Gluten Free Empanadas (pictures?)

An INCREDIBLE, MIRACLE-FILLED week!!! I don't know where to begin or how to express my happiness and gratitude for the work of the Lord. 

Basically, I didn't have a lot of time to work in my area this week between many long (yet inspiring) meetings and intercambios in other areas. I was worried in the beginning of the week that we weren't going to keep the momentum we have worked so hard to build due to all of the extra things we had to do this week. 

I BEGGED in prayer that we would be able to find new friends, help our friends progress, and get them to church. We put in ALL the work we could and God heard our prayers. 

I could go on and on about all the small details and specific blessings we saw this week, but what it comes down to is this IS THE WORK OF THE LORD. When we have righteous desires, pray with faith, act, and watch for miracles, He will provide exactly what we need and when we need it. 

Spiritual Thought: 

One of the specific blessings I saw this week is the drastic change we have seen in our friend Mariana from Venezuela. 

She has met with missionaries before, but never attended church or took time to read the Book of Mormon. A couple weeks ago I felt impressed to knock on her door again and we planned a time with her to pass by a few days later. 

In the first lesson, she was very honest that she wasn't going to go to church nor had time to do what we invited her to do after our lesson. We decided to try and teach her one more time with a lot of faith and depend on the convincing power of the scriptures. 

We read Christ's teachings about the Sacrament and had a beautiful and spiritual lesson about why she specifically should go to church and how it was specifically going to bless her life and the lives of her family members. 

It was as if I was witnessing a heart being softened and a mind being enlightened in front of me. SO SICK!!!! She not only committed to attend church, but was super excited to come and partake of the blessings that were awaiting her.

Yesterday morning I almost sprinted out to the other side of the street to hug her as I saw her walking with her daughters to church, one of them being 3 months old!! She loved church and already told us she is excited to come back next week. 

1 Nephi 19:23

And I (Nephi) did read many things unto them (his family) which were written in the books of Moses (scriptures); but that I might more fully persuade them to believe in the Lord their Redeemer... for I did liken all scriptures unto us (taught how to apply the scriptures in their lives), that it might be for our profit and learning. 

We have the scriptures to help change our natures. They hold such great power as we apply the teachings into our lives. 

I have a lot of time left on the mish, but I already know one of the things I will miss most is having SO MUCH TIME to study and learn from the scriptures. 

I don't have time  to read what I just wrote so I hope it all makes sense. The point is I LOVE THE SCRIPTURES, I LOVE MY MISSION, AND GOD IS SO GOOD. 

Highs:

-Pablo wants to get baptized!!!

-Emerson bore his testimony in church AND told us he wants to get baptized sooner so he can go to the temple sooner WHAT???? I couldn't help but jump up and down out of pure excitement 

-I get to see the Andes everyday 

-Intercambios with Hermana Hunt!! Her apartment is heavenly 

-Meeting all the new missionaries woohoo

-Hermana Herrera brought me yogurt 

-Gluten free empanadas 

-The whole week in general 

Lows: 

-I can't find comfortable shoes 

THANK YOU FOR ALL THE EMAILS

Apply the scriptures in your life.

Hermana Pickett