Week 30 in Florida (Naples Week 2)

I can't believe how white I use to be! It's crazy! I don't know if
I'll be able to live in Oregon again, because I'll be so white again!
Well, birthday on the mission, not really different from any other
day. Especially because we couldn't have cake or ice cream or
anything.... Here's why
We had a baptism on Sunday!! His name is Sergio, and he's been working
so hard to quit smoking. We met him on Monday night and told us he
smoked on Sunday, but not since then. He also told us he needed to
change the date, because he was going to be working on the date we had
for his baptism. So after talking to a few leaders, we changed the
date to Sunday. We talked about his smoking and what he needed to do.
He just kept saying he just needed to give it up, and that he knew if
he could make it to his baptism he'd be done with it for good. So I
had the grand idea to tell him I'd give up something until his
baptism. I told him chocolate, but then I bumped it up to all sweets.
Hna. Killpack said she'd give up ice cream. He was surprised we'd do
that for him. But that's what we're here for :). We got in the car to
drive home and Hna. Killpack said she was really impressed that I was
willing to give up sweets for my birthday for Sergio. I HAD TOTALLY
FORGOTTEN!!!!! We pretty much freaked out for a few minutes! The
thought crossed my mind to call Sergio and tell him I'd fast sweets
except for my birthday. But that'd be like him continuing smoking
except for when he goes to church. So that thought left real quick.
And hey! I survived! It was so hard. But whenever I wanted sugar, I
just remembered why I was giving it up. Sacrificing for people you
love really isn't a sacrifice at all :)
We're still working on building up this area, and so it's been a kinda
slow couple weeks. But we have talked to a lot of people, and have
some promising potentials! Yesterday we got a call. Hermana answered
it, but couldn't understand the guy. So I took the phone and started
talking. I said we were missionaries and the man asked where we were
serving, and then said he was in Naples as well! I asked what we could
do for him and he said we could teach him about the church! It was
awesome! I've never had something like that before! We have an
appointment with him on Tuesday. I'm so excited!
Also yesterday, we finally got in contact with an investigator we have
taught since before I got here. We taught him the plan of salvation
with a puzzle, and then he taught it back to us! His name's Edwin, and
he's 12. We had a date for his baptism,  but it's during spring break,
when he won't be here. So we changed it and he's so on board! We just
need to pray that his parents let him get baptized...
Here's a funny! I don't know if I never noticed before, or of people
in Naples are different, but almost everytime I say "soy la Hermana
Despain" they say "that's nice, but what's your name?". They all think
I'm actually from Spain! The bishop yesterday had me bear my testimony
and introduce myself in sacrament, and I said my name means from
Spain, but I'm from Oregon. One the members came up later to me and
said he was Hno. Mejicanos, but he wasn't actually from Mexico. So he
understands me :)
The church is true, and I bleed blue! Hehe, sorry. Couldn't help
myself. I know that the only way to get the most out of this life is
through obedience to the gospel. The mission is hard, but it's a lot
harder for missionaries who aren't obedient. I'm glad I can learn that
here so that I can keep it up when I get back to life as a member
missionary.
I love you all, and have a great week :)
O! Almost forgot. We got a cool email from President this week. We
check our emails everyday for mission stuff, so we always see what
emails we have from friends and family! It's hard to not read them
right then. He told us that we don't leave letters sitting in the
mailbox until Monday, and we know when we have emails from home. Since
we have iPads and don't have to use computers for emails, we can read
our emails during our personal time during the day!!! So if you worry
about emailing me in time for me to read it on Monday, no more
worries! I still can't reply until Monday, but I can read your emails
any day :)

¡Chau!
Hermana Despain

Us with Sergio last night

all the sisters in the zone with the Zone
Leaders and District Leader (and his companion).