto God; and if ye do these things, ye shall be lifted up at the last day.
I love every second of my mission and don't want it to end! I love you all and hope you have a blessed week! π
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2 of the best miracles!! γLucas and Edgar!γ
Saturday we had the mission leadership council and had a general authority come join us- Elder Hainey (?) It was awesome! We received such good council on finding and he gave us some cool information on the growth in the spanish work here on the east coast, it was so cool to hear how much it is growing for the Hispanic work!
Wednesday we had transfer meeting and right after Hermana Diaz and I went out knocking on some doors nearby. We talked to a 16 year old who told us his neighbor spoke Spanish and had a brother who just got shot 2 weeks ago. We went to his house as he just walked outside. I asked him (all in Spanish) "what is your name?" He answered back "Edgar" but Hermana Diaz and I both heard so clearly the name "Hector"... I asked him "Hector?" And he looked at me so surprised with big eyes .. "what did you just call me?....." .. he said "funny you say that because that is the name of my brother that just got shot two weeks ago..! We talked for an hour outside his house and he told us as we were leaving "I will always remember the moment you asked me if my name was Hector. Out of all the names in the world; Luis, Pedro, Jose you chose Hector..... wow..." he said "if you hadn't called me Hector I would've told you I'm atheist and I'm too busy to Β talk to you but because you called me Hector I knew I had to listen."
.... this was the coolest miracle of my whole mission. A couple minutes before we had no idea how we would get this man to open up to us about his brother but I know his brother was with us and God knew this is what would get him to listen to us. This was another testimony to me that God lives and He knows EXACTLY how to help every one of his children. It was an incredible experience.
Also, our zones combined! We went from being STLs over 4 sisters to 8! We are so excited for this next transfer!
Funny story: I told my companions I had this mission goal that I wouldn't wash my sheets my entire mission and told them they haven't been washed for 15 months.... you should've seen their faces especially one when she was sitting on my bed a few minutes before .......don't worry- they really are clean π
Lucas got baptized on Saturday!! I taught him for 6 months while I was in Harrisonburg! Also Cesar, someone I met on Facebook, is on date for the 28th of September!
I love my mission and I'm so grateful or every second I have to be out here! Thank you for all your support and prayers everyone! Bendiciones!
Hermana Slack
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Tres Hermanitas Enfermanitas
It's been a crazy two weeks! We were bouncing back and forth from apartment to apartment this week with exchanges and covering Henrico as well, this week flew!
We met the coolest family, Jorge and Kaylen! They just moved here from Nicaragua. They have been reading in the book of Mormon and we have another lesson Friday!Β
We had dinner with our recent convert, Maria and have tried to find people to teach through her, she has a son that is 20 that we have a good relationship with and 2 girls just moved in with them from Colombia 4 days ago!Β
On Saturday we got transfer calls- I'll be staying for a 6th transfer here in Chesterfield! This will be my 3rd transfer with Hermana Diaz in this area! We found out we will be combining zones with another zone and we will continue to be the STLS of this zone π
I also found out today that someone I taught in Harrisonburg for 6 months will be baptized this Saturday, Lucas Espinal! I can't wait!!!Β
I love this gospel, it brings true and ever lasting happiness!
Pray for us we are all sick this week π
Hermana Slack β€
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Last full week of the transfer!
We are now serving half in Henrico half in Chesterfield! We had an emergency transfer and a hermana went home so we are again in a trio and covering two areas! My fourth trio! But they're a lot of fun π
Hermana Molinar is my companion for the next week! She's the best. This is her 3rd transfer and she's had a crazy mission, she's my role model for sure haha. She is from Colorado and her family is from Mexico! My fifth native companion ππ€πΌ
Tuesday we had exchanges with the Belmont sisters. I got to be with Sister Turpin this week! We had an awesome day together! We had 4 lessons over Facebook video call and met a cute family! She speaks English so she didn't understand any of the Facebook conversations. Β After the call she'd ask, "what did they say?" Β
Thursday we had English class again and 47 people came! There were more who apologized for not being there, they had work but said they'll be there this next week so we are super excited!
We've been apartment hopping between chesterfield and Henrico so it's been a crazy week but I love Henrico and this is probably the closest I'll get to serving here π this is where the temple will be built!!
We went to dinner at a Hispanic restaurant and at the end we asked our waitress if we could give her a picture of Jesus. She got teary eyed as she said this is the greatest gift she could ever receive. We got to know her and hear of her experiences but it was so awesome and helped me remember the little and simple acts we could be doing to help ease others burdens in life.
Alma 37:6-7 ".. by small and simple things are great things brought to pass.. And the Lord God doth work by means to bring about his great and eternal purposes; and by very small means the Lord doth confound the wise and bringeth about the salvation of many souls."
I invite you all to look for small and simple acts you can do for others this week! It's the small things that really impact others and show our true intentions. I'm so grateful for my mission and the things I'm able to learn each and every day.
Love you all! Hope you have a great week! π
Hermana Slack
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Saying good-bye to Hermana Clark.Β She is heading home to Roy, Utah
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