Because of the Book of Mormon, we can know what the Bible really means. That baptism is essential, that God has a plan for us, and that there is a way provided for all people, despite their circumstances, to gain salvation.

Dear Family

Hey! Sorry I didn't send a group email out last week. We decided to go explore Downtown, so time was limited. BUT here are the pictures. And pictures are worth a thousand emails right? ;)

We had another fantastic week! I really do love R. There are so many people! All over! And we got out into the countryside quite a bit as well. One family in our ward had us over for dinner in their farmhouse that was built in the 1780s. No big deal. It felt like we walked into an American version of Pride and Prejudice! 

We've continued being fairly immersed in the Mexican immigrant culture around here. I've started reading the Spanish Book of Mormon-trying to pick some Spanish up-so we can actually teach them. One night we went with the Crosse's to the Mexican mini-market during dinner and we tried this fancy corn stuff. It was super good! We were the only white people in sight, and we got lots of strange looks. It was so fun though! We're planning on shopping there from now on. Plus, everything was way cheaper than it is at the normal stores.

I also got bit by a dog this week! Check that off the missionary bucket list! I had to get an arm amputated from the elbow down. JK I was slightly traumatized, but I survived. And we got to talk with the owner! In 1 Corinthians 9, Paul says he will be all things to all men to gain converts, and I guess that applies to dog bite victims as well :)

On a slightly more spiritual note, we had a really great discussion with our investigator Peter this week. Some of the things that he believes are a little out there, and I know that that confusion comes from the difficultly of correctly interpreting the Bible without a second source of information. It makes me so grateful for the Book of Mormon and the depth of understanding it gives us. It's like our eyes. With one eye seeing by itself, your brain gets a flat 2D image. It's still useful and good, but when your other eye works in tangent with it, we gain 3D vision and a better quality image. That is what the Book of Mormon does for us! It shows us the same picture, from a slightly different angle, and helps us understand the full depth of the doctrine of the gospel, and have a better understanding overall. Because of the Book of Mormon, we can know what the Bible really means. That baptism is essential, that God has a plan for us, and that there is a way provided for all people, despite their circumstances, to gain salvation. 

I love you all! 

Have a great one,

Sister Ward