Holy Week April 14. 2014

Dear Family,

Welp, I think my french is improving. I learned how to count to 15 yesterday and how to introduce myself, but I stopped because I think I was getting close to losing my voice from trying to pronounce the r's, but I am determined to learn something. I think it is helping my comp not to feel as dumb when I have to tell her how to pronounce a word 4-5 times the correct way in English. Seriously, I've never thought so much about english and I think I have to agree that it's the worst haha:) I think I have finally found a way to make my comp laugh...like a true laugh not a I'm trying to enjoy myself laugh:) I am definitely ok with trying making myself look silly by trying to pronounce words in order to help her not feel so frustrated with her language skills which I have to say are improving so quickly!
It's funny to see that she struggles a lot with some of the things I struggled with at the beginning of my mission, and I have been able to share a few things that I have learned to give her a little hope and perspective even though she won't actually "learn" the lesson until she overcomes those barriers herself no matter how many times I tell her something. The other day we were talking about being ok with making mistakes and I just told her that we can't expect success without allowing ourselves to fall, and that was exactly what she had been trying to say but couldn't find the words:) 
Training is certainly a learning experience. It reminds me a lot when Julia moved into my room. I was so frustrated that I had to "relearn" things I had learned with Brooke, but I know there is so much value in "starting over". It truly gives me an opportunity to show myself that I really have changed in the past year, and to grow even more! 
We get to go to the temple tomorrow! Woohoo!:) I am so grateful that I have had so many opportunities to go to the temple! 
The work is progressing in the area. Jose is still planning on being baptized on the 27th and then we had another investigator come to church. He was super nervous because he didn't have any dress shoes, but every time I looked over to see how he was reacting to everything that was being said he was nodding his head up and down which is always such a big relief during church. During church we got up after the prayer to go sit with a woman that was sitting in the back row all by herself, and when the meeting was over I asked her what her name was and I found out it was a less-active that I didn't know and were going to meet that night! That was such a little tender mercy to me because number one she came to church and number 2 we met her all by pure "accident". I LOVE being a missionary!!!!!!
Happy Palm Sunday everyone!!!!! I have been thinking so much about this coming week and the great importance it is in our lives, and especially as a missionary. I had the opportunity to see where all of these events happened which helped me to know more about Holy Week, but I have grown in my understanding of this week, and as I have thought about the events that certain particular day and I go about and as I talk to people I think about how much they NEED the gospel in their lives. I'm excited to see how much more enriching this week will be as we focus on the life of our Savior. I know He truly lives. I know that it is through his grace, mercy, and love for us that we can change. We can become better. We can be cleansed. We can have joy. We can have Eternal Life and for that I am so grateful to have the knowledge and testimony that I have. I'm grateful for the opportunity that I have to go through this life with the fullness of His gospel. This is His work! We are all servants and here to do His work.
I love you all!

Love,
Hermana Ford