Milagro!

Buenos dias mi querida familia bonita preciosa,

Well this week flew by. That's becoming a common thing. In one more week Sister Fernandez will be gone and I will be missing her like crazy. But such is life--such is the mission.

This week we went on exchanges with the exchange sister, Hermana Ashton. Sister Ashton was in Stockton with Sister Carlos just before I came (she's 3 transfers older than me). Ever since I got here I've wanted to serve with Sister Ashton, but it doesn't look like that'll ever happen since we're some of the "old" sisters in Spanish. We went on actual exchanges--Sister Fernandez went to Elk Grove with Sister Ashton's companion, Sister Randall, for a day while Sister Ashton came to East Sac with me. Then I went to Elk Grove for a day with Sister Randall while Sister Fernandez stayed in East Sac. I know that's typical for the elders since they always switch with the district leader and zone leaders, but it's a little different for sisters since there aren't many of us. It was neat getting to teach with her, especially since she was just in East Sac for six months, so she knew some of the people we visited, and she was my walking GPS.

Sister Fernandez said that miracles always happen while the exchange sister is here. When Sister Ashton and I were doing language study, I got a call from some missionaries in Roseville. Our area borders the Roseville Mission, and Sister Fernandez and I may have actually driven over the border a few times without realizing it...  So anyway, the Roseville Spanish elders called and told us about a sister they were teaching who had a baptismal date who moved into a different apartment because she wanted to be closer to the church building. She had gone to church about five times and didn't want to have to get rides from members, and from this new apartment she could just walk to church. She accidentally moved out of the Roseville Mission and into ours! We've been able to meet with her a few times and are preparing her for baptism. We have a few things to teach still, but we're really excited about that miracle (and sad for the elders who have been teaching her for three months). But it's the same work!

Well, everything's pretty much the same. Wish I had something more to report on! I read President Uchtdorf's talk this morning on The Merciful Obtain Mercy. That is such a wonderful talk. I love the bumper sticker he refers to that says "don't judge me because I sin differently than you." I had just heard a talk by President Uchtdorf on my iPod this morning that talked about the two great commandments--love the Lord thy God with all thy heart and love they neighbor. Basically it's been drilled into my head lately how much we need to love, not judge, others because we're all children of God, brothers and sisters.

Love you all,

kates