I Love to See the Temple

Dear Todos!

No puedo creer que estoy aquí escribiéndoles otra vez. Las semanas pasan demasiado rápido.

I had some of the most special experiences of my mission this week. Many of the sisters at the Visitors' Center were just drained all-around--physically, emotionally, and spiritually--myself included! Teaching online 7+ hours a day is amazing (literally one of my FAVORITE things on the mission), but requires a lot of focus and prayer. 

One of the things that all of the sisters had been missing was the opportunity to study on temple grounds. Since the temple closed in March, the closest we have been able to get to it is the Visitors' Center--until last week. :) 

After not being able to walk around the temple grounds for 4 months, our sweet Visitors' Center director took us on a surprise trip to the front doors of the temple! The reaction of many of the sisters was immediate tears. As we walked past the gate, everyone lowered their cries for joy and softly hummed, "I Love to See the Temple" and "As Sisters in Zion." My heart was just full. BRIM with joy!!!! The closer we got to the temple the more I realized: It IS the house of the Lord. He LIVES THERE! I looked up at the temple and I could just picture Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ with their arms outstretched. It was one of the most spiritual experiences in my life. It was the perfect boost to start off the week.

A sweet woman came into the Visitors' Center the next day who looked about 65+ years old. She came in with four children under the age of 11 and I asked if they were her grandchildren. She said, "Oh no, I am old enough to be, but I actually adopted them and we were sealed last year." 

My HEART when those words came out of her mouth was TRULY about to burst. It is just EVIDENCE of the blessings of the temple and forever families!!!!! <3 

I am low on time to write, but those were two of the major highlights of the week. I bear testimony that the temple is the Lord's holy house. Anyone who sincerely prepares to enter will feel the power of the atonement of Jesus Christ. He is the one who strengthens me and sustains me. I know He will do the same for all of you. 

"Those who understand the eternal blessings which come from the temple know that no sacrifice is too great, no price too heavy, no struggle too difficult in order to receive those blessings. There are never too many miles to travel, too many obstacles to overcome, or too much discomfort to endure. They understand that the saving ordinances received in the temple that permit us to someday return to our Heavenly Father in an eternal family relationship and to be endowed with blessings and power from on high are worth every sacrifice and every effort."

LOVE YOU!

Hermana Hayes

Zero Percent

Dear Everyone,

Welp. I've been sitting here for 1-hour thinking of what to say and I have no words. Literally. I think I am having a halfway mission crisis.

It feels like I have been here my whole life but at the same time, I remember hugging my family goodbye like yesterday. Hopefully what I'm about to say makes sense...I have been thinking a lot about it. 

The difference between real life and mission life is that we do not remember saying goodbye to our heavenly family when we were called to earth. The first things we remember are experiences from our childhood and the events that have led us to be who we are today. 

Life is like the mission: sometimes it feels like it is all we have done! We forget that we lived with our heavenly family before coming to the earth and we will keep living after our physical death. 

If I were to live to be 85 years old, the mission would be about 2% of my life on earth. That's nothing! SO short!!!! Yet life is even shorter than that:

Life on earth makes up 0% of our lives in the span of eternity. ZERO percent. It is impossible to get bigger than that because we will live forever! For that reason, we need to be wise. We need to be kind, and we need to be obedient. God has only given us 0% of our lives to do it. And what we decide to do in this sliver of time is what will determine our eternal salvation.

The mission is short, but life is shorter. Do your very best to endure to the END! It IS worth it. Don't listen to the lies that tell you it's not.

I was reading in the Book of Mormon where Alma teaches his sons the gospel. Even after he already converted thousands to the gospel and showed his sons how to do it too, he "could not rest, and he also went forth [to declare the word]" unto the Lamanites. And this because he knew why he was here on earth--to prepare to live with God again.

I promise that on the last 50% of my mission, I will not rest! I'm so happy and feel blessed to help in this marvelous work. A returned missionary told me, "Congratulations! You are about to begin the best part of your mission." I know that's true. :)

I love you all.

Hermana Hayes

Small and Simple Things

Dear All,

I hope you all had a wonderful Fourth of July!!!!! It's been busy and wonderful in the capital :)--both at the Visitors' Center and in our area. We had a couple miracle finding experiences that I would love to share with you all.

On our way to go find someone we met a few days back, we talked with a man who was so sincere and interested in learning more about the restored gospel! When we asked for his information to stay in contact he said he didn't remember where he lived. My first thought was, "Well. He's not actually interested...." because that's what everyone says. Haha. But shame. on. ME, because near the end of the conversation he said, "Wait! I actually don't live far from here. Let me see what my address is." We were just SHOCKED and said of course!

His front door was open; he pointed inside and said, "This is my apartment, and that's my wife!" Sister Quintrequeo looked at her and said, "Marta?!"

Apparently, Marta was someone Hermana Quintrequeo had taught two transfers earlier but hadn't been able to get in contact with because she took her number down wrong and her apartment building was always locked! We were able to teach them both right then and there and get Marta's correct phone number. Talk about tender mercies. 

As far as the Visitors' Center goes, miracles have just been FLYING out of nowhere. Hahaha! Out of the 30-50 people we contact each day online, about 2 agree to meet with local missionaries. In one week, each companionship normally sends around 8-10 referrals. This week we sent 19 REFERRALS and 2 are scheduled to be baptized in the coming month!

I was SO HAPPY and couldn't stop smiling the entire day. I just couldn't believe it! I began to ask myself, "What made the difference? What made us so much more effective this week than in weeks past?" I realized that all it took was a little extra faith. A little extra faith and SINCERE prayer made a GREAT difference in the trust God had in us!

At the beginning of my mission, I stressed myself out with so many goals and high expectations. I wanted to be the perfect missionary. When I didn't reach a goal or fell short I was just so sad. 

I am finally starting to realize that repentance isn't being perfect all at once...it takes a lifetime and more.

As I have tried to just be a LITTLE better at everything I do, I am less stressed, more focused, and I can feel the Spirit so much more!

"6 Now ye may suppose that this is foolishness in me; but behold I say unto you, that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass; and small means in many instances doth confound the wise. 7 And the Lord God doth work by means to bring about his great and eternal purposes, and by very small means the Lord doth confound the wise and bringeth about the salvation of many souls."

I know that as we set reachable goals and strive every day to be just to be a little better, we will feel successful and HAPPY! We will see miracles and God will give us missionary opportunities if we are prepared to receive them.

I LOVE you all! 

Pictures:

1. Hermana Bailey and I have the same dress! Didn't even plan it. 

2. What happens when you accidentally get bug spray on your name tag...

3. Hermana Quintrequeo and I :) We wanted to match the Temple Square sisters and made little American flags to put on our name tags!

The Celestial Language

Dear Everyone,

FUNNY STORY! 

In Spanish, 'hijos' means 'children', but it can also mean 'sons' depending on the context. We tried to contact a couple walking toward us on the street, but as soon as we got close, they picked up speed and nervously blurted, "Sorry, we're really busy. Maybe next time." 

I thought to myself, "Welp. They are going to hear the gospel whether they like it or not." I smiled and responded, "We know life is busy, but we know you are sons of God and He loves you." The wife gave me a confused look and they both just kept walking. I didn't think anything of it until 5 seconds later my cute companion says, "...They're sons of God, huh?"

Hahahaha SO embarrassing! I didn't even realize! I was so confident too. I don't even have a Spanish accent or anything. There's no excuse. But I guess that is a pretty good indicator that my way of thinking has switched over to Spanish :) 

I also had the opportunity to give a talk in sacrament meeting last Sunday with my amazing trainee and ward mission leader on missionary work--in Spanish of course. :) I LOVE missionary work!!! It is the most rewarding, humbling, amazing work ever. When I sat down after speaking, I just remembering thinking, "Wow. I don't want to give a talk in English ever again..." hahaha, of course, that is not entirely true, but Spanish does have my heart. :)

And although I can communicate with English-speakers and Spanish-speakers, there are people from literally all over the world here in DC. It breaks my heart when I don't speak their language or can't communicate what I want to. 

I find comfort in dear President Monson's word when he beautifully stated, "There is one language that is common to each missionary--the language of the Spirit. . . The Spirit comes to him who seeks with all his heart to know God and keep His divine commandments. Proficiency in this language permits one to breach barriers, overcome obstacles, and touch the human heart." 

PROFICIENCY in the language of the Spirit can help us breach barriers, overcome obstacles, and touch the human heart. We don't need to be professionals! When we express our love to those around us by giving them a simple hug or smile, the spirit has the power to touch their hearts. When it seems like you and your spouse, child, student, co-worker, or companion are not seeing eye-to-eye, try using the language of the Spirit to communicate with them instead of a bunch of words. 

As I have tried to communicate with EVERYONE no matter what language they speak, I have been able to be happier and have the spirit in my life. Although I may look like a weirdo pointing to things or speaking super slow to get my point across, I do it with a smile and they usually end up with one too. :)

Some say Spanish is the Celestial language...I'm convinced there is nothing more Celestial than the language of the Spirit. :) Communication doesn't always come from your mouth. It comes from the heart too. It DOES make a difference!!! Don't be afraid to give someone a hug, shoot them a text, or offer your help. I know you'll love those around you more and feel the love our Savior has for them more. 

I hope you all have an amazing week. 

-Hermana Hayes