How's life?
Last Monday I had the greatest P-day ever. We went to Dolphin Mall as a district and searched for ghetto pants. We found them. Today we are going to the Hialeah/ Opa-locka Flea Market in search of more. It's a party here in the Miami Lakes District.
This week we continued to work with Lorenzo, who is absolutely amazing and is still planning on being baptized on the 29th. Get this: HE'S A CUBAN THAT DOESN'T DRINK COFFEE. Yes, he was born in Cuba. Yes, he was raised in Cuban. And he hates coffee. He thinks it is gross. It was the single greatest word of wisdom lesson of all time. He came to church this Sunday even though his car broke again and he was sick.
This area and this transfer have been very different than West Palm but it has been incredible. I love serving with Sister Bradley and the theme of this transfer has been learning that Christ loved. The scripture that says we are nothing without Charity has come into my head over and over again. My companion shared a part of her personal study with me that has forever changed the way I think about Charity. We were asked to study the story of the rich young ruler and think about what more we could give up to be better missionaries. Sister Bradley pointed this out: The rich young ruler was doing everything right. He was following the letter of the law and willing to follow any other "law" put in place. When Christ asked him to give up his riches and follow him, Christ was really asking him to put others in front of himself. To look out, and give up all he had gained to serve others. He was asking the rich young ruler to have charity. After seeing this, Peter asks Christ "Well, if it is that hard to get to the kingdom of heaven, what are we supposed to do?" Christ responds to just keep following him. He tells Peter that he has given things up, he's left his fish, and he has to keep going." In essence, he tells Peter to keep serving. To keep having charity. We talked about how so often we think that the gospel is about giving things up when really it is a lot simpler-just look outside of yourself and have charity.
Mia was able to receive First Presidency approval to be baptized again this week! She was baptized on Sunday before church and it was very quiet. I am so, so grateful for Mia and her example as well as the opportunity to be there with her the past month.
I love all of you! Good luck with school and have a good week!
-Sister Bren Scadden