Macey Gates: Sister Macey Gates // Week Seventy-Seven

Awe SO many mixed feelings. My heart is full of love for this work. This week to be honest was super hard for me. We found out Rocio doesn't wanna get baptized this next sunday after her wedding, cause she is too focused on that. But i had to humble myself this week and accept that, realize all the little miracles we have seen with her and Enrique. Its hard to see people come so far and then loose sight of the big picture. Right now baptism isn't in the picture anymore, but Enrique said she will be getting baptized soon after the wedding which makes me happy. It made me realize how much I've changed on my mission and realize what really is the most important in this life. Its so hard to go out everyday to see so many people choosing the wrong and all l want to do is be able to help every single one of them but its all up to them. I can't imagine how our Heavenly Father feels to see so many of his children fall away. It breaks my heart, but its helps me to have that much more desire to be an example to them and do all that I can to help them. But the miracle for this week with them was that Rocio came to church for the first time in a skirt, and Enrique in a white shirt and tie.

This week i had the opportunity to go on exchanges with Hermana Vorkink back to my old area in Jurupa! Hermana Vorkink only has been out for 5 weeks and so poor girl could hardly understand/ talk. It was kinda hard cause all their investigators tried dropping us, and she had no idea what was going on, but i didn't wanna drop them without her or her comp knowing what went on so we made return appointments with them. We had the opportunity to do a service project in Jurupa, we went to a senior care center and when we walked in the room where we were supposed to help they were doing karaoke and so they had us entertain those cute little elderly people. It was super fun! I met this lady named Yolanda, and she told me her whole life story and at the end told me we were best friends:) Cutest thing ever! It was super fun going back to my old area again. We actually saw one of my old investigators and she remembered my first name! haha It was so fun to see her! Then I went to Menifee on exchanges with Sister Bowers in english. Their home-share is the cutest lady ever! They call her Mama D, she lives alone and they pray with her every night. She has had more surgeries than i can count, he daughter committed suicide and her husband passed way cause he got hit on his bike. But she is so strong. It was so cool to be able to meet her. Poor Sister Bowers fell asleep in every prayer and almost had an anxiety attack, but it was so cool to be there for her and be able to listen to her. I asked her what her favorite part of her mission has been and she said the change she has seen in herself and her family. She is an amazing Sister and works so hard even when its tough.

They best part of the week was the news we got last night.... Bethany is getting baptized on Saturday!! I am so excited for that cute little girl! We have been able to work with her and her family to come back to church. It will be so cool to end my mission with a baptism:) I really gained a testimony this week that God sends us where we need to go. We were send to multiple places where families were suffering due to hard family circumstances, we had no idea who they were but we had the chance to pray with them and share our testimonies. I know God loves every single one of his children, and he never leaves our side. We need to do all we can to continue obeying the commandments and doing what we should to be able to stand in front of our Heavenly Father and tell him we did our best. I love my forever family!!!

Nos vemos pronto:)

Love Hermana Gates:)