Week 56

Alright, don't feel bad about last week. It really wasn't even that big of a deal...at all. I wasn't devastated or anything (especially since I got an AWESOME easter package this week!!) but I will admit that it was nice to get so many emails this week :) I sure do love you guys. But it sounds like it was fun and crazy being all at grandma's this weekend. For us, with easter starting it means a lot of crazy around here as well. It means that semana santa has already started! There are huge processions (i don't spell anymore) everyday. I'll have to send a picture of one next week....but they are going to get pretty crazy. I'll give details on that next week because this week there are more important things....like how yesterday was the BEST DAY EVER!

because Lucia got baptized! and for other reasons too. but let's back up a step because last week when I emailed you Lucia didn't even have a fecha! (a baptismal date)

also, Lucia is the woman that I told you guys back a few weeks ago...that gave up smoking. Anyway, last monday night we had a noche de hogar (familiy night) with a family in our ward and Lucia. (the family is Nery and Araceli...in one of the pictures, Nery is wearing white bc he baptized her and his wife is standing next to him.) and we shared a message about the brother of Jared and how they waited on the seashore for 4 years. But it was awesome because we taught it as a little bit of a discussion but at one point when Lucia was talking, Nery just turned to her and said, "don't you realize that this is what you are doing?" and then he told her that she needed to get baptized now. as in this weekend. so that's what she did, Right there we set the baptism for sunday morning before conference. haha can you believe that?? talk about miracle baptisms. I loved it. It was perfect. She had absloutely NOTHING holding her back and was sooooo ready. It was time to be washed clean and sanctified through the Holy Ghost. Plus, after everything she has given up, she needed the gift of the Holy Ghost to help her.

Anyway, the next day, someone called her to give her a job. So the blessings are already pouring in. Her baptism was soooo powerful. It was incredible. I don't think I stopped crying the whole time. which....considering I was one of the talks and the musical number....makes things a little interesting...but it was fine. haha It was just such a happy day. She got the holy ghost the same day too. But the difference was immediate. you could just see it in her eyes afterwards. She looked relieved and new!

sin is a burden.

and I love it because I have no doubt that Lucia is going to be faithful to the end. Araceli is already talking about how she is excited that Lucia is finally a member so she can give her a calling in the relief society. haha Lucia is going to be a powerhouse member. I LOVE IT!!!!

so the baptism alone would have made it the best day ever...but then it was followed with an entire day of conference right afterwards. So so so so wonderful!! Not to mention, I got to see all of our members and Dima and Rosi. There is just nothing better.

But, on saturday evening (your saturday morning session) they couldn't get the english one to work...so we had to watch it in spanish. even after a year of speaking spanish I still hardly got anything. Poor hna nelson. we were all so sad we couldn't watch it in english. it just isn't the same as when it is in your own language and you can hear their real voices! Plus, all of the translator people had weird accents. Can we get some spaniard translators up in here? haha Lo bueno es que yesterday...we got to watch it all in english! hooray!!! and I got to watch priesthood again :) I loved the themes that I noticed. Like mercy and forgiveness. Our doctrine is Christ. The church is SOOOO true! and i'm so grateful for it in my life. Living a righteous, gospel guided life is the only happy way to live.

also this past week there was a spain wide strike. it was buck wild crazy. except I thought so but when i told our investigator from ecuador that i've never seen a strike like that she was just like, uhh...try going to ecuador. haha goodness gracious. But, just seeing the people sitting in the road and the huge protest parade and stuff....ignited this little spark deep inside me that made me wish that I had a really nice camara and a newspaper to work for. it was crazy town. I probably shouldn't have taken pictures at all....but I couldn't resist. :)

Thank you for my package! I loved it!!! :) We are going to celebrate this week! :)

I LOVE YOU ALL!!

con amor,

hermanica ross