New Area. New Comp.

This week flashed before my eyes with packing, transfers and getting to know the new area and housemates...

It´s been quite a blast with my new comp! Hermana Martinez is from Honduras and she´s been educating me a lot of where my roots come from! Quite great! Mom and Dad, she´s from San Pedro Sula =)

OH YEAH! Eury got baptized definitely the greatest moment of the entire week! At his baptism I got to reflect a lot on how the Lord´s timetable is ABSOLUTELY perfect. I met the missionaries when I was 15. I decided to serve a mission when I was 20. Hermana Nodal and I met Eury because we both decided to serve missions just like the missionaries that taught me not too long ago. The Lord is Great and has a Perfect and Eternal Plan for each of us. He know better than us and knows us better than we know ourselves.

Our prophet Thomas S. Monson said, ¨What an amazing source of power, of strength, and of comfort is available to each of us. He who knows us better than we know ourselves, He who sees the larger picture and who knows the end from the beginning, has assured us that He will be there for us to provide help if we but ask. We have the promise: ´Pray always, and be believing, and all things shall work together for your good´ [D&C 90:24].¨

I love you all and have a fantastic week!

Love

Hermana Fernandez

https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2012-01-014-the-will-of-god?lang=eng

Oh Snap! HERE WE GO...

So...

Oh hermanos, adiós, pues, adiós! El momento de ir vino ya. (Spanish Hymn, not sure it's in Spanish)

We had transfers and I'M LEAVING...NOOOO!!! but everything is ok...I really was dreading this transfer call and it hit me like no other. This has got to be the hardest change I''ve had and will probably ever have in the mission!

I'm off to Quisqueya with Hermana Martinez, she's from Honduras! That'll be AWESOME!

I have just been so happy here and have seen so many MIRACLES with Hermana Nodal, but God saw that it was time to move on sadly. We have had so amazing investigators, baptisms, closeness with the members, Bani growing and getting exposure out like crazy! It's been an amazing 4 months!

Ok that cool thing is that I actually served in Quisqueya for 4 days before getting my trainer and 1st area because I had been an odd missionary who came into the misson mid-transfer, so anyway when I was there I had felt like I really need to come back and I've remembered people's face and the streets after all this time, so I know that this change is perfect and heaven sent.

This week we prepared Bileisy and Eury for their upcoming baptisms!...and found more amazing people!

Bileisy GOT BAPTIZED this past Saturday. She's amazing and her baptism was so special. She truly was ready to recieve that this time in her life. The Lord truly prepares us all for our conversion and eternal path to happiness as we strive to continually walk the path he's paved for us. She was glowing and I felt the power of the testimony she shared at her baptism. Share your testimony because that will truly speak to the hearts of those around.

Eury wore a white shirt to Bileisy's baptism and to church too with a tie! He is so ready for next week. I GET TO COME BACK FOR IT! This is what happens when someone reads the Book of Mormon in a month. I know this gospel is truer than true because it comes from the Most High and I have no doubt about it.

I hope we all continue to strive to grow our faith and testimony on our brother Jesus Christ and His Only True Church. Look for all the miracles around you and don't forget that there is a God who is our father and He created everything around us. We are His children.(Alma 30:44)

i love you all and have a FANTASTIC WEEK!

Love

Hermana Fernandez

Trust HIM Who Created Us

What ANOTHER week!

Despite the oppostion this week...it was one for the books!

I want to start by sharing a humbling experience I had. So I have a pretty firm testimony on fasting but the last couple months have made it hard to have faith in it because it seemed that everytime I fasted things went wrong. Well this time wasn't different to the last times.

We have been greatly blessed to witness many accept the path to baptism and enduring to live with Heavenly Father again. So I decided to fast for those who specifically had dates for baptism. That morning was great and met great people and had great lessons. Well we had plans to visit 5 people whom had dates after lunch so I was really excited. Well Bileisy wasn't home and had told us over the phone that she wasn't sure if she was going to be baptized the following Saturday. STRIKE ONE.

We shake it off and go to our next appointment. Anthony, Robert and Anudi weren't home and said they wouldn't have time this week. STRIKE TWO. 

Well the day went on and it really hurt as I felt like I couldn't go anymore. Those appointments were really important. I told Hermana Nodal, "I'm not sure I can make it to the next appointment, everytime I fast for something, the complete opposite happens." We had one more appointment that night. Hermana Nodal said, "I'm scared, but we have to try."

I prayed the whole way there. Justin WAS HOME! I thanked Heavenly Father. We went inside and were about to start, when he reachs to tell his grandma a secret in her ear. She then looks at us and tells him to tell us. He then tells us "I don't want to be baptized anymore." STRIKE THREE.

I was pretty upset with Heavenly Father because I felt like He let me down, but as I got on my knees when we got home. He reminded me that I need to be grateful in every and all circumstances and BE PATIENT.

Heavenly Father answers in many ways but as I continued with faith my fast until the end, I SAW MIRACLES and MIRACLES I failed to remember. One of the members introduced us to a family of 6 that want to be baptized, Bileisy decided yesterday she was going to get baptized this Saturday, Eury, whom we met 3 weeks ago, is in Mormon 3 and is getting baptized in 2 weeks! and we have met many more the rest of the week!

MORAL OF THE STORY: We must endure to the end and just know that it's easier said then done, but we must TRUST FULLHEARTEDLY. Heavenly Father knows best and His timing is WAY better than ours!

I hope you all have an amazing week!

Love

Hermana Fernandez

Count your BLESSINGS and GO!

What a week!

The Lord work is BOOMING! We have witnessed so many miracles lately...

Eury whom we met about 2 1/2 weeks ago is already in Alma 26 and not only that he applies the scriptures to himself and those around him like I have learned to do in the mission. CRAZY! and he has invited many of his friends to hear the Lord's message and is anxious for his baptism. All because we listened to the sweet soft promptings of the Spirit to sit on a bench and wait for the unexpected.

Bileisy inspiring so many to go to church and come back and also anxious for her upcoming baptism! She's been the reason for a lot of the new investigadores we've had! She wants to serve a mission and she's doing what missionaries do already. QUITE the blessing!

The TEMPLE...Hermana Nodal and I have been able to go twice in less than a week! We got to go with Yuleisy our recent convert and it was an incredible experience! As I was there I got such a huge confirmation of the work on the other side of the veil. It was so powerful that I don't think my body could handle the Spirit I felt as I was there. I KNOW the this church is the church of God because I was witnessed His power, love and work. As I was in the temple I felt like I was in the time when Alma baptized in the waters of Mormon (Mosiah 18). It was incredible to feel the joy of remembering the covenant I had made with Heavenly Father about 6 years ago.

Also we had our missionary trip with President and Hermana Nuckols. I felt so special and eternal as I entered the temple this time and I promised Heavenly Father to continue to strive to reach my highest potencial.

Time doesn't exist in the temple! That small detail continues to testify to me the truthfulness of this gospel because the temple represents eternity and since I joined the church I have felt the eternities open unto me.

If there is a temple near you, count your blessings, prepare and GO! If there isn't a temple near you, count your blessings, prepare and GO!

I love you all and thank you so so much!

Hermana Fernandez

You Can't Lift Anyone Higher Than You Can Lift Yourself.

What a week!

ONLY in losing YOURSELF, may you find YOURSELF; ONLY by enriching others, may YOU be enriched; ONLY by giving, may YOU recieve; ONLY in surrending, may YOU BECOME free.

We have had some great Restoration lessons this week. Bileisy is a new investigador we have. She is amazing and was so prepared...thanks to her aunt and uncle, who is the branch president and to the AMAZING missionaries who planted the seed a couple years ago.

Bileisy was able to recieve immediate confirmation that the message we brought her was true. I was brought back to when I was taught by Elder Leithead and Elder Harrison. I will never forget them. They brought me the greatest gift anyone on this earth could ever bring. I was 15 years old and I had no idea that what these young men were sharing with me would change my life forever. Now here I am, sitting next to my companion in this lesson as we listen to Bileisy say, "Thank you for inspiring me to go to church. One day I will be a missionary saying I am here because of Hermana Fernandez and Hermana Nodal." The spirit filled the room as we felt it testify to us the truthfulness of the Restoration of the Lord's Gospel and of this marvelous work as it is testifying to me at this very moment.

I am so grateful that the testimony I gained 6 years ago of this Restored Gospel as I watched the Restoration Video has grown immensely and has planted more profoundly. The Spirit continually has testified and brought to remembrance this GRAND event in my life.

We are to purify ourselves to feel the power of the Holy Ghost because only in losing ourselves will we find ourselves. We had a Council Meeting this past week with all the leaders of the mission and Elder Claudio Zivic. It truly was humbling to be in the presence of one of the Lord's Seventy. He truly has been called of God. He inspired us to go the extra mile and that requires purification and what a blessing it has been to feel the blessings of exact obedience and pure love towards those that surround us. Stop and meditate upon the blessings you have recieved, then give more back to the Lord in gratitude.

The Lord blesses in His own way. Bani has been dried out for quite a while now and we have had rain for 3 days in a row now! What a blessing. Yet we haven't been caught in the rain yet because right when we get to an appointment it begins to pour. Talk about being in the right place at the right time. Siempre nos tiene presente! This taught me to count my many blessings! I invite you to do the same, no matter how small you may think they are.

Thank you all for your love and support!

Con Amor,

Hermana Fernandez

You Can't LIFT Anyone Higher Than You Can LIFT Yourself

YOU have to learn to be ALONE in a crowd. YOU have to have such CONTROL.

President Boyd K. Packer's talk "Twenty Mark Note," tied my life together this week. Heavenly Father is the All-knowing, All-powerful, who is in the very details of our lives.

I got to give a talk on Sunday, I chose a talk from last General Conference to base my talk off of. "The Prophet Joseph Smith" by Elder Corbridge. It's really his simple testimony and facts on the Restoration of the Gospel. I really tried to apply what President Boyd K. Packer explains in his talk..."Our lives are guided. If [we] understand that and understand what life is about, [we] will understand really all you need to know about life as members of the Church. [We] will understand how our lives are really not our own. They are governed—and if we live as we should live, then we will be taken care of." As I let Heavenly Father teach me and talk through me during that talk. I felt and remembered my entire conversion until this point in my life and I felt great joy as I saw everyone testify at the same time as I felt their spirit. I knew Heavenly Father was there with us. It was really perfect was we got 4 less active families to come back to church.

As I reflect on my past week, I can really see that as we planned and were obedient, our plans changed. AND I THANK GOD FOR THAT! We taught what Heavenly Father wanted us to and found those who we least expected needed us this week.

We found this man (he works as a "concho", men who sit in corners and give rides to be to get to destinations...nothing like it at home) they tend to cat call at us all the time, we decided to stop this time and we ended up finding out that one of these men's wife had just passed away and so when he got to hear that he could live with her again with his son, he invited us over and commited to going to church...and Endless opportunities more.

We have to learn to be ALONE in a crowd. We have to have such CONTROL. We are to let the Spirit guide you. "The promise from the Lord is that when you receive the Holy Ghost, “he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you” (John 14:26)." It isn't easy but very possible. Have a constant prayer in heart as there are countless distractions. Especially here, Dominicans are very happy people and have music playing all the time...

I love you all. Have an amazing week. AND THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE PRAYERS.

Love

Hermana Fernandez

Laugh and Be the LORD'S Hands!

Ok where do I start...

Lunes. We went to OCOA! We went to climb a mountain, see a waterfall (even though it was a little dried up) and to go in a bat cave...I know. A BAT CAVE...you read right! It was scary and smelled not so good. Our investigator Jeuri came along which was really cool since he got to hang out with 16 missionaries and had lots of his questions answered! I did learn something though that really impacted my week. FEAR and FAITH CANNOT COEXIST! I was so scared coming down the mountain and I realized my faith had no room since I had given in to my fear. I then remembered having faith in Christ and thought, "well how does knowing that Chirst lives, knowing all that He represents and did for me, help me not be scared out of my mind right now. (fun fact about me: I'm terrified of heights) I can't be afraid of what could happen when I also know that through Christ and Heavenly Father's plan we reach inner peace and greater purpose. I sure did learn that day and learned how to apply more profoundly what I testify of each day!

Martes. We are working with a less active family and we got to get to know the dad, who came across as a very cold man. I realized I shouldn't judge before i fully understand. He ended up being the funniest person I've probably met on my mission. He made us cry, we were laughing so hard. It was really perfect as we broke the ice and planned an Family Home Evening! The Lord opens and touches hearts in misterious ways. I learned that through even laughing and a good sense of humor, Heavenly Father reaches down to the very soul! SO find a reason to LAUGH today!

Miercoles. Hermana Conference. MORMON 5:23 was the theme. Being the Lord's Hand and being instruments in his hands. It really was inspirational, eveyday we are too ask Heavenly Father to allow us to help Him in His objective. "...to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man." Moses 1:39 a

Jueves. Jeuri's lesson. What an EXITO! He invited two friends...so even though we is from a different religion, he's interested enough in the Restoration of the Lord's gospel that he invited two of his friends to join us! SO GREAT...They started by saying, "We'll scare you because we have lots of questions." and Hermana Nodal and I looked at each other and we both said, "That's perfect. We love questions!" They both commited to going to church and Jeuri was so excited and interested as we felt that what we were sharing was true! THIS IS THE LORD'S CHURCH! I KNOW IT!

Sabado. TRANSFER CALL!!!! It's ok though because I STAY IN BANI yay!!! with Hermana Nodal! She broke my trend...I usually only last about 1 transfer with my companions even those I train and Hermana Nodal will be with me for 14 weeks now! We are so excited...GREAT things are coming to pass!

Mom and Dad and everyone, I love you and I know that this gospel is true more than I can explain but I hope that you can feel it through this email because I feel like Nephi did. Read 1 Nephi 8:10-12!

Love

Hermana Fernandez

GO to WORK and FORGET about YOURSELF

Not gonna lie it was one of those weeks...

Yet it was necessary because I learned to more fully "go to work and forget about myself." It was a lot easier said than done this week. Usually people say that when times are rough, time goes slower. Well that was absolutely not the case this week.

We had goals not met and it really started to jab on my faith. Especially because we had so much to do and everyone decided to leave Bani for the week...it seemed like.

But just like every rainstorm the sun comes out after! I had an intercambio with Hermana Jorgensen and it was PERFECT. Just what I needed after a bumpy road. We shared with a recently baptized member named Bobby. He is 19 and thinking about serving a mission. Well we talked about the Priesthood. It must have been one of the most spiritual experiences I've had during my mission. As we testified of the importance of the priesthood and as we could see he's heart be touched by God. I know in my whole being that as worthy men of the Chruch of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints strive to be worthy of such authority, Heavenly Father will pour His GREAT POWER over His children. I know that Heavenly Father's authority and power is on earth today and that we may recieve great blessing as we stand worthy of it because not only men partake of these blessing, we, women do too.

I got a wake up call that day as Heavenly Father used others to be answers to my pleading prayers and as I was able to open my eyes a little wider and count ALL the many blessings in my life. I invite you all to do the same.

"Heavenly Father, are you really there?

And do you hear and answer ev'ry child's prayer?

Some say that heaven is far away,

But I feel it close around me as I pray.

"Pray, he is there;

Speak, he is list'ning.

You are his child;

His love now surrounds you."

(A Child's Prayer)

One of the Great BLESSINGS to finalize the week...

There was an amazing baptism on Saturday! Yuleisy got baptized and we celebrated her birthday! and ALL the less actives and investigators we invited CAME! I can't explain a greater joy than to see another of Heavenly Father's children follow His Only Begotten's footsteps!

I love this work and this gospel! I'm forever grateful for Heavenly Father's great misery and love. I know His way is the smartest way. I know that as we submit our will for His, we shall experience greater joy and happiness and we shall continue towards achieving our great potencial.

I love you all and thank you for your testimonies and prayers and emails.

Have an amazing week!

Love,

Hermana Fernandez

P.S. I promise we didn't take the motor for a ride haha

Give a little LOVE...

Hola Buenas!

SO this week was jammed packed.

I started my week reading "Love--the Essence of the Gospel" by President Thomas S. Monson, and that ended up being the theme of my week. I strongly suggest reading it! It's from last conference.

President Thomas S. Monson says, "Dale Carnegie, a well-known American author and lecturer, believed that each person has within himself or herself the 'power to increase the sum total of [the] world’s happiness … by giving a few words of sincere appreciation to someone who is lonely or discouraged.' Said he, 'Perhaps you will forget tomorrow the kind words you say today, but the recipient may cherish them over a lifetime.' "

We are teaching a less active and she's amazing. Since I've been here, I hadn't really understood why she was less active. We finally broke the ice! She mentioned a lot that she had missed the pure love she felt before at church. Unfortunately, she just gradually let go becuase she felt that church wasn't the same anymore. BUT the prophet's talk came to mind and we shared with her. We ended up having an amazing lesson AND she agreed to go out with us to visit a sister of the branch. We went to visit her a few days later and she had a message prepared. Hermana Nodal and I were shocked! Then she came to church on Sunday! TRUE miracles!

We really just need to show a little LOVE sometimes like President Thomas S. Monson says "Love is expressed in many recognizable ways: a smile, a wave, a kind comment, a compliment." That's all it took to help her to remember and want to keep the Lord's commandments.

We taught Yuleisy about fasting and she seemed concern about what it entailed. She was really resistant because she mentioned how she really didn't think she could go without food, while signing with hand cutting throat and sticking her tongue out haha. We expained the importance and she agreed to try it. So we decided to do a fast with her so that she could know what it would be like. We came back the next day and SHE DID IT! and she said she really felt that it helped her! When we put Heavenly Father first, we really experience and grow to know the importance of the first and GREAT commandment. TO LOVE GOD ABOVE ALL ELSE!

I witnessed that as I saw a little boy use his agency to decide to follow Christ's example. Gilbertico is a 8 year old boy who is part of a part-convert family and has been terrified to be baptized and felt unready. He decided it was time and it was so special to see that we really do have the choice and that a boy his age understands the promise he's making with God! He got baptized this last Friday! :)

I know this church is true and that we have a living prophet on earth today. His name is Thomas S. Monson! I know it because I have recieved that confirmation. I love you all! And I hope that you have an amazing week!

Love

Hermana Fernandez

Flour + Prayer = RAIN!

I read a past journal entry from exactly a year ago that said, "It's raining cats and dogs outside. We're staying in today because apparently we are in red alert. HURRICAN SEASON."

Well guess what! It's that time of year again! On Thursday, we had an activity with the branch. We had a flour fight and it got a little out of hand, but Yuleisi, whose getting baptized in two weeks, came! Then we had to stay and clean our floury mess and it was taking forever...so I decided to get on my knees and pray for rain. The clouds looked heavy it was just not expected to rain here in Bani.

PRAYER really works and Heavenly Father listens because I got off my knees and it rained once again "cats and dogs" exactly one year later!

Even though, it may have seemed like a small, insignificant reason to pray. It taught me that no prayer goes unanswered no matter how big or small. We needed that rain here in Bani. And although I had to walk home bare foot...it was so worth it!

God listens. He really is there. I know it. He repeated has brought peace into my mind as I've leaned on him. He truly loves us because we are His children. I know that He has a greater plan for me and you. He's perfect and knows us perfectly, so why doubt that He knows better than we do.

I love sharing the power of prayer and love the Lord has for us. It teaches us our greater purpose. Everything Heavenly Father brings into our lives, blessings or trials, they have a purpose. It takes us closer to our eternal purpose.

I love this gospel. I love you and I hope that you feel Heavenly Father's love as you pray today, tonight and every day. Tell Him everything and you shall see His guidance and His hand in the details of your life. I know it.

Love,

Hermana Fernandez

FOREVER FINDING...

So these past weeks we've been focusing on building up our foundation!

President Nuckols (our new mission president) has taken it to the next level. So as you know there's this fever going around down here in the DR. Well President Nuckols decided to introduce a new kind of fever...don't worry it's a good kind.

It's called the FOREVER FINDING FEVER! I'll attach the ALERT announcement. It's an epidemic!

Because of this "fever". We've found people all over the place. In the supermarket, on guaguas (the buses here), in the park, in the colmados (I don't really know how to explain these...I'll have to send a picture), in police cars (I'll explain)...well really EVERYWHERE!

It's been a fun time with Hermana Nodal. We've just been unstoppable, even though we've had some pretty strong opposition! She's awesome! I'll explain the whole police car thing...we were running a little late and got a ride in a police car! But of course we couldn't pass the opportunity up and contacted them!

We went to the Capital on Wednesday to have our Consejos de Lideres and it was a lot of things. President Nuckols talked about the divinity of our call as missionaries and his Testimony. He told of a time He went to Jerusalem and went to the area where Jesus Christ called his disciples to be "fishers of men" and he said how he could feel the Spirit greatly there. And when he was in the presence of the Twelve and the Prophet, while he was in the MTC training to come to the DR, he knew that they were Apostles and Prophet of God because he remembered his experience in Jerusalem and He felt that same Spirit.

The Church is TRUE. It really is. I know it, not because someone convinced me or told me so. I asked the One who knows it all. He told me personally. and now I'm here. I know Christ lives. (2 Nephi 25:29)

Love you MOM, DAD, Gisselle, MJ and Baby Brandon! I pray for you often. And thank you everyone for the emails and support! I always have you in my prayers (Moroni 8:3)

LOVE

Hermana Fernandez

POWER TEAM...

Hi...hey...hola!

Where to BEGIN. Why does it feel like the time just keeps jetting faster and faster to me. I feel like I was just here writing y'all.

Hermana Nodal and I are on FIRE! Seriously power companionship. The Lord is on our side. This week was so great, even though we hit a few bumps in the end, we finished STRONG =)

WE were sent to Bani for a reason and I know that the Lord has greater plans for us. I'm so glad I get to share this AMAZING gospel with her. We have seen huge blessings and miracles happen already...and it's only been two weeks.

We focused a lot on working with and to get to know the members a lot better. Yeah so we are best friends with everyone now haha. And we've gotten referrals and more unity because of it. I realized though to that we could learn a lot from each other and we can really strengthen each other. It helped me to realize the importance of doing our visiting teaching and home teaching. WE NEED EACH OTHER.

Every person we visited this week had their story of how they came to know the church. The church is really new in the DR, so most to all are converts to the gospel. Some of their stories were:

- Pioneers of the Church in the DR..have seen the chapels turn from houses to beautiful chapels.

- Atheist who contended with the missionaries until the Lord changed their heart. 

- Letting the missionaries in their homes because they felt like they carried the truth

- Many also paciently waiting to find their eternal companions and the Lord bringing them to church.

and endless many more. We all have our story. We all are Heavenly Father's children. We all make up an important part of his eternal, happy plan. We all can return to live with our Heavenly Father.

We got to know this family that are members that left an impression on me. The mom told us that she had been looking to belong to a church, but that she hadn't found one that she really liked, until one day the missionaries came to her door and she happliy let them in. (The seed was already planted because a co-worker of hers was actually mormon and she had always been curious of the Church) Anyway. when the missionaries taught her she immediately put all those pieces together and knew she had found the truth. Especially when she felt like she was part of a huge family when she went to church the first time.

We can be that example the someone needs to find the truth. We can be answers to prayers. So let's do it!

I love this gospel and although this week may had been rough physically, espiritually and all lly's. I keep going because I know more perfectly now what Jesus Christ died for. I know this is Christ's Church and the only true church.

I love you all and I hope that you come closer and closer to God each day!

Have an amazing week!

Love

Hermana Fernandez

a YEAR down...

Hey!

I'm back to WORK! WOOHOO! I had an amazing week.

Call it CRAZY, but it's real. I hit the YEAR mark. Yeah I know?!

I remember like it was yesterday when I entered the MTC. Well this week we had transfers. Hermana Saenz left me only after 4 weeks =( and I recieved Hermana NODAL!!! She got here the same day I entered the Provo MTC, so we're from the same group, which is a good thing and bad thing. Good thing because she's awesome! Bad thing because that means I probably won't be here for long since we both finish our mission at the same time. 

It was so great to get back and really see the miracles of being patient and finding new amazing people to teach. I know more than ever that this gospel is true. I want to share a quote that a friend sent that I thought really went perfect with the week I had.

“Your testimony is something that you have today but you may not have it always.

“Testimony is as elusive as a moonbeam; it’s as fragile as an orchid; you have to recapture it every morning of your life. You have to hold on by study, by faith, and by prayer. …

“That which you possess today in testimony will not be yours tomorrow unless you do something about it. …

“… Testimony is either going to grow and grow to the brightness of certainty, or it is going to diminish to nothingness, depending upon what we do about it”

President Lee said it and I testify of the truthfulness of this. We are here on earth to progress and grow and that will only happen as we keep walking faithfully on the path Jesus Christ left for us. I live it and know this is real because I walk closer and closer each day, and thanks to your support each week, it strengthens my testimony to know that no matter where we are the gospel is true.

I also know that through our trials we can reflect on that testimony, we are constantly building, to be our crutch. Nuestro Padre Celestial no desampara sus hijos. Lo se con TODO mi corazon!

Lots of Love,

Hermana Fernandez

P.S. Attached pics of me and my new comp Hermana Nodal on PDAY today..we went to the beach!

The POWER of GOD'S POWER

I know that Heavenly Father is ALL POWERFUL and that He LOVES us. I know that as we exercise faith, we NEVER forsakes us.

This week, I experienced what will change the rest of my life and strengthen my testimony forever.

We had an amazing day on Tuesday. We pushed ourselves to limits we hadn't before...and because of that, we found 4, yes 4, NEW FAMILIES! It was answers to prayers. Then, we hit our last hour and we decided to hit the park to contact. This decision marked the rest of this week.

There's a lovely virus around town that we like to call CHINKUNGKUYA. Yea just like that. Well this is transmitted through a mosquito bite. We've had a couple missionaries suffer from this. It causes fever, bone and joint aches and a lovely itchy rash that covers your entire body. It's not so fun but from a third party observer, it seemed bareable.

Before, you continue to read. PLEASE know that I am 90% fine!! I really am a good as NEW!

Well these mosquitos decided to have a party at the park on Tuesday around seven o'clock and we hungry and found me very appetizing. Well at the time I didn't think much. Eight o'clock hit and we were heading home when my feet and back starting hurting and I simply said because we had a great, active day.

Two o'clock the next morning, I couldn't sleep from the body ache. Ten o'clock Wednesday morning, the fever started. Ok I admitted it. I had been hit with the Chinkungkuya. Took Ibuprofen and lots of liquids...LOTS! I got worse and worse and worse. So I asked for a blessing and then I took a nap. I got up from a nap around six o'clock to go to the bathroom and I called Hermana Saenz for help.

That's the last thing I remember...until I remember her calling me, asking if I was there and I barely being able to pick up sound and vision.

I had left her. She later tells that I fainted in the bathroom and started to seize and didn't respond.

When I came back, I came back to Hermana Saenz and our neighbor pouring water all over me. They rushed me over to the Emergency Room and I was back home, after they managed to control my fever, which hit 104. Although when I returned, I didn't feel any better.

Thursday. I continued with the constant fever. I showered about 5 times that morning and afternoon. Then napped at six o'clock. The phone was ringing all day, people trying to figure out how I was doing and why it had affected me so terribly. Hermana Saenz woke me to ask how I was doing. I had been praying and left the need of a blessing from Elder Gallo (our zone leader).

That's all I wanted, but out of bad timing and circumstances, I had to head back to the hospital because my fever was reaching 106. The doctors controlled it and gave me more pills. Came back home and this fever was being impossible. I couldn't sweat. I couldn't walk by myself. I couldn't see. Everything hurt. I couldn't move my eyes much. I started to lose lots of energy real fast. It seemed like a one sided battle.

I kept praying. Praying because I knew that although no one nor any medicine could make this go away. I knew Heavenly Father could. I felt the need of a blessing again from Elder Gallo, even if I had already received 2 others.

I testify the power of the priesthood. When the Elders came back at 11:30pm to give me that blessing and I heard Elder Gallo say my name, I knew that it was my Heavenly Father speaking. I felt His love and power immediately and knew that we would calm the fever and make the pain go away. I testify that He did just that. I felt Heavenly Father present that very moment.

Faith is a power. As we exercise it, Heavenly Father works. I couldn't walk on my own or get to the chair for the blessing on my own. After that blessing, I cryed because Heavenly Father had lifted all that pain and fever. I stood up and walked on my own.

I know that this is Jesus Christ's Church. I know that God's POWER and AUTHORITY is on earth today. I know that this is TRUE because I have lived it and witnessed it. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

I love you all!

Hermana Fernandez

The Start of Something New

Alright. Ok. Here We GO. Not much but it's my HIGHLIGHT.

Faith. ¡de eso se trata!

I felt like I was constantly on the verge this week with the Spirit. It was all or nothing.

The light of Christ is in everyone, but if we exercise our faith, we can have the priviledge to see this light. I had a sweet intercambio with the hermanas in Nizao, and it was the coolest experience. I learned, more profoundly, how the spirit works. We were walking by when a woman started hissing at us, well we didn't notice until the member that was with us stopped us and directed us to the woman. The woman asked us to pray for her sickness. Inside of me, I wondered how she knew to stop us to help her. As we came into her home, I quickly felt impressed to share Alma 7:11-12. The Lord suffered all afflictions and sickness to know how to succor us. She invited herself to church before we got to invite her. Nizao is a hard area were they work more with less actives then new investigators. BUT we saw MIRACLES through the Spirit of God that was with us.

This is the Lord's Work and Glory. 

I'm still trying to get used to my new schedule. I travel a lot because our zone is pretty big and I also got to go to the capital and San Cristobal this week. It's the start of something new and fun. Con Dios pa' lante, like a good Dominican says, with God before us...EVERYTHING IS POSSIBLE. Also we have transfers again next week...say what! a month long? yeah I know. Crazy. But it's because of the new President.

Well that's for my week!

Con Amor,

Hermana Fernandez

Scripture of the Week:

"yea, and they had waxed strong in the knowledge of the truth; for they were men of a sound understanding and they had searched the scriptures diligently, that they might know the word of God.

But this is not all; they had given themselves to much prayer, and fasting; therefore they had the spirit of prophecy, and the spirit of revelation, and when they taught, they taught with power and authority of God."

Alma 17:2-3 (It inspired my WEEK)

Quote of the Week:

"No God. No Love. Know God. Know Love."

(Hermana Buhrley just shared it with me. Thought. Priceless.)

LOVE this WORK and His GLORY

Such an eventful week really! Sorry in advance...might be a long one this week!

Monday. We had a Noche de Hogar with an investigator family. I shared the message on how The Family Proclamation is so necessary in these latter days. I could feel the spirit so abundantly, then I realized that what I was saying really wasn't coming from me but Heavenly Father was using me as His portavoz. I was so grateful at that moment because I really didn't know this family, it was my first time meeting them and I knew that Heavenly Father knew them better than anyone there did, so He let his message known.

Tuesday. I learned more personally how the adversary works to keep the Lord's children from following Him. Last week we met a married-by-law couple, which is super rare here. They are the sweetest people. Well we came back on Tuesday to share the Restoration with them because all of their concerns and questions were perfectly aligned with what the Lord's gospel teaches us. Well everything was going great and then the unexpected happened...

A man from their church came and sat down and suddenly I felt overwhelmed and a heavy burden type feeling came. Hermana Saenz and I quickly recognized it. As we continued, the man began to contend. Our investigators were silent and we felt the Lord's Spirit so abundantly. As we testified and defend what we knew was true, the Spirit continued coming over us. Until we were impressed to leave, Hermana Saenz testified and the man was silenced. Our investigators decided that they didn't want to mix "doctrine". We respected and left. As I walked away from that cita, I didn't feel disappointment, I was filled with peace. I knew that we had done all we come.

The gospel of Jesus Christ is restored and we have the blessing to have it in these lattter days. I don't only believe. I KNOW. 

Alma 26:16

Wednesday. We got to meet our new Mission President. His name is President Nuckols from San Diego, CA. He is an amazing person. He truly was chosen to guide us from our Heavenly Father. He inspired us to take our work here to the NEXT LEVEL. I am so excited for the continuing progress that I will be able to witness in the coming 7 months of my mission!

Thursday. We have an investigator who is really wonderful and has made me understand what it truly means to put God first. That is truly the most intelligent thing we could do. It means to truly put Him before ANYTHING and ANYONE.

Friday. I GOT TO GO BACK TO LAVAPIES! My first area! I got to see just about everyone again. I went to do an intercambio with the sisters there. It was a bittersweet experience and made me realize how time is flying right past me!

Saturday. Great time finding new people! and preparing a family to get SEALED in the TEMPLE!! SO EXCITING, we are planning a Temple Trip soon here in Bani!

Sunday. President Nuckols came to our branch! Then, I was the first missionary he has ever interviewed! That was cool. He shared with me Alma 17:2-3. It was truly what I needed. We must STUDY the scriptures, pray often and fast! And I testify that this is how we continually see the miracles of God before our very eyes!

The DR sends lots of love! It's starting to get hot over here! Heellooo SUMMER! I hope it's treating you well over there.

Love you all and I hope you have a great week! Hold fast and He will not let you swerve!

Love

Hermana Fernandez

New Places, New People, Same Gospel

I´m in Bani, which is between my first and second area, San Cristobal and Azua. I love it here, even though leaving Azua wasn´t very easy. This week has been really great...I learned a lot my first day here how Heavenly Father is in the smallest details of our lives.

As I got to know a lot of the members here this past week and their stories, it inspired me to push myself harder because you really never now who's listening and who is ready to recieve this amazing gospel in their lives. No podemos desmayar, la obra del Señor sigue y ahora mas apresurada!!! As we invited each member this week to follow the guidance of our latter-day Prophet to open our mouths and plead the Lord to guide us to those that need to know what we know to be true, I invite you to do the same. What greater gift could we return to our Heavenly Father than helping Him get His children back to His presence and glory!

Elder Neil L. Andersen said in April 2013 General Conference, ¨Every righteous member of the Church has thought about how to share the gospel. Some share the gospel naturally, and we can learn a lot from them. Some struggle and wonder how to do better, wishing that guilty feeling we sometimes feel would find somewhere else to go.

Our desire to share the gospel takes all of us to our knees, and it should, because we need the Lord’s help...

I promise you, as you pray to know with whom to speak, names and faces will come into your mind. Words to speak will be given in the very moment you need them. Opportunities will open to you. Faith will overcome doubt, and the Lord will bless you with your very own miracles.¨

That´s a promise! I´m so grateful to be part of Christ´s church. The Branch President here shared with us his story on how he was an outsider when he heard the missionaries share with his friend the gospel. He felt it then and became quickly interested, he was baptized a month later and baptized his friend shortly after. We really don´t know who is looking or listening, but the Lord does put us in the right place and the right  time.

I´ve also been called to help the sisters in my zone and in another zone as the hermana leader, and I´ve learned that as we look to the Lord for guidance in the callings He bestows upon us, we understand that this is His work, His words, His glory. He knows each of His children perfectly and we must counsel with Him if we want to be instruments in His hands, answers to prayers, and become more like Him.

Other fun facts:

- Went to Ocoa, which is this city in the middle of the mountains and our branch sang in the choir and apparently I was signed up for it so we headed up there..it´s beautiful. I´ll send pictures soon!

That´s really my week...

I love you all and thank you for all the support and prayers!

Love

Hermana Fernandez

TRANSFER WEEK :S

Hola Mami y Daddy y Amigos!

This week has been absolutely wonderful! We have been working at full speed...this is going to be a short email because we´re in transfers and there´s lot to do today...and lots of changes =(

Hermana Buhrley and I are leaving Azua! NOOOO! Sad day...things always change when we hit our climax!

Hermana Francis is training and Hermana Flores and I get separated...right when she´s done training =(

That´s life in the mission I guess...but we ended this journey with a bang!

Highlights of the this great week:

- Friday. We had an epic missionary work activity with the whole district. I´ll try to send a video...we´ll see if it works.

- Saturday. RAUL got baptized!! WAHHOOOO!! and WE WENT TO THE TEMPLE!!! We went with the whole branch it was a good 35 of us! Such a wonderful experience...some jovenes went for the first time and some got there endowments. Truly special experience. This is what it´s all about.

I love this work. I constantly reflect on the beauty of really understanding what this is all about. The Lord is GREAT and He´s PLAN is PERFECT. At the temple I learned that another fact that TESTIFIES that this is the Lord´s Church is that it is a Church and HOUSE of ORDER. The Lord´s way is the only way. I know this church is the ONLY true church of Christ. He, himself, established it! I am so grateful to know that, not just believe, but KNOW.

I love you all and thank you so much for the prayers and support. I feel your faith in the prayers they do in the temple for us missionaries! Thank you but NEVER forget that you embarked in this wonderful work when you got baptized!

I love you all and I hope you have the best week ever!

Love,

Hermana Fernandez

One for the Books!

A week full of events, Azua is HEATING up & I'm not just talking about the weather =D

MONDAY. great ACTIVE p-day! Then we get out to work and not a soul could be found but the Lord guided us to 

TUESDAY. We had exchanges (that´s when you split up and go with another missionary for a day)...PURPOSE to learn and improve. Hermana Duron is our Hermana Leader and she´s amazing and she´s from HONDURAS so she´s automatically awesome haha. Hermana Tejeda, her companion is also amazing and DOMINICAN! I LOVE HER! She is the funniest person I have ever met. I learned so much from her, I got to do exchanges with her. We had a good time inviting people to be baptized and we got Raul to PRAY in front of us after 2 months of trying to get him to pray!! YAY MIRACLES HAPPEN!!

WEDNESDAY. we had ZONE CONFERENCE...our PRESIDENT and wife are finishing their mission and because of traveling issues they are leaving a month early =( it was quite the emotional scene yet a WONDERFUL spirit was felt. I know that our leaders are called of God. I know it! There's no doubt about it... Hermana Francis and Hermana Jorgensen sang a beautiful version of "How Great Thou Art" and through the great spirit in the room, I felt so deeply the LOVE of my Heavenly Father. He knows us so personally. I testify of this constantly because I know He does. I know it almost perfectly. I live it!

Counsel to the Lord because He really is the only one that really understands PERFECTLY who we are and what we need and who we can become...He also LOVES US PERFECTLY..MORONI 7:45;47,48

THURSDAY - SATURDAY. We focused on committing people to come to church and TAKING NO for an answer! This is the salvation of our brothers and sisters we are talking about. Like Jeffery R. Holland says in Preach My Gospel! He´s amazing...TOTALLY INSPIRED OUR WEEK!

SUNDAY. we had almost everyone we wanted at church and more!! We had 9 at church!!! Miracles are happening...AZUA is HEATING UP Y´ALL!!

I know this CHURCH IS TRUE! I have no doubt about it and I know that this is Christ church and that Jesus Christ himself directs it! I know that God knows us personally. I love you all!

Love

Hermana Fernandez

Semana Santa

Querida familia y amigos,

Espero que esta semana les fue de lo mejor...recordándose de Cristo y de que Él vive!!

Easter Week...here it´s called Semana Santa and there are different traditions which is cool but it didn´t really feel like Easter really...it´s an all week thing when people go to the beach all week and all the little girls have braids and beads in their hair and lots of habichuela con dulce (beans with sweet...hahah beans, sugar, milk and sweet potato and raisins)...k sounds weird but it´s like my FAVORITE..SOOOO GOOD!

Has everyone seen the Easter Video...holy cow so great!! If you haven't watch it! (http://easter.mormon.org/?cid=HPTU041514694)

As for the rest of my week:

We met the cutest 9 year old. Her name is Yileini and she is so interested in religion...it's inspirational. She asked us to meet up later in the week and she was going to round up all the kids of the neighborhood to listen...SHE DID JUST THAT..for the first time since I've been in Azua we've had 10 kids in primary...that's right the work is hastening on!

Oscar and Valencia are getting married this week...which means they are going to get wet in no time with Carlitos!!! GOLDEN FAMILY =D

We met this old lady named Laura. She's had 12 kids and she's 80 and still walks like a champ as if she were 50! She's amazing and she spirit is really so peaceful...as we taught her, she had great questions but she believed that she was to old to get baptized. Hermana Flores and I looked at each other and with our looks we thought the same thing..."IT'S NEVER TOO LATE..."

I know this church is TRUE! It is true in all the WORLD and it is the only way to happiness! I know it with all my heart! I know that we have the authority restored today as it was when Jesus Christ came to the earth. I know that we can make sacred ordinances on earth that will take us back to our Heavenly Father as long as we keep his commandments, remember Him always and take His name upon us. This is the Church of Jesus Christ.

Love

Hermana Fernandez

If you just BELIEVE...

Trusting in ADVANCE & what will only make sense in REVERSE...

Faith.The first principal of the Gospel, but really of life. Without it, we would be lost in a world of endings. A faithful servant of Lord in these last days, President Dieter F. Uchtdorf said that there are no true endings in the Plan of God, only true beginnings.

Faith brings the answers to the profound questions of our human existance...How is it that a force that we can not see cause a tall, rooted palm tree swerve back & forth in the direction it demands? How is it that our bodies are built so perfectly that it can endure so much until we part from this life?

He. Our Heavenly Father. I testify that He is there, listening, and creating winds so that we may be swept in the direction to happiness and eternal life, & inspiring doctors and priesthood holders to continue the miracles of healing.

If we simply have faith, it inevitably leads to action, which brings to pass the miracle of witnessing the Lord´s hand in the very details of our lives and in the lives of others.

La fe...mueve montañas. -Mateo 17:20

Only when we work to move that mountain. The mountain is never going to move if we don´t exercise our faith and put our hands on that mountain to more even if it´s rock by rock.

GENERAL CONFERENCE was amazing!! This week´s lesson for Hermana Fernandez was on faith if you haven´t guessed. Satan has been pretty persistent on tripping our investigadors over little rocks that may seem insignificant. We have been so blessed to be working here in Azua there are so many families the Lord is preparing here, but just as the Lord´s work is hastening, Satan´s power is growing.

BUT...have no fear because the Lord is on our side. Someone just shared this with me and I´d like to share it with y´all..You have the Savior on your side. How can you fail?

Oscar and Valencia and Carlitos are what we like to call golden investigadores but the only thing that has kept this wonderful family from making covenants with the Lord is their church attendance. I have learned up to this point in life that church isn´t an option, but I must remember that I didn´t always know that. We must help each other build those testimonies by sharing ours.

I know that this is Christ´s Chruch and that He leads it through his servants the prophets. I know that Thomas S. Monson is a prophet of God and that the twelve Apostles are too called of God. I am so grateful to have the priviledge to know these truths, they have shaped me into the person I am today and I know that as I am faithful I can reach the highest kingdom where God is and reach my highest potential. and you know what....YOU CAN TOO!!!

I love you all and pray that you can come closer to our Heavenly Father.

WITH LOTS OF LOVE,

Hermana Fernandez

FULL force...

That has been the theme of my last couple weeks. 

The Lord is hastening His Work with FULL force! So this week was crazy powerful, hectic and just full of witnessing how the Lord has His hand in all the tiny details of our lives. Not going to lie it was a challenging week, but I learned a lot and experienced a lot about trusting in the Lord´s Will and Timetable. It takes great faith and patience!!

We have a lot people that the Lord has prepared for us this last week, but it took absolute diligence and faith. As we embark in this journey of life, we must continue faithfully and trusting fully on our Lord Jesus Christ, because we are nothing without Him. He has given us everything and we are heirs to His kingdom, we just humble ourselves and COME UNTO HIM.

COME...that´s an action, not just a belief. It isn´t enough just to believe, we must do and show our Heavenly Father and we are ready and will do His Will.

¨Believe in God; believe that he is, and that he created all things, both in heaven and in earth; believe that he has all wisdom, and all power, both in heaven and in earth; believe that man doth not comprehend all the things which the Lord can comprehend.

¨And again, believe that ye must repent of your sins and forsake them, and humble yourselves before God; and ask in sincerity of heart that he would forgive you; and now, if you believe all these things see that ye do them.¨ Mosiah 4:9-10

We invited many to do just that this week and it was the absolute reminder and kind of preparation I personally needed for this coming general conference. Have we Come Unto Christ and applied the last general conference talks in the last 6 months of our lives? Think about it.

I am so grateful for the priviledge we have and know of the love Heavenly Father has for us that he has restored his Gospel on earth again exactly how He established it through Jesus Christ on earth. We get to hear from our beloved prophet and apostles this coming week....LET´S PREPARE to COME UNTO CHRIST.

Love,

Hermana Fernandez

EPIC HALF POINT...

Family & Friends

This week was jammed packed with greatness!

Flashback:

-          On Tuesday, we went to the Temple!! It was so great =) I got to reflect a lot on my life up to this point & all I´ve gone through during the last 6 months since It´s been 6 months since I´ve gotten to be in the Lord´s temple.

The LORD loves us...just look around you & up...what else could you ask for? He made it ALL...FOR YOU!

¨But Alma said unto him: Thou hast had signs enough; will ye tempt your God? Will ye say, Show unto me a sign, when ye have the testimony of all these thy brethren, and also all the holy prophets? The scriptures are laid before thee, yea, and all things denote there is a God; yea, even the earth, and all things that are upon the face of it, yea, and its motion, yea, and also all the planets which move in their regular form do witness that there is a Supreme Creator.¨ - Alma 30:44

He made all of it for us.. How does that make you feel? How does it make you feel to know that you are literally a child of an Almighty Being, the King of Kings, the Eternal Father, your Heavenly Father?...Think about it for a sec.

-          On Wednesday, I HIT 9 MONTHS...and I was like WHAT?!?!?! Because time doesn´t exist here in the mission, so when we stop and think about it...it feels as if days do not exist, only months or every six week (a transfer). So to realize I´m halfway kinda was crazy...but I did get to reflect on how much I´ve grown and who I´ve become in the past 9 months of my life! I´m so grateful to be here! So much has happen in such little time...

-          On Thursday – Sunday, we are working with tons of families which is such a huge blessing here! And it´s amazing to see how the Lord is preparing amazing families here in Azua. Everyone is so ready to come unto the Lord, we just have to open our mouths and declare what we know to be TRUE. SHARE what makes us unbelievably happy in this life and what gives us greater hope for the future.

General Conference is coming up sooooo so soon! I can´t believe it...I´m so excited! And to prepare I´ve been focusing on reading all of the General Conference talks from last October...Key to Spiritual Protection = SCRIPTURES...I´d like to share a talk I read this week from President Boyd K. Packer. HE´S AMAZING.

I want to highlight some parts of this talk...

¨The scriptures hold the keys to spiritual protection. They contain the doctrine and laws and ordinances that will bring each child of God to a testimony of Jesus Christ as the Savior and Redeemer.¨

That is fact. The scriptures WILL bring you a testimony of Jesus Christ and show you the path way back to our Heavenly Father.

¨Years ago, Elder S. Dilworth Young of the Seventy taught me a lesson about reading the scriptures. A stake was struggling with tensions and difficulties among the members, and counsel needed to be given.

I asked President Young, “What should I say?”

He answered simply, “Tell them to read the scriptures.”

I asked, “Which scriptures?”

He said, “It really doesn’t matter. Tell them to open up the Book of Mormon, for instance, and begin to read. Soon the feeling of peace and inspiration will come, and a solution will present itself.”

Make scripture reading a part of your regular routine, and the blessings will follow. There is in the scriptures a voice of warning, but there is also great nourishment.

If the language of the scriptures at first seems strange to you, keep reading. Soon you will come to recognize the beauty and power found on those pages.¨

This kinda explains it in itself…READ the BOOK of MORMON even if you don´t understand it…GREAT PROMISES await you.

¨We live in perilous times; nevertheless, we can find hope and peace for ourselves and for our families. Those living in sorrow, despairing at the possibility of children being rescued from where the world has taken them, must never give up. “Be not afraid, only believe.” Righteousness is more powerful than wickedness.¨

I know that Prophets and Apostles are called of God, just like I know that Christ and I live. I know that we are privileged to be part of His Church in these last days. LET US TAKE THE GOSPEL TO THOSE THAT HAVEN´T FOUND IT YET! I know that Heavenly Father loves you and me more than we can possibly imagine. Hold on to the IRON ROD and help others come unto it…(if you don´t know what the IRON ROD is…READ THE BOOK OF MORMON=))

Thank you so much for everything! LOVE. SUPPORT. And STRENGTH.

Love

Hermana Fernandez