July 29th 2013

Here's this past weeks letter. I just got it so sorry for the late post >.< Make sure to write Ally at her new address!

I am here on the border now! I got into the car and left from Austin to go to San Antonio on Wednesday for a training meeting, since I am training a new missionary, and I was in the training meeting for literally 5 minutes when the Elders from the Border came in saying it was time to go! The mission President said to me, "Well, good luck Sister! The Lord has a lot of trust in you, and so do I." I then got in the van with the rest of the missionaries (about 9 total from the entire San Antonio Mission) to head down a few hours to do the border. In the van they let us know where we were going and who our companions would be. My companion is Sister Salisbury from a little town called Fishers, Indiana. I am in Eagle Pass, Texas! Mexico is literally only 2 short miles from our apartment. We drove to one of our less active member's houses and on the way we drove past a street where you simply looked down and saw center of the Mexican city called Piedras Niegras. How cool is that!

For any letters, our address is...

2295 Veterans Blvd #9

Eagle Pass, TX 78852

This area is an English/Spanish area so instead of only teaching Spanish speakers like in my last area, we get to teach both. It was rather strange to be in Sacrament in English yesterday because I haven't been to English sacrament in almost 5 months! We cover two branches, the English and the Spanish branch, and they are both pretty small. There was about 7 sisters in Relief Society in the English branch yesterday... There area lot of members but most are inactive or less active. It makes me really sad to hear why people don't come to church or have fallen away. I know that we have to stay faithful and endure to the end. Not only have faith but have hope. Without hope there is only despair.

Yesterday we got out of our car to visit a less active member and her neighbor was outside. My companion approached her and asked if we could talk to her for a moment. To my great surprise the woman said "Sure" and invited us into her home. We sat down and got to know her and her grand kids a little bit. Her daughter came out and sat down as well... I was surprised because usually people don't let us talk to them, let alone invite us inside, and they especially don't all gather around to listen. I was in awe as we spoke with them and let the Spirit guide this time that we had with them. The daughter, Sarah, is a heroin addict. She and her two daughters live with her mother and are Catholic. We are going back tonight to teach them about the Restoration. This first lesson with them was completely guided by the Spirit and I know that they felt it. I love seeing the Spirit work in others and touch their hearts, testifying that we are sent from God to help and serve them.

I love you all.