Canlle Wez

We were playing a game with other missionaries where one person on the team had to write the answer on the whiteboard before the other team wrote it. When it was my companion's turn, the answer was "Kanye West," but my companion didn't know who that was, so she wrote "Canlle Wez," and my love for her grew 10x. I had not laughed so hard in a very long time. I LOVE MY COMPANION SO MUCH. Literally so grateful for her; I just don't have the words!!!! 

Spiritual: Such a cool week spiritually. Last Monday, we went on a hike with my district, and an Elder who is about to go home was telling us that one of his favorite things about the mission has been being able to focus on receiving personal revelation (direct/divine guidance from God revealed through the spirit). Since our conversation, I have NONSTOP thought of how I can better receive personal revelation in my own life.

As I was studying, I came across the "How I Hear Him" videos on the church website, and WOW, my mind was blown by how simple yet powerful those videos hit me.

In these 2-minute videos, each apostle explains how he hears God's voice. I decided to write in my study journal a personal experience I have had related to each video I watch.

For example, yesterday, I watched President Oaks' video. He told a story of how he was driving to speak at a Stake conference and usually receives impressions on what he should talk about; however, impressions did not come until a couple of minutes before the conference when the idea of "shoplifting" came to his mind.

Without second-guessing the impression, he talked about the importance of honoring the law and how serious of a crime shoplifting is.

After the conference finished, a tearful mother came up to him and expressed her immense gratitude for all he had said. She told of her son, who has been involved in shoplifting. She told him, "When I learned you were going to speak this evening, I prayed to the Lord that you would say something that would help our son. You did. He listened to you in a way he has never listened to us. I thank you for hearing the spirit of the Lord and following it."

As part of my hunger to unlock a constant flow of personal revelation in my own life, I felt impressed that one of the first things I can focus on doing is acting upon the first thoughts/impressions that come to my mind, no matter how odd it may seem.

On Tuesday, my companion and I were knocking doors, and we started to talk to a woman who was smoking outside of her window. Nothing came of the conversation, and clearly, she was not interested, so we began to end the conversation kindly... when the thought came to my head of teaching her about the Word of Wisdom (a commandment of God that prevents certain substances from our diet, including tobacco). At that moment, I thought to myself, "What a silly idea," and WALKED AWAY!!!!!

That night as I was praying, I realized that the "silly idea" that came to my head while talking to this lady was 100% a spiritual impression. I repented and went back to the house to redeem myself, but no one answered. :(

On Saturday, my companion and I were running late to an important baptismal interview. However, we passed another super old lady smoking outside, and after we said "hola," the same thought returned to me of "talk about the Word of Wisdom," inspiration I had previously received. I looked at my companion and said, "Sorry, this might get a little awkward, but here we go." THIS TIME, I immediately turned back and started a conversation about the Word of Wisdom.

Come to find out, she and her family met with the missionaries for years before the pandemic, and her granddaughter got baptized, but she and her son couldn't quit smoking, so they were never baptized.

The son came out of the house and was SOOO thrilled to see us. After a long conversation about the Word of Wisdom and baptism, they invited us to come back so they can try to quit smoking and be baptized.

President Oaks said,

"When you get an impression, act upon it, however unusual it seems or however inadequate you feel following it. Act upon it. There is a reason. You may not know the reasons, but blessings will follow you and someone else if you Hear Him."

By striving and centering my life to recognize and receive personal revelation for just one week, I have already seen MAJOR changes in my thoughts, spirituality, actions, and an increase in joy.

God wants to speak to us. All we need to do is HEAR HIM.

Highs:

The rain!!!! It rained sooo much this week, and I just thrived walking in literal rivers on the streets all day.

We found a family that is just so incredible, and I love teaching them.

Intercambios with Hermana Albarracin.

Collecting water in every single bowl, pot, cup, blender, etc., so we wouldn't suffer when the water got cut in Santiago.

Another lunch with Hermana Susana that was so good and spiritual, but O MY, I thought I was going to vomit on the table with how much food I ate.

I have the best district in the mission #notmyownwords #validsource.

My companion is a legit angel.

Recent convert to the church PATRICIO (wins dog shows for a living) picked up our friends yesterday to go to church, and we couldn't get in the car with him because he was alone (mission rules :) so he drove very slowly next to us the whole time hahaha.

We had a dog follow us around and try to get on the bus with us.

Hermana Chavez created a pancake that is gray and looks poisonous but is so good. She blends up eggs and bananas and then puts them in the microwave, and boom.

Jump-roping in the rain.

Maria knitted us beanies.

Still listening to the Tabernacle choir every day, and it never gets old #listentoabidewithmetiseventide.

It's sinking in that I am a missionary and am living the memories I will be talking about for the rest of eternity BAAAAAA (I am also aware it is very late to have that just now sinking in).

Lows:

One of my boots had a little hole in the bottom, and it felt like I was walking in a baby pool for three days.

Pedro didn't come to church.

I am actually extremely awkward talking in English, and it is concerning.

Watch the "Hear Him" videos.

Hermana Pickett