Edinburg, 3/11/19

Hermana Clarke called us this week, and it was wonderful to talk to her. It feels like we are just catching up after a busy week--which is, in fact, what we're doing! Highlights from the conversation:

1. She sent her much-loved Sister Richardson home last week and got a new companion from the Riverton area: Hermana Drury. Sister Drury is 5' 11" and blonde and played college basketball in Wyoming. Rachelle says that it's nice to have someone "taller and blonder" than she is! After their first week together, Rachelle says that she just loves Sister Drury. She says that they are so much alike and that Sister Drury is "soooooooo much fun." 
2. Rachelle said that she had a very special week this week and that she could feel the prayers from others blessing her. (So keep those prayers coming!). What blessings? What special things?
1. As you may remember, Rachelle and her companions have been teaching a family for the last three months or so. The mother and her five daughters have been coming to church regularly since they met the sisters, and they have a great desire to be baptized; however, Jessica is not married to her "husband," Jose, and in the past, he has not been interested in marriage or the Gospel message. Because of this, she is not in a position to be baptized. BUT, this week something special happened. For some reason, the sisters had invited the Elders to visit Jessica and her kids with them, and when they pulled up, Jose pulled up at the same time (he is apparently hard to find at home). This time, Jose was very cordial. He sat in on the lesson, which was about the Plan of Salvation, and asked a ton of questions. He was very receptive to the idea of a Spirit World and the Three Kingdoms of Glory. He even accepted a Book of Mormon and read his assigned chapter--and had a lot of questions about it when the sisters returned. He had planned to come to church with Jessica, but they missed the time change and got up late. (Haven't we all done that?) In short, he is beginning to express interested in the gospel message. While he needs to progress at his own pace, this change is quite miraculous, and a hopeful beginning to an eternal family.
2. This week, the mission president gave permission for Jessica's three oldest girls and Jessica's sister (the aunt) to finally be baptized. The reason behind this counsel is that the girls are ready--they are "more active than many of the members" and when their names are on the records of the church, they--and the rest of their family--will not be lost to future missionaries. Rachelle will be transferred next time, and future missionaries will need to continue working with Jose, Jessica, and the rest of their family. Jessica and her girls are beyond thrilled. They prepared by attending a baptism from the Elders, and they felt the spirit so strongly at the service. For now, Jessica is determined to remain faithful and pray for her Jose to come around, and Rachelle is planning for four more baptisms on Saturday. Pray that this will be a special event for the family.
3. Rachelle also asked that we pray for Delores and her girls who are on date to be baptized on March 30th. She says that they are just the most wonderful little family!
4. Rachelle says that she never wants to leave Edinburg, but she knows she will have to go sometime. When she goes, she will leave a piece of her heart there.
5. Oh, and she said that she just loves the Relief Society President (and all the other members) of the Edinburg ward! She said that this woman's calling for 8 years was to set up chairs in the Relief Society room, and then she was called to be the RS President. Rachelle says that she is like a little Mexican Polly Pocket. Apparently, she's very tiny and so adorable. Rachelle says that she is the sisters' secret weapon because they bring her along to many of their teaching appointments and this little tiny woman is such a great help in the work. Rachelle says that she is another of her "best friends." It sounds like Rachelle has had a lot of "best friends" in this area. We love that she loves them so much.

Keep those prayers coming. She can feel them!

Write to Rachelle at rachelle.clarke@missionary.org