...And stuff.

Familia y amigos!

This email is dedicated to a little lady named June who we've been talking to lately. She turned 93 this last Friday. She isn't Spanish, but she's the neighbor of one of the people we teach. So we stop by and say hi when we make it out there. She's still up and kicking. She tells us if she sits down and stops going, she'll stop indefinitely. So she's very stubborn, but even since we first met her, she's softening. And she says "and stuff" before and after every sentence she says. It's a trademark June-thing. We love going by there and seeing how she's doing. We're planning on coming and helping her with her yard and other things this next week. We are just being her friend and showing her how much we love her and the gospel.

There was a talk in General Conference about loving our neighbors and showing them how much the gospel means to you and that that's what they need sometimes (I forgot who it's by... Elder Scott I think). It is so true. June is a perfect example of that. Everyone is ready for a friend and wants to feel loved and appreciated.

We have a senior kid who we're teaching who is really interested in the church (I think I actually told you about him maybe). He actually works at a local famous restaurant, El Gallo Giro. We've talked about going to see him when he's at work, but we never did until this week. We had about 40 minutes left in the day before 9:00 (when we have to be home) and we had to figure out something to do because our appointment fell through. So we actually felt like that would be the perfect time to go see if we could run into him. As we were walking up, he actually came out and had to sweep outside. PERFECT TIMING. Not a coincidence! So we just got a few desserts (fried ice cream), talked to him a bit, and talked to another senior kid who works there and is a member. Anyways, it was a really cool experience. We felt kinda like we were slacking, but we had a purpose and saw the blessings that confirmed it's where we were supposed to be.

That's what Heavenly Father does. He gives us little blessings. Little ways to show us if we're doing the right things. Little "tender mercies" and feelings of comfort. That's one thing I've learned through this whole process of deciding to go on a mission and since being here. Heavenly Father doesn't normally answer in huge, fantastic ways. It's the little things. And feelings that you get when you do things. That's how I know the church is true and how the Book of Mormon is true. And Joseph Smith. If I try to think about it logically, it's kinda crazy and technical. But when I think about what I know and how I feel when I read the Book of Mormon or testify of these things, THAT'S when I know it's all true. The spirit testifies of truth. And that's how we can know ALL things. That was one of the big themes of General Conference, TRUTH. Or at least, that's what I got out of a lot of talks. THE HOLY GHOST TESTIFIES OF PHYSICAL AND SPIRITUAL TRUTH. That is so cool! I love the gospel. I know it's true.

Con amor,

Hermanita Shirley

1) June!

2) Our district this last transfer. More hermanas than elders!