THIS WEEKS EMAILS

SISTER REDFERN
Hola!!!
So the swine flu has finally made it here and people are freaking out. They shut down the schools here for a MONTH! Which is a good thing for us because we get to teach the whole family now :) ON the way here a women that we were passing was like "those girls must not be scared...its cause they are young," as she has her scarf around her face. I really am not scared, a little worried that people wont let us into their homes now. We were planning on cooking an American style breakfast for lunch here for an activity this sat but our area authority came out and said we cant have anymore activities that involves food and this Sunday we will only have sacrament. Our mission presidents wife says we need to buy a bunch of storage today because they may shut down grocery stores. Crazy, but the work still moves forward. I hope they don´t lock us up. I don´t think I could stand hanging out in the house all day again. We had an AMAZING week last week. After not working for a week were so ready to get out. We got a kick start from our Zone Leaders and then from there were on fire, teaching and finding people who were really ready to hear our message. The Lord really blessed us. We kept asking ourselves, "why are we being so blessed right now?" We received the Astandarte this week which means we exceeded the numbers this week. We were short 2 programados (people who accept a baptismal date) and I really wanted to get the numbers (it is not all about numbers, but the numbers help us actually see our success and push us. Before I said I would never be motivated by numbers but I have learned that it is what keeps you going in the field, as long as you put names and feelings with those numbers.) I was praying all day that we would find two more people who were ready to say they would prepare. We taught a bunch, all night we were going house to house trying to find those people. I kept saying that I will go all night, up until the last hour if i had to. It was 8:45 and we thought maybe we could go reprogram some of our investigators who fell. But Hna Burns said it is like going back to an old boyfriend haha so we passed. We stopped by another investigator who didn´t have time. It was 8:55 and we decided we needed to go home. As we were walking with our spirits low we passed by one of our investigators home and saw the gate open. We debated for a sec and decided just to try one last house. Marcela and Daniel let us in and I informed them that we don´t have a lot of time but this is about their SALVATION. So we sat. Taught them that this was the only true church and that they need to pray about it, find out for themselves and if they get a correct answer will the get baptised the 25th of July. They said YES! We called a taxi and got home literally at 9:29. The Lord knows the desires of our hearts and if we do all that we can he will provide in the end!BUT THE BEST PART IS... Mari and Juan are on their way to The Font next week! They accepted tithing with such ease, we were so worried about teaching them this one but they accepted right away. It is amazing to see what the Gospel has done for their family. It is such a blessing to be able to witness the changes in peoples life.I still don't understand A LOT of spanish. I struggle everyday but I know the Lord will provide if I do all that I can do.I love this work. I feel so blessed to be a missionary. Everyday I am challenged and I am finally becoming the women I always wanted to be.I love you all. The church is true! DON'T BE AFRAID!!! Fear God NOT Man! Go and preach the Word!
Hna Redfern

ELDER REDFERN
Hey all! well this week ended up being one for the books. We had three baptisms, one on Friday and two on Saturday. And boy is it always nice to have the Lord bless you with success, despite all your faults. Its clearly a gift, and sometimes you are working harder than ever without success, but success isn't always measured in baptisms, but I am not complaining in the opportunity to help someone in their first ordinance of salvation. There is always a certain feeling of peace, love, and truth in the midst of a baptism. I encourage you all, to help share the gospel in ANY and EVERY way you can. There is no joy like the joy of helping someone become a member of the true church of GOD. Man its good stuff. Well this is the last week of the change, and either me or my comp will be leaving, we don't know who but someone will. I don't know i really like the area its been good, I'm not sure if i would want to leave, but obviously i wont make that choice ha. So next week i might not write til tuesday, just depending on what happens. Ya dig. The weather is still killer, but its started to rain a little more, which after raining its just more humid, and the sun comes out like no other, so its not necessarily a good thing. But we all move on in the work of the Lord. I hope everyone is doing great, and keeps moving forward. Never step backwards, its a lot harder to walk backwards than forwards. i love you all and thank you for the support! have a great week!
Elder Redfern