Chapter 20: Changes

Chapter 20: Changes

This whole week just seemed to go by like a blur. I had to say goodbye to my trainer and dear friend Hermana Wilson, which was really hard. I didn´t have anytime to think about it though, because five minutes later they gave me 2 new missionaries to go out and work for the night to introduce them to the mission. So, my new companion and I, Hermana Shaffer, didn´t really get to be companions until the next day because we took the new girls on splits.  We had a miracle that happened earlier--someone called us and said, "We found your phone number on this card about the Mormon church, and we would like to know more." So I took the new girls to the lesson we had with them, and it was really great. I was really excited that their first night in the mission they were able to experience a miracle of being a missionary first hand. Usually this kind of thing doesn´t happen (OK, almost never). haha  I don´t think the couple was married, so that has put a little bump in the road, but nothing we can´t handle here. :) Then my companion and I finally had sometime to get to know each other two days later after everyone left Barcelona to go back to their assigned areas. I think we will make a great team! In the 5 days that we really had time to work, we found a couple of great new investigators that we are really excited about. It is a little bit of a struggle getting used to a new companion and how they teach and showing her the area (especially when I am the junior companion, so there is a little bit of awkwardness there...haha) but we are hanging in there. In church they asked us to sing for Sacrament meeting two minutes before the meeting began! My companion has a beautiful alto voice, and we got a couple of the Elders to sing with us and we organized who was going to sing what as we were walking up to the microphone. Talk about last minute!! It actually ended up being pretty good, if I don´t say so myself! But the best thing about the week was seeing Feily officially confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. She had called us two days before and said that she was really sick, and didn´t know if she would be able to make it. We panicked a little bit because the longer you wait, the longer the devil has time to work on them. So, naturally, we dragged a couple Elders to her house (ok, so they were pretty willing once we asked) and had them give her a priesthood blessing. Needless to say, she was back to normal on Sunday morning. I love the priesthood. :) There is nothing that builds your testimony of God´s love for us more than seeing the promised blessings that come from just a little faith and a lot of prayers. So, sometimes the mission is pretty stressful. In fact, I would say it´s stressful more often than not, but it makes it all worth it when you can just relax and see that it is all in God´s hands. The missionaries definitely have a lot of responsibilities, but God didn´t send us here to fail. So why am I saying these words of wisdom? Because this week I learned that sometimes you just got to take a step back and laugh! My companion was just called as a Training Sister, so she had to go to a meeting today. So, for P-Day, Hermana Peterson and I were on splits took a tourist bus around the city to look at the sights as the salty sea breeze hit our faces. It was absolutely wonderful!! What a great city I am in! I love Barcelona!! So although change can sometimes be difficult, I am so grateful that I have my beautiful city to fall back on to.

Les Quiero!!

Hermana Hopkins

Chapter 19: A White Dress

            This week was completely centered around Feily, the newest member of the church here in Barcelona!! It seemed like such a miracle that we were able to finish teaching her all that we needed to, and have her interview, and her baptism before my companion leaves for Utah this Wednesday. She was so prepared though! We taught her the Law of Chastity and the Word of Wisdom as one lesson, and we were thinking, "Wow, this is going to be kind of a heavy duty lesson for a 16 year old..." Well, after we taught her, we asked her if she would be willing to live these two laws. She replied with all her Domincana sass, "Hermanas, it´s a commandment from God, of course I am going to live it; is that even a question??" haha And so followed the rest of the lessons. We had her baptism on Sunday at 6:00 and it was a beautiful scene. When she came out all dressed in white, I had the moment when you realize, "Oh, so this is why I am here." We had all the youth in the ward participate in the baptism program, and then I sang (of course haha) with Elder Wiscombe. The spirit was so strong when she entered the water, she just beamed. She bore her testimony afterwards, and she said, "When the Hermanas first contacted me on the street, I don´t know how, but I knew it was all true, before they even taught me anything. I have been to other churches, but it was like they were trying to teach my new doctrine. I know what the Hermanas taught me was true because it was simply refreshing what I already knew to be true." I never realized before coming on a mission how much the spirit really prepares people, and then puts them in our way. She was so ready, she just needed someone to invite her back. I love that I am staying in my area with my new companion, Hermana Shafer (who I haven´t met yet) so I will be able to continue with Feily and get her pointed towards the temple. I love this gospel and all the blessings it brings. I have loved to see the change come in her life from just the little taste of the gospel she has received from reading Book of Mormon, praying, and coming to church. The gospel is the only thing that has the power to truly make anyone happy. It doesn´t matter what anyone is going through, the antidote will always be gospel of Jesus Christ. Although it is by far the hardest thing I have ever done, I love being a missionary!

Les Quiero,

Hermana Hopkins

Chapter 18: Please fasten your seatbelts

 

Please fasten your seatbelts, because this week was all over the place! What a whirlwind of a week!! The craziness started Tuesday when they decided to ship me off to the islands once again for a double companion exchange to the islands. So, I was going to spend the first day and a half with Hermana Haglund, and the second day and a half with Hermana Wirthlin. Well, my flight was at 9:15 on Tuesday morning, and after a crazy morning, we came sprinting into the airport, and tried to print off my boarding pass, and it didn´t work!! So after going through all these different lines to try and talk to someone to get it to work, I missed my flight. So, we had to change my ticket for the 3:00 flight. So, we decided to go back to our area and get lunch and get some studying done before we left instead of staying in the airport. Well, we live right next to the Barcelona Train Station, and that is how we get to the airport. We thought if we left 2 hours early, it would get us there plenty early. There is train to the airport almost every 10 minutes. Except for today. It was delayed for 45 minutes. Frantically, we sprinted outside and we caught a taxi. And thus started our adventure in an European taxi. I´ll have to give our driver some credit, it has got to be really difficult to drive without looking. haha! Yes, I thought it would be a miracle if we arrived there in one piece, but then another miracle surfaced. He asked us what we were doing here in Barcelona, and of course that is the perfect opportunity to talk about the church! We talked about eternal families, and he told us all about his family life. When we arrived at the airport he said, "I have been doing this for over 20 years, and never have I felt like my passengers were just meant for me. I knew you did not come into my taxi by accident today." So, God works in sometimes different ways than we think! Well, I finally made it to the islands, and I had an amazing time with Hermana Haglund. It was so much better than my previous experience. The next day, I was convinced that the devil ran the airport. Hermana Haglund and Hermana Wirthlin were switching back (yes I know, it´s kind of confusing.) but Hermana Haglund´s flight was cancelled until 4:00, and they overbooked Hermana Wirthlin´s plane and kicked her off. Later in the day, we finally got everything worked out. And the day I worked with Hermana Wirthlin was incredible as well. Why was it incredible?? Because now I know that there is such a thing as the gift of tongues. We both came in together, so we were a little worried about spending a day in the area without a trainer. But, it just clicked!! It finally clicked!! (I don´t know if I can adequately express my excitement via email.) I understood everything in every lesson, and I was able to teach the lesson without having to search for the words. Now, before we all get too excited, I think it really was a gift of tongues experience because when I came back to Barcelona, I went back to some of my original abilities...haha Anyway, back to the islands, Hermana Wirthlin and I found this incredible girl! We were actually just doing pass bys on less active members, and we felt like we should knock on the door across the hall that was a current investigator that they had only been able to meet with the missonaries once. Well, she answered and was like ya come on in!! She was super excited to talk to us, and we felt prompted to teach her the Plan of Salvation. We taught the lesson, and she looked at us in tears in her eyes and said, "Hermanas, a few weeks ago I had a dream that I was going to be blessed with a child that would grow to be faithful to God. I found out I was pregnant this morning. When I look into you eyes, I want my future child to be just like you." I got a little choked up, I am not going to lie. Then my companion did something that I thought was crazy! She asked her to be baptized. I thought, "What are you doing, we love this girl, but we know she is not married and is pregnant, there is no way she can be baptized!!" Not only did I think it was crazy, but she said it wrong, so she pretty much just said will you follow the example of Jesus Christ...by priesthood authority. haha Then the next thing shocked me. She said, "Hermanas, I know I can´t be baptized for a year (that´s how long it takes to be married in Spain), but let´s set a date so I have something to work for. I want my baby to have the best example that she can get." What!! That never happens. haha We were so excited we practically danced all the way home! Well, then my night got even better. I got a phone call from my companion in Barcelona, and I almost bawled. My contact, Feily, my cute 16 year old Dominicana is getting baptized this Sunday!! She accepted the date. I could not be happier!! Everyone pray really hard for her, because I am shocked by how hard the devil works on our baptismal candidates! She is just so ready, and she is so receptive to everything. Plus, it helps ease the wound of losing contact still with Francisco (I am not giving up, but we have to give him some time.) We had a lesson with her, and she was just saying, "Hermanas, I know everything you are saying is true, I don´t know how, but I do. I need to develop more faith, but I am ready to believe." She is so fantastic. Well. I was so excited to get back to Barcelona to tell her congratulations when it became very clear to me that the devil does indeed own the airport. My 8:00 flight was delayed until 10:00. They told us they were trying to fix some engine problems. Well, they weren´t able to fix it in time, so they said they were sending another plane in at 2:00 from Barcelona. Well, that plane was having internal probIems (I am not sure I even know what that means.) So they called in another plane for 3:00, but at that point I was thinking, "With all these malfunctions, who says I even WANT to get on that plane!!" haha well, in the mean time I became friends with a great Chinese couple from Australia. However, they weren´t interested in the gospel, oh well. What can you do. I was just glad to get back to Barcelona. It was so weird not having a companion for 9 hours that I almost forgot I was a missionary!! haha Then....Sunday...oh Sunday....haha We had this man call us that wanted to meet with us about the Book of Mormon. We had never met with him before, so we asked the Elders to come with us...I was not prepared for what happened next. I get this call that made me feel like I was about to have a secret meeting to exchange espionage secrets. I pick up the phone and he says, "Hello Miss Hopkins, I would like to change our meeting place to plaza España. Meet at the tower on the left in front of the museum. I trust you will not be late." Then I said, "Tower? Which tower? I might have to call you back if I can´t find it." Then he said, "I trust you will be able to find it adequately enough." and then he hung up. So the four of us walked to our imminent death. haha I was grateful we brought the elders with us, especially when we arrived we saw 4 evangelical preachers holding bibles. hahaha Oh. No. So, we followed them to these benches, and the conversation started very humanely. Until, that is, we told them we believe baptism is not a saving ordinance. I thought all Christians believed this, but no. Also, they said that God is a spirit, he is not our Father...The Book of Mormon can´t be true...etc, etc...We were trying to keep the spirit with us, and not have it turn into a Bible bash. Well, we were about to leave when the leader of their pack came up to me, stuck his finger in my face and yelled at me, "You Miss Hopkins have no idea what you are talking about!! You do not have divine worth--God is not your Father. You can never become like him. The Book of Mormon is false and Joseph Smith never was a prophet. Your beliefs will lead you straight to Hell. I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to stop this nonsense!!" Well, when I was putting in my papers I wasn´t expecting that to happen. haha I think a lot of people would get really mad in this situation. I just felt so sad. I felt so sad that he doesn´t believe that he is a child of God. That God is our perfect loving Father who wants us to return to Him with our families forever. I felt sad that he doesn´t realize that he has given us the Book of Mormon and prophets to help lead us back to him in the most loving way possible. So, I said, "I know that God loves me, and that he is my Father. I know that through the Book of Mormon, I can come to know and become more like my Savior. I know this is the true Church on the earth. I know this with all my heart, and nothing could ever make me deny it." I continued, "But, if it makes you feel better, I will pray about it tonight, and you will too." And we got up and left. I received my answer that the church was true just an hour later. We met with Feily, my wonderful baptismal candidate, and she said a prayer. It was a simple, and so beautiful. She wasn´t feeling good that morning because she had a head ache, so she didn´t come to church. So, she started her prayer like this, " Father, I am really sorry I missed church because I didn´t feel good. I know you still love me, but I would like to ask for forgiveness. So I can be clean for my baptism" It just hit me that it´s like a child praying to her father. It was such a special moment for me. I love this gospel and the hope and happiness it brings. Never forget you are a child of God. 

Les Quiero.

Hermana Hopkins

Chapter 17: An Angel

I woke up on Thursday morning, and wiped away a lingering tear as I put on my white shirt, navy blue skirt, and red belt. I can still be patriotic while living in Spain.  Yes, you could say that the 4th of July for foreign missionaries is not a very fun day. Especially since on Thursday we have weekly planning for 3 hours in our apartment before we leave for the day. Yes, not my idea of a very fun 4th. However, there was a miracle that helped brighten the night more than any fireworks! In fact, you could say that we were visited by an Angel. Well, technically, we visited an Angel. We received over 50 references from some missionaries that were sent home over a year ago, and so we thought they might be sketchy references, but we couldn´t just let them go to waste! So, we sat down and starting calling them. This is where we found Angel. He answered the phone, and said we could come over. When we went to his house, and said that he has felt really lonely here in Spain since the rest of his family was home in Ecuador (Something I could relate to...haha), and that he feels like he needed something more in his life. We explained to him how the church can bring not only comfort within the gospel principles, but the members of the church are like a family here as well. We then brought out the Book of Mormon, and testified how you can become closer to Christ through reading it. He absolutely loved it!! Usually, our investigators are skeptical at first at the idea of another book besides the Bible, but he was like yes, this finally makes sense!! He was totally receptive to everything about it. I can´t wait until we meet with him again! Especially since he was nothing short of a tender mercy after our struggles with Francisco...Oh Francisco...We thought we would be a little sneaky, and have the Elders call him. He just told them, "I told you guys that I would call when I was ready." Well, I guess we shouldn´t be sneaky or impatient with our investigators, but we had another district fast for him this week, and we all felt at peace and that God was looking out for him. So with patience, we carry on. Actually, let´s be honest. This week, ok more like this month, has been really hard all around. I think the members know this because the Elder´s recent convert came up to us about five minutes after her baptism and said, "Hermanas, I am a member now, so I can have you over to come eat with me!" (We aren´t supposed to meet with other missionary´s investigators, but we can meet with any members within our ward boundaries). She not only had us over for lunch, she took us out to lunch to one of the nicest Chinese restaurants around! She was sooo great! And she is taking us out again this week because she wants to see pictures of our families. She is so great!! So, when Sunday came around, God decided I could use another blessing. I don´t remember if I wrote about this or not, but a few weeks ago, I had to do splits with a member, and we went out and contacted. We contacted a 19 year old girl who seemed genuinely interested in the Church, and said her mom has been looking for it here. Well, weeks went past, and nothing every came of it. Then, during sacrament meeting, this girl comes by and sits excitedly next to me. And I was just thinking, "Uhh...do I know you??" and then it hit me! Ok, so actually she told me that I was the missionary that had contacted her, and she and her mom could finally make it to church! I looked on the other side of her, and sure enough there was her mom!! It was fast and testimony meeting which can either be really good, or really bad depending on the month. haha Fortunately, it was a really powerful month. We looked over and the mother was just bawling during the whole thing! (Usually, I don´t like to see people cry, but since becoming a missionary, it usually is a good sign! haha) After the meeting, she just turned to us and said, "Hermanas, I need this back in my life again." We found out that she actually was baptized, and has just been really inactive for many years. They can´t meet during the week, but they said they would be coming next Sunday as well. As a "greenie" missionary, it was so great to actually see that what I am doing is having an effect on the people here as well. At times I think the trainees think that they are only following their trainer around and because they don´t know what they are doing as well, or can´t speak the language very well, that they aren´t making a difference. It was so great to actually see the fruits of my labors!! I love this work, even though it really is REALLY hard sometimes. This isn´t work for the weak.Haha, but I love being a missionary!  I am so grateful for the continuous support.  I love you all!  And naturally, God bless America. 

Hermana Hopkins

Chapter 16: How God Answers Prayers

            I think I testify almost every day that God answers prayers because He loves us. However, how He answers prayers seems to be different every time, but he definitely answers them. . We had a goal to find 1000 new investigators as a mission this month, and we did it! I have no idea how that worked out, but through God anything is possible. It’s incredible, but I think our mission is going through a time where God is testing our faith. I can’t tell you how many times I have heard the Hermanas say, "I am not normally one who cries, but...." and they proceed to tell everyone why the mission is really hard for them right now. I don’t think anyone is an exception to this. Everyone is having their different struggles that they are trying to overcome. Our trial: Francisco. He officially hasn’t been in contact with us since the day he called to tell us he was going out of town for the weekend. He missed church, and he won’t answer our phone calls. I can’t help but think what could have possibly gone wrong. Everything was working out so great, and then nothing. We pray for him constantly, and we know he is having prayers given for his sake around the world. It was really hard to not see his smiling face walk into the chapel with his marked Book of Mormon in hand this week, but God gave us a tender mercy I think to help ease the wound a little bit. Feily. Our cute 16 year old from the Dominican Republic. We called her to see if there was, by some miracle, a chance that she wanted to come to church with us this week. I could hardly believe my ears when she said of course! We went to pick her up, and she was there! Bright eyed and ready to go, we walked to the church together. The Second Counselor in the General Relief Society’s son finished his mission, and she came to pick him up, and ended up speaking in church! It was really awesome to be able to meet Sister Reeves (although, I was trying not be jealous...haha) Then, it was crazy. Since it was the fifth Sunday, they wanted the third hour combined with the adults. So, the Young Women President asked us to give the lesson. Well, we were a little disappointed because we wanted Feily to have the opportunity to experience young womens like it should be. Oh well, then when we got there it got crazier!! They wanted to take all the laurels out to have a meeting, and that left our investigator and one other girl. So, we frantically thought of a lesson we could teach (it was supposed to be about supporting and honoring the Priesthood and include the Restoration. You know, why not do two in one?? Then randomly, the other girls came back in. It was kind of a mess, but I hope she was able to feel the spirit. Apparently in the second hour, she bore her testimony, so she is really great!! I am excited to see how she accepts the gospel. She is coming to a baptism that we have today, and then we are going to teach her afterwards. I strongly believe that baptism is the best lessons that you can ever have with an investigator! Also, I think something that I have learned is how to truly have a relationship with God. My prayers have become so much more sincere once becoming a missionary--I have learned that you can’t live without them! I was having kind of a rough weekend, and I was praying for just something little to brighten my day. And of course, the answer was very obvious. We went to a member’s house to have dinner, and guess who was there?? Archie!! Yes, my favorite Filipino said he found out where we were going that evening, and wanted to be the one to do the honors to cook us a meal. It brightened my whole day! He has so much love for the missionaries. So how does God answer prayers? Through other people. Last week I mentioned that we were going with the bishop to see him give a blessing to a less active member, and it really was so touching. She was so happy that the Bishop would think to come to her home instead of just the missionaries. (Sorry Elders, the Bishop won out this time.) She was touched he would think of going to help her, and it was an answer to prayer. Again, prayers are answered through other people. I feel like every time I feel like I don’t want to do something, or I missing home, someone shows up in my life to put a smile on my face. And I got an added surprise of having Hermana Benson come stay the night with us so she could pick up her DNI card for Spain! It was so nice to be able to catch up with my CCM companion and hear about the work in Bilbao. I am ready to start this week fresh and see what it can bring. We went to a Zone   Conference and Hermana Pace said my favorite thing, "If you are happy, please alert your face. Nobody wants to join a church full of grumps!" So, my goal this week is to smile more, and just enjoy these next months that I have here. Well, I better get going, I have a baptism to sing for tonight...I wonder how many different arrangements people can find for these songs! I love to do it though. If I can’t speak the language, at least I can sing it! 

Hermana Hopkins