We visited a family we had taught a few times before Monday, and in the lesson, I found a few scriptures that I wanted them to read. The two youngest kids rushed to my side, eager to carry my scriptures to their mom, and continued to compete over the privilege of passing the scriptures back and forth for the rest of the lesson. Getting to be around kids is one of the many, many perks of being a missionary (although the setback is not being able to hold them. Boo.).

This week ended in miracles and exhaustion, as has almost every week since I came to El Progreso. On Thursday I had the privilege of getting to know a place called Sanarate, which is a three hour bus ride from my area. There are so many people in the world! That sounds really obvious, but it's really incredible that, despite the huge missionary force working in the world, there are so many people who have yet to get to know the gospel. 

On Saturday, we had the baptism of Fransisca! Here are all the miracles that contributed:

1) We had told her that we were going to go by her house at 12, because in the church in Progreso, there's no font, so we have to go to Jutiapa (which is about 25 minutes in bus). We went by, and she wasn't there! The door was locked and the neighbors told us that they heard they had left for Guate early in the morning, We rushed around, trying to think where she could be, and went all around the town trying to find her. After about half an hour, we felt an impression to go to her house again, and when we did, there she was! She had shut her door because she was showering and getting ready to go. 

2) She brought her granddaughters, one of which told us she wants to get baptized too!

3) One of our investigators showed up to the baptism, even though it was far away!

4) We had started planning the baptism late and hadn't announced it, so we were trying to find members to come, and everyone told us no. The relief society president, who's about 8 months pregnant, showed up by surprise--she's awesome. The branch president came as well, and brought his wife and his mom, along with three little kids. At the end of things, about 10 people were in attendance, which is much more than we had expected.

5) The water in the font came out relatively clear, because outside the cap, the water is usually pretty grey and cloudy and dirty. But by some miracle, it was almost dirt-free! (Fransisca told us it was still really cold though.)

6) We bought pizza for everyone who came, and there was just enough for everyone to have two slices.

It was a great day, and it reminded me how much Heavenly Father wants to bless us. My scripture for last week that I decided to ponderize was Mosiah 2:41, which says: 

And moreover, I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out faithful to the end they are received into heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness.

He wants to bless us, if only we can keep the commandments! Don't doubt His desire to help and bless you. He loves all His children so much, and it's a privilege to be able to communicate that love to others. 

Happy Halloween, and Feliz Dia de los Muertos!

Love, 

Hermana Vela (look it up on Google Translate. I'm very clever.)