Mercedes, Last Letter (Going to Edinburg tomorrow!)

Lifelong Friends.

These are Rachelle's sweet investigators that she taught in Brownsville. They accepted the baptismal invitation but had to work through some Word of Wisdom issues. They finally got baptized this past week. Hermana Clifford, Rachelle's MTC companion, and Hermana Jamile, Rachelle's old companion both were there to celebrate the big day. My favorite part of this picture is that the daughter is wearing the dress Rachelle gave her when she got baptized--the blue and white one we bought from Called to Surf in Provo. I still remember the day we bought it. <3

Transfer calls came yesterday. Rachelle is being transferred to Edinburg. She and Sister Nieves cried when they found out. 

Sometimes the most rewarding companionships are the ones where both missionaries are stretched. Happy girls.  The good news is that Hermana Nieves will still be able to see Rachelle. They'll be in the same zone. When Hermana Nieves feels like she is going to explode, she has a "code" she is going to text to Rachelle, and Rachelle will be able to call her.

These two girls were meant to be together.

They spent their last P-Day together by taking Sister Nieves--from New Jersey--to the Mexican border. #livingontheedge

And that right there is the Rio Grande. Swim across, and you are in Mexico.

Hi Everyone!!!

So I know I've missed a few weeks. Lots has happened here! Here are some things that have happened since I wrote last:

1. I officially passed my halfway mark in the mission! I hit 9 months and I really can't believe that! Well, if I made it this far, I can do a whole mission  missions are too short!!!

2. For the last little while in this area, we've been working tons, and not having any success. However, this last week of this transfer, we had interviews with President Torres, and he told us a miracle was coming - the next day we set 5 Baptismal Dates and our area exploded with success with members, investigators, and lots of other things! ¡Milagros si pasan! 

3. We got transfer calls! Sister Nieves and I thought that for sure we would stay together. But God never has the same plans as we do... Sister Nieves is staying in the area and I was called as Sister Training Leader for the McAllen Zone, so I'll be serving in Edinburg! We for sure didn't see that one coming. The biggest blessing is that Edinburg is Spanish speaking!!!  So mija and I are splitting up... But I am so excited for these new adventures to come!!!

Lots of hard and amazing things happen in missions. Here are a few things I have learned up till now, hitting the halfway mark of my time here as a missionary:

1. Once again, scarred feet are proof of a hardworking disciple of Christ. 

2. Disciples of Christ always at one time or another must walk at least a part of the path Christ walked. They shed one of His tears and feel a tiny bit of His pain - in that comes the biggest blessing of all, the blessing of discipleship, coming to know our Savior Jesus Christ.

3. You learn a whole lot more while training than you do being trained!

4. When you are so close to the border, you have to be careful to not look too much like "ice"... 

5. God is easy to please, but hard to satisfy.

6. You only have two jobs as a missionary: be a conduit for the Spirit and love your companion. If you can do that, then everything else follows.

7. People really don't care how much you know until they know how much you care - about them and about the message you bring.

8. The way to win the hearts of the people here is to tell them their food is the best and ask them to make you Mole <3

9. God's ways are never man's ways, and the greatest test of life is to align our will with God's.

10. Patience is the father of all virtues.

11. The power of prayer is REAL. I have learned how to converse with my Heavenly Father, and how to hear His voice speaking back to me.

12. The secret of the mission is this: repent, repent, and repent again. If we are keeping our repentance current we can know we are doing what God expects of us.

13. The greatest joy in life is to share the truths of eternity with God's children. 

There are so many things I have learned. I am grateful for every bit of it and for every second to serve and love the people here. Les queremos muchísimo 

Hermana Clarke 

Write to Rachelle at rachelle.clarke@myldsmail.net