Adiós Hermana Morales

From May 25th

Im killing my first missionary!
haha  (that's what they say when their comp goes home)
My comp goes home on Wednesday. Its been a great transfer and I am really thankful for Hermana Morales. I have learned a lot from her and I love her so much. I am also really excited and nervous for transfers on Wednesday, whooooo will be my companion. New adventure. Im hoping for a nueva.
This week... almost nothing happened. Why?.... Because someone is sick. And it isnt my companion haha. But dont worry its just parasites. JUST KIDDING. I dont know what it is still hahaha Im waiting for the test results. But Im okay I promise. Its just... my stomach... mom can you send me a new one please, honduras ruined it
Miriam committed to baptism this week!!! AHH!! She is a reference from Nicolas, a member who got home from his mission when we got here to Valle. She is a mom of 3, divorced, 34 years old, owns a beauty salon. She is wonderful. She has been to lots of churches, but she feels something else in ours. I am hoping she continues progressing along with her children (8,9,and12 years old). Poco a poco her testimony of the Book of Mormon is growing. 

pic2062 is us and one of our investigators, Daniela the other picture.......... my comp took..

this is hermana steele in district meeting while she is sick.. hna zaleta is next to me, I love her, she is from mexico and currently has parasites. hahaha weve been hanging out together in my house a lot while our comps go on divisions. sick buddies for lyfe.

#zoneselfie
#zonaValledeAngeles

haha, hna morales your old! 18months!!

wait whats this no stop nooooo

nooo it cant beeeee sad hna steele

como le digo... las viejas  D: que rápido se va el tiempo en la misión

My life...

From May 18th

Well, tomorrow I have 3 months left in this country. Its kinda really weird to think about. My companion goes home to Nicaragua in 9 days. Also weird to think about. Shes a little emotional. ha. haha. ahhh Time has flown so fast and so many things have changed. 
This week was awesome. Besides being real sick on thursday. Man I ate something that did NOT agree with me. I havent been that sick (not counting the chikunguya) my whole mission. But Im okay now it was just one night and one full day sleeping haha.
But anyway this was the semana de la familia. Family week! There were activities in the church EVERY night this week, ending with a mini fair on Saturday. we had SEVENTEEN investigators come to the fair!! Nine in church the next day. I wish it was that easy to get them to come to church haha. But it was fun, we even had corndogs :) And fireworks! and facepaint! And cotton candy! 
We had more problems with Ernesto and Ingrids papers, and so unfortunately they werent able to get married on saturday. Right now were shooting for the 6th of June. 
Here are some pics
960 a really pretty picture I took last night. I love the way the sun hits the mountain in the distance. Its a lot better in person :) I love my area.959 Some members from Esperanza suprised me and came to visit :) we were only with them about 20 minutes because we had to go to an appointment but it was really nice to see them.

Another week

From May 11th

Well I talked to my fam yesterday sooo just heres the pics and a little more :)on Saturday Ernesto and Ingris are getting married and baptized! News from my old area Esperanza - Ingrids parents are GETTING MARRIED AND BAPTIZED!!!

I have a bunch of time today because my companion is working on her final report... She goes home in 2 weeks. Time flies so fast. Here are some pictures :) I loved skyping with my family yesterday. It was even more special saying hi to my SISTER who is serving in Bolivia and has 5 days there now :P 

heres emily 

and my comp

the famous Valle de Angeles Pugs

this was me harvesting a vegetable called pataste in my backyard

we have the best P days in my zone because my backyard has a place to cook! last monday we cooked as a zone. it was delicious. and this is Elder Sosa and the vegetable pataste

Elder smith and hermana velasquez cooking and elder gunnel keeping the fire alive

nuevos

From May 4th

Hermana Morales and I had a really great week. We have found lots of new people to teach, 17 this week alone. 6 people came to church on sunday that had never gone to church with us before! It was awesome. Our investigators are progressing. Hna Morales is really finishing her mission strong, which is what we all need to do. It will be sad to see her go. The time is passing to fast...
Oh one of my invesitgators from la Esperanza was baptized this last weekend!!! Fabiola :)) she has 15 years old, she went from telling us to being BAPTIZED in our Lords true church. I love how the gospel changes lives. I LOVE IT. The parents of Ingrid are also preparing for their wedding and they will be married and baptized this month!! And Maritza, who was baptized with me and hna Groll last May, is Primary President!!! :D she will go through the temple this month for her endowments too when the temple opens the 18th :))
My area is huge. Mountains after mountains. Its beautiful, but its really exhausting. Ive never been so tired in my life. I feel like when I get home I am going to sleep for a solid 3 days. But I know that we are blessed for moving forward and working despite the difficulties. There are people here who need to hear the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ.
I want to talk about Nicolas. Who is Nicolas? He is a missionary who just got home from his mission the day my comp and I were assigned to this area. I have never met someone so truly CONVERTED to the gospel. He is always willing to help us. His testimony is so strong and radiates and he has been taking us to all his friends to teach them. He really had a true conversion on the mission. In contrast, there is a returned sister missionary from the other branch that we share a building (got home the same week as nicolas) with who hides from the missionaries when they want her to visit with them.
I have learned a lot from these two examples. I have learned that I need to work more on my personal conversion so what when I get home, I will be like Nicolas, and not like the other. I need to be more humble. I need to study the Atonement more. I only have 3.5 months left in this country as a full time missionary and I need to step it up. 
Theres a difference between being a talented missionary and being a converted, consecrated missionary. You can be both. The second is humble.
I have been thinking a lot about 2 Nephi 4 lately. Its so powerful. Even a strong, righteous prophet of God like Nephi realized he is really nothing, and that we are nothing without God. its really humbling. Please read it - 
 16 Behold, my soul delighteth in the things of the Lord; and my heart pondereth continually upon the things which I have seen and heard.
 17 Nevertheless, notwithstanding the great goodness of the Lord, in showing me his great and marvelous works, my heart exclaimeth: O wretched man that I am! Yea, my heart sorroweth because of my flesh; my soul grieveth because of mine iniquities.
 18 I am encompassed about, because of the temptations and the sins which do so easily beset me.
 19 And when I desire to rejoice, my heart groaneth because of my sins; nevertheless, I know in whom I have trusted.
 20 My God hath been my support; he hath led me through mine afflictions in the wilderness; and he hath preserved me upon the waters of the great deep.
 21 He hath filled me with his love, even unto the consuming of my flesh.
 22 He hath confounded mine enemies, unto the causing of them to quake before me.
 23 Behold, he hath heard my cry by day, and he hath given me knowledge by visions in the night-time.
 24 And by day have I waxed bold in mighty prayer before him; yea, my voice have I sent up on high; and angels came down and ministered unto me.
 25 And upon the wings of his Spirit hath my body been carried away upon exceedingly high mountains. And mine eyes have beheld great things, yea, even too great for man; therefore I was bidden that I should not write them.
 26 O then, if I have seen so great things, if the Lord in his condescension unto the children of men hath visited men in so much mercy, why should my heart weep and my soul linger in the valley of sorrow, and my flesh waste away, and my strength slacken, because of mine afflictions?
 27 And why should I yield to sin, because of my flesh? Yea, why should I give way to temptations, that the evil one have place in my heart to destroy my peace and afflict my soul? Why am I angry because of mine enemy?
 28 Awake, my soul! No longer droop in sin. Rejoice, O my heart, and give place no more for the enemy of my soul.
 29 Do not anger again because of mine enemies. Do not slacken my strength because of mine afflictions.
 30 Rejoice, O my heart, and cry unto the Lord, and say: O Lord, I will praise thee forever; yea, my soul will rejoice in thee, my God, and the rock of my salvation.
 31 O Lord, wilt thou redeem my soul? Wilt thou deliver me out of the hands of mine enemies? Wilt thou make me that I may shake at the appearance of sin?
 32 May the gates of hell be shut continually before me, because that my heart is broken and my spirit is contrite! O Lord, wilt thou not shut the gates of thy righteousness before me, that I may walk in the path of the low valley, that I may be strict in the plain road!
 33 O Lord, wilt thou encircle me around in the robe of thy righteousness! O Lord, wilt thou make a way for mine escape before mine enemies! Wilt thou make my path straight before me! Wilt thou not place a stumbling block in my way—but that thou wouldst clear my way before me, and hedge not up my way, but the ways of mine enemy.
 34 O Lord, I have trusted in thee, and I will trust in thee forever. I will not put my trust in the arm of flesh; for I know that cursed is he that putteth his trust in the arm of flesh. Yea, cursed is he that putteth his trust in man or maketh flesh his arm.
 35 Yea, I know that God will give liberally to him that asketh. Yea, my God will give me, if I ask not amiss; therefore I will lift up my voice unto thee; yea, I will cry unto thee, my God, the rock of my righteousness. Behold, my voice shall forever ascend up unto thee, my rock and mine everlasting God. Amen.
​I know that my Redeemer LIVES. And I love Him.
all my love, hermanita steele​

I'm in the mountains!

From April 27th

My area is huge. Im in the mountains! I love it. Im still totally lost though. Good thing my companion (who is the best comp ever) has a good sense of direction. Because HAH I just walk around confused sometimes. Just a bunch of trails...
Well ran out of time hehe. but. I love you all. I am seeing so many blessings and miracles. This is the area I have been waiting for my entire mission. The Lord is blessing us so much. We have a couple who are getting married this saturday and 4 people with baptism dates for the 9th of may and one for the 15th. And we are opening area! The Lord is just throwing blessings at us.
I am so happy. 
I love you all, hermanita steele

exploring an old mining site

coolest butterfly EVER that just landed on my bag hiking today


my comp and I!! the hiking picture is from today! we hiked to the waterfalls. they're in OUR area hehe

zone conf with elder ochoa from the presidency of the 70. thats my zone! zona Valle de Angeles

pictures first of VALLE DE ANGELES....
0537 ' bye hermana rodriguez :(

The perfect special assignment

From April 20th

My transfers are always so dramatic haha. Once again President called me in for an interview before the transfers meeting. But after the short interview he promised me he wont do it again haha :P

So the interview... President tells me he has something special for me. A companion who is ending her mission in six weeks to work to the bone, and an area to open. Not just any area. VALLE DE ANGELES! Its a branch, but a really stong one. This week we has an attendance of 85. So he tells me Im his Go-to Girl and that they need me there. This area has not had sister missionaries for 9+ years. But the elders that have been here the past months have not done what they should, and the area has been suffering. And so they put me in. 

I am here with Hermana Morales from Nicaragua. Its so great having a companion that I already knew, this is my first time. And like I said, she goes home in 5 weeks now. BUT. Shes not baggy (trunky), because we have wayyy too much to do. 

Valle de Angeles is HUGE. Im literally in the mountains. Im hiking every day, not joking. This is the area of my DREAMS. It reminds me so much of Oregon. It is so beautiful. Im still a little lost but we will get there :p

The members of the church here are SO excited to work. They are throwing references at us. There are tons of returned missionaries too. One got here when we did! This branch is going to grow SO much.

Weve spent the last few days getting to know the area. We had 8 investigators in church on Sunday. It was awesome. Ive never seen so many prepared people to recieve this gospel. 

Like I said, this is my dream area. The work here is going to explode. Ive never had so much fun doing missionary work until today. Its so fun. For goodness sakes Im HIKING every day. :D
Thats all for today :p 

love, 
hermanita steele

Last days in Esperanza

From April 13th

I wanted to send pics and so I have like nooo time Im sorry!!! haha
jus t a few things...
1. I love you all.
2. I am getting transfered this week on Wednesday. itll be crazy. im excited to kknow where my third area is.
3. THE BAPTISMS ON FRIDAY WERE SOOO BEAUTIFUL. there were 5!! all fruits of my personal labopr. it was awesome,. a n answer to my prayers de verdad. 

sorry gotta go love you all!! ill write more next week!!

Hating my zone ;) (she's kidding but that is her title so I have to write it!)

From April 6th

why do I hate my zone? because they accidentally erased ALL MY PICTURES. OVER ONE THOUSAND PICTURES. .......but my old compañera Hermana Castellanos is a computer geek so she says she might be able to get them back...If not, I will kill all of the elders. Family, be expecting me at home soon........So that was the drama of conference weekend. Im still super mad but hey what can you do. Ill just take more pictures and not a single other soul will EVER TOUCH MY CAMERA AGAIN.So thats my excuse for not sending pictures this week. But hey maybe next week. 

This week was alright, it was a difficult week for everyone in the mission because its Semana Santa, or like Easter Week where supposedly people are celebrating Christ all week by not having school or work and going to the beach and leaving us without people to teach. But thats okay. 
Happy Easter! :D 
Monday - what happened on Monday.... Time is just going by so fast...
Tuesday - We had divisions and I went to Santa Lucia - THE MOUNTAINS! Woo I love Santa Lucia its so pretty. It reminds me of Oregon. Id send you the pictures I took BUT THE ELDERS DELETED MY PICTURES. 
Wednesday - Got home from Santa Lucia and went to a fun noche de hogar with some jovenes from the ward, taught Ingrid who has a baptismal date for THIS SATURDAY WOO.
Thursday - district meeting, and I went in divisions to an area called La Joya with a really cool hermana from Mexico. Found out that Ingrid left town when she originally wasnt going to, dangit.
Friday - got home from divisions, two jovens in our ward called us wanting to go out with us so we took advantage of that and went on divisions, it was fun. 
Saturday - CONFERENCEEEEEEEEEE. Really inspiring messages. Listening to the MoTab made me sooo baggy for singing. I want to sing in choir again. I had to watch conference in Spanish which I was super bummed about but I understood everything so its okay. I just really wanted to hear their voices... Walked into my converts house and she was watching priesthood session with her sons and I SAW THE BYU CHOIRS AHHH MY CHOIR. Then the Zone Leaders call at 8pm telling me to go to the supermarket and buy bread and cheese for grilled cheese sandwiches for the zone. Um okay I can do that. 
Sunday - CONFERENCEEEEE. Loved it. PRESIDENT BLUNK GOT CALLED TO BE A 70 THATS CRAZY AWESOME. I made grilled cheese sandwiches for the zone. There were pictures but they dont exist anymore........... aaaand Ingrid got back home! yay! She right now is a little hesitant about getting baptized on Saturday. She knows this is the true church and she knows she wants to get baptized but she isnt sure about when. But we know she will get her answer that she has been praying for. 
Today - SLIP N SLIDE BASEBALL WATER BALLOON WAR. enough said. im burned. WOO MY INVESTIGATORS ARE BACK IN TOWN TIME TO GO PILAS

It was kinda a weird week. It went by really fast. In a week and a half I will be leaving Esperanza. Thats a kinda weird thought. 
I loved conference, President Uchtdorfs talk was my favorite. It was so beautiful and I took like 3 times as many notes as all the others. Also amazing to hear 3 temples announced, that was unexpected.
spiritual thoughtSomething I learned awhile ago but was brought to my memory again this week is how God answers our prayers. There are three ways - He says YesHe says NoHe waits. 
What does He wait for? He waits for US TO ACT.  Ingrid right now is waiting for an answer about her baptism this Saturday. I explained this to her because it is something I am very familiar with. When I was praying to decide to go on a mission, I didnt recieve an answer, so I just decided to go. I got my spiritual confirmation when I opened my call. But what would have happened if I had just waited and not done anything? I would never have gotten here. So we are still planning on Saturday for her baptism. We are going to have a total of 5 baptisms in the ward with her on Saturday. It had really been a blessins having the Assistants (APs) in our ward this transfer. The 4 other baptisms that are happening on Saturday are all people I found with my companions. Its really cool to know that I started that process with them and that with the area divide, the Elders finished my work. 
So, my friends and family, if you have been praying for an answer and have not recieved an answer still, what do you think God is waiting for you to do? Are you acting and showing your faith? What more can you do to recieve an answer?
I love this work, every moment, and I am learning every day. I loved thinking about my Savior even more on this Easter Sunday. I am so thankful for Him. Because of Him, because He lives, we are NOT LOST AND FALLEN. 
I love you all too!!byeee have a good week
hermanita steele