Colonia!

Hey yall!

This week we had transfers and I left Montevideo and moved to Colonia! It is super different here and has been a little hard to adapt. Montevideo is very similar to the US and now I'm back in the campo. However, Colonia is a cute little beach town. My comp is from Chile and is super nice! We also live in the only house of 4 in the mission. I get to live with some of my favorite people hermana Fowler (from my first zone) and hermana Norris (from Alabama). We are over two branches here, the one I went to on Sunday had 12 people that were all over the age of 70. It is very different and is going to be hard, but I'm ready to get to work.  

This week was super hard as I had to leave Montevideo. I grew to love that place and the people so much. But the hardest thing was saying goodbye to Beatriz, Linda, and Valentino. They are my favorite people. I was dreading the last lesson with them and as soon as we walked in Beatriz started tearing up. Then, we shared a message, took pictures, and started crying together. They have taught me so much and have helped me feel God's love. Also, this week we found out that Beatriz can probably be baptized within the next two weeks and Valentino said he is going to start coming to church every other week! This made my heart so happy. They have made so many changes in their lives so that their family can find joy through Jesus. They are the best! 

Something I have been trying to focus on this week is living in the present. I love the quote, "Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened." As I have had to move away from an area I loved I have been trying not to dwell on the past. I'm trying to look forward to the future with faith. I know God has a plan and is preparing people here in Colonia to hear the gospel.

Have a great week!

Hermana Neuberger \

 

Que Linda!!!

Hey yall!

We have transfers this week, so it might be my last week here in Montevideo! Either way, I love Montevideo and it will forever have my heart!

This week Linda got baptized! It was one of the happiest days! Linda is such an example to her family. Sadly, Beatriz wasn't able to be baptized, but she is on the right path and is working to fix some things in her life so she can take this step. It has been amazing to see the change in this family. This week they were all so happy! Linda was glowing on the day of her baptism and Beatriz was so excited for her daughter. It was a special service and so many of our members came to support the family! I love this family so much. They have taught me so much and have helped me come to know my Savior. Also, Valentino (Beatriz's son) came to the baptism and church this week! He stayed for the youth class too, hopefully he will follow the example of his sister. It was the sweetest thing to see them all show up at church together, my heart was so full of joy!

Also on Sunday our friend Alejandro, that was baptized two weeks ago, passed the sacrament for the first time! He was so excited that he got to church 45 minutes early. He told us that the church was closed when he got there, but eventually the bishop showed up. When we got there, we saw Alejandro in a white shirt and tie sitting on the first pew by himself waiting to pass the sacrament. He is such an example! On Sunday, we visited him and his mom and he shared his experience about passing the "cena." From an alcoholic to passing the sacrament, it has been so cool to witness the change in him. It is evidence that anything is possible with God and we can change our lives with the help of Him.

Also other highlights:

- We went on a run to the beach one morning this week. I have never been so sore after running 2 miles....

- Linda turned 11 this week! We stopped by to say happy birthday and got to celebrate with some cake.

- A couple weeks ago I told a lady in our ward how much I loved her dress. So she made me one! I attached a pic.

- Shout-out to the new youth song, Celebration, on the gospel music app. It hits different! 

- We ate arepas again with my favorite Venezuelan, Dariana. 

This week I have been learning about the Atonement of Jesus Christ and how I can use it in my life. We have a Savior that can help us overcome any trial and knows exactly what we are feeling. I love this quote by Brad Wilcox, "Jesus doesn't make up the difference. Jesus makes all the difference. Grace is not about filling gaps. It's about filling us." I'm so happy that I get to help people understand that Christ's grace is sufficient and they can change with the help of the Lord, but I'm also thankful that I can use the Atonement in my life. This week I have been feeling a little bit of how the Savior feels, as I have been made aware of one of the trials our friend is going through. I love this person so much, that I can feel the pain of her trial, but I know the Savior is the only one who has truly felt what she is going through. We are so blessed to have a personal Savior, that suffered for each one of us! 

Have a great week!

Hermana Neuberger 

week of holidays

Hola! 

I hope everyone had a great week! This week our friend Alejandro got baptized! Leading up to Saturday he sent us messages saying he couldn't wait for his baptism. The service was so special. Everyone that was there knew that it had been a long journey for Alejandro to be baptized. He had to completely change his life to make it to this day. His mom and sister came to support him and after he was baptized his mom started crying and giving praises to the Lord. The spirit was so strong. Alejandro bore his testimony and said, "I don't have words, I'm just so happy." Then, he started tearing up. He is a witness that anyone can change their lives with the Lord. We also had a lesson on Sunday with his mom, son, and son's familiy. Sadly, his son doesn't live in our area but we were able to send the referral to the missionaries in their area. Alejandro is such a good missionary and wants everyone to know about the gospel. 

The family we are teaching is doing good! They came to church again this week! We are just trying to help Beatriz stop smoking. She has had the habit since she was 16, but this week she went without smoking! She has so much faith, and is an example to me! I love her so much! Also, her daughter, Linda, told us she has read all of 1 Nephi in the Book of Mormon! We are still trying to get her 13 year old son to come to church, but this week he read in the Book of Mormon and joined in family prayers everyday! 

We did a lot of finding this week and received a lot of rejection jaja! We have had a hard time finding people, but we are trying to have fun. This week we celebrated a different holiday every night after some long workdays! On Monday, we celebrated New Year's with mocktails and a countdown till 10pm! On Tuesday, we celebrated Valentines day with chocolate covered strawberries and a sleepover with the other hermanas. On Wednesday, we wore green and made green eggs for st.patty's day. Thursday we died Easter eggs for Easter. On Friday, we celebrated Halloween and carved a squash "pumpkin." It was Hermana Wilson's first time carving a pumpkin! On Saturday, we made a pie with ice cream and dulce de leche for Thanksgiving. And Sunday was Christmas, so we put up the Christmas tree, made gingerbread houses and watched a Christmas video! So enjoy all of the random photos from this week...

Our friend Beatriz shared with me a quote that I love! She said when something hard happens to her she doesn't think "porque?" (why?) instead she thinks "para que..." (so that...) I'm not sure if that makes sense, but I love this mindset! Instead of asking "why do I have to face something hard," we can ask "what do I need to learn from this?" Sometimes I catch myself complaining about circumstances, but God just has a plan to help me learn and grow! 

Have a great week!

Hermana Neuberger