Sister Ashlyn Don Perry: Week 40 : I Am Here To Deliver A Message To The People Of D.R. (Jan. 19, 2015)

This week was crazy. We have this goal that our mission President set called ¨El Pulso¨ (the pulse) to help us work harder. It´s a high goal but it really helps us work hard. Last week we didn´t do so good on numbers, so this week we decided to change that. At the beginning of the week we had great lessons and almost every one of the citas we set were home. That almost never happens. Somewhere in the middle of the week, things went a little south and by the end of the week almost all of our citas were falling through everyday :P Some of our best progressing investigators are slipping from us :(

On saturday we realized that we were just a few numbers short of reaching our goal. That got us really pumped so we set a goal not to come home without having reached our goal. The day was crazy. We walked sooo much, taught a lot of new people, got yelled at by a very angry lady, and what not. We ran around like chickens with their heads cut off, but we met our goal!!! We were walking on clouds. But the feeling didn´t last long. By the time we were done with our daily planning, we were both feeling really off but we couldn´t place why. After a moment we realized that what we had done wrong. We had focused to much on the numbers. We had taught people and had a lot of new investigators and lessons, but we taught them just to get a cita to return. I can´t even tell you what one of their needs are, or even place their name to their face. I felt like our numbers had slapped us in the face and left us on the floor in shame. That´s not he kind of missionary the Lord needs. He doesn´t care about numbers, or short lessons, or even if we shared a really great scripture with each person we met. He cares about each individual need of His children. I thought I was working the way the Lord wanted me to, but I was way wrong. He´s got a whole different plan for this area, this work. I definitely learned a big lesson this week.

I have a new love for Ammon. He is awesome. (Alma 17:36-37; 18:17, 24-35). Our District Scripture of the week--Ether 12:27. I thought it was very fitting.

One last thing that I learned: I wasn´t sent here to convince people or the change their minds about ¨Los Mormones¨. I´m here to deliver a message and let the Spirit change their hearts. It took awhile, but that finally hit me.

The church is true. I love being a missionary. love you all

Love, Hermana Perry

I think I might fly down to give Ashlyn a new camera, she is afraid hers is dying. (truth about the camera, but not about me flying down there)