Week 63 in Florida (Naples 7.1)

Warning: I think this is going to be the lamest email from the whole
mission. I seriously can't even think of what happened this week! We
definitely did some work, but it was only about half as usual... I'll
explain why.
So Wednesday we were putting together a baptism program for Tristan De
Acosta when I got an email from President Cusick. On transfer week,
emails from President aren't always the best thing. It was an email to
all the leadership, zone leaders and sister trainer leaders, to let
them know about the missionary leadership council on Friday. So that's
his way of letting me know that I get to spend my last transfer as an
STL! I totally thought I would finish the mission without that
opportunity!
And so on Thursday we head up to Tampa for transfer meeting. We rode
with a sister from the English ward, Sister Kurshner. She drives a
Mustang Convertible. No big deal. We strapped the bike on the back and
rode for 2 1/2 hours with the top down all the way to Tampa. And then
we got our new companions. I'm with Hna. Packard! She's been out a
year, and is an opera singer! She's so awesome! I love her so much
already, and we're just going to have the best transfer ever! She's a
little freaked out about taking over the ward in 5 weeks, but she'll
be fine! We got back to Naples, settled in a little, ate dinner and
then went to the church to teach Belcy and then go to Tristan's
baptism. We were suppose to just be able to watch, he's not a convert.
But there's maybe one of these a year, and 20 convert baptisms, so the
ward doesn't really get that there's a difference.
The next morning we left for Tampa again for MLC, which was so good! I
had no idea the details and the care that's put into the work. It's so
cool! We have two other companionships to take care of, and  they're
both pretty low priority. We should be good!
And then on our ride back, there was so much traffic. Not gonna lie, I
was a tidge annoyed. And Hna. Packard just laughed, and now we have a
bunch of new sayings that she made up from my road rage. Haha, it's
good :)
Saturday we had to do weekly planning! And then from there all our
plans cancelled. We tried contacting, but contrary to the white
handbook, Saturday's are usually our worst days for contacting. But
that was only for a bit, because then we had a wedding to go to! Hna.
Luna and her boyfriend Alfredo got married! He's an old investigator
and she's been a member for 4 years. He was so scared! We saw him in
the hall waiting. I ask if he was prepared, he said yes. I asked if he
was nervous, he said yes again! I asked why, and told him nothing bad
would happen. He said she still had time to say no! Haha, it was so
cute! But, they've been living together for a couple years now, so
they're already pretty committed to each other, right? Maybe that's
why the world isn't so into getting married. Everyone's just so afraid
of rejection!
And that's Emily Silva's problem too! She won't talk to her parents
because she's afraid they'll say no! But she'll never know unless she
just asks them!
Belcy is doing great! But still works so much!
Yesterday at church we talked to Carmen Uvalle, who's the mom of an
less active young adult and has another daughter that wants to get
baptized when she turns eight. So they've been perfectly active for a
couple months. But Carmen has not been going for herself. Yesterday we
found her in the hall and I introduced her to Hna. Packard as the one
that pretends to be a member. She laughed and then told me she's
actually been thinking about getting baptized!!!!! What the heck!?!?
But! She doesn't want anyone to know. I asked if she wants us to start
teaching her, and she said yes, but only if it's in a way that it
doesn't seem like we're actually preparing here for baptism! Haha, so
don't tell anyone! Totally keeping it on the down low for a bit! I'm
just trying not to freak out too much!
Oh, I guess there was a little more to talk about than I thought.
These next weeks are going to go by so fast. Just 10 weeks ago I was
like, 15 weeks left guys! It's gonna fly by! I thought I knew what I
was saying. What's faster than flying by? That's what's going on
around here!
The gospel is true! Keep the commandments, be happy, take the
sacrament worthily. Always remember where you came from.
Los quiero!
Hermana Despain

Wedding!

Yeah, I might be a convert to convertibles!

Oh yeah! Tuesday the Alvarez family decided to just up and leave for
Mexico! I told Gabriela that if she doesn't get baptized for 6 more
weeks I'll fly out to see her baptism!

And! The Lobatons got a cute puppy! Actually, it's just Vanessa's.
She turned 16 this week!

Week 62 in Florida (Naples 6.5)

So... I'm writing from a normal computer today!!! But it's because I just sign up for classes... 2 months and 2 days from right now I'll be sitting in a Civil Engineering class. Full-time missionaries know exactly how long 2 months last... 

But here in the good life things are going great! Last Monday we went to Skunk Ape Research Headquarters. There's a website, look it up! Basically we got to hold a baby alligator, a huge snake, and a few large birds! It's was basically the coolest touristy thing I've done since I've been here, it's never too late! 

Tuesday we had a specialized training! Aka a Sisters' Conference, but Pres. Cusick advised us to not call it that because the handbook says Sister Conferences are discouraged. That was a fun training because he spent a part of the time explaining that every time we smile at the elders, we're flirting with them. They're our coworkers, not our friends.

So then on Wednesday at District Meeting, we were trying really hard to not flirt with the elders... Basically we just looked at the ground as much as possible, and only smiled the bare minimum. It might seem crazy, but it actually makes sense! Not just with the elders, but with everyone. Looking back, I think a lot more people than I first realized were not totally into the doctrine, just getting visited by pretty, young women. President made sure we understood that yes everyone needs the gospel, but they won't necessarily learn about it from us. 

So! We were walking to an investigator's house, but we were a few minutes early. So we stopped at a quad-plex where we have a few old investigators. One of them was home, and we got to teach her a little, mostly reminding her about our purpose. She says she likes what we teach, but is not looking to change churches. We invited her to the Halloween party, and showed her on the map where the church is. She said she never realized how close it was! Oh, btw, if anyone remembers, I'm talking about Maria Soto. So we told her we'd stop by the next night to walk with her and her son to the party.

Later that day we decided to drop in on another old investigator, Vicky, who we also got to catch up with, and came to find out she's still interested! We committed her to come to the party too, and she was so stoked, because she never really leaves the house.

So Thursday was the party. We walked to Maria's, she didn't really think we'd seriously come, but she said if we'd wait for her to change they'd come with us. Christopher, her son warmed right up to us, and when we got to the church, ran straight for the bouncy house! Maria enjoyed herself as well! The members that went to get Vicky said it didn't look like she was home. But we had just talked to her and we knew she was waiting for them. So we went on a split and I went with them to go get her. She was excited to be there, and we got to do a church tour, where she felt the spirit very well :) She didn't get to come to church this Sunday, but we'll help her get there next week!

We have Emily, a youth, who's preparing to get baptized! She's so sweet, and is so excited for her baptism. But she's afraid her parents will say no, and I'm not so sure she's wrong with that... We prepped her last night to talk to her parents, and we're going to see them Tuesday. Wish us luck!

We finally got to meet with Belcy, she's been working until 9 every night! She pretty much begged us to come right at night and just give her a hug if that's all we have time for. But we had a few more minutes than that :) She said she wants to prepare for baptism for December. I told her I'm leaving in the middle of December, so we set the date for the Thursday before I leave! She's so amazing, and loves us so much, even if we've only met with her maybe 3 times.

We got news about transfers! I'm dying in Naples!!!! But Hna. Gustafson is leaving :( I think the ward is going to think I'm the crazy companion (maybe I am!) So I guess I'll get a new comp, and I'm already pretty sure who it is, there aren't very many Spanish missionaries out here anymore! Here's to number 14! I guess it wouldn't been bad to end the mission with 13...

I know this work is true! This is the most important thing I could be doing right now, and I feel so privileged to be here doing it! 

Are you keeping pace with the Hastening of The Work?

Los quiero!

Hermana Despain

Week 61 in Florida (Naples 6.4)

Wow, I have been here for forever! We taught Harvey yesterday and he
said I'm the only missionary that hasn't left! And he's right! There
have been a lot of missionaries in and out of Naples since I got here,
and I'm the only one to stay for all of it!
Well Tuesday we met this cutest little 4 year old boy and his mom. The
little boy, Anthony, at first was all about stranger danger, and told
his mom to not talk to us! But by the end we were pretty much best
friends. His mom told us he didn't like to share anything. I asked him
if he'd share his rice with me, and he said no! Haha. But then he said
the sweetest thing a boy has ever said to me! "But you can share the
whole day with me!" Then when we were leaving he said "but I said you
could share the whole day with me!" Oh my goodness, it was so cute!
Unfortunately his mom hasn't responded to us yet, so we haven't seen
them since :/
Thursday was Francisco's baptism! It was so awesome! We had about 10
investigators, recent converts, and in actives come! Ivis said the
last prayer and he was a little nervous, but it was perfect! I felt
like a proud mom :) Alberto finally talked to Bishop about getting the
priesthood and he's good to go! But then on Sunday he didn't make it
because he has to take care of his mom :( There's a mom of a less
active and an investigator, Carmen, who came to the baptism! She's
been pretty closed off to baptism, but we talked to her daughter the
next day, and she said her mom cried at the baptism and she thinks
she's warming up to baptism! But we're gonna let her take her time,
she won't get lost :)
Belcy Benitez is thinking about a baptism for November, Emily Silva is
set for the 27th, and we need to switch around a couple things for
McKinnley and Gabriela, but everyone is still doing well!
I keep forgetting to tell you guys! When I was serving in the English
Ward last year, there was a recent convert, Roger. He was amazing! He
had problems with same gender attraction, but he was an amazing
example of how to live with it without living that life. He was going
to go through the temple a couple weeks ago. But the week before that,
he suddenly died. The last thing he did  was change his Facebook
profile picture to say "I'm a mormon". I think that was pretty
perfect. He was the best friend of every missionary that knew him, and
we're all going to miss him a great deal. It was quite the shock as
well, and I still don't quite believe it... But thank goodness for our
knowledge of Gods plan!
I got lots of time left here to make a difference, starting... NOW! I
love you all, thank for your support :)
Hermana Despain

Francisco's baptism!

Giant spider!

This is Orlando, he wanted my parents to know how impressed he is with
them for sending out a missionary like me :)

Week 60 in Florida (Naples 6.2)

Hola mi Gente!
So, I dropped my iPad yesterday, and the screen is partly shattered.
It still works, it just ugly. The church knew accidents would happen,
so it'll get fixed eventually. But I don't know when.... You know the
joke that if you drop your scriptures your future spouse gains weight?
What do you think it means if you drop an iPad?! To my future husband:
I'm sorry!
This week was pretty fun, and had a couple awkward situations...
Tuesday! We had a mini zone conference, where we watched Meet the
Mormons!!! It was awesome! If you haven't seen it, look it up right
now and go see it! We were told that all the missionaries in the
states were suppose to see it, have you heard about that? After we had
car inspections, where elders try to tell me how to check the oil.
Thanks, I got this ;p haha, they just assume things, it's fine.
We had a pretty awesome time this week with solid referrals, we got 7!
We usually get about 1 per month. So that was a miracle! Two of them
were especially awesome, and both referred by Hna. Lobaton, who got
baptized in May. We were planning to set dates with both of them
yesterday after school. And they both came to church! Ok, here's the
awkward part...  We went to Belcy's house (one of the referrals, she's
Colombian), to give her a BofM. We knocked on the door, and heard a
man yelling, not really angrily, and then the door opened. We saw
Belcy and another man. After a couple seconds we recognized the man as
Urbano, the other referral from Hna. Lobaton. We had an appointment
with him after Belcy. So as he ran passed us I asked if we were still
good for that, and Belcy said, no, now isn't a good time, he's drunk.
And then he went to a car, she got on the phone and asked us to close
the door. She said she'd call us later.  To explain. So... We left,
and have no idea what's actually going, just that it appears that
neither of them are worthy right now to get baptized... So... We just
laughed for a while, and tried to think of some back ups! One of the
backups was to check out another member referral, who has taken the
lessons before, and wants to prepare for baptism, so we put her on
date!
One of the english wards has an ex missionary that just got home a few
weeks ago. She served in Spain, so she comes out with us every now
and then! We took to one appointment with a man we met in the street a
couple days before. We had talked to him about baptism, and he said
there was no way he could be cleaned from his past sins. But that we
could come teach. So we tried. Basically, he wasn't open to gaining
faith, or hope, or anything. It was a little frustrating, but mostly
just sad! He knows there's a right path, and he refuses to get on it!
For now. We're gonna try again and see if we can set the mood for the
spirit to crack his shell! Also, when we met at his house, he waited
for us outside to walk us in, and then walked us out, it was nice! And
he tried to clean up all the beer bottles and cans. He knows something
needs to change! There's so much potential in him, it's killing me!
It's probably how Heavenly Father sees us, so maybe I just need to
learn my lesson and move on.
Awkward situation #2- we basically went on a double date with a recent
convert and here member friend. Ok, it wasn't really double date, it
was like their date and we were the weird Siamese Twin third wheel
thing. Does that make sense? Anyway, the member had told us that her
mom only spoke spanish, and wasn't totally supportive of the church.
So he wanted us to meet Natalie, the recent convert, so she might feel
comfortable with letting us meet her mom someday. It was fun to get to
know her, but the member was basically flirting with her half the
time. Yeah, so... But he did pay for our lunch too! It was sweet!
Ok, funny for the week! We were in our apartment for lunch, Hna.
Gustafson was making enchiladas and i was gonna make some pumpkin
pound cake. I had pulled out a glass pan and put in on the stove to be
ready to pour the batter into. She was using another burner to cook
the chicken and chilies. All the sudden, I use a huge POP and felt
specks hit my legs. Hna. screamed, I turned around a found glass all
over the floor and counter, and the pan gone. She had turned on the
wrong burner and it made the pan explode! Haha! It was funny, since
none of us got hurt. We had to throw away the enchiladas, too much
glass, but the cake batter was on the opposite counter, totally free
of glass. I thought it was hilarious, Hna. Gustafson took all the
blame and would hardly boil water after that!  But also, because the
pan I needed was in a million pieces, I had to use a pan, that was too
small. So the cake kinda turned out to be a monster cake, haha.
Perfect for October!
Oh! We had 8 investigators at church yesterday! It was amazing! I've
only had that many one other time in my mission. It was so fun :)
This is the work of our Heavenly Father, I hope you all realize that.
I've learned so much out here, and I never want to forget any of it. I
want to have it set in stone in my heart. I want to always be found
doing the will of God. I know that's the only way to have true
happiness in this life, and in the life to come as well!
Let Grandma D know I got her package! It actually went to my old
apartment, but the elders brought it to church yesterday :)
Los quiero mucho!
Hermana Despain

Monster cake!

And Francisco Roa, who's getting baptize on the 23rd! Oh! I forgot!
Another kinda awkward situation. We went over the baptism interview
with him, and we got to the part about not committing crimes and not
being on probation and what not. He told us that he got arrested last
year, and just recently got taken off probation! I've never had anyone
that had been to jail or probation. We called the zone leaders to
double check, but he's fine, because it was just because he was caught
driving without a license! Haha, we made the elders freak out a
little! But it's all good :)

Week 59 in Florida (Naples 6.1)

I know 2 things for certain- I will never know what's it's like to
train for the last 6 weeks, and will never have a mission companion
for longer than 12 weeks. Hna. Paulsen had to leave the zone :'( We
got a call Wednesday morning, and she left that afternoon. Yeah, two
daughters put into foster care. That better not be a foreshadow for
the future. I think in real life I'd be allowed to kick and scream a
little bit more. Also, I've officially had more companions than
transfers, and as many baptisms and companions (13). Yeah, I'm so done
switching. Thanks! Don't get me wrong, I'm glad I served with all of
them, I love them all so much! But I'm pretty sure it's not healthy to
have a new companion every 4 weeks (the average for the passed 4
months). Divorce is for sure not going to be a part of my future
life!Anyway, that's what went down this week.
I was sick on Tuesday, and actually haven't gotten better yet... But
there's not really time to be sick as a missionary! And it's not that
bad, so I'm good :) We still got to do some work, on Facebook! It's
been so awesome! 5 lessons on a sick day sounds good to me!
Francisco Roa is getting baptized! On Oct. 23, unless we can teach him
everything sooner, then maybe we could move it up. He came to
conference, and loved it! He was a little late because he stopped at
Kmart for something, and after he said he had to go to Winn-Dixie to
pick up a couple things. So that'll be a change for him, haha. But
something had to change! He already live the word of wisdom and the
law of chastity. It could be that easy!
We actually had 5 investigators come to conference! One was McKinnley.
Me and Hna. Melchor met him at the mall a few months ago. We passed
him off to the English elders, but they dropped him after a few weeks.
We asked them last week if we could give it a go, and so far so good!
We've seen him twice, and he has a date for Nov. 1. He's still a
little skeptical, he's not certain he'll be ready. Baptism is a big
deal, but if and 8 year old can do it, and think he'll be fine!
Another one was Belcy, who we've never met before! She's friends with
Hna. Lobaton, who got baptized in May. She loved it and wants to know
more about the church, and we're gonna go see her on Wednesday!
Oh! Thursday when we pulled up to the apartment at the end of the day.
We did miles, ended a phone call and stepped out of the car. As I was
grabbing my things out of the backseat, I heard something behind me,
like someone walking their dog. I turned to say hello, only to find a
GIANT BEAR right behind me! Ok, it was actually like 15 feet behind
me. I've heard of people seeing bears at the apartments. But I thought
they were more like little sun bears or something like that. Nope!
They're big black bears! We stared at each other for a second, and
then he made his way for the dumpster to get some grub. Our dumpsters
are suppose to be so high tech and bear proof. Basically, there's just
a side door you slide open. Well human beings must think they're so
clever, because this bear walked over there, got up on two legs,
making him at least 8 feet tall!, slid open the door, and began
sifting through as if he lost his wallet or keys! Yeah, adventures of
living in the Everglades!
Heads up! We're going to watch Meet the Mormons tomorrow for a zone
conference! I'm so excited I can't hardly contain myself!
Conference was amazing! I for sure will make sure my kids always pray
before they leave the house, duh! I think it was so wise for them to
remind us to stick the basics, remembering that there is power in
"small and simple things". I'm a witness of that! I loved all the
tributes to President Monson. I am so grateful to have a living
prophet. I can't even imagine going through life blind, not following
a prophet. I hope you a all got something from it, and thought of way
to improve yourself. I've definitely got a list of things to do!
Favorite scripture of the week- 3Nephi 13:22 "if...thine eye is
single, thy whole body shall be full of light." :)
#eyesingletothegloryofGod
I hope you're all doing well, and studying Preach My Gospel everyday!
Con amor,
Hermana Despain