Semana 16 en Kerman

On June 30, 2014 Hermana VanWie shared this letter:
Querida Familia y amigos --

Esta semana estaba bien loca pero me encanto! On Tuesday we had an amazing specialized training with Bishop Greg McKeown. He recently published a book called The Essentialist. And he gave a fantastic training on how to essentialize our lives. He talked about discovering your divine mission. He explained, "As you understand your divine identity, you discover your divine mission." Jeremiah 1:5-6 explains that we are children of God and we were ordained and set apart before this life for our divine mission here on this earth. He explained that while we should keep our options open "it is not about keeping your options open; it is about essentializing to do your mission that has only been assigned to you." As we strive to discover our divine mission we must follow the obligation given to us. "Your obligation is to become more of who you already are and less of who you aren't. President Gelwix explained something similar at the end of the conference: "Put more focus on what/who you are becoming than what you are doing." When we do this we will turn to the Lord more fully and as we do what He asks of us (as we do His will), He will make of us what we cannot make of ourselves.

Thursday we said goodbye to President and Sister Gelwix. We had the wonderful opportunity to help deep clean the mission home and spend more time with them. I am so grateful for the blessing of serving with President and Sister Gelwix. In regards to them and to all of my companions, as we have served the Lord together we have become bonded and have formed lasting friendships. I realized that sometime between when I arrived in the Fresno Valley and now I have truly come to love the people that live here and with whom I serve. I love every minute of my mission! It will be very hard to see President and Sister Gelwix go, but I am very excited to get to know and work with President and Sister Clark. Sister Clark is coming out to teach with us on Wednesday and we are very excited to spend some time with her and teach with her!

 We have been part of 3 service projects this week! One move out/in, one cleaning of the mission home, and one cleaning/clearing of a backyard. I love service projects! 

Miracle of the week! G is going to be getting baptized next Sunday! We are so excited for him! His father readily gave permission and his mother has been supportive the entire time. He was also at church on Sunday. G is progressing very quickly. He learns very quickly. This past lesson we taught him about the 10 commandments (using hand signs to remember the order) and the Law of Chastity (using head, shoulders, knees, and toes). He was able to explain everything to us by the time we left. He is reading the Book of Mormon and understanding so much! We are thrilled by his progress!

This week my understanding and testimony of the Atonement has increased. I know the Atonement is real. It can and will and does carry us through hard times, joyous times, and sorrowful times. As we rely on the Savior He will carry us and help us to lighten our load. I love my Savior! I know He lives and that because He lives we live more fully and happily!

                Gracias por su apoyo y por sus oraciones! Espero que todos esten bien! Que tengan una semana magnifica! Los quiero!

Con amor,

Hermana VanWie