6/2/2014 Letter

 I feel so great out here in Texas.  I have finally learned to drink about 10-14 cups a day of water because I sweat a ton!  It’s not even July or August yet- Oh Boy!
This week has been the week of long lessons which is not good, but we are still very blessed to find people to teach.  This has been one of the funnest months of my mission.  I’ve never had so much faith, success, stress, and yes there are so many disappointments too, but you just have to give all of your pains to Christ and trust that he will take care of them.  I want so badly for our Casa Linda Branch to grow!  We are working hard.  I look back to see if I have made a difference and it is hard to see which is sad.  But I’ve been thinking about it this week and my success is not defined by external fruits I produce.  I cannot say, “I got 4 baptisms this moth.”  It is simply not true and not my purpose.  The only baptism I will ever get is my own and those other people who got baptized had to work hard for their own.  Success is defined by internal fruits.  What did I learn?  How did I change”  How did I work?  How dedicated was I”  Then those external fruits are a natural result of internal success and those miracles that you get to see in other people’s lives are tender mercies from the Lord and his blessing you with a little of the joy that He experiences.
     I sure do love grandma.  Through all of the trails and disappointments we have, I know that gratitude will help us to remember how merciful the Lord has been.  Gratitude will lift up our hearts and help us rejoice.  I’m sending a photo of sister Leichthammer.  She’s like our grandma.  She feeds us good and we always sit by her during sacrament meeting.

The Lopez family - my favorite family in Laredo

 The Lule family- another one of my favorites in Laredo

 Sister Tippetts with Holy Water and me with my Rosary - we made empanadas

Mother’s Day dinner at the Casa Linda Branch. Sister Leichthammer is the best! She only speaks Spanish & understands a little of Bro. Leichthammer’s English but they are very cute together. She has the funniest laugh. I love it. Whenever we compliment her food she always gives us a special look and a short chuckle as though she were saying, “Oh…don’t stop- give me more compliments!”