January 25

I sit here and just wonder what happened this week? I had a really good experience this week with one of those "shock" moments that was really hard to deal with at the time but after you just kind of laugh about it. I learned a lot about repentance and forgiveness. When you forgive someone, you forget and you don't mention it again. It was a good experience.




CARLOS WAS BAPTIZED and that was a huge event! I think the most exciting thing was when he was confirmed and Hno Luna talked about going to the temple in a year. THAT'S THE PLAN!!!!! What an amazing family and I just love them! They're not friends, they're family!!! His boss was there with his entire family and they've been a huge help in him wanting to go in this direction and finally making the decision to make some changes in their lives!

The night before his baptism we helped Mari prepare her talk and the kids to sing a song and I noticed 2 bottles of alcohol above the fridge! We had fun dumping those out - no need for those anymore!



Yesterday we had interviews and what we call zone development meeting. mission "meetings" have now changed to be much more help for the missionaries. what are the things we struggle with and when we are good we are then able to serve with the Spirit. We talked a lot about working with members and how this is the Lord's work and how we are here to help them with the Lord's work. We're here to strengthn the branch.



President Ellsworth. I love that man, and his wife. When I was set apart it talked a little about my MP and his wife and I am seeing it be fulfilled. I love them. I am seeing how he literally is at this work just like us. He doesn't know everything, but the Lord does. Some changes happened in the mission with companions the other day and it just broke President's heart. Something he felt good about didn't turn out good and ..... there are always lots of questions after. I know though, that he has been called by God to help the missionary work move forward here in Mesa, Arizona.



We went to the temple this morning. I can't wait to do sessions in Spanish in Manhattan! Oh how I love the temple and always want to be close!



Hermana Scott and I are great friends and it's awesome! Love her love her love her!



Something I've learned though, in the midst of changes in the mission and lots of other stuff going on .... is that everyone has a broken heart. Everyone struggles with things that ..... are a real struggle. I feel like I can be so cold hearted towards others because when something is hard for me I don't want any form of love for the moment (maybe just a "I love you. I'm here for you") but no form of give me a hug until it doesn't hurt kind of love. I just want to ignore it and later I will just cry and deal with it at home in peace. What really matters, as in all situations, is what is it that this person needs? That is exactly what I want to do ... not necessarily what I am comfortable with but what THEY need. Is that notwhat the Savior did? He understands us and knows how to succor us. Follow the example of the Savior (what's new?).



Sorry, I feel tired today getting up at 445 to go to the temple. This week was up and down and up and down and up and down. This is the Lord's work and He is in charge of it. I love my Savior. I love learning more about Him each day in the scriptures. Ruego a pattern my life after his.



HAPPY 2ND BIRTHDAY MADELEINE! It was on Saturday that we talked to a woman in the street from Quebec named Madeleine (she had a heavy french accent) and it was such a joy to talk to her! Hope it was a happy one!



Happy week! Next week we have preparation day on monday because I am going to leadership training Tuesday-Friday 8am-4pm. It will be good! I enjoyed reading Mormoni 10 this week about gifts of the spirit! Much love! Hermana Clark

january 18

with her new companion Hermana Scott

We went to Mari and Carlos' house Wednesday morning to say goodbye before Hna Mazareigos headed up to the mission office and we asked him if he would want to change his baptism to next Saturday ..... yes! Friday we went over the interview questions and Saturday he was interviewed and will be getting baptized this Saturday - 3 months (to the day) after his family got baptized! Ohhhhhhh man I cannot explain how excited we are! What changes we've seen in that family!




Last Tuesday we had a fireside with all the Relief Society in the stake given by the stake president. Oh how wonderful this fireside was. We worked hard at getting lots of investigators and less actives there. In the end, one came, the one who probably needed it the most. It was one of those firesides you leave and you call your mom crying and saying how much you love them - ie hard as a missionary to sit through. We mainly talked about the relationship between mother and daughter and what our Heavenly Father wants of us as mothers as well as daughters. President Bawden (don't know how to spell his name, sorry) got up there and just said something to the extent of, "I do not know exactly about this relationship between mother and daughter, but I will let you know that I learned about it a few years ago when the mother of my daughter passed away." Later on he recounted how while one of his sons was growing up, he told one of his priesthood leaders that his goal was something like scraping him out of satan's hands or something. 2 years ago his son called him 4th of july as he was grilling cheeseburgers. he had just put the cheese on and said, "eric, can i call you back?" and his son never answered the phone and committed suicide. Yeah, we understand that Pres Bawden understood a little about these important relationships. Women bore testimony of their role as mothers as well as ..... the spirit was very strong. It was a great meeting. There were three people there that just ... really needed to hear that.



This week felt like learn about the lives of missionaries with lots of changes and being around lots of them and I just feel like my heart is broken learning of the family situations while these missionaries are trying to serve faithfully! And how blessed I feel to have amazing, active parents who are doing all they can in their jobs, callings, and with our family. GRATITUD!



We found more families this week and saw miracles as they recognized something different in us, whereas in the past they wanted nothing to do with us. I continue to be AMAZED at the Lord's workings and how He prepares people to hear this message of truth.



This week I was studying Mormon and the beginning chapters are just horrific. I cannot imagine living in a world of complete iniquidad y mortandad! YUCK! being the only one (with his family???) living righteously. But que valor! I love Mormon 2:19 "y ay de mi por causa de sus iniquidades; porque mi corazon se ha visto lleno de pesar por razon de sus maldades, todos mis dias! No obstante, se que yo sere enaltecido en el postrer dia." that esperanza! along with the hope in others (in mormon's case, they had lost their chance of repenting, but that is NOT the case here in our lives!)!!!! Where is the light of Christ?



I love being with Hna Scott! There are some ways that we are very similar and it is cool to be together and learn from each other how to be even better! We are learning to be more bold and to be worthy of the Spirit! We reached our goals this past week and it was such a huge success! I love reaching and even succeeding goals made - espeically when you know you gave it your all.



There is so much more work here to do and though I know that day will come that I will not be here, I will do all I can to prepare people to receive the restored Gospel. The doctrine of Christ is something the missionary department wants us to really focus on. Teach the doctrine of Christ and it will help people understand WHY we ask them to do certain things.



The Spirit is the guide! We have no power with it. I love this work. I am so grateful to be a servant of the Lord. We are seeing peoples disposicion change. Next it will be a change of heart when they understand the doctrine of Christ! I love you all! have an amazing week and be facilitators of miracles by your faith! Love always, Hermana Clark

January 11

So the big news for this week is that Hermana Mazariegos is going to Payson, AZ.  She felt very strongly she was going there so it wasn't a big shock.  We prepared well and both feel very good about it and ready to start new with new companions. She will be with a Hna Mccinney who's been out since october and I'll be with Sister Hillary Scott. She came out about 10 months ago and was with her for a 3 day spurt with Hna Nielsen once. Oh yes Hermana Nielsen! We dropped her off at the mission office yesterday.  Not going to lie kind of weird to do but not too bad. We were there long enough to say goodbyes and say hello to President and Sister Ellsworth (I just LOVE them!).  This time transfers were all over and people are going places no one expected ..... but change is good! It helps us learn and grow! I am super excited to be with Sister Scott and she will be amazing in this area! I talked to her on the phone this morning and told her our branch will be having 100 baptisms this year ... so we're going to be working hard! Saweeeeeeeeet! Hna Mazariegos will be in a spanish branch up north .... and at this point I just feel sad that I can't go with her. I know she's just going to LOVE it .... aunque she doesn't like cold. This week we've just seen miracle after miracle when people hear she's going up there and she now has two pairs of boots, a jacket, gloves, and hat. People are nice to us here in Arizona!

To end her time here in Valencia, we had an AMAZING DAY YESTERDAY! Carlos is getting baptized the 29th of January! For 2 weeks now we've known all we need to do is ask him to be baptized and there hasn't been time with everything going on. But yesterday it was brilliant! We said the opening prayer and I asked myself, "is the spirit here," YES it was there and I knew it was going to be good.  We met with 2 new families yesterday who both are just starving for the gospel! One family we met about a month ago. We were talking to his neighbor and we felt very strongly to go talk to him so we got his number and he said when we could come by. We went by and they opened the door with smiles and "Hermanas!" [Hint that's a good sign because 1. they know who we are and 2. they're still smiling] Then the dad blurted out .... you're here to convince me! You can just see how the mother is thirsting for the gospel. Her kids are so willing to learn! They love the Book of Mormon! weddingtism in about a month! We met with another woman last night who recognized the spirit very strongly last night and is excited to come to church. This week she will probably be moving and that only gives reason for her to meet more members to help her move with her 4 kids! We are seeing more and more miracles EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. I am amazed and yet not surprised because this is the Lord's work and we are pleading to do it, more than ever, in His way.

Something I realized this week is that I have a hard time when someone doesn't want us .... I want to respect them and leave them be.  Well .... my testimony that the gospel of Jesus Christ is for everyone has grown immensely and one thing we've seen work miracles is simply entering their home and offering a pray.  Having faith that they will recognize the spirit and notice something different. All we do is help people recognize the void in their life and fill it with the Spirit and the knowledge of the church of Jesus Christ. The Spirit does the rest. Just AMAZING. Yesterday I went to bed amazed and so grateful that we are seeing miracle after miracle after miracle! Hna Mazariegos and I have been studying Abinadi and his valor and valentia and ..... I don't know the words in english. [I am having more and more problems will that ...... not knowing words in english ..... but Hna Scott and I will have to be hard on ourselves to always speak spanish!] When they clearly didn't want him, he testified and gave his life as testimony! All that says to me is when God commands you to do something ... you do it! You know it by the Spirit! I cannot say this more but I want to be worthy of the Spirit, ALWAYS, no matter what I am doing. I want to be in an attitude of serving others, ALWAYS. There's no better feeling.

After Christmas lights we have a whole lot of referral that the Visitor Center calls and we get the opportunity to help with that. Last week we went to make calls and I asked Hna Mazariegos if I could call her parents. YEAHHHHH! So I talked to her mom and sister Maria! How fun it was to talk to them on the phone. They didnt' accept missionaries, todavia, but gave a referral of one of Hna Mazareigos cousin in California who did accept missionaries! Horray! Hearts are being softened all over! The day is not too far for them!

Last night two of the appointments we had were wonderful with 3 kids! One of them we asked them what would happen if they weren't on the boat with Noah (talking about prophets) and one of the boys blurted out "Se mojaron!" They'd get wet! With another family I showed them some pictures to see what they remembered about the Book of MOrmon and when we saw the picture of Joseph Smith the girl got really excited and said, "I know who that is ..... GEORGE WASHINGTON!" Anyway, we continue doing the work and enjoying each moment!

I love you all! K bien que todo va a estar en febrero!!! There's still lots to do here before that day comes though.  We're seeing more support from the branch and reaching our goal will not be impossible, but will only be possibly by doing it the Lord's way! Ok well until next week! Good luck in school again this week Abby! Don't get too cold. I'll try and wear a sweater for you all ... as I'm basking in the 60 degree sunny (slight breeze) weather in Arizona! Thanks for your prayers and love and hard work. Love always, Hermana Clark

January 4

Ok sorry I don't have too much time because I had wayyyyyy too much fun reading your letters and talking to missionaries!!!! Sorrrrry! This morning we also went to lunch at a pizza shop that actually has GOOD pizza here and I had a diet coke. yum!

New Years Eve was fun because we all sang as a whole mission. The only problem was that IT WAS ABOUT 30 DEGREES OUTSIDE! Yikes it was cold! The song I directed though went really well and I'm not gonna lie .... it was definitely my favorite of all the ones sung. "What Child is This" After the elder that put it all together came to me and said, "wow that was really good .... that WAS a hard song but you guys did a great job" Oh what joy! The truth is that I couldn't feel my hands while I was directing and there wasn't a light on the stand so while directing I barely knew where we were in the song ..... too funny but way fun to direct a song! I couldn't help but smile while they were singing!! After we all ate dinner and it was soooooo fun to see missionaries I haven't seen in a while and possibly won't see again.

We had a MIRACLE OR MIRACLES this week. There's a less active who we've passed by .... many missionaries have passed by.... Mom, Dad is in jail, 4 boys. Less actives for years since dad's been in jail. Mom won't even let us in because she's decided she likes the baptist church better. Well we're at church early and she comes out of the English ward's sacrament ....FRANCIS!!!!!!! Wow her heart has been softened. Things have happened very precisely in her life recently so that she is seeing the Lord's hand guiding her. While reading LdM esta manana I just fell inlove with 3 Nefi 18:32. I loved the talk entitled, "vengan a mi con integro proposito de corazon y yo los sanare" por el elder Kearon of the 70. Oh I just loved that scripture though ..... you NEVER stop praying, visiting, loving people.  I think of that for one of our investigators. The mother was baptized with her whole family when she was 8 and they're all less active. Now they are learning about the church again and discovering God's ways. It will take some time but I am so excited for them to embrace the gospel and see more blessings as they are obedient to God's commanments. Pedro and Marialena, old couple who have lost lots of people, oh I just love them and want them to recognize this great message! They are Catholic but I know the Spirit is touching them when we're there (except when he is drinking his wine .......). [Speaking of we had champagne for new years eve. Of course, alcohol free. Kind of funny though when you're at members house and they get really excited when they remember they have champagne and want to share it with the missionaries.]

New Years Day was fun with the zone. I'm not gonna lie though, I'm so tired! I've started dreaming hard core and every morning I hear the alarm and just say, "get up get up get up" or I think I could sleep all day. Teaching is DEFINITELY the best medicine for being tired. We gave a LdM to a woman the other day at her door. Fine if she doesn't want to let us in her door, but she can read the LdM!

One of my favorite things about the mission is when you're meeting someone or you're in a lesson or anything .... and you testify of a principle and the Spirit testifies to me of it.  We watched a short movie of Pres Monson and I just can't deny that he is a prophet! We also watching a talk from E Bednar from abril 2009 on temples ..... I just love when the Spirit is strong and opens the way to learn exactly when we need to learn in that moment. I pray for that each day with the people we meet and are teaching and serving.
Saturday we find out about transfers. We feel like Hna M will go but I'm NEVER right so who knows .... how great would it be to finish up with her!!!!!! It's like everyday we find new things to laugh about - Wananos after practicing saying "walmart" or "ayudame Clark!" I just love her!! We will see. Or Hna Juarez return with me? In any case, it's in the Lord's hands. 

I love each of you! Christmas sounded like a blast all together, especially with the snow. I've been loving the cold weather here - I so miss it! But my blood is thin so it gets to me faster! Anyway, love love! Happy 2011! con mucho amor, Hermana Clark