Cáceres

Dear family,

last week we had intercambios with Cáceres and Badajoz- I went to Cáceres and found out by chance that a missionary there, Hna. Camacho, knows cousin Bedda- I love how the gospel creates connections all over the world.  

I also love seeing how God puts us in the right place at the right time. We´d mentioned to a less active woman we were going to Badajoz, and as always, told her to call us if she ever needed anything. Her son that lives in Badajoz called us during intercambios to ask if he could meet up with us to give us an important medical document that the woman needed beforeSunday- it couldn´t be mailed fast enough, and we were able to get it to her- she was so grateful. 

Tania is progressing. She really recognizes the difference when we teach her, and when she comes to church. She likes all that she´s learning and will hopefully figure out a few kinks in her life so she can be baptized. Listening is so important- I´m grateful for the Spirit that indicates when there is something someone wants to say, but holds back. We had a good experience with her that way this week.

One more thought. We visited a less active recent convert last night. He received a phone call, and when he came back, he was in tears. He has a 15 year old daughter he´s never met, who looked him up and called him a week ago to say she wanted to meet him. She called while we were there to say that she couldn´t come after all and gave a weak excuse. Emilio was deeply hurt, and couldn´t understand why she would say she wanted to come see him, and in the end not make the effort. The parallel to our life hit me hard. We so often come to God, our Father, saying we´re willing to leave our mistakes behind and give ourselves to Him... and then we don´t make the necessary sacrifices to do so. When God only wants to love and bless us, we hold back. 

I´m still learning so much on my mission and am so grateful I´m here to serve. 

Love, Hna. Johnson