Closer

24 Mosquito Bites

Update on my life in Mexico:
-At the beginning of my time in the field I was very disappointed because we couldn't find peanut butter anywhere. BUT NOW we have a way to get peanut butter every week and life is good. :)

-I am now a professional at turning on the boiler in the morning.

-I set a record time for hanging up our clothing on the clothes lines this morning.

-My companion got hit by bird droppings.

-The member that we live with told me I am the only American missionary that doesn't have a sunburnt nose that has lived there! (That is impressive because missionaries have been living there for 9 years!)

-An investigator from a while ago who had a bad drinking problem has now come to church twice and has a baptismal date and told us how much he loves learning about the gospel!

Wowzers!

I am so grateful for this gospel and for the opportunity to share it with others in Mexico. I have discovered that the best way to grow in the gospel is by sharing it. 

"More people have obtained a testimony while standing up trying to bear it than down on their knees praying for it." - Brigham Young

"A testimony is to be found in the bearing of it. As you give that which you have, there is replacement, with increase!" - Boyd K. Packer

"The most important learnings of life are caught - not taught." -Elder Bednar

I encourage you all to go out of your way to share your testimony, share the goodness of this gospel, and I promise you that you will feel a closer connection to God and an even greater desire to live the gospel.

"God is as close to you as you let Him be." - Hugh B. Brown

Have an outstanding week!!

Hermana Greenwood:)

Action is the Key

Hermana Greenwood with Favorite Foods Package

Mexico continues to be wonderfully crazy. 

One thing I have learned and am continuing to work on is rejoicing in every moment of every day. We have so much to be grateful for, and instead of looking back to see the miracles, I encourage you to try and see them the moment that they happen. I promise they are there.

The Lord is so aware of us, and as we continue reaching towards the Savior and striving to be like Him, and as President Nelson said, as if we are a drowning person gasping for air, we will receive the power of Jesus Christ. That is such a powerful promise.

Have a great week and continue reaching and striving towards the Savior!

Hermana Greenwood:)

Short and Sweet

Karina's Baptism

This past week Karina got baptized, and it was the sweetest thing of my life. She bore her testimony after her baptism, and while I couldn't understand every word, the Spirit was SO strong, and my heart was so happy.

I love being a missionary.

Elder Holland once said, “The first great commandment of all eternity is to love God with all of our heart, might, mind, and strength—that’s the first great commandment. But the first great truth of all eternity is that God loves us with all of His heart, might, mind, and strength. That love is the foundation stone of eternity, and it should be the foundation stone of our daily life.”

How amazing is it that Heavenly Father loves us SO much? He cares about what we care about, and is with us through the ups and downs of this roller coaster that we call life. Never forget how much He loves you.

I invite you all to pray to remember Heavenly Father's love for you. I promise you can feel of His love for you INDIVIDUALLY every day.

The gospel is true, I promise. :) Have a wonderful week!

Hermana Greenwood:)

This is what losing your retainer down the drain looks like. No luck finding it.

Changes

Sisters Greenwood & Clegg (new companion)

Mexican Dress

Before the mission I didn't realize how difficult it would be to say goodbye to companions! Hermana Maynes did half of my training and is now on her way home, and saying goodbye to her was so hard! But I have a new companion named Hermana Clegg and, although I haven't quite known her for even 24 hours yet, I am already stoked to keep working!

Basilica from 1709

Interior

Lately I have been thinking a lot about the scripture in Ether 12:6, about how you have to act on your faith before you receive the witness. Sometimes we have to take a few steps in the dark knowing that there will be light again. 





In Joshua 3:7-17, Joshua is leading the Israelites through the waters of Jordan, and I never noticed before that BEFORE the waters parted for them, they got their feet wet. They had to step into the water before the waters completely parted. 

Basilica completed in1976

I think this is important for all of us to remember. This week I encourage you all to trust in the Lord and "get your feet wet." I know that as we do, in the end we will "stand on firm and dry ground."

Entrace

Interior

The Lord is so aware of us, I promise.

Have a magnificent week!

Hermana Greenwood:)

Another book Kim highly recommends

Hermana Greenwood at the hospital w/ one of her favorite books

Note: Kim met her new companion in the hospital where Hermana Clegg was recovering from an illness. They are both very happily back in their area now. Missions certainly have their challenges!

View of Mexico City

Journeys

Beautiful new bracelet (matches her eyes)!

Tan line =)

All of the days have started to blur together, but the blur is definitely a beautiful one. I love being a missionary, I love being recognized on the streets as a representative of Jesus Christ, and I love learning to turn my life to be more in line with the life that Christ lived.

One of my favorite things to study during my personal study is talks, and I have been able to read from the Liahona from the past couple of months which I have grown to absolutely love. Elder Holland wrote an article in the June 2018 one that talks about Bearing One Another's Burdens. My favorite quote from it is, "We may not be able to alter the journey, but we can make sure no one walks it alone." 

Hot Plate Explosion! (That's one way to get a new one.)

Sometimes it is hard to know how to help other people, because we want to do it in the best way that we can, but sometimes the best way to help is simply letting them know that they are not alone. That we are there to walk with them through the good and the bad.

Elotes (Corn, Mexican-style)

This is something that I am definitely working towards. I want to help those around me know that they aren't alone. I want to help these people know that Christ knows exactly what they're going through, and He won't leave them, and that I am also here willing and eager to help.

Lucky Key Chain (Mexico City East Mission)

I encourage you all to look around and bear one another's burdens!

Have a wonderful week!

Hermana Greenwood:)

Perspectives

Fenice Pulido's Baptism (Hermana Greenwood adores this family!)

Serving a mission in Mexico City is one of the coolest things ever. I have only been in the field for about a month, but I feel like so much has changed, especially my perspective. We are able to have hours of study time every day, and I feel like every day I learn something new about this gospel. I have gotten to hear so many people bear their testimonies and share their experiences and I gain a new perspective each time they do. We all have so much to contribute to this work, it is incredible.

Sisters Salazar & Greenwood (Exchanges!)

This past week we have been teaching a lady named Karina and her 9 year old daughter, Melisa. They just showed up to church a couple weeks ago after being contacted on the street and are so ready to learn about and follow Christ. I have loved watching Karina as she bears testimony of the Book of Mormon. That book is true. I know it, it changes lives.

Another lady recently returned from a trip, but it looks like she is going to go back for good. She is in a horrible situation and she called us the other day in tears. We brought her some of our leftover food and got her ice for a huge bruise she had on her leg. We couldn't do much for her, but just sitting and listening to her and crying with her was what she needed.

Mexico is amazing, and the gospel is so incredibly true. I want each of you to know how big a part you play in Heavenly Father's plan. I believe Elder Holland gave a talk about how each of us 'have a part in the choir.' I testify that that is true. We each have a part, a very big part, and we can all learn so much from each other.

Have a wonderful week!!

Hermana Greenwood:)

The Best Combination

Sisters Greenwood & Maynes

Although my Spanish doesn't flow much at all, this past week has flown by. My ward here is so loving, everybody cleans their sidewalk with soap and a broom, they are constantly playing music or setting off loud firework noises, a dog almost bit my hand off, I know how to make a couple Mexican dishes, and this morning we had a district activity with WAFFLES. We all made waffles and had juice and shared family photos and it was a wonderful time.

Pancakes!

The best combination is everything I mentioned above mixed with, and more importantly, what I mention next, because new gospel insights are my favorite thing. 

Chocolate-filled Croissants

Pambazos

I had an interview with my Mission President this past week and asked him something along the lines of, "How do I know that I am doing enough? I want to do all I can to be the best missionary I can be." And what he said surprised me. He said, "You will never be enough." 

While that was a low blow, it really got me thinking. He's totally right - I won't ever be enough - that's the beauty of this gospel. We can make it ONLY WITH Christ. He doesn't just make up the difference, He is the difference.

Two Months - Two Kinder Eggs

If you get the chance, read the talk, "His Grace is Sufficient" by Brad Wilcox. Now my focus is to do what I can each day, re-evaluate, and try to do better the next day. That's what life is all about right? Doing what we can and loving what we do. :)

Have a magnificent week!

Hermana Greenwood :)