Surprise P-Day!

Hello everyone!

So with the busy season coming inconsistent P-days have returned! But no worries, the VCT's have started to make the schedule for the whole transfer, so instead of surprising you all each week I'm just going to go ahead and tell you when my next P-days are. They are *drumroll*...June 15th, 21st, and July 1st.

I'm very to sorry to hear that Big Joe passed away. He was an amazing patriarch that was a wonderful example of charity and love. I'll definitely cherish the words of my patriarchal blessing a little more, as most of us who received blessing from him are. My prayers are with all my family!

The sites slowed down since Memorial day weekend, but not incredibly. There's simply some breathing space in between tours. We've switched over to the summer time schedule so we have 9-9's every day. One of my favorite things is after a long busy day, when it quiets down a little, the sun starts setting, and we are just able to feel the Spirit of the sites. I've said it before and I'll say it again, what a privilege it is to serve here.

Online work is going well! I am in contact with a woman named Isabella who is going through a pretty rough time in her life. One of the biggest lessons I've learned on my mission is that Heavenly Father won't necessarily calm the storm, but He will calm his children. On the phone with Isabella, our Father's love for Isabella filled my heart with barely any breathing room. He is SO aware of each of us.

We had zone conference this week, which a piece of was held in the sacred grove. Afterwards we were all encouraged to go into the grove and receive our own personal revelation. If there is anything I can say, it is that Jesus Christ is keenly aware of who I am, what I am struggling with, and is ALWAYS willing to work with me. Elder Bradford once made the comment that the closer we grow to Christ, the more aware we are of how imperfect we are. The scriptures even say it, "And if men come unto me, I will show unto them their weakness." Ether 12:27. But through Him we can be made whole. It is OK to be imperfect, as long as we are leaning on our Savior to improve.

I've especially learned that after examining the prophet Joseph's life. Most are familiar with the story of how he received the plates. He visited with the angel Moroni at the Hill Cumorah where they were buried for four years before he was ready to receive them. Though, my favorite piece is his second year.

Joseph didn't know this would be a four year process, every year he went to the Hill he had full intentions of getting the plates. After being shut down his first visit (in a rather dramatic way) Joseph is now a big, strong, mature...18 years old. Happy go lucky, he walks to the Hill, lifts the stone lid, and takes the plates out...then looks in the rest of the box for any other treasures (If we were on a tour, imagine me shaking my head). When he looks back, the plates are gone. Panicked, he prays to know where they went. That's when angel Moroni appears and puts the plates back in the box. After talking with Joseph, the stone lid is slammed shut and Joseph is thrown back, left lying on his back in a pile of dead leaves. He rises, brushes himself off, then runs back home to his mother and family, to whom he cries, "I have not received the plates!" I image Lucy was there with her churned ice cream to comfort Joseph. (Disclaimer: Lucy did not churned ice cream, I just like to think I'm funny).

Just like the prophet, we are all in a growing process. Have patience, the Savior is there to guide you through the process.

I love you all! I hope you have a great week!
Hermana Abreu

P.S I will now be putting pictures at the end of emails with short descriptions because it's easier and I've succumbed to the ways of the mainstream missionary. Yet again, photo creds to sister Jacobsen and Sister Tucker and their fancy cameras. All thanks to a slow evening at the Smith farm.

1.Candid laughing
2. Companerisma! (Companionship in Spanish, but I have no tilde)
3.First Vision casually happening in the background/

4. Hermanas!
5. Model Status

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