Whew. what a week! First off, I must apologize for my complaints about the cold.... in truth, it really was not that bad! I was just grouchy... BUT, I'm pleased to say that Nebraska is melting! There's water everywhere, because the heaps of snow and ice are melting down, and I have not worn my coat in 4 days! WOO! The crazy thing is, it's 40 degrees, which I never thought I would stand without a coat! WOO! I did have an unfortunate cough that resulted in my sounding like several different general authorities... my favorite was J. Golden Kimball. That was usually after a major coughing fit.... There was a time that I literally could barely speak.... I was so frustrated! I eventually decided that it didn't matter. I found myself bearing my testimony and sounding so pathetic, but I didn't really know what else to do.... missionaries should NEVER lose their voices.
Aside from that, it's been a fabulous week!!! Eli FINALLY came to church. WOO! I think he enjoyed it. He's a man of few words, but his countenance, I have learned, is pretty readible. We invited him to pray about getting baptized on March 5th. He said he would! that's huge for Eli! Then, the next time we taught him, he was being a bit stubborn. I think he's trying to fight it a little bit, but he committed to go to church, and he finally made it! Yesterday, we went to the Trail Center to watch the Joseph Smith Movie, and they came, and so did the perkes family (RS president and WML).... They are awesome! After, we decided not to pry him for his feelings, but we decided simply to just bear our testimonies and invited the perkes to do so as well, and then left it at that. The spirit was SO strong. It was just one of those times that I regained my testimony by bearing it. It was cool. Also, I really started to realize how much I want Eli to have this in his life. I just want him to understand that.
I got a little frustrated the other day. I have been in Ralston for almost 6 months now, and this is the one area where I have yet to see a baptism. I admit, I got a little discouraged, because I'm pretty sure it's time for me to leave at the end of this transfer. I wondered what I was doing wrong, I guess. BUT, Heavenly Father is amazing, and he really helps us when we need it. We had zone conference, and the Omaha Stake president was there. He told us about Nephi, and how there was a point where no one listened to him. He then read in Preach My Gospel, and it has a statement about how to measure success as a missionary. It says that a successful missionary does everything they can to find, teach and baptize. it didn't say that a successful missionary finds, teaches, and baptizes. just that they do everything they can. That really touched me, because although I am not a perfect missionary, and I don't really know if I'm successful, at least I know I have done everything I know how to do for this area, and I have seen miracles. One thing that is neat, is that even those who came really close to being baptized, and were not actually baptized, were helped in some way to come closer to christ. I know that lives have changed to some degree. I hope that I can see Eli, Fredi and Itzel baptized before I leave, but even if I don't, I know that I love them, and I've tried everything I could.
I love the things I learn as a missionary. Heavenly Father teaches me things every day, and I'm so grateful. I love you all!
sister bonelli
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