We had a miracle this week.  Actually, we had five miracles this week, and the name is the Cordero Rodriguez family.  Hermana Broyles and Hermana Sanchez contacted them in July (and Angel tells the story every time he bears his testimony) - Angel and Anthony were working on the porch and the missionaries offered to help, and he just started laughing at them and said, "You're all so clean and pretty and you want to help?"  But they got an appointment.  I came in the middle of August, and it's been a long crazy ride - health problems, car problems, quitting smoking - but it was all worth it when five of them stepped into the waters of baptism on Saturday.

It's also a good example of member participation.  The week before they were contacted the bishopric prayed and fasted to get some more priesthood in the ward, especially in the young mens.  So the sisters found a family with five potential priesthood holders.  Members make miracles!

So we have transfers tomorrow, and I'm having a fun time learning about logistics when you have fifty or so sisters and half are being transferred and you only have five cars and one day and no one can be alone and they have to bring their luggage with them.  It's like a giant crossing the river problem.  But the most important part is who my new companion is.

It is

HERMANA STEVENS!!!

I am so happy!  I cheered when the zone leaders told us.  It was what I was hoping for but I didn't know if President would be that nice/crazy.  Well, he does what the Spirit directs, but honestly, NOBODY gets to repeat companions!  I'm thrilled.  I could not have asked for a better companion to finish my mission with.

Always working, always happy,

Hermana Kirkland

Included are photos of the baptism and one of Hermana Stevens and I if you don't remember her.

This was a stellar week, with my record for investigators with a baptismal date and investigators in sacrament meeting.  I guess going for so long with out either paid off in the long run.

I don't understand how people make their blog emails long, I never have time.

This is Hermana Sanchez's last week and only one family has invited us to dinner, so that's good in terms of how much time we have to work.  When Hermana Gutierrez went home all we did was eat.  It was Thanksgiving weekend, though.

I am just enjoying my paradise island, thank you very much!  Have a wonderful week!

Hermana Kirkland

We have a great investigator who has a bumper sticker on the back of the car that says, "Si este vehiculo esta conducido negligentemente, que se joda, el carro es mio."  Roughly translated: "If this vehicles is driven negligently, deal with it, the car is mine."  I don't know why I thought that was so funny.  Maybe because Hermana Sanchez was mildly scandalized by it.  But it's pretty typical of Puerto Rican driving.  I've turned into a very defensive driver.

I had my first Mission Leadership Conference this week!  It was uplifting.  Hermana Boucher talked about obedience and President Boucher talked about faith.  Two things that every mission needs.  They are wonderful and I'm so glad they were called to serve here.

Have a wonderful week!

We had a sister activity today and it went super well, but for that I have limited time!  We stuck suckers in the sand and one sister had to guide the other one, blindfolded, to search for the investigators.  Some of the sticks were colored yellow - "golden" investigators ready for baptism.  It was on finding with the Spirit.  It was really fun!  I'm a little sunburnt.

Love you!

Hermana Kirkland