Dear Family and Friends,
I fear that my letters to you are getting longer and longer. I apologize for that, I will try and liven my writing so they aren't boring to read! But this week was a really good week and I want to tell you all about the miracles we have been able to see every day! First off, like I wrote to you last week, my companion shared the gospel at the laundromat and it was really cool for me. I kind of got chastised by the spirit for not talking to everyone but after I got over that, I joined her and helped teach the restoration to this woman we had barely met. My companion bore powerful testimony in a not so spiritual place but her testimony pierced everything. I later related it to the scene in Harry Potter when he send his spell and it pushes all the bad guys out and it pieces through everything as well. Not a very missionary focused comment but I felt like it got the point across clearer than any other way I could come up with. My companion is awesome and I'm excited that I have the pleasure of serving with her before she gets permanently transferred out of this mission! Later that day we had a really good lesson with Reyna, who got baptized on Saturday, and got all of the plans finalized for her baptism. We kind of got stranded there for a while because we didn't have the car and our rides kept falling through. But we eventually got to our next appointment which was a family home evening and we taught about missionary work and we committed the kids to invite their friends to an activity at church and the parents to pray and seek revelation on who they could invite to hear from the missionaries, it turned out to be a really good lesson.
Tuesday we had service at the food pantry and we actually taught a lesson! Not to a person coming to get food but to one of the employees that we have talked to for over a month now. With service comes opportunities to teach! We both have felt that the more we go back to the food pantry the more people we find to teach and not only for ourselves but for pretty much every set of missionaries here. It was a great time and then after that we got some tacos from the taco truck, which was a bit scary, and then one of the members who works there gave us a ride to subway so we could have a real meal. And we struck up conversation with the workers there! They are super nice and we got to share a little bit of our beliefs with them. And then after that we decided that we were going to stop by and write a little note and put it on the door of our recent converts who have been struggling, Patty and Roberto, and guess who pulled up? Patty and Roberto! It was great because we got to have an appointment with them and see how they were doing and help them understand that they do have a testimony, they have felt the spirit, and this is the true church. The spirit was really strong and you could see a difference in their spirit. Then we went to another RCLA's house and we taught her about the gospel of Jesus Christ, she really likes having us over. Number one she doesn't know much about the gospel and number two she thinks it's awesome that we have a strong testimony at such a young age. After that a member picked us up and took us home. It was 8 and an awkward time because we can't exactly go too far because it would be a waste of time but we couldn't stay home because it would be a waste of time, but we decided it in our hearts that we were going to contact people and we set out on our way. We ended up contacting two new people and set two return appointments for them. It was really cool to see how people are prepared at any TIME of the day.
Wednesday we had a crazy day!! Oh man! So much happened. And if we didn't have so many miracles, I would have seriously skipped this day but I can't because there's too much that went on. We started out our day with district meeting and it was really amazing we talked a lot about the first vision. I realized I didn't have it memorized and so I put it in my mind to memorize it and use it every chance I get. After that, we saw a part member family that we have been teaching and we testified of the Book of Mormon. We also put Miguel on date to be baptized and he is amazing! He doesn't have many questions but when he does, he asks them. I feel like he just picks up on the gospel quickly and he loves the gospel pictures. He was coming to church on Sunday with his wife but it got canceled so that was a negatory. Then we visited a new investigator and taught her the Book of Mormon as well. She had been reading but she noticed the scriptures at the bottom and wanted to know how to find them so we got to teach her that! We tried to put her on date for the 28th of February but she said she wanted to know more first. She is really awesome and we know we can help her to baptism in no way. After, we had an appointment fall through with someone we had contacted before but that's okay because we had time for finding! But we found a creeper. We were walking on the street and saw people at the bus stop so obviously we were going to stop to them and talk to them. We broke the ice with asking about the bus and introduced our work as missionaries and then shared what our basic beliefs were. We asked if they were interested in having missionaries come by and teach them and the woman passed on the offer and the man accepted the offer. We gave him the address to the church and our phone number. Bad move. He called us twice while we were in an appointment. We referred him quickly to the English elders and asked them to follow up with him quickly. Apparently they called him he next morning and he was not interested after he found out he couldn't have our contact information. He hung up on the elders. Apparently since our voicemail is in Spanish he thought it was someone else! Bingo! Spanish speaking mission for the win! Anyway we were able to teach an awesome lesson after that and commit the mother of the family to share the gospel with her friend who just lost her dad. We were able to visit with Reyna after that and go through the interview questions with her. She was so nervous but she did really well, we were so proud of her! When I got home, I found out my little brother who is serving in the Washington Tacoma mission was struck by a car. My heart dropped and then I read the next few words that told me he was fine. It was rough, but there was nothing I could do and so I had to put it on the shelf.
Thursday we had planning but we also had Reyna's interview. It was good, it was during MCM so we shared the information we needed to and when the interview was done we stepped out to have her fill out some paperwork. She was bawling. We didn't know what had happened. I, being me, thought the worse immediately and so I called out elder zavala. He said she passed her interview and that he was prompted to ask her why she wanted to be baptized again at the end of the interview and she just started to bawl. She said she wanted to have her girls for all of eternity and she wanted a new, better life for her and her family. She wanted the strength that came from baptism! Reyna is awesome, she is amazing and I know that's why her baptism was so hard. Satan was trying everything to get this to be postponed or canceled but it wasn't because Reyna is AWESOME!
Friday was so busy too but we saw so many miracles once again! We started out the day by going to see Reyna and Francisco to help build their strength to make it one more day Til her baptism. We showed them the restoration video from gospel library. The twenty minute one. Reyna cried a little. At the end of the video, Francisco turned to us and said that the movie was wrong because Joseph smith saw Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ in his bedroom and not in the forest and Reyna ever so kindly corrected him by saying that Moroni appeared to him in his room to tell him about the Book of Mormon and that Joseph saw Heavenly Father and Jesus in the grove and she knows it happened. She then turned to us and testified that she knew Joseph to be a prophet of God and that she loved Joseph smith history and his movie which is also in gospel library. We went to the library after that to make her program and to make some more Criss cross cards for this next week and headed out to Plainfield to visit the Vera family, we taught them the plan of salvation and related it to how the plan can help us overcome any of our problems. No matter how sucky it seems now, living in the right way will ensure that we have eternal joy! This lesson was a miracle because that was the first time we got in with them this transfer and I was able to bond with them. After we had a finding lesson where we committed each family member to seek revelation on who to share the gospel with and they accepted. Katia, the daughter asked if we could speak with a young woman who was already a member but who was less active. We said of course and we helped her come up with ways to talk to her about it. We also invited her to study courage in the Book of Mormon and to pray to have the courage she needs to share the gospel. This was also a funny experience because the youngest daughter, who just got baptized, told us that we basically ruined her plans. They had planned on going to the talent show that night at the school but we asked to come over and they canceled it and Yari was heart broken! It was going to be her first one and it got canceled but it was all better because her dad said they could go out for breakfast the next morning. It was just funny because she was just really upfront with Us by saying, "I didn't get to do what I wanted to do tonight so I get breakfast tomorrow". Gotta love kids right? After that we got to see another part member family we are working with and we were able to teach about the temple and family history work. She didn't believe that we could trace out family work all the way back to Adam and Eve so the next time we go over I'm going to bring mine to show her. The lesson was good and was a miracle in and of itself because we haven't been able to see them in over a week! Our schedules always conflicted but they said they were going to try to come to church but it got canceled.
Saturday was basically a huge stress ball. We got a call in the morning from Francisco, Reyna's husband to be, telling us that the wedding and the baptism were off because Reyna was mad at him. He said she kept throwing a fit because the tights didn't match the dress and now wouldn't talk to him. He said he didn't know what to do. So we told him we would be there ASAP. We grabbed everything we could to make her feel beautiful and we hauled over there. We got over there and Reyna was fine and then my heart started to pound. Where was Francisco? We called the number he called us from earlier, because their phones are shut off, and thankfully he was still with his friend. Reyna didn't know where he had went he had just left and we were so nervous, but we told him we were there and that he should have everything he needs to get ready at the house now and he said he would be home in about half an hour. We didn't like that but it was the answer we got and so we said alright. We started to get the girls ready, Alexandra was being a typical three year old and we had to distract her with pictures of Jesus, she loves Jesus, to be able to do her hair while Reyna got the baby and herself ready. So finally we have the little girls ready and Francisco comes home! Prayers really are answered. Then he doesn't want to get ready and at this point I have a prayer on repeat pleading for patience so I don't slap him. But thankfully Hermana Lewis is super patient and talked to him to calm his nerves so he would get ready and then finally! We left. We grabbed something to eat on the way to the church so I wouldn't kill anyone but then we were nervous to let them drive by themselves. On the way I got a phone call from President Fenn telling me he had received an email from my dad. My heart started to pound and I had a pain in my chest. But he just called to see how I was doing with the knowledge that Ben was hit by a car and at that point I hadn't had much time to think about it because it was on the shelf but it was wonderful to know that my dad cared enough to write president Fenn and that President Fenn cared enough to call and check up on me. And then I was worried Francisco wasn't going to drive to the church, but he did. And so we started to skype with the elders who wanted to come to the baptism but couldn't and we got the church ready. 4 o'clock came around and there was no one there. It was supposed to start at 4. But thankfully, prayers were answered, they had a ton of support, and the wedding and baptism was a success. Reyna said she felt like a fresh fruit when she came up out of the water. I'm not exactly sure what that means but the look on her face said that she was happier than she ever has been! The wedding reception was amazing and simple and everyone there enjoyed themselves. Presidente Ramirez and his wife were dancing and man are they good! But we cleaned up and headed home. I was wound so tight on Saturday I had to end early and take a muscle relaxer that put me out of commission for the day and a good chunk of the next. Muscle relaxers and fast sunday...not my favorite mix. The muscle relaxer takes forever to wear off.
That was my week. It was long but I saw the hand of the lord in our area everyday. When we work hard and our desires are truly to bring souls closer to Christ we will be blessed. When we pray everyday to have opportunities to share the gospel, we will be blessed with people who are prepared for us. Heavenly Father hears and answers our prayers. He lifts and supports zus. Jesus Christ is our savior and redeemer and through his atonement we can receive the strength we need to improve and become who we need to be. He is working right along side of us here on our missions. I learned a lot this week and I hope that this week that comes brings more. I'm grateful for the opportunity I have to be a missionary and see how much the lord is in our lives and gain an unshakable testimony that these things are true. Have a great week!
Hermana Kunz
Hermana Rebekka Kunz
Illinois Chicago West Mission
July 2014 - January 2016
I fear that my letters to you are getting longer and longer. I apologize for that, I will try and liven my writing so they aren't boring to read! But this week was a really good week and I want to tell you all about the miracles we have been able to see every day! First off, like I wrote to you last week, my companion shared the gospel at the laundromat and it was really cool for me. I kind of got chastised by the spirit for not talking to everyone but after I got over that, I joined her and helped teach the restoration to this woman we had barely met. My companion bore powerful testimony in a not so spiritual place but her testimony pierced everything. I later related it to the scene in Harry Potter when he send his spell and it pushes all the bad guys out and it pieces through everything as well. Not a very missionary focused comment but I felt like it got the point across clearer than any other way I could come up with. My companion is awesome and I'm excited that I have the pleasure of serving with her before she gets permanently transferred out of this mission! Later that day we had a really good lesson with Reyna, who got baptized on Saturday, and got all of the plans finalized for her baptism. We kind of got stranded there for a while because we didn't have the car and our rides kept falling through. But we eventually got to our next appointment which was a family home evening and we taught about missionary work and we committed the kids to invite their friends to an activity at church and the parents to pray and seek revelation on who they could invite to hear from the missionaries, it turned out to be a really good lesson.
Tuesday we had service at the food pantry and we actually taught a lesson! Not to a person coming to get food but to one of the employees that we have talked to for over a month now. With service comes opportunities to teach! We both have felt that the more we go back to the food pantry the more people we find to teach and not only for ourselves but for pretty much every set of missionaries here. It was a great time and then after that we got some tacos from the taco truck, which was a bit scary, and then one of the members who works there gave us a ride to subway so we could have a real meal. And we struck up conversation with the workers there! They are super nice and we got to share a little bit of our beliefs with them. And then after that we decided that we were going to stop by and write a little note and put it on the door of our recent converts who have been struggling, Patty and Roberto, and guess who pulled up? Patty and Roberto! It was great because we got to have an appointment with them and see how they were doing and help them understand that they do have a testimony, they have felt the spirit, and this is the true church. The spirit was really strong and you could see a difference in their spirit. Then we went to another RCLA's house and we taught her about the gospel of Jesus Christ, she really likes having us over. Number one she doesn't know much about the gospel and number two she thinks it's awesome that we have a strong testimony at such a young age. After that a member picked us up and took us home. It was 8 and an awkward time because we can't exactly go too far because it would be a waste of time but we couldn't stay home because it would be a waste of time, but we decided it in our hearts that we were going to contact people and we set out on our way. We ended up contacting two new people and set two return appointments for them. It was really cool to see how people are prepared at any TIME of the day.
Wednesday we had a crazy day!! Oh man! So much happened. And if we didn't have so many miracles, I would have seriously skipped this day but I can't because there's too much that went on. We started out our day with district meeting and it was really amazing we talked a lot about the first vision. I realized I didn't have it memorized and so I put it in my mind to memorize it and use it every chance I get. After that, we saw a part member family that we have been teaching and we testified of the Book of Mormon. We also put Miguel on date to be baptized and he is amazing! He doesn't have many questions but when he does, he asks them. I feel like he just picks up on the gospel quickly and he loves the gospel pictures. He was coming to church on Sunday with his wife but it got canceled so that was a negatory. Then we visited a new investigator and taught her the Book of Mormon as well. She had been reading but she noticed the scriptures at the bottom and wanted to know how to find them so we got to teach her that! We tried to put her on date for the 28th of February but she said she wanted to know more first. She is really awesome and we know we can help her to baptism in no way. After, we had an appointment fall through with someone we had contacted before but that's okay because we had time for finding! But we found a creeper. We were walking on the street and saw people at the bus stop so obviously we were going to stop to them and talk to them. We broke the ice with asking about the bus and introduced our work as missionaries and then shared what our basic beliefs were. We asked if they were interested in having missionaries come by and teach them and the woman passed on the offer and the man accepted the offer. We gave him the address to the church and our phone number. Bad move. He called us twice while we were in an appointment. We referred him quickly to the English elders and asked them to follow up with him quickly. Apparently they called him he next morning and he was not interested after he found out he couldn't have our contact information. He hung up on the elders. Apparently since our voicemail is in Spanish he thought it was someone else! Bingo! Spanish speaking mission for the win! Anyway we were able to teach an awesome lesson after that and commit the mother of the family to share the gospel with her friend who just lost her dad. We were able to visit with Reyna after that and go through the interview questions with her. She was so nervous but she did really well, we were so proud of her! When I got home, I found out my little brother who is serving in the Washington Tacoma mission was struck by a car. My heart dropped and then I read the next few words that told me he was fine. It was rough, but there was nothing I could do and so I had to put it on the shelf.
Thursday we had planning but we also had Reyna's interview. It was good, it was during MCM so we shared the information we needed to and when the interview was done we stepped out to have her fill out some paperwork. She was bawling. We didn't know what had happened. I, being me, thought the worse immediately and so I called out elder zavala. He said she passed her interview and that he was prompted to ask her why she wanted to be baptized again at the end of the interview and she just started to bawl. She said she wanted to have her girls for all of eternity and she wanted a new, better life for her and her family. She wanted the strength that came from baptism! Reyna is awesome, she is amazing and I know that's why her baptism was so hard. Satan was trying everything to get this to be postponed or canceled but it wasn't because Reyna is AWESOME!
Friday was so busy too but we saw so many miracles once again! We started out the day by going to see Reyna and Francisco to help build their strength to make it one more day Til her baptism. We showed them the restoration video from gospel library. The twenty minute one. Reyna cried a little. At the end of the video, Francisco turned to us and said that the movie was wrong because Joseph smith saw Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ in his bedroom and not in the forest and Reyna ever so kindly corrected him by saying that Moroni appeared to him in his room to tell him about the Book of Mormon and that Joseph saw Heavenly Father and Jesus in the grove and she knows it happened. She then turned to us and testified that she knew Joseph to be a prophet of God and that she loved Joseph smith history and his movie which is also in gospel library. We went to the library after that to make her program and to make some more Criss cross cards for this next week and headed out to Plainfield to visit the Vera family, we taught them the plan of salvation and related it to how the plan can help us overcome any of our problems. No matter how sucky it seems now, living in the right way will ensure that we have eternal joy! This lesson was a miracle because that was the first time we got in with them this transfer and I was able to bond with them. After we had a finding lesson where we committed each family member to seek revelation on who to share the gospel with and they accepted. Katia, the daughter asked if we could speak with a young woman who was already a member but who was less active. We said of course and we helped her come up with ways to talk to her about it. We also invited her to study courage in the Book of Mormon and to pray to have the courage she needs to share the gospel. This was also a funny experience because the youngest daughter, who just got baptized, told us that we basically ruined her plans. They had planned on going to the talent show that night at the school but we asked to come over and they canceled it and Yari was heart broken! It was going to be her first one and it got canceled but it was all better because her dad said they could go out for breakfast the next morning. It was just funny because she was just really upfront with Us by saying, "I didn't get to do what I wanted to do tonight so I get breakfast tomorrow". Gotta love kids right? After that we got to see another part member family we are working with and we were able to teach about the temple and family history work. She didn't believe that we could trace out family work all the way back to Adam and Eve so the next time we go over I'm going to bring mine to show her. The lesson was good and was a miracle in and of itself because we haven't been able to see them in over a week! Our schedules always conflicted but they said they were going to try to come to church but it got canceled.
Saturday was basically a huge stress ball. We got a call in the morning from Francisco, Reyna's husband to be, telling us that the wedding and the baptism were off because Reyna was mad at him. He said she kept throwing a fit because the tights didn't match the dress and now wouldn't talk to him. He said he didn't know what to do. So we told him we would be there ASAP. We grabbed everything we could to make her feel beautiful and we hauled over there. We got over there and Reyna was fine and then my heart started to pound. Where was Francisco? We called the number he called us from earlier, because their phones are shut off, and thankfully he was still with his friend. Reyna didn't know where he had went he had just left and we were so nervous, but we told him we were there and that he should have everything he needs to get ready at the house now and he said he would be home in about half an hour. We didn't like that but it was the answer we got and so we said alright. We started to get the girls ready, Alexandra was being a typical three year old and we had to distract her with pictures of Jesus, she loves Jesus, to be able to do her hair while Reyna got the baby and herself ready. So finally we have the little girls ready and Francisco comes home! Prayers really are answered. Then he doesn't want to get ready and at this point I have a prayer on repeat pleading for patience so I don't slap him. But thankfully Hermana Lewis is super patient and talked to him to calm his nerves so he would get ready and then finally! We left. We grabbed something to eat on the way to the church so I wouldn't kill anyone but then we were nervous to let them drive by themselves. On the way I got a phone call from President Fenn telling me he had received an email from my dad. My heart started to pound and I had a pain in my chest. But he just called to see how I was doing with the knowledge that Ben was hit by a car and at that point I hadn't had much time to think about it because it was on the shelf but it was wonderful to know that my dad cared enough to write president Fenn and that President Fenn cared enough to call and check up on me. And then I was worried Francisco wasn't going to drive to the church, but he did. And so we started to skype with the elders who wanted to come to the baptism but couldn't and we got the church ready. 4 o'clock came around and there was no one there. It was supposed to start at 4. But thankfully, prayers were answered, they had a ton of support, and the wedding and baptism was a success. Reyna said she felt like a fresh fruit when she came up out of the water. I'm not exactly sure what that means but the look on her face said that she was happier than she ever has been! The wedding reception was amazing and simple and everyone there enjoyed themselves. Presidente Ramirez and his wife were dancing and man are they good! But we cleaned up and headed home. I was wound so tight on Saturday I had to end early and take a muscle relaxer that put me out of commission for the day and a good chunk of the next. Muscle relaxers and fast sunday...not my favorite mix. The muscle relaxer takes forever to wear off.
That was my week. It was long but I saw the hand of the lord in our area everyday. When we work hard and our desires are truly to bring souls closer to Christ we will be blessed. When we pray everyday to have opportunities to share the gospel, we will be blessed with people who are prepared for us. Heavenly Father hears and answers our prayers. He lifts and supports zus. Jesus Christ is our savior and redeemer and through his atonement we can receive the strength we need to improve and become who we need to be. He is working right along side of us here on our missions. I learned a lot this week and I hope that this week that comes brings more. I'm grateful for the opportunity I have to be a missionary and see how much the lord is in our lives and gain an unshakable testimony that these things are true. Have a great week!
Hermana Kunz
Hermana Rebekka Kunz
Illinois Chicago West Mission
July 2014 - January 2016