Wowza!

WOW. What more can I say about this week? IT WAS AWESOME. Okay awesome for many reasons. Not anything like drop dead exciting if I'm going to be honest with you all, but full of incredible moments.

I hope you all enjoyed General Conference. What a blessing it is to hear from living prophets, seers, and revelators. It absolutely stuns me that one talk can answer millions of questions and prayers in the entire WORLD. God works miracles in everyone of us. There are an incredible amount of things I want to write about conference but time doesn't really allow me to haha. But, I will say that I understand more fully of the great gift that is the Atonement, prayer, the Restoration and service. They are small topics that have a huge impact on life. I l know without a shadow of doubt that all of the words spoken are true. God will never abandon us. His truth with shine forth forever. The gospel has been restored. How great does that sound? We have modern revelation! God never fails to surprise me with His great glory and power! I know these things to be true.

I feel incredible here in Villas. Hermana Pineda is AMAZING. Holy cow I just love this girl. She is a spiritual giant. Literally I am so amazed by her. I am grateful beyond compare. She is one of those people that is just naturally funny and kind and seriously has a way with words. It's like the moment I've been waiting for. She and I get along so great. We talk so much. Like wow. We said it could be a challenge in our companionship as a joke....but then we realized its a little true haha just love her to death.

We went on a fun adventure to the hospital to visit some sisters that were there earlier this week. all is fine but its was fun doing something a little different. Jsut in general the mission is fun. It rained a lot on Tuesday and reminded me of the crazy rain when I was here a year ago. How crazy right? 

Love the mish and love all of you!! Have a great week!!

Hna C

Hospital Trip

Yo Hablo English

Alex my convert from Pinos &
He's still active WOOO!!

Start Spreading the News

Hello hello lovely friends and family!!! Hope you all are just SOOOO great! I know I am!! 

Here we are another week in the beautiful work of the Lord. And I have some fun news! I have left San Juan and I am now in my new area Villas de Pachuca! I have returned to the zone Pachuca Sur...my first zone. I'm still a sister training leader but my companion and I are the senior sister training leaders. It should be a fun cycle! My new companion is Hermana Pineda. She's from the state of Mexico. SUPER awesome. I seriously wanted to be her companion and look! We are together :) I'm super pumped for what will come!

And well.....yeah I'm a tad bummed that I left San Juan. I can honestly say that I love San Juan with all of the my heart. After 4 1/2 months there it wasn't easy saying goodbye. Not only me, but also my companion left the area. So they closed San Juan but they put new sisters there. It's hard to leave at the point of progression. I learned an incredible amount in San Juan. And for that, I am so grateful with God for all of the experiencias He gave me. San Juan really does have a big part of my heart. And because it was a closing area, we had to go around telling everyone that we would be leaving. Saying goodbye never gets easier.  But the best part is having the chance to say many hellos after :)

This week was filled with good experiences. I have seen so much progress in many people. I have heard an incredible amount of questions of the soul. It just warms my heart that I can tell them "Everything you want to know, we have to share with you. And God wants you to listen." I know by those small moments that God is preparing people one by one. You just have to find them. They arent always going to have a giant poster saying they are the prepared one (and never have I seen that) but the Holy Ghost tells us and guides us to those who need it. And members are a HUGE help. They are the key to missionary work. So all of you members out there, I hope you are thinking of some people the missionaries can visit :)

This week I read in Jacob 5 in the Book of Mormon. I never really understand this chapter....but there were 3 verses that hit me hard. 

 21 And it came to pass that the servant said unto his master: How comest thou hither to plant this tree, or this branch of the tree? For behold, it was the poorest spot in all the land of thy vineyard.
 22 And the Lord of the vineyard said unto him: Counsel me not; I knew that it was a poor spot of ground;wherefore, I said unto thee, I have nourished it this longtime, and thou beholdest that it hath brought forth much fruit.
 23 And it came to pass that the Lord of the vineyard said unto his servant: Look hither; behold I have planted another branch of the tree also; and thou knowest that this spot of ground was poorer than the first. But, behold the tree. I have nourished it this long time, and it hath brought forth much fruit; therefore, gather it, and lay it up against the season, that I may preserve it unto mine own self

I can compare these verses to San Juan. The Lord knows when life is hard. He knows everything. He works just as hard (and even harder) than us so that we can see the results in HIS time. San Juan strengthened me. San Juan gave me more than I gave. I know the Lord works in all parts of his vineyard. Just thinking that someone somewhere in the world is being baptized or going to be baptized makes my heart rejoice. It doesn't matter where we are, a missionary's work is the Lord's works and we are part of His vineyard. I know this church is true and God and Christ never stop loving us and will never give up on a part of his vineyard.

Have a fabulous week!!!! I LOVE YOU!!!

Hermana Cross

Hermana Pineda

Hermana Quevado

Hermano...borrego (ha ha)

¡Viva México!

Happy Monday everyone!! I hope your week was spectacular! Mine sure was! It was full of fun filled and spiritual moments. The best type of moment’s haha. The Lord never fails to surprise me with new learning experiences. As you all know, this week I have been in the mission ONE YEAR! That's absolutely crazy. I feel like I've been here little time. Time….man;  it's crazy. But I absolutely LOVE the mission and all of the joy that it brings me and those I love.

I have learned a ton of things in this past year but it would be an incredibly long email if I wrote them all...plus I don’t have the time haha. So I'll just state a few things that have happened and something that touched my heart.

• This week was Mexico’s independence day but really nothing was super duper exciting there. I know it would seem like super crazy and dangerous but here in San Juan it's super chill. It was worse when it was San Juan Day haha.
• My companion got a little bit sick with the same thing I had a few weeks ago. We hung out in a member’s house for a little while she was going through the motions and then headed home. I have learned being in the house just kills. So much more fun going out and doing the Lord's work.
• Zone conference! That was incredible. President Kimball is so loving and brings such a special spirit. I really have learned more about being dedicated and understanding what it means to live in the "Culture of Christ"
• Another new baptism date!! Yep there is progress here in San Juan!! Our other baptism date fell and now he's not really interested but it's okay! Because that just means there are more people super ready to listen!

Okay so those are just a few bullet points of what happened. But what I really want to share is a scripture that has opened my mind and my heart.

Malachi 3:3

3 And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness.

The process of making silver is by putting it in a very hot oven. One person has to sit there, watching and watching until it is finished. In a story, a woman asked a refiner how he knows that the silver is finished. He said "That's easy. When I can see myself, I know it's ready."

Just like the refiner, God is watching us and has put us in this so called "oven." We are here to try to be perfected, even as he is perfect.(3 Ne 12:48) We will pass many difficulties and many other things but all is for our good. We must become even as our Father in Heaven. We have great worth and He only wants the best for us. He has the perfect touch and the final say. I know God lives. Jesus Christ is His son, and only through His name can we be perfected and saved. I love this work and I will give even more in these next 6 months. You can count on it!! LOVE YOU ALL!!

Hermana Cross

One year!  Time flies by!

(Neat)ure

Hello hello! What a great week! It flew by. I'm really starting to slack off on the whole write in my journal every day. I've had to do catch up work. I can't stop now! Almost a year doing it and now it isn't the time to quit! Hahaha. So for this reason my emails have been shorter.

And this is no exception haha. Again, sorry for that.

Anyway. This week was pretty full of exciting "try new things" experiences. First of all, we had to the opportunity to plan our own zone training. Usually we give what we learned and it's basically a repeat but for those who didn't hear in the leadership council. This time, it was personal. That made it sooooo much cooler. and sooooooo much more spiritual. We met with the zone leaders to plan with them and it was like working in a school group project. But it wasn't terrible like those projects can be. It's a lot more edifying when you are working with the spirit and a focus in the benefit of others. You really have to lose yourself to find yourself.

The next day was the zone training. It was a success!!! We talked about having an effective teaching. It really hit me that a new opportunity to help this child of God, starts from the moment we talk with someone. From that moment and forward, we are the Lord's tools. We work with the spirit and nothing more. We have to listen. We have to invite. We have to avoid all distractions. We have to do the Lord's work. There is nothing better than doing the Lord's work!!

We also did a super fun service activity! On Saturday, we hiked up one of the mountains and planted trees!! We got up there at about 7 am and worked for about 4 hours up in the mountains. There are a

Happy doing service

ton of nopales...a type of cactus. And the best part was eating fresh tunas! The little red things on the cactus haha. SOOOO GOOOOD. Nothing can compare. it was beautiful planting little trees and saving the planet. But seriously the world is a gorgeous place. God created a world so amazing and sometimes we don't take the time to help it flourish. I was reminded by the little activity that faith is like that little tree. We planted a lot. And we probably will never see it finish growing or even become a strong tree, but I know that in the future there will be one. that is missionary work. We don't have to see the fruits of our labor to know we are working hard. If we are diligent, the spirit will testify if we are doing all we can. Numbers cant and wont tell us. Only the sacred gift of the Holy Ghost will whisper the truth and penetrate the heart with it's quiet but strong power. There is always a lesson to be learned. Even in a small service activity :)

Mexican thumbs up for you all!

Last, we had the chance to go to a Noche Mexicana...a Mexican night. Celebrating their independence day just a week earlier. But it was so fun. We painted faces, watched people dance, sang a Mexican song that we didn't know and helped prepare food for everyone. We met new people and just had the chance to spend time with all of the wonderful members. I seriously just love them so much! 

That was basically my week with a few highlights. I am always amazed at the many blessings God gives me. I could never make it through the day without the security of the gospel. It seriously blessed me in every moment. The work is glorious. The Lord is generous with His blessings, but obedience and diligence is key to receive. I know this church is true. I know this work is of the Lord. I am beyond blessed to be serving a mission. Nothing else I would rather be doing. Have a great week everyone!

LOTS OF LOVE!!!

Hermana Cross

Little trees!!! (almost planted them all)

"Faith is like a little seed...if planted it will grow"

oooo....honey, honey!

while the family was in foco, I also was remember that beautiful land

TUNAS - Cactus fruit, considered a delicacy 

Good morning - comp pic

A look at the Cerro

Here a little, There a little

Wowza it was  a little bit of a stressful week not gonna lie! We traveled like non other this week and we had to do our intercambios back to back. Just a lot of stuff going on here. But the mission never gets boring so there you have it!! Sometimes it's full of travel and a little bit of problems....but without a doubt we keep moving forward!!!!

Hmmm well really I want to share a bunch of stuff but at the same time  I feel like I don't have a

Intercambios back to back

bunch of stuff to share! The majority of this time was spent in other areas and with other companions. I was away from San Juan for 2 whole days. Doing intercambios back to back is a little insane. I did do one with an american sister so that's always super fun to talk in English and share some experiences.  And it was weird being away from my area for so long. When I got back it seriously felt like coming home. Home really is where the heart is. Love the people of San Juanito. 

Unfortunately, we didn't have investigators in church and so Armen's baptism date fell and now we are on the search again. Satan likes to discourage missionaries. I believe it's his favorite game. And really that is what has been happening in the lives of people close to us as missionaries. 

This week I've really just have come to learn more of the savior and of his infinite love for others. I have seen in this week a few sisters super stressed and some having personal problems. But it really is amazing to see the Lord working miracles in these sister missionaries. It fills my heart with more love for my family and for the Savior every'time I hear these experiences that these Hermanas have. I know the Atonement can heal. I know it can give us strength and power. It is a gift. A gift that cant be bought. It is given. And it can be shared.  I just want to share with you all a quick quote that I found this week that has really touched my heart.  

Never let anything so fill you with sorrow as to make you forget the joy of the Christ risen --Mother Teresa

I hope you all have a great week. I invite you to ponder on the Atonement and really how it has affected you. Lots of love and lots of prayers for all of you wonderful people!!!! 

Hermana C

The "traditioooon  tradition!" picture

Shout out to the Mama :) (The Mexicans love you too!)

Beautiful San Juan

Throw back to when my companion fell on her bike

Better than Cake

Here we are again. Another Monday! I hope your week was just as great as mine! 

There was a lot of good experiences this week. and some that weren't super fun...but we'll get to that in the end haha. 

To start, my birthday was super good. My companion made me some pancakes and sang to me. Also

the member we ate with made my favorite food (mole verde) and we ate cake. Also that day was jam packed with lessons! That was the cherry on top. And to make that day fun and different, I had a great start to the day with a contact. We met some guy while looking for a reference. My companion told him it was my birthday. So what did he say? "Felicidades!! I don't have a cake but do you know whats better than a cake? A HUG!!!" and he went in for a giant hug. I did all I could to avoid it but I just stayed still while he gave me a hug. He said "Jesus hugged everyone. He's going to be mad with you because you didn't hug me" That just made me laugh.  

So what other things are "better than cake?" Well let me tell you!!!

1. meeting twins by accident and meeting their cousin...and all 3 have an interest in learning about the gospel...with a super powerful prayer that started it all'
2. the first intercambios of the new cycle. Knocking on a door and finding new and accepting investigators.'
3. When a young couple (a 18 and 19 year old with a 1 yr old baby) finally accept to get married so they can be baptized. Now all they need is to go to church! And realizing for your self the importance of families and the true plan that God has for me and for each and everyone of us. 
4. Feeling the spirit so strong while teaching a less active family about eternal families until the point there are tears in every ones eyes. I left that lesson with true hope that they can become active again 
5. Understanding the atonement even more. Reflecting on the giant impact it has had on my life in these past months here in the mission. 
6. Being able to defend the truth. I felt the need to talk to a guy outside of his house. When we started talking with him, he was trying to argue with us that we really don't know who Joseph Smith was and bash on the church, but we testified our guts out. I left wondering why the Holy Ghost prompted me to talk to him...but then I realized it was not only to help him, but to help me strengthen my own testimony.I know that this is the true church and that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God. 
7. WE HAD A NEW INVESTIGATOR IN CHURCH AND HE NOW HAS A BAPTISM DATE. THIS IS THE BEST NEWS EVERRRRR 
8. We had stake conference and I saw a ton of people from my area Actopan and an investigator that never went to church but now is going with her husband!! The work continues! 
9. A member of the 70 talked with the stake about how we need to prepare more and become a more righteous group of people. Prepare our children who will be the future members of the church. He had the little primary children of the stake sing "love one another" and I mean wow. My heart was filled with peace and joy and I had major tears. The spirit testified so strongly that we have more work to do. 
10. And the last of all that maybe isn't super great or better than cake but a fun story to tell. Soooo I might have maybe thrown up for the first time on the mission....but in the street. There were a few drunks coming close by while I was sending a message to Sis Kimball. They were asking to use our bikes and I thought "Don't come close because I'm going to throw up" and then walked away......and yep. I called it a day after that. But my angel companion helped me out :)'

That's all I've got my friends. it was a fantastic week. Thanks for everything!!! LOVE YOU ALL!!!!

Hna Cross 

Hey I'm 20!

New outfit!

Hey Piggy-piggy, come back!

Comps - blue and blue

A Once in a Lifetime Experience

Holy smokes where does the time go?! Is it even possible that I'm writing yet another email?! wowowow life is crazy!

First of all, MUCHAS GRACIAS for all of the birthday wishes. Crazy that I'm turning 20 right? so pumped to have this birthday here in the mission. The best birthday gift I have been given is the confidence the Lord has in me to be a representative of Jesus Christ and proclaim to his children the true and restored gospel! Oh what a blessing it is!

This week we did an incredible amount of travel to Pachuca. A general authority, one of the 70's from the 1st quorum, visited our mission. Elder Pino is his name. Man was that awesome or what!! It truly was super duper crazy awesome. In this special conference we had, he focused a ton on our calling as missionaries. He used a comparison of 2 mission calls found in doctrine and covenants. The only difference was the name used but it specifically says the call was personal. He explained to us that the calling as a missionary is personal. The Lord has called me, Hermana Cross, to be a missionary. The Lord trusts in me, an imperfect person, to declare the perfection of the atonement of Christ. I have learned in these past months that the Lord does not expect baptism after baptism from his servants. He expects a lot from us. But He does not leave us alone to do His work. We are but instruments in his glorious work.

In that same conference my companion and I were called on the spot by elder Pino to do a practice in front of all the missionaries, him and the mission president. HOW NERVE WRECKING!! But it was so awesome. I felt so in harmony with my companion even though we only had 1 whole day together. The spirit was strong and we invited these 2 "investigators" to baptism. We searched their needs and invited again. I felt a love for these people very quickly even though they were a senior couple and serve in the offices that played a part. The spirit is real in all situations. But that was a once in a life time experience really haha.  

The following Friday we had a special leadership counsel in which Elder Pino presided. Talk about a powerful counsel! he really dug into the scriptures and we studied them together. We applied them, and we felt the power of the Holy Ghost.More and more in these days, I've felt the power of the holy ghost. And that He not only brings happy feelings to our hearts, but understanding. And that's what I love. He testifies but helping us understand the scriptures. 

We've been searching a lot this week for new people. No one went to church, but without a doubt I know we will have success this cycle. I know it. My dad reminded me that we as missionaries are not only harvesters, but also planters.I couldn't agree more! This work is glorious. It rains a lot, sometimes we fall on bikes (as did my companion this week...and my bike fell on me), people reject the beautiful message, and we get tired. But I know with out a doubt this church is true. Jesus is the Christ. We as missionaries are His representatives and we will do what ever it takes to help those who do not know Him. I love this work. I LOVE IT!!!!

1 Nephi 17

15 Wherefore, I, Nephi, did strive to keep the commandments of the Lord, and I did exhort my brethren to faithfulness and diligence.​

 51 And now, if the Lord has such great power, and has wrought so many miracles among the children of men,how is it that he cannot instruct me, that I should build a ship?

The Lord can do all things. Even help us "build a ship".

LOVE YOU ALL!!!!! THANKS FOR EVERYTHING!!!

Hermana Cross

Sometimes the outlets don't work so you pull out the sketchy way to cook rice

A couple of scratches...my companion might have fallen very hard on
her first full day in San Juan (I'm on the right with my battle wound)