Onward, ever onward!

Dear wonderful family and friends,

How is everyone? I hope that you are all safe, sound, and enjoying the blessings you have. I know that the Lord is blessing you because he loves you dearly. He loves you more than I do, and that is saying a lot!

Laurita came back this week and I heard that she loved seeing everyone in Utah. I haven't been able to talk to her a lot about you all, but her mom has been telling me how much Laurita loves you guys every time she sees me. Who wouldn't love the Zubeldias, right? You are all fantastic! Also, we're hopefully going to be able to do another FHE with her family soon. Pray that her dad participates!

This week was a pretty interesting week. My dear companion, Hna. Shiraki, got sick. She wasn't super happy, poor thing. Out of the four sister missionaries in my ward, 3 got sick this past week. Laurita's mom found out and made us a wonderful caldo de pollo. I love people! Everyone has been asking how the sicklings have been doing. The church is a second family, that's for sure. I love how the gospel brings people together. Luckily, I evaded the diseases in the air, and I thank my lucky stars that I was raised in a family of many siblings where I could build up my immune system. Also, I want to counsel everyone to take their vitamins every day (they actually work! It's not a joke!) :)

Even though everyone was sick, we had wonderful lessons. I realized that I haven't been super specific on who we are teaching, but I want to share 3 amazing people with y'all. We are preparing Maria Jesus and la Familia Castro Morales for their baptisms in 2 weeks and I am more than excited to see them this week. Maria Jesus is a gem! She has wonderful questions for us at the beginning of every lesson, and she has a strong desire to learn more. The ward is really welcoming her in and her little kids are loving coming to church. Her little boy is Soraya's age and he just started kindergarten today, too! It's so cute to see him not want to leave his mom to go to primary, just like Soraya. We're going to go with them to a Primary activity this week, so we'll see if he becomes more comfortable with the new people he meets. All we have to do now is get her husband to listen to us! He hasn't wanted to participate yet, but Maria Jesus keeps on telling us that she has faith that he will accept the gospel in the Lord's time.

La Familia Castro Morales is a chosen couple! La Hermana Aida is so ready to be baptized, it's almost like we're teaching with a member present! She has a cousin who is a member of the church, and they have been talking about the church and all. This gospel is reaching everyone! I love seeing how the truth is spreading throughout the world. El Hermano Patricio is also building his testimony. The Spirit really worked with him this week because he readily accepted the need for a prophet (something that did not happen last week). Last time we met, they were talking about temples (her cousin brought it up with her), and la hermana was very animated about the idea of being sealed to her husband for eternity. It was so tender! Then they said that they want us to be there! Hermana Shiraki could probably be there because she goes home in a year, but I might miss it. That's okay; I'll be there in spirit!

Recently, I've been studying about the importance of obedience and keeping the commandments. A scripture I found and loved was John 7:17 (El que quiera hacer la voluntad de Él conocerá si la doctrina es de Dios o si yo hablo por mí mismo). We must remain obedient to the Lord if we want to know whether or not the commandments given to us are from him or made up by man. I want to testify that I know we have been given commandments for a reason. If we stay true to the Lord, we remain true to ourselves.

I love you all!

Hermana Zubeldia

Todo está bien en Sión!