Remember Who You Are

Hello Family!

It was an interesting week. My comp's eye was swollen bad on Monday and it kept getting worse. We ended staying in the house for awhile because it itched and burned so bad and it's very contaminated and sucio (dirty) outside. We went to the doctor's office  in the old MTC here. I am grateful I did not live in that building for 6 weeks. The doctor told us to buy tobramycinal dexamethasoma --which are special eye drops with steroids in them, according to the doctor. Sunday was the first day Hermana Layme's eye looked normal. 

Also, an hermana in my house has been sick for 3 months and they finally took her to the hospital to do tests. Turns out she had a plague of bacteria and parasites. I stayed with her in the hospital for a day. We discovered that you have to keep the IV fluids hung high otherwise the flowing direction will switch and you will begin to lose your own fluids.

We had a zone conference that I wasn't looking forward to, but then we watched a clip from Lion King and it stayed with me.  I recommend you watch it (here), but if you don't want to, the gist is this:

Mufasa: Simba, you have forgotten me.
Simba: No, how could I?
Mufasa: You have forgotten who you are, and so forgotten me. Look inside yourself Simba, you are more than what you have become. You must take your place in the Circle of Life.
Simba: How can I go back? I'm not who I used to be.
Mufasa: Remember who you are. You are my son, and the one true King.

King Mufasa

I think the scene hit me because it was like God sees us as more than what we are right now or whether we've come a long way or not. We need to take our place no matter what kind of shoes we have to fill or what kind of deficiencies we feel we have. Because we're His children, and we just need to remember it.

I also had to repent after I saw Simba respond that he could never forget his father because it reminded me of me. Simba ran away because of his father-- so how could he forget him? I'm here doing my Heavenly Father's work, but that doesn't mean I always remember to involve Him or do things His way. So even if we're doing good things like reading scriptures or going to church, it's possible we're forgetting God unless we're purposely keeping Him in our thoughts and humbling ourselves and asking for His help.

I love you family!

Hermana Lulu 

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Cute little pixie

Where Real Joy is Found

Hi Fam!

This week was kinda mas o menos, pero mas menos que mas. I thought I got an ulcer, but I discovered what was causing the pain and it is getting better now. Our house hasn't had water ever since Friday, and we have been showering from big jugs of water. My comp's eye swelled up to the size of a ping pong ball and we don't know why.

We dropped pretty much everyone in our teaching pool (because they weren't progressing and/ or interested), and almost dropped the only progressing person we have, but something told us not yet. Zero investigators came to church. 😕

Also Puerto Rico took a beating. I'm not supposed to know about news going on in the world, but man that is bad. Those guys are in my prayers. I don't know the extent of the damage but I hope they're able to get relief soon.

The good news is that I got to study the Book of Mormon mucho, and like Mom says, it was an amazing week in Lehi's Dream. Come Follow Me wanted us to read it with a person we cared about in mind, and I felt just like Lehi as he yearned to share the joy with others. I'm really grateful for this pequeño time I have here in the mission to share what I have with others, and that I get to dedicate every minute of my day to it. I just don't understand why its been so hard to find people who will accept what we offer!

In my post last week I wrote about a talk called The War Goes On and the speaker made a great point that one of Satan's tactics is that he uses counterfeits. Counterfeits are not opposites, he says. The opposite of white is black, but the counterfeit of white is off white or grey. But like counterfeit money, it's worthless. He makes the nicely dressed people in the great spacious building look attractive, but true fans will know ;) that the real joy is found in holding to the rod and staying by the tree. If you're looking to avoid Satan's traps, look into things in your life that you might have once considered good, then make sure they are "God good" and not "Worldly good." There's a difference. For instance, Snapchat used to be a way for me to keep in touch with friends, but then I realized it just wasted my time.

Other good news is I saw a cat (couldn't send picture), and we got a member to come out with us, and we found new streets to contact! Our area is small and I thought I already knew all the streets. Also, my old companion finally got her visa so she's off to serve in Provo soon!

My comp and I are deciding to stay super positive this week and we're looking forward to seeing more of the Lord's hand in our work.

I love you family! I'm so EXCITED to see EVERYONE in OREGON in June!! Thank you so much Mom for scouring the internet and scoring a beautiful beach house for us! I hope everyone has a great week.

Love,
Hermana Lu Lu (my comp's nickname for me)

The War Goes On

Jenna, Hermana Mercader, and Hermana Jepperson before transfers

Hi Family!

I have a new companion! Hermana Layme is from Peru. She has 15 months on the mission, and she is super experienced and motivated. She says she feels like she's not diligent enough, but I think she's the definition of diligence.

My house of 4 turned to a house of 6! Hermana Geddes (my MTC comp) is in my house! 😊She is opening a new area. She is a rock star. She has to go through the other hermana's area --and my area-- to get to her area. All of us are looking for houses because our house contract is up but the person in charge of mission housing is not really getting involved. It's a matter of time before we're proselyting with our suitcases.

Me house hunting. Not looking very good.

Hermana Mercader gave me a talk called "La Guerra Continue" (click on link to read The War Goes On) and I've been putting it off because I already have heard that the War in Heaven continues today. But that was a great talk and I feel like it went really well with what Mom wrote about Satan putting sneaky thoughts in our heads-- because that's how he gets us to lose faith and then he wins. If you want a good dose of animo (enthusiasm, desire) to do what you know you should do, read the talk. It's very good. I wish I could share more of the things I learned, but I left my notes at home and so I don't remember everything I got out of it. Next time.

Love youuu...
Hermana Ludlam

This is Julio's sock puppet

Jezi renmen ou! = Jesus Loves you!

My shoes after one year on the mission

Hi Family,

I haven´t talked to you since last decade. I miss you.

My companion, Hermana Mercader, is leaving tomorrow :(  My new companion is not here yet, but she is from Peru.

We contacted a bunch and prayed to find new people. We found Michel who I don't think is very interested, but her husband is less active, and he doesn't seem very interested in coming back to church, but I just felt like even if our attempts to share the gospel don't end in a baptism or a reactivation, our efforts are not for nothing. And knowing that I am in the right place helps me feel like I am an instrument in God's hands.

Rum Raisin Ice Cream...oops!

This week I received a blessing. We were visiting Maria, a less active, and her husband left to buy us Cocorica, which is some coconut drink I've never had and didn't want to try, because I don't like coconut. And I said a silent prayer in my head that her husband wouldn't find it and the store-- and he didn't find any! And I just feel really blessed.

Also I have a confession. I tried fasting this week and not only did I have to break my fast (everyone here is too gracious and they always give us juices and soda and food) but I also broke the Word of Wisdom. My companion told me after I had eaten half of it that this ice cream contains rum. PSA: If you find white ice cream with raisins in it in the DR, don't eat it, even if you're not fasting. It has rum in it!

I have really enjoyed starting the Book of Mormon with Come, Follow Me. I get a lot out of it. I liked looking at all the names of the Plan of Salvation because they help me understand how much God loves us. He set this all up out of love.

My beautiful area where I will be leading this transfer

Also, I´m learning Creole. Jezi renmen ou!

I hope everyone is having a good start to a New Year!
Also, I hit a year! It doesn't feel real.

Love you all
Hna Ludlam