Hermana Brayton: PAOLA

February 3, 2020

¡holaaa y'all!!

How is everyone? So good I hope. It's a party over here on Cali as always:) Definitely, the highlight of this week was yesterday whenever my girl PAOLA got baptized!! She's so sweet, but that was probably one of the more wild baptisms I've ever experienced hahahahah. Her little brother Pablito almost jumped into the font before everything started, and then her little sister was sitting between Hermana Franklin and I, and she was being SO stinky if you know what I mean. Also, Paola's nose started bleeding in the middle of her getting baptized so that was honestly a first for me. She's such a champ though, she hopped out and got a little tissue, and then hopped right back in.

This week we found 3 new people that are interested in being taught, and they're all so cool:) There's a little boy named Diego that is super shy, but he loves math. There's a cool guy named Horacio that has been through a lot and has met with missionaries before, but he decided that now he's really ready to change his life for the better. And then a guy named Osmin that's from El Salvador that's super sweet but he hardly ever gets a word in bc his wife does not stop talking. I'm so excited for all of them though, I already know such amazing things are in store for them!!

Also on Thursday, we went on exchanges, and it was my last one with my GIRL Hermana Hinton!! I love her literally so much and I'm so grateful for her and everything she's done for me. Just in case y'all don't remember, she was my trainer way back when, so basically she taught me how to be a missionary. Props to that girl!!

Other than that there wasn't a ton that happened. We picked up leaves for Manuel and there were too many ants and spiders. We had lunch with our Obispo and his wife for Hermana Franklin's bday. We gave more treats to more cute puppies. I talked to this little girl for like 30 minutes about Billie Eilish. We played Go Fish with Eduardo. FUN times:)

Okay and for my little spiritual thought: I was reading in 1 Nephi 16, and in verse 29 Nephi says, "And thus we see that by small means the Lord can bring about great things." And that reminded me of Alma when he says, "By small and simple things are great things brought to pass." I know 100% that these scriptures are so true. Our Heavenly Father is such an amazing and incredible God, and his son Jesus Christ literally worked great miracles every day that he was here on the earth. I think that sometimes though, I get so caught up in reading about these great miracles and I forget to see God in the little things. His hand is always there, in the smallest and simplest things, and when we seek to recognize that we can better understand the bigger things. I know that with the power of God on the earth today (the priesthood), all miracles, big and small, are possible. So I guess my challenge for all of you is to really try and see God's hand every day. There's a country song called "I Saw God Today" and as cheesy and probably unprofessional as it is, I want y'all to be able to feel that way too! I've witnessed His help SO much since being here in California, in so many small and simple things, and I know that y'all can all feel it as well:) I also strongly believe that we are all small and simple, but we are all capable of such incredible, mighty, great things. Please never forget your worth in God's eyes, bc it is so precious!

I love y'all a whole ton! Thank you for everything you do! I hope everyone has such a great week!!

Con Amor,

Hermana Brayton:)