Hermana Dimond Takes Florida: Conference Gems and a Gun?

Hi loves!

What a crazy but good week here in the ghetoooooo (: I am starting to get used to this whole missionary life thing, I think, and I am loving it. We are literally just in the ghetto down here. My fav experience from this week was while knocking, we approached a man outside of his house, and explained to him who we were and we wanted to share a prayer with him. He turns around, GUN IN HAND, and laughs. I quickly respond "yep sir you just have a great day now." hahaha good stuff in Goulds. Never thought I would have to say, "if we see another gun, we are going to need to leave". Also this week I also said a prayer with this old Haitian man and after I finished, his first words to me were, "girl you have got a lot to learn". hahah like WHAT? its a prayer. but humbling for sure in all seriousness. Everyday I learn that clearly that I cannot do this work on my own.

My missionary stories are beginning now. We did have many spiritual experiences as well, don't even worry. (:This week we felt inspired to knock on this Cuban ladies door. There were these huge dogs outside the door that were trying to attack us, but we put on our big girl pants and knocked it anyways. Turns out this family had lost their father/dad three days prior. We were able to teach them and reassure them they would get to see him again. I felt his presence in the room, as the room we were in was the room he passed away in. It was so powerful!!

Well Conference this weekend was EXACTLY what I needed. I don't think I have ever been so excited to sit in the chapel in my church clothes to watch conference in my entire life. I was literally counting down to it! But it was SO GOOD! It was amazing as well because all our investigators and many non members came to watch it at the chapel, so it was a very cool and much different experience getting to watch it with people who are not of our faith. It made me appreciate it so much more. Well I just want to share a few of my favorite things that I heard. The first being from Elder Eyring. He said, "Often we can feel of Gods blessings, but we cannot even begin to comprehend the extent of them, and of the lords timing." I thought that was so powerful. Even when we recognize those blessings, we still cannot even comprehend the reasoning for them, and the perfect timing for them. God knows all things. I also loved how much they talked about members and missionaries working together to accomplish the work as well. Being from Utah I always felt like there wasn't much I could do to help in the work. But being a missionary, I see how NECESSARY it is to have help from the members. They are really the key to conversion. I encourage you all to look for those people who need the gospel right now and reach out to them. Tell the missionaries about them. Even if they are members and just struggling. SO many of the people I have taught are less actives. EVERYONE NEEDS THE GOSPEL. EVERYONE NEEDS OUR LOVE. GODS LOVE.

I am so grateful for the members of my ward here who are looking out for me and my companion. They treat us like family (and feed us WAY TOO MUCH haha not complaining though. except for yesterday when we had 3 meal appointments. yep wanted to die). I know there is a reason that I am supposed to be in this specific area here in South Miami. Each day I see more clearly my purpose as a missionary, and my purpose as a human. I love this gospel with all my heart. I love you all so much and hope you have the best week! Now I'm just praying for NO HURRICANES. Supposedly one is BREWIN ://////

You are all amazing! Love you all!

xoxox Hermana Dimond