Querida Familia Mia,

"And again, verily I say unto you that it is your privilege, and a promise I give unto you that have been ordained unto this ministry, that inasmuch as you strip yourselves from jealousies and fears, and humble yourselves before me, for ye are not sufficiently humble, the veil shall be rent and you shall see me and know that I am—not with the carnal neither natural mind, but with the spiritual." (D&C 67:10)

I've met some amazing people this week. People whose struggles I couldn't even begin to understand. A woman called for a free Bible. We called ahead and after her daughter called off their 'friendly (face-eating) dog' we went in their home to drop it off and this woman was elderly with a cast and recovering from foot surgery. She lived with her daughter and had received a Book of Mormon before, but gave it to someone else. So we gave her another one and taught her about the restoration. But she taught us a lot about humility. She wants to come to church. We haven't figured out how yet. She's so sick. But next time we meet her we'll figure out something.

Our High Priests leader was sick and our ward mission leader had fallen off the roof of his truck hit the side, then the ground on Saturday. He's in his 60s. He claimed 'he just bruised a couple ribs.' He was there Sunday at 9am for Correlation decked out in gold suit and fedora like usual. I was so impressed. He didn't stay, so we taught his Gospel Principles class. We had 2 investigators come this week.

There's another sister in our ward who's wonderful and optimistic and a little mentally/socially challenged. We went to her apartment a couple weeks ago on accident. She helped us figure out where we were going. She also told us Bishop had given her the assignment to call everyone on the ward list to see if the number worked and if they wanted to come to church. She did it! She gave us two names of people who just didn't have transportation and we went to go see them this week. She also showed us her awesome unicorn collection and her plates. One the walls in her apartment, by the ceiling she has a line of plates. Each with a name. They represent family members and close friends who've died. She even had one with an extensive list of pets. She cares so much about people. So I was really worried this Sunday when we went to church and she was distraught. Her niece had cancer. No insurance. She was mad at God. Didn't want to come to church anymore. We didn't have much to say. Just that we loved her and hugged her. And I shared a couple scriptures with her during sacrament meeting. Talked a little bit about the plan of salvation. There was a special musical number and I think it was for her, too. By the end of the 3 hours I saw her gain hope. And that night she called me to tell us her niece started chemo. I hope it works out. We're going to go see her this week. I never thought people I barely know would matter so much to me.

That night we went and saw a sister with Diabetes. She volunteered to feed us. She lost her vision a month ago and I'm amazed how independent she is, but you can see she's still so frustrated. And wants to do more. She's been an active member of the church for about 30 years. I guess she used to take the missionaries around all the time. We need to find someone to teach in her home. But she told us she KNOWS if it's God's will. She will get her vision back. It's true. She's been thinking a long time about asking for a blessing. I felt so insignificant when she said that. She's inspiring. It's hard to explain but the Spirit was there and I know it, because I want to do better. I want to help more.

I've been thinking a lot this week about these people and I don't understand them. I'm sure how to. But last night Sister Gray came back to the visitor center for FHE. She's single and a little less accountable like Mandy. And she loooovvves to talk. She's stayed at the visitor center for 5 hours one time. So I didn't jump right up and volunteer for that tour. I was the one who took her around last week. But she wanted to see God's Plan for His Family (again). She talked through most of presentation. Well...she testified through most of the presentation. "'Happiness in Family life'-that's what I want", "I know when you obedient you always abound in in good works", "God loves us-always, always". I just nodded and smiled, but I felt my heart softening and in the last video. When I saw the picture of the Savior healing the leper in his tent I teared up. I've seen that video almost as many times as Sister Gray now, but didn't think I'd ever met the leper or the dumb or the blind like Jesus did. But I'm beginning to. And I'm trying to find faith like them. I'm the person in the back of that picture, peeking around the corner to see if Jesus will do, what He really says He will.

Anyway, thanks for letting me be here. I love you all and I hope you find the Lord's hand in this week.

Sister Deb