Obedience Brings Blessings.

As a mission, we have a rule that we are supposed to knock doors every night from 6-8 unless we have set appointments. So that is what we have been doing all night every night in order to find more people to teach. I would say out of the many doors that we have knocked within these past few weeks, only three people have had an interest in our message and have let us come back.

Something I have learned while being out here is the importance of being obedient. Obedience truly brings blessings. Although we haven't found a ton of success through our tracting efforts, we have been blessed in different ways. Especially this past week! We have been getting calls from members in English wards out here who speak Spanish, telling us that they have friends who want to be taught about the gospel! They are people of gold too. It has been amazing to see that when we do what we are supposed to, we blessed.

I read a talk by Elder Bednar a while ago that describes this week perfectly. He said,

"The stripling warriors in the Book of Mormon (see Alma 53; 56–58) prayed earnestly that God would strengthen and deliver them out of the hands of their enemies. Interestingly, the answers to these prayers did not produce additional weapons or an increased number of troops. Instead, God granted these faithful warriors assurance that He would deliver them, peace to their souls, and great faith and hope for their deliverance in Him (see Alma 58:11). Thus, the sons of Helaman did take courage, were fixed with a determination to conquer, and did go forth with all of their might against the Lamanites (see Alma 58:12–13). Assurance, peace, faith, and hope initially might not seem like the blessings warriors in battle might want, but they were precisely the blessings these valiant young men needed to press forward and prevail physically and spiritually.

Sometimes we may ask God for success, and He gives us physical and mental stamina. We might plead for prosperity, and we receive enlarged perspective and increased patience, or we petition for growth and are blessed with the gift of grace. He may bestow upon us conviction and confidence as we strive to achieve worthy goals. And when we plead for relief from physical, mental, and spiritual difficulties, He may increase our resolve and resilience."

Our efforts will always be recognized and our prayers will always be answered, often times in ways that we least expect though! About three weeks ago, a sweet member taught me that sometimes things have to happen a certain way (even if we don't like it) so that we can have experiences and blessings that we wouldn't have had otherwise. I know that this is true with all of my heart. Heavenly Father works in His own ways and they are perfect. He knows what we need and when we need it. 

I am so grateful to be serving out here. The church is true! 

Love, 

Hermana Rupp

P-day with her zone.

Playing basketball.

Amistad (Friendship) Street.

A member makes balloon creations for a living. She taught them how to make baby rattles.

St. Patty's Day fun.

They slept on their deck because Lindsay misses camping. haha.

Lindsay and Chino.

Soaking wet. 

Another good church sign.