Hi :-)

"Miracles: I have struggled a lot this week with how to feel like and be a successful missionary and also slow down to take care of my physical health, especially when I don´t know/understand exactly what I am dealing with at this point. Basically, it boils down to an issue of pride and humility. I am right in the middle of a life lesson about how I react and feel when I can´t be the one leading out or going and doing. I think it is the hardest thing I have faced on my mission so far. But with the greatest struggles come the greatest blessings and learning opportunities. So here´s what I have seen so far...I was discouraged Friday because of how our week had been going so far in terms of numbers and visits, but we had 3 incredible visits that day that were direct and immediate answers to prayers. Every Friday we eat with a part member family and 2 of the kids will be baptized in Dec. But the oldest son has never shown interest past physically being there (sometimes) when we are. We planned to ask the other 2 about why they wanted to be baptized and how to use the Book of Mormon to find answers. I felt so strongly to talk and testify directly to the oldest son and asked him if he´ll ever be baptized. He said he doesn´t know, which was wonderful to hear because it leaves room to find the answer! And it wasn´t an outright “no”--progress. Something changed in him and his eyes during that lesson and he is thinking about being baptized with his siblings.

Next, we met with Obion and Tony, who is still on track to be baptized on the 17^th. He is so happy and has changed so much. The difference is incredible, a 180. He wrote his fecha (baptism date) in on their calendar and came to church. It was one of those moments where you are just so happy that you can´t contain it.

And last but not least, we had a visit with Laura (recent convert, 9 yrs old), where she was supposed to teach us...but she had her cousin over and forgot. So we asked if we could share a scripture with the rest of her family, which are recently reactivated members and menosactivos. Hna Oslund chose to share Alma 7:11-15 about the Atonement. It was guided by the Spirit. We asked them each to think about what Christ´s Atonement means in their lives and the Spirit came and took over. I told them that after a moment of silence I would start. I prayed in that moment to say what someone needed, what would touch their hearts. A sentence from a folleto (pamphlet) came to my mind that says, “All that is unfair in this life will be made up for in the life to come.” So I said it and bore my testimony about it´s truthfulness. As we went around the room, an aunt started to cry and opened up about what I had said and how it was exactly what she was struggling with. We got to know and understand some of her struggles and questions about all the suffering in the world. Now we know how to teach HER.

Heavenly Father knows us. He knows me. He knows how and what I struggle with and He will NEVER say that our best isn´t good enough--even if others, or we ourselves!, try to. If I can remember that every day, the rest doesn´t really matter.

He always finds ways to let me know that I´m doing just fine, even if it doesn´t feel like it every minute--like right now. I wish that I could say that medically speaking things are better or getting better...but I seem to still be in the "patience and humility" stage because things are still the same. I´m waiting. And that´s ok...right?

On a funny note, I´ve gotten really good at making remolacha...I think those are...beets in english? and spinach juice smoothies to up my iron. They are very...purple :-) But seem to be helping. Who knew.

We got to watch the Christmas devotional last night in spanish. SO good. I loved Pte Uchtdorf´s talk--I am going to work on being a "good and grateful receiver" <- that´s my personal translation from my head so I don´t know if that´s what he said in english, but the meaning should be the same I think...I hope.ahaha "With Wondering Awe" was so beautiful...I can´t remember if that´s a real song either. Oh dang, the one with the reed pipe? I need to start english study instead of spanish study!ahaha

I have listened to Elder Richards´ "The Atonement Covers" talk from April 2011. I remember loving it when I heard it at Clark and Becca´s, especially the line "pain is a gauge of the healing process." SO true, especially for me right now. (He is also the seventy who just had a mission tour here.) Check it out.

Life is hard, but that´s what makes it worth it. And I am still loving it, my mission, my companion and being here in Valencia. So smile for me :-) And know that I love you.

Love always,

Hna Clarissa Dalton