el 6 de Julio

this week was a very humbling one. we have a set of
standards that we are expected to complete, and one of the 
those is bringing six investigators to church. i don't want to 
sound proud, but sometimes i feel like we as missionaries 
here have a higher set of standards than the missionaries in 
the states. they have their own set of problems, i know, but 
looking through some of my other friends' emails, it makes 
me feel proud to be here in nicaragua working as hard as i 
do. this week was humbling because we only had two people 
at church. of the 25 people we normally have committed to 
come, i am used to bringing at least 6 (if not 8) people to 
church. we literally rang the bell to bring two. it was literally 
extremely humbling to realize that although we can work all 
week long, and we can fight to have them come, sunday 
morning and afternoon really is a magnifying glass 
underneath the sun. being rejected on the doorstep with 
taxi money in hand  is very, very discouraging. especially
 because for some people, "next sunday" never comes. 

my agenda this transfer has a picture of the temple on it, a 

constant reminder that my work here in nicaragua isn't 
complete until these members enter into the temple and 
make their own temple covenants with the Lord. one sister 
here has been fighting to make it to the temple for over 15 
years, and this august will be making the trip to costa rica to 
surprise her son and daughter-in-law, and go through the 
temple. it's so amazing to see the joy that she has, when she 
thinks of that goal that is almost here. 

a big success was finally finding out what was keeping us from 

shifting gears together. sorry for the metaphors this week, they 

don't really translate very well into spanish sometimes... working 

with some leaders, sister martinez and i worked through some 

problems we were having, and now we are back at square one, 

ready to leave the blocks together.

this week's scripture is found in both doctrine and covenants 

15:4-6, and the following section (word for word) in 16:4-6...

::For many times you have desired of me to know that which 

would be of the most worth unto you. Behold, blessed are you 

for this thing, and for speaking my words which I have given 

you according to my commandments. And now, behold, I say 

unto you, that the thing which will be of the most worth unto 

you will be to declare repentance unto  this people, that you 

may bring souls unto me, that you may rest with 

them in the kingdom of my Father. Amen.::

many times i have asked the lord what my purpose, why i am 

here in this specific area, and this scripture gave me the comfort 

to know that my purpose here is the same in every area, preach 

the gospel of repentance to the lost and fallen sheep.

this week we are planning on focusing our studies on being
more and more unified, teaching with the power and authority 
of our holy calling.

and because it was the fourth of july, of course i had to wear 

red, white and blue. and of course with the stars and stripes! 
one of my zone leaders  is from LA, so he called me and wished 
me a happy independence day. the people here (this could 
sound bad) but didn't really care that it was any other day than 
a saturday. and that's okay with me. we will just have to have a 
grand party a couple days late next year!

one year from today, i will be sitting with the other sisters and 

elders in  the mission home, wondering what i am going to do 

without my plaque and authority to preach the gospel. but not 

to worry, i still have lots of time to work and play here!

lots of love, hermana graves