11-14-11

Madre,

Ashly came to church this week! Along with her mom, Maria, and her sisters Genesis(11), and Jaylyn(7). It was so great to have them there and it was so satisfying to finally have them come. We went over on Saturday and let them know that if they have another "emergency" to not worry about it and just go to church! Sunday rolled around and as church started we still didn't see them. We texted them and Ashly said she was going to be a little late (better late than never.) We decided to wait outside until they got there, they showed up at about 10:20 (Church started at about 9:40.) It was such an amazing thing to see not just Ashly and her Mom get out of the car, but Genesis and Jaylyn as well. It was so cool! So we walked in and got a row of seats and sat through the rest of sacrament meeting which was absolutely fantastic. The talks were on the scriptures and how to use them as a "guide" to life. After sacrament we took Ashly to the gospel principles class and elder Standage stayed with her and then I went with Maria to the Spanish class. We also took Genesis and Jaylyn to primary and Maria seemed to love that they would be taken care of during church. The class that I was in was on the last chapters of Hebrews. Maria even started to take notes as she listened, and the teacher, Sister Ruso, was very loving and kind to her.

After Relief Society we took Ashly and Maria down to get Genesis and Jaylyn and the primary president was so happy that they had come and really made them feel welcome. She told Maria "I need to ask you a favor, we really need them to be here for the primary program next week." it was so great! As we were walking towards the door Jaylyn looked up at her mom and says "Mom, I like this church." and it was just a sweet moment, it was silent for a moment and then we continued walking. It was so neat to see that connection. Children really know when they feel the spirit, it was so great. I was having a rough week, it was discouraging to see all the work we were putting into these families and not seeing much result. I felt like we were failing, but to see them come to church lifted my spirits and made me so inexplicably happy. The members were so kind to them. During sacrament meeting, Ashly's 1 yr old Jirelis was getting into someone elses crayon box and I could see Ashly was so stressed out! She couldn't reach her because she was over by me (about 4 chairs down) and I could see her kind of motioning as if to say "Get her!" I just kept watching and then the member in front of us reached into the box and handed her a crayon and something to draw on. It was so neat to see that instant love and care that people have in church. It doesn't matter who's kid it is, what's going on etc. We're all there with a single purpose and we are a single family worshiping together and working towards a similar goal.

Gotta love the not so "deep" doctrine haha. I bet it's in the same dimension, since dimensions don't really make sense anyway hahaha.

There was something else I was going to ask you, but I don't remember. Must've not been that important haha.

Well, not much else to report, I love you very much!
Elder Conner Allred