Sacrifices and Blessings

If you make it to the end you will be rewarded.

Hello everyone!

Some pretty exciting news from this week! First off, I just want to shout out to all the amazing people that sent me a letter. THANK YOU! It made my day :D and I love you all!!! But the letters all came the same day for me, so it's going to take a while to write you all back. Just a heads up.

Guess what. I ate cottage cheese. And shrimp! I was so afraid that I was going to GAG in front of the people who prepared it for us, but I think the gift of tongues counts as the ability to eat things you normally wouldn't haha because I ate it all! And it was actually pretty good. I know, crazy right?

Ok so the theme of this week was the blessings of sacrifice. Seriously, it was in every single day! When we show our dedication to the Lord by sacrificing something, anything, He will bless us tenfold. So to start off with, we fasted on Sunday for more member support.  We sacrificed 24 hours without food, and recieved sooo many blessings from it! That day, I met Brother M. He introduced himself to L, and then told him that he had a suit for him. Then he came and sat in our lesson with us, and gave some great contributions. Yes! (fist pump) A couple days later, we had a fiesta for all the Spanish speakers! L came, Brother M came with the suit he had promised L, and one family that hasn't been coming to church that much came, WITH FOOD. Plus, all the Spanish speakers from the singles ward came and lots of people that aren't in the church! We had such great support from the members, and all had a great time! It was amazing! 

While we were there, Brother M told us someone we could go visit.  We went over there, and she was already reading form the Book of Mormon! She said that Brother M was super friendly and happy, and had often sacrificed time in his already crazy busy days to help her out and see how she doing. She could see that he had something different, and she wanted it. She is so great.  As we were talking about the different blessings of the church, the word 'baptism' had barely left our mouths when she said, "Yes! That's what I want! That's what I want!" She still has lots to learn, but I'm so excited to see her come closer to God.  She is so willing to sacrifice her time to learn more, to give up all her sins to know God and feel worthy. I love her!

 Next story: last week, we were driving by and saw one of the people we used to teach cleaning out her storage closet outside. We got out and offered to help her. She protested because we were in our skirts, but we dove right on in! So this week, she invited us to come to dinner.  Turns out, it was a birthday party with the whole family.  There was great food, and great people! And lots of teaching opportunities. (Gold Mine for the missionaries)

Next story: we have someone that we're teaching who wants all the blessings from heaven. When he sacrifices his time to read the scriptures and pray, he feels the Spirit so strongly. It was incredible to hear him talk about it. Sad part of the story is that that's all he's willing to give to the Lord. He won't give his time on Sunday to go to church, so he has not been able to receive all the blessings and answers that he wants. We talked about fasting, hopefully he changes his mind soon. 

Next story: we were talking about tithing to one of our Spanish members, and he had a very powerful testimony about it. His family is very poor, and so it was hard for them to pay their tithing in the beginning.  One day, they were really low on money.  But they trusted in the Lord and paid their tithing.  That night, he was walking down the street and a guy in all black walked up to him (SCARY!).  The guy handed him an envelope, and walked away.  He looked inside, and there was the exact amount of money that they had just given to the church in tithing. What!  

There are so many amazing tithing stories, and as we were talking about it, Hermana Hiebert figured out why: it's the only commandment we can be 100% obedient with.  The Lord is able to pour out the blessings from heaven when we do our part.  Can you imagine what the world would be like if we were 100% to every commandment? Let me tell you, it would be incredible! If only we were all a little more willing to give a little more to the Lord, He would in turn gives us so many blessings that there would not be room enough to receive it.  I would invite you all to try a little harder to be a little better, and watch for the blessings of the Lord as you do so.  Have a great week!

A Dios,

Hermana Albright

What good looking sisters!!

Heidi got to go on a hike during her P-day (preparation day).  Looks beautiful! 

Uh... Heidi... you're in their picture

Heidi says that she eats the most! Anybody surprised? No? Good.  But don't worry she also says she is doing Julian Michaels work out and... taking a shower EVERYDAY. She said she only does that because it's required haha