I'm Gonna Be A Mom Again!!!

President called last night to let me know I will finish my last 12 weeks of the mission training a new missionary!! I really wanted to train again but in my interview a couple weeks ago, President told me I was not going to. I am not sure what changed but I am grateful and so excited to be able to train. I am really nervoud because I am going to an area I have never been to before and seeing that my companion is arriving now, we will both be brand new in the area. But that means it will be an adventure for the both of us and I am excited to be in Maceio again.

But it was also really sad to find out I will be leaving. This week we were finally able to set a date for Juliano's baptism, September 28th, and he is really excited, as well as the rest of the ward. They have already started planning it and he is inviting all of his extended family to be there. I feel so grateful to have seen how much happier he has become these last 3 months and to have played a part in him gaining a testimony and learning and cahnging so much. I feel like i have worked so hard andd and had so much patience and persistence and prayers and fasting for him these last few months and finally he is really prepared and ready to take this next step but now I am leaving... but it really has nothing to do with me right? The selfish side of me wants so bad to be here for the 28th and I have come to love this guy so much but also I know that what matters is that everything was done in the time and the way that was right for him.

We also got the chance to talk to Paloma's mom this week and found out that her son started struggling with a lot of anxiety and panic attacks when his parents separated and he started living alone with Paloma. The phsiciatrist recommended her to move back and live with her boyfriend again to help their son and give him more time to adjust to the change. So she is living with her boyfriend again and to me it was sad to hear but also a tstament of God's love for us. He wasn't about to let Paloma make a covenant with Him if she wasn't going to be able to keep it afterwards.He knew that her son would have this problem and that she would sacrifice what she wanted to do to help him in any way she could.  God doesn't put us on this Earth to fail and he can see things in the future that we aren't capable of seeing or knowing. We still haven't been able to see her and I probably will leave here without being able to talk to her which kind of breaks my heart but I also know we have done absolutely everything we can to try and help and love her.

I am feeling alot of emotions, really excited to train but also really nervous and sadto say bye to my favorite Mexicana to be ending my time in Sergipe. Not sure when I will be able to come back here and I love the city of Aracaju so much. But I always wanted to train again so I know it will be hard but that it will also be such a fun experience.

Thank you all for your love, please send some prayers for me this week!!!

Beijos,

Sister Lauren Mather