05-16-2016

I can't describe how much love I feel and how much I love this area
and these people.

We went to go see a part member family. The dad is the only member of
the church. His name is Peter and his family are refugees from
Pakistan. We showed up at the door and he was SO excited to see us. He
brought us in and made us extra comfy on the couch while his wife and
him just smiled at us for awhile as we drank some Coke hahaha they are
seriously the best. The thing about Peter is, he speaks some English
but his wife can't speak or understand English. They have two kids
that speak very good English. As we sat down, we asked them about
themselves and about their life. Peter told us that he came to the U.S
a few years back with his son and his daughter and wife. But that some
of his kids were still in Pakistan. They told us stories about life in
Pakistan and showed us old photo albums. My heart broke looking at
these old photos and seeing a family separated. I didn't really have
an idea what these refugees were going through until I was sitting in
this old run down apartment with almost nothing and I was looking
through old photos. As we were sitting on the couch, Peter told us how
he found Jesus Christ and why he wanted us to teach his family. While
in Pakistan, Peter was diagnosed with cancer. The cancer was very
aggressive and the doctor told him that he didn't really have any
options. On the wall of the photo, he saw a picture of Jesus Christ
raising a young maiden. He had heard of Jesus Christ and knew that if
he had faith he could be healed. So he cried and he prayed to the lord
and he asked to be healed. The next morning after some tests, the
doctor came back in and told him that he was completely healed that he
was completely free of cancer. As Peter told us the story in simple
sentences with broken English, tears ran down his face. The spirit was
so strong. I cannot even describe what I felt sitting on his old
ripped up couch with pillows around us to make us comfy. Peter kept on
saying as he lifted his hands to the air" I weak. But Jesus Christ
make me strong. He came and he comes" God is a god of miracles. I feel
so blessed to have met Peter and his family. This was one of my
favorite moments on the mission. It opened my eyes and I couldn't help
but have tears run down my face as the spirit was so strong.

This week we taught our investigator Kevin a few times this week.
Kevin is so awesome. He is the guy that I mentioned last week that we
met that gave us chicken. Every time we saw him this week he gave us
chicken. He is the only person that I think loves chicken more than I
do. And oh my goodness he can COOK. On Saturday we had a lesson with
him and he cooked us up some BBQ chicken with his smoker. The thing
about teaching Kevin is that we can't go into his house so we have to
sit outside while we teach him. IT IS SO HOT. And I don't tan as well
I think haha it was 92 degrees on Saturday and now I'm a little red.
For some reason Kevin's neighbor really likes us and she came outside
her apartment 15 times during our lesson on Saturday to throw
something away every single time and every time she waved at us and
said oh hello girls it's Pam here haha we are like hi Pam we know it's
you we are so glad to see you we will come see you in a little hahah
she is a funny lady. The last time she came out to the snow cone cart
and brought us back some hahaha she was like I have some if you'd like
them haha talk about the best lesson ever. I seriously could spend all
my time at Kevin's. He is so funny and I love teaching him. He loves
Jesus so much. He spent awhile in jail and changed his life around and
wants to start again with God. It's awesome. I love him. And I love
Pam, I can't forget about her

We got to go to the Sacramento temple this week. An elderly couple
took us and they are so cute haha  the temple was amazing. As I walked
into the celestial room the words from I believe in Christ came into
my mind. "I believe in Christ. He is my king." I felt such an
undeniable feeling that this gospel is true and that Christ does live.

Unfortunately, this week we learned that Ginger passed on. It was a
hard day and hard news for me to swallow. I love Ginger so much and I
love her cute son. We went over to Gingers house to share a message
with Ginger's boyfriend. You realize that this gospel is really
everything. It's the most important knowledge that we can ever have. I
know that Ginger is in a better place. Families can be together
forever. I know that this isn't the last time Ginger will see her
children. The plan of happiness is true.

My favorite people in the entire world surprised me and baked me a
birthday cake and sent it home with me. Gosh it made me feel so loved.
I love them so much. I'm far away from home but they make sure I am
well taken care of.

This week has been one of the best weeks of the mission, sadly it's my
last week in my favorite place of West Sacramento. You think that the
mission is hard when you have to say bye to your family and friends in
the beginning but you don't realize that when you come on the mission
your family gets a whole lot bigger. Saying bye to the people in this
area broke my heart. For the past 3 months, I've spent so much time
with them ayyy ayyy

I'll be heading out to Fairfield tomorrow morning with my new
companion Sister Fernandez. I'm super excited but me oh my was my
goodbyes yesterday to all my favorite people bitter sweet

Top ten things I'll miss about West Sacramento:
1. The CATS oh my goodness an overload of felines
2. All the chicken I ate at Kevin's
3. Teaching Ginger
4. Ball is life at p-day
5. The 96 year old lady, Sister Baker who did 60 sit ups every morning
6. Reina teaching us how to be ghetto
7. This bakery that has the best sweet rolls omg
8. Sister Saavedra teaching me Spanish
9. Temple trip with the Clarks
10. The Andreottis <3