What a Change!

My new companion is Hermana Figueroa from El Salvador. She is very bold, punctual, straightforward and to the point. She has been a member of the church for 2 and a half years, and one of those years as a missionary. When she came to the MTC she didn´t really know what a mission was and hadn´t read the Book of Mormon. But she is quite a go-getter, and now with 4 months left of her mission, she is a Spiritual giant. She´s also a good teacher. In our companionship studies she asks me, ¨what ELSE did you learn?¨ I feel very motivated, and more confident. Already I´ve seen a big change in everything- the members, our investigators, and myself!
Something that Hermana Figueroa has taught me already, with only a few days with her, is that we need to have faith that people will be true to their word and that the Lord will help them and we don´t have to do everything for them. With Hna. Rosales we would wake up at 5am and try to bring everyone to church, and sometimes we´d be successful, sometimes no. But this Sunday we had it all organized, with help from the members, and we had 9 investigators at church.
And one of those 9 was Jose Molina!
I don´t know if you remember me telling you about Jose, but we found him probably my first week in Honduras, and in our first lesson he was waiting for us. I was so excited about him and his family, and so devistated when he fell between the cracks.
So... just know I was happy, but things are much better now. I feel happy to know that we are working hard and effectively.
This morning I was reading in 3 Ne 22, where Isaiah is quoted, and was especially touched with verses 7-10. I remember singing these verses in the 9th ward choir. I think I was secretly feeling down for a while there...(you know me and my rose-colored glasses) but sometimes we need to feel alone to be able to learn and progress. Our faith is being tested. The Lord, in His mercy, always sends His love and blesses us if we are faithful. I´m aware that I´ll always have challenges in my mission. The Lord wants to change me, and this is the only way.
Thank you for all the letters and good news from home! I sure love all of you and am grateful for your support. Please pray for me in this adjustment... it´s a little bit hard to get used to having someone new with me 24-7 and teaching her the area, but she´s great, and very patient and easy going.
Hermano Contreras was at church and gained more enthusiasm about the Book of Mormon last night as we had a Family Home Evening with him and the familia Cervantes.

I love you all! This is it from me this week but I promise a better email next week. Let me know if you get any of your snail mail (as always, I´m curious)!
Love, Hermana Francis Xoxoxoxox