general conference!

How wonderful it was to watch general conference this weekend!! I've always loved it but my testimony of living prophets and apostles has grown a lot throughout these past six months and it was awesome to see President Monson at that pulpit putting every last bit of energy into delivering his talk. Something that the spirit taught me at conference was to focus on the simple things and to be centered on Christ. There are so many things to worry about in life but what I decided I need to do is focus most on building my faith and others faith in Jesus Christ. Anyways I loved all of the talks but I especially loved president monson and how he concluded his talk 

“That each of us within the sound of my voice may pledge to follow Him, thus becoming a shining light to the world, is my prayer,”

Here's a little about my week...

Wednesday I went to San Diego to pick up my new companion. Her name is Hermana castellanos from Houston Texas and she already speaks fluent Spanish what a blessing. She is an awesome missionary and we get along super well! I'm excited to serve with her. 

On our way back from San Diego I had driven like four hours already that day and I was almost to Calexico when bam cop behind me flashing lights.... My little speed detector that's supposed to yell at me and tell the mission office on me hadn't even said anything and then the cop comes up to the window and tells me I was speeding :(((((( I tried to make him feel bad for me cause I'm a missionary hahaha we were like trying to pull out pictures of Jesus Christ and such to get him to cut us a break but no he asks for my license and the papers and such and comes back with the ticket. We started asking him if he had talked with missionaries before then slowly found out that he's good friends with the bishop in El Centro so of course I invited him to general conference and he said he might be able to make it and then crossed out the ticket!!!!! #blessed hahah I was so happy and grateful

On Sunday night we were trying to find a referral but ended up knocking on the wrong apartment number. The lady who answered the door had been sleeping but instead of being upset that we had woken her up she was very nice and welcomed us in to share our message. I was impressed to see someone so willing to invite us in and as we shared the restoration we were able to find out that she had already been taught by missionaries in the past and was very familiar with the church and its teachings. She wasn't baptized the first time meeting with missionaries because she had some concerns with the word of wisdom but she seems very prepared to accept the gospel at this point so I'm super excited to go back and teach her. 

We have another investigator that we've been teaching named Alvaro who has always been very open and accepting to our message and who has already attended church twice. He is very meek and submissive almost as a child which made us wonder if he had some health problems or disabilities. So Sunday we were outside and we gave him a Book of Mormon and he was so excited and just kept talking about how much he loves Jesus Christ and when we finished the lesson we prayed and were about to leave when he stopped us. He then went on to tell us about an accident that happened when he was a child, his brother found a gun in the house and was going to try shooting it at the floor but the pressure lifted his brothers hand and the bullet took out a large portion of Alvaro's brain which has now been replaced with metal plates. When I heard this story I felt so much compassion for him and what his family might have gone through as a result of that experience but it was also cool to see that despite the physical disabilities he has, his faith in Jesus Christ is extremely strong and His love for God and those around him is inspiring.

That's all for now. I LOVE YOU!!! 

Con amor, Hermana Koelliker