Me Encanta Ver el Templo.

This week was DEFINITELY a roller coaster for sure.

The bad first?

Well, one thing that I have learned on my mission is that I hate numbers. I really do. So, it turns out that the Ga*** parents don't count for "on date" or "at church." Then, our one investigator that we had on date fell off because we haven't been able to see her for the past two weeks. Our other really solid investigator has also not been able to meet with us for the past two weeks (EVERYONE IS SICK AHHHHHH) and with her, we are either putting her on date or pausing her because she didn't accept a date when we invited her in the beginning and she hasn't come to church.....BUT SHE WANTS TO CHANGE. We just haven't been able to get in with her...So by Saturday night we had 0 on date and they both said they couldn't make it to church the next day....so that was going to be 0 at church. We had a TON of potential on Saturday to pick up some new investigators but all of the appointments we set with the people we had found in the streets that week ALL FELL THROUGH. So we also had 0 new. Straight zeros. I honestly felt like a failure. We were working so hard, why weren't our numbers reflecting that??? What was I doing wrong??? So I fasted...I fasted that we might have success in our area. Because besides the Ga*** family, which is the most success I have had in my mission, we have had zero. Well, on Sunday we had our day STACKED. We were going to go see EVERYONE. We didn't find any new....but we did put a family on date!!! It was awesome to see the power of the fast and I can't wait to see what other miracles will come from it. We still had to send in a 0 for new investigators...which was difficult. I have probably done that less times than the amount of fingers on your right hand. I feel stressed and that it all falls on me....BUT, it's a new week and I am going to make some changes to show Heavenly Father that we are worthy for miracles and that we are worthy for the elect and prepared. I am fully going to lose myself in the work and find ways to dedicate and consecrate myself like I haven't done before. I feel like I have been working as hard as I can, but there is ALWAYS another level above where you are. And that's where I'm heading.

The good:

WE WENT TO THE TEMPLE THIS WEEK WITH DIANA!!! It was a very long process, but way worth it. It was incredible. The temple president talked to us before we did baptisms and shared this with us:

"President George Q. Cannon, who was counselor to four Presidents of the Church, taught that in these latter days, those who are joining the Church are joining quite precisely because their ancestors have been praying for one of their posterity to join the Church so that they, the ancestors, can receive their essential ordinances by proxy."


The Spirit testified to me like never before of this truth....not only of this truth but that it applied to the name for which Diana would do a proxy baptism. When she entered into the baptism font....for the second time in her life, I cried so hard. Seeing one of your converts in the temple is one the COOLEST things ever, and I loved every moment. I was even able to do own of my own family names, so it truly was a spiritual feast.

What a blessing it is to do missionary work on both sides of the veil. I love being a missionary.

Love,
Hermana Tonini

P.S. We did service at a secondhand store and I MAY OR MAY NOT have made a purchase. There are three more in the cabinet. I have zero regrets.

P.P.S. Also, here's Sister Goodwine and I where we belong.

The Bittersweet Lagrimas

Ummm....Uh......I don't even know what happened this week. Honestly, the highlight had to have been the Primary program. This little girl sang a solo of the "When I am baptized"  and got emotional in the middle of it and I don't think there was a dry eye in the room. SO GOOD. Plus, we had the most attendance our ward has had in THREE years with a solid 140. It's incredible because last year they were averaging in the seventies for attendance. The ward is growing and strengthening and it's incredible to be a part of it.

Update on the Familia Ga***....we had a really tough lesson this week. [edited for privacy] That was the most heartbreaking moment of my whole mission. I have never loved a family more than I love the Familia Ga*** and at the same time I have never working with someone SO elect and prepared with a stronger desire to be baptized. I cried. I cried a whole darn lot. Then what got me even more was when the hermano told me, "Even if I'm never baptized in your church I am dying in your church. I know that this is the true church."

Words couldn't even describe that moment.....sitting on their couch in tears and hearing those words. Conversion is such a beautiful gift. While I am devastated that it may take months or years until they are baptized, I know that nothing will keep them from the fruit they have tasted. I know that miracles will happen and that he and his wife will eventually be baptized and then sealed together for time and all eternity. And I can't wait to be supporting them through each and every step and trial.

Also, there is like a 70% chance that their kids will be baptized this Saturday!!! So we may still be having a #baptismbirthday. Tune in next week to see what will happen with the Familia Ga***! Here's a picture of us from the Halloween activity because it's the only one we have with them :)

Also, for those of you who don't know, Corona was on my bucket list of places to serve in the mission because a) it's as close to Corina as you can get and b) corona means crown soooooooooooooo what more could you want? So of course I had to snag a picture with something that said Corona.