My dear sweet Mama and family/friends,
Hello! How's life in good ol' AZ? Can you
believe that I have been out for two months now?! I just can't believe it.
Sometimes I feel like I just got here and other times I can't even imagine my
life before this. It's crazy, really. I'm still trying to make sense of the
time.
This week we got a new investigator and she is
A-M-A-Z-I-N-G! I love love love her! Her name is Kristina and she is 22 years
old. Talk about GOLDEN! This girl is so great. She has been investigating the
church for quite some time now, but her family isn't exactly supportive of it.
Her father is a preacher for another church, so she doesn't really tell him
that she is taking the missionary discussions. She has had a really really hard
life, so she is living right now with a lady named Tia and her
family. She met Tia through work...they are both Zumba teachers. You better
believe me and Sister Lemons are having morning workouts with Kristina! She is
getting us in really good shape. She makes us use these things called Kangoo
boots....look them up. They're hilarious. We are pretty much just an
embarrassment, but it's fine. You gotta do what you gotta do, right?!?!? But
anyway, Kristina is really excited to have sister missionaries now...she said
that she feels like she finally has friends as well as missionaries that she
can trust. I love her so much.
I HAD TWO SETS OF VISITORS THIS WEEK!! Woot!
Woot! The first visitors were Wendy Pugmeyer and her sweet husband. We had a
really good time chatting about things and about the mission...and then I got
to show them our newest art exhibit that we just got in. The artist is named
Annie Henrie and she is absolutely amazing! Her technique is so unique and she
has a very medieval/renaissance feel to her work. I love it...it reminds me a
lot of the artwork you see in Europe :)
On Saturday, I was SO surprised when Summer,
Hayden, and sweet baby Avery walked into the VC! I know they don't live
too far from where I'm at, but it was such a blessing to be able to see them.
Mom, Avery is BEAUTIFUL. Absolutely beautiful. We had 16 wedding parties coming
through the VC that day, so it was packed! And there were kids and babies
everywhere. I was feeling a little sad because it made me think a lot of Peanut
and Gibby and how I just want to hold them! Or any baby for that matter. As
missionaries...we can't do that but I got permission to hold sweet baby Avery
and it was such a tender mercy to me. I couldn't help but cry. I want the whole
family to meet her, I just love her!
Prayers have been answered and Sany is getting
baptized on Saturday! Thank you, thank you, thank you for all the prayers. I am
so happy for Sany, and I think he's ready to take this leap of faith and put
all of his trust in the Lord! YAY FOR SANY!
I've had quite a few interesting experiences
this week. But I'll share one quick one with you. Two girls around the age of
20 came into the VC on that busy Saturday. I was walking out of one of the
offices when one of the girls grabbed me and asked if she could talk to me, and
I almost felt like I've known her and I knew what she needed to talk to me
about. So we went and sat down and we started to get to know each other a
little bit. I found out one of them, Kirsty, was from South Africa and has been
debating on whether or not to serve a mission. Her main concern was that she
was feeling inadequate and a bunch of other things and I was just sitting there
like, HOLY COW. You are a blonde, South African version of ME!!!! We talked for
about an hour, and I started to share with her some of the talks that were
shared with me in my time of confusion and some things that helped get me here.
After a little while, she started to cry. She told me that I was just the
person she needed to talk with her to get that same spark and that same feeling
back that she had when she decided to serve. She asked if she could keep in
touch with me so I gave her my info. I feel like I've known her forever. She is
planning on submitting her papers very soon and I look forward to hearing where
she is going! Heavenly Father truly does put people in your path that you can
help if you are doing what's right. Obedience is key.
I HAVE NEVER EATEN SO MUCH IN MY LIFE.
Yesterday Sister Lemons and I had a lunch and two dinner appointments all right
after the other! I WAS DYING. I've never been so full or felt so sick...but one
of the families is Filipino so you just HAVE to clear your plate...no questions
asked. Speaking of food....Guess what Mom? I make my companion breakfast
sometimes! (Please, don't look so shocked!) Yep, believe it or not…I can cook.
I'm still in shock, too. Don't worry.
Also, Sister Brinkerhoff has asked me to sing
at zone conference next month so yay for that! I'm really nervous!
YIKESSSSSSSS.
I love you, I love you, I love you. Thank you
for everything you do! You're all in my thoughts and prayers! Have a wonderful
week. Xoxox.
Sister Rodriguez
