Happy New Year!

(A/N: Hello everyone! Alejandra here wishing you a happy Monday and a Happy New Year! It was so great being able to talk to Hermana Ramos-Escobar this last Thursday! She's doing really well and she's loving the mission! Here is her email for the week, enjoy!)

This week was AMAZING!! Not only was it Christmas and I got to Skype with my family, but I truly was overwhelmed with Heavenly Father's love.

Christmas Eve, we were able to visit a couple of families! They all had gifts prepared for us and of course food!! We ended the night going to the Hernandez Family. All six of us were there and needless to say, it probably got a little too fun. We played a lot of games and really just had a good time! The love that was felt at their home was truly amazing! Heavenly Father is just soo good. I love the people here that really just took us into their homes. Christmas is always time to spend with family, and for the people here to take us in as part of their family truly touched me. I know that Heavenly Father blessed us as missionaries. He makes sure that we feel at home, and that we feel that love.

 

Christmas day was truly amazing. I loved talking to my family. President Clark asked us to teach our families while we Skype them and I accepted the challenge. It truly was an amazing experience. The spirit that I felt while teaching my family was beyond what words can explain. I love my family soo much!

 

Earlier this week I was reading in Mosiah, in King Benjamin's address, and I couldn't help but cry. Heavenly Father is soo good to us. In Mosiah 4, the first couple of verses we see that the people are so ashamed and feel so horrible for what they done. In verse 2, they ask for forgiveness and in verse 3, it's given to them. Heavenly Father loves us so much. All He wants is for us to return to Him.

 

I love this gospel so much. I have never felt closer to my Heavenly Father. I love my Savior, Jesus Christ and I am beyond thankful that He took it upon himself to come to the world to die for our sins. I know this Church is true with all my heart. I love this Gospel more than anything and I hope that you all can feel Heavenly Father's love for you. 

I hope you all had a Merry Christmas and I wish you all a Happy New Year!

Love always,

Hermana Ramos-Escobar

 

Christmas Dinner.

With Sis. Isaksen from Norway! She's a temple square Sister!

Elders will be Elders... Sorry for Elder Perez.

WE SAW SNOW!!!!!!

 

Merry Christmas!!

(A/N: Merry Christmas everybody! Sorry for the late update...the Christmas season can get a little crazy. But you know, it kind of works since Hermana Ramos-Escobar's email kind of centers around the Christmas message/meaning...better late than never, right? Anyways, from the Ramos-Escobar family, we hope you all have a very Merry Christmas! :D )

This week has been great! We were able to have a Christmas party in the ward, and let me tell you, it was probably one of the hardest things I have yet done on my mission. Listening to all the songs I used to dance to and not being able to dance...ya that was a killer! Sister Campos and I tried leaving as soon as we could, but a member was making us a bracelet and asked us to wait! It was so hard!!

 

Yesterday Sister Campos and I had the opportunity to give a talk in Sacrament meeting. It was so great being able to really talk about the true meaning of Christmas. Sister Campos talked mainly about the purpose of Jesus Christ coming to the Earth and I talked about the love that our Heavenly Father has for us.

 

I am so thankful that I was able to spend Christmas on the mission. I have been able to really understand the true meaning of Christmas. There is such a different atmosphere once its December...you can just feel that Christmas Spirit. Before my mission, I honestly didn't pay much attention to the true meaning of Christmas...and honestly, Christmas wasn't my favorite Holiday. But now that my whole life is centered on Christmas, I love Christmas! I am mesmerized by the love that our Heavenly Father has for us!

I love Christmas and I invite all of you to read from the scriptures the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Read in Luke 2 or 1 Nephi 11. Very special scriptures that talk about the birth of our Savior.

 

I love Christmas! I love you all and I love my Savior with all my heart!
I wish you all a very MERRY  CHRISTMAS!!!!!

Love always,

Hermana Ramos-Escobar

 

Singing with all the missionaries!!

Not being able to dance... :(

It was hard not to dance... :(

Them having the time of their lives!!

 

Photo Update

(A/N: Hello there everyone! So, Hermana Ramos-Escobar did not send us an email last week or this week. She was feeling sick last week, and I'm going to assume that since today is her birthday, she wasn't going to have a lot of time to write a big email for everyone. But luckily, we know she is doing well and she sent us some neat pictures from her mission! Hope you all enjoy them!)

At the Temple!!

We got to meet Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus!! :)

With President Clark!!

New PJ's we bought for Christmas! :D

Got to sing with the Young Women for the stake. :)

Hna Campos decorated our table and the Elders made us French Toast! :)

Gobble Gobble (That's Turkey for Happy Thanksgiving)

(A/N: Hey there everyone! Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving! Here is the week's email, and don't worry, she explains why it's a date late. :D )

Sorry I didn't e-mail yesterday, I forgot to let you all know that we were going to the temple today so today, Tuesday, became our preparation day!

This past week was great!! Work wise, it was really slow which was not great at all...but it was fun! We got to spend Thanksgiving together as missionaries and we had a lot of fun together! I think holidays as missionaries are the best. You're just so filled with the spirit and you're all together for the same purpose and during holiday season, you just really become family. I love these missionaries so much!

This week has been a week to show Heavenly Father how patient we can be! It's been incredibly slow and I can't help to think that it will be like that for the holiday season. But I know that Heavenly Father wants us to work hard and He knows that we are working extremely hard to reach our goal of 1000 baptisms for the mission!

We actually got a new investigator this past week. His name is Marin, he has been taught by the missionaries for over a year now. He said that he wanted to wait a year to get baptized but now that he has been learning for more than a year, he has no excuse. We watched the movie of Joseph Smith with him at a member's home (his really good friend) and it was great!! We asked him to get baptized on December 13 but he said no. I asked him if He believed Joseph Smith was a prophet and he said yes. I asked him if he believed the Book of Mormon was true and he said yes. So I asked him why he wouldn't follow a commandment that God has given us and he said that he just isn't ready yet. So we'll keep working with him!! We know that he'll get baptized soon!!

Well I gotta run! Sorry for the short e-mail!
I love you all! Thank you for everything!!

With much much love,

 Hermana Ramos-Escobar

The Echo missionaries on Thanksgiving!! 

Elder Garbero, Elder Feltner, Me, Hna Campos, Elder Robertson, Elder Perez

All of us at the temple today!! 

Elder Garbero, Elder Perez, Hna Campos, me, Elder Feltner, Elder Robertson

Sister Campos, Sister Reese, Sister Lundahl and I on our way to e-mail!

2 Nephi 26‏

(A/N: Hello everyone! So my family and I actually on vacation at the moment for the week, and that's why the update is a little late. But have no fear, because here is the update for Hermana Ramos-Escobar! Enjoy!)

 

This week has been great!! We found 8 new investigators this week! We had our first lesson with all of them and we're hoping to get more lessons in this week, but it will be harder because of the holiday season! So we'll see how it goes!

 

Sister Campos and I found a huge round about yesterday and we had the funnest time going around it! I love Sister Campos!! We make everything fun and we laugh about everything!! We're really excited for Thanksgiving! There are so many families that have invited us to go to their house for dinner. I am so thankful for all the service that is rendered to us!

 

I just really want to share a scripture that really touched me this week. I've been reading the Book of Mormon again and I'm in 2 Nephi and I was reading in chapter 26. It's when Nephi is seeing all the destruction that will happen to his posterity. They will be so wicked that the Lord will kill them all. In verse 7, it says,

"O the pain, and the anguish of my soul for the loss of the slain of my people! For I, Nephi, have seen it, and it well nigh consumeth me before the presence of the Lord; but I must cry unto my God: Thy ways are just."

..."Thy ways are just." Nephi after seeing all of his people that are going to die says, "Thy ways are just." He doesn't get mad. He doesn't ask why. He doesn't ask for the Lord to have mercy on them. But He says, "thy ways are just." After all that Nephi went through, he saw that these things would happen but he lets them happen. I admire Nephi so much for the faith that he has. For the trust that he has in the Lord. I am so thankful for the scriptures and for the Book of Mormon. I have been learning so much from it! I love it and I know with all my heart that it is true.

I have to run, but I wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving! Please take the time to think about all the blessings the Lord has given you and all that He has done for us. I am so thankful that He was willing to come to this earth to pay for our sins...but not only our sins but all of the hurt that we feel in our lives. I love my savior Jesus Christ and am thankful for all He did for me.

Love,

Hermana Ramos-Escobar

Big Surprise!‏

(A/N: Hello everyone! Happy Monday! Just a little fun fact for everyone, this Friday, Hermana Ramos-Escobar will have been out on the mission for six months! Crazy right?! Now we've only got a year left...oh boy...ha ha! Anyways, enjoy this week's email!)

This week has been good! We found out some interesting news. For the past couple of weeks, we've only really had one solid investigator that has actually been progressing. Our other investigators never keep their appointments and are not keeping their commitments. But Maribel, our one solid investigator, has been keeping every single appointment and doing every single thing we've been asking her to do. She has been reading parts of the Book of Mormon and she says that she know's it's true. She is so sensitive to the spirit and the lessons we have with her are just really great. Earlier this week we went to our lesson with her and we had a member come with us. We started talking about the gospel of Jesus Christ and we got to baptism. She had been praying to know if she should get baptized but all of the sudden she says, "You know, I was baptized with the Mormons before." Sister Campos and I were completely shocked!! No wonder she had been progressing so well!! No wonder she felt the spirit so easily!!!

Turns out she had been baptized in Mexicali about 30 years ago and when she came to the United States, I guess she just stopped going. She came to church on Sunday and we were able to pull her records into the ward. Pretty crazy right? So now we're back at the drawing board! We're working really hard to find new people!

Sister Campos and I are doing great together! I love her soo much! I haven't laughed soo much in such a long time!

I just got called as a Sister Training Leader for this next transfer. Which means I will be going on exchanges with other Sister and observe how they work and all such things. I'm really excited...I was really scared when President first called on Saturday, but Sister Campos was beyond excited! Once she found out that she was going to be taking care of the area most of the time while I'm gone, she wasn't so excited...haha! She'll do a great job! She pretty much does it anyways.

I love being a missionary. I love my companion. I love the work. I just love being here.  I know the church is true. I know it with all my heart! and I want others to find it!

Love,

Hermana Ramos-Escobar

5 Months Difference...‏

(A/N: Hello everyone! Aly here wishing you all a happy Monday! Here is the latest email from one of our favorite sister missionaries!)

I'm getting closer and closer to my 6 months mark and I can't believe how fast time has flown. I think this past week was meant for me to realize and learn a lot of things. I look back at the person I was 6 months ago, 11 days before entering the MTC and it amazes me how much I have grown.

I have gained a burning testimony of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I know that my Heavenly Father loves me specifically and I know that Jesus Christ is my Savior and my Redeemer. There is absolutely nothing I wouldn't give up for this Gospel. I love it so much! I have never felt the spirit so much in my life. I have never had so many conversations with my Heavenly Father. I am eternally grateful for all that Jesus Christ has done for me. I know He's real. I know He lives. He is not just someone that we talk about. He was actually here on the earth and He was here in the Americas.

I am thankful and blessed for all the people that have helped me realized this. But more importantly for the spirit that has born testimony to me that it is true! I think about the spirit a lot. So many people say that this is all fake, that its not true. That it is just a story that Joseph Smith made up. But I know and I testify in the name of Jesus Christ that that is not true. If this were all made up, we would not feel the spirit. We would not feel that peace and calming feeling whenever we sing hymns or when we read the scriptures. We wouldn't cry when people gave powerful testimonies.

I know with all my heart that this church is true. I know it with all my heart and I will never deny it. And I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

At the MTC...

One week ago...

About 5 months difference and I have grown soo much!!

Halloween Week!‏

(A/N: Hello there everyone! Alejandra here, hoping everyone had a safe and happy Halloween! Here is this week's update from Hermana Ramos-Escobar! )

Well, we didn't do much for Halloween but it did rain!! Oh my goodness, I was soo happy!!! But because of the rain: 1) It has been really cold!! And 2) We stepped in two huge puddles! That was fun! We were walking around with wet shoes for the rest of the day! No one ever told me how cold it gets here in Fresno! Ok, honestly, I didn't believe anyone when they would tell me it gets cold. Little did I know they were right! 

We have an investigator that we invited to be baptized this past week, she said that she was going to pray about it. So we'll follow up on her! Hopefully next week I'll be able to let you all know what she has decided.

We have been finding a lot of people and hopefully they will all become investigators.  So there hasn't been much happening in my area lately...This past week was a lot of growing on my part, internalizing a lot of things that I maybe didn't really realize before. One of those was how much Jesus Christ really loves us. I always knew that He did, but today during my personal study I couldn't keep tears from running down my face when I really truly internalized how much He really loves us. 

I truly know that Jesus Christ is our Savior and Redeemer and that He was willing to die for us because He loves us so much. I am truly thankful for all that He has done for me. I know that if we really take the time to read, study and analyze what He has done for us, we will be able to know for ourselves if God really knows us individually.

I love this gospel with all my heart! There isn't a thing I wouldn't do for it!

Love,

Hermana Ramos-Escobar

(A/N: Here are some photos she sent for us to look at!)

Outside in the rain!

Really happy with all the rain!

Enjoying this tasty drink!

I GOT A PACKAGE!!!

This is what the fire did when we spent the night at Oak Hurst.

I found out this past weekend while I was on exchanges that the fire missed these two propane tanks by about 100 yards. If it would have hit it, the town would have been exploded!! I could have died!! Crazy how much the Lord takes care of his missionaries right?!?

In Which Aly Comes Up With a Cool Title...Not Really...

(A/N: Hey, I get an A in trying to come up with something cool sounding, right? Ha ha! Anyways, hope everyone is doing well! Hope you're having a wonderful Monday! :D )

Things here in Echo are really starting to pick up. I truly believe the first two weeks, the Lord knew that Sister Campos and I were not ready to find people. We were still trying to get used to the area and figure out how to work with each other. So now that we've got everything settled in, we are starting to find people.

We found 2 new investigators this week that seem pretty solid. One is named Maribel, she had gotten an embolea a couple of days before we went to visit with her (she was a referral from a member) and was in the hospital for a couple of days. When we went to visit her we asked her if she would like to receive a blessing from the Elders and she said yes. The Elders came over and gave her the blessing. After the blessing, you could tell the biggest difference in her countenance, she felt and looked so much more calm. Being here on my mission I have really learned to appreciate the Priesthood.

 

The second person we found was named Christella, we found her by knocking doors. Sister Campos is so inspired! We parked our car and she said, "I'm feeling this street down here." The first door we knocked on that street, was Christella's. She mentioned that she was pregnant and that her baby was a miracle baby. She was not supposed to get pregnant but our Heavenly Father blessed her with a baby. We taught her part of the Plan of Salvation and she felt the spirit so strong! She started crying and was so thankful for us. We will be returning on Thursday to teach her!

I'm so thankful for how inspired Sister Campos is and how closely she listens to the Spirit. I am so thankful for our companionship. I know that we will be working so well together and I cannot wait!

The other night we went to go visit one of the investigators the other Elders had. She is a part member, and has a 2 year old baby. When she opened the door to us, little Jay (her baby) stepped out and saw us and he ran to me and put his arms around my leg and just stood there hugging me for about a solid 45-60 seconds.  Then he grabbed my hand and pulled me into the house and sat me down on the couch. When he did that, it warmed my heart soo much. I feel as if he knows that we are the ones that are there to bring his family eternal life.

I absolutely love being a missionary, there is nothing that brings me more happiness. I have learned so much, I have learned to really read and study my scriptures! I really love the gospel with all my heart! 

Love you all, 

Hermana Ramos-Escobar

I'm sorry this e-mail is super short, I get distracted with the Elders!

(A/N: And here are her distracting Elders!)

Elder Garbero and Feltner watching a video upside down!

Elders singing and playing the piano!

Elder Robertson and Elder Perez giving us eggs!

My companion and I!

Week 2 in Fresno!

(A/N: Alejandra here wishing you all a happy Monday! As a present, here is Hermana Ramos-Escobar's weekly email update! :D )

Well this week has been good. It was definitely better than the week before but I know that this next week will be better! The first two weeks I feel like was a lot of trial and error. "Try this...nope that doesn't work...Okay let's try this!  ...Ya that doesn't work either..." So now we have more of an idea of what works in our area. So things will start picking up!

Things are different here in Fresno, but it's all good! It feels good to be in a Spanish ward again!! It's kind of hard sometimes because it makes me think so much of my ward, Windsor 8!! I miss them all so much, but it's really funny to find members here that act almost the same as the members in the ward! Haha! It makes me laugh!

I gave a talk this Sunday that just passed. I realized that I gave a talk my second Sunday in Los Banos too...maybe it will become a tradition...who knows. We'll see. But it was really good, more members were coming up to us and asking us to come over to visit with them! We even got part member families that want us to go teach their families! So it's was really good! I'm thankful for Hermano Guizar that asked me to talk.

Oh ya, and apparently I'm Hermana Romero now...Hermano Guizar had put it wrong in the program and announced it wrong so  all the members that actually know me started joking about that. And of course the Elders too! It's reallly nice to be surrounded by missionaries. I didn't have that in Los Banos. It's so much fun! There are really no words to describe how much I really love my mission!!

We have a lot of new potential investigators and I'm really excited to start teaching them! Hopefully next week, we'll have more news!

I love you all! Sorry it's short, I'm out of time!! 
Love you!!

Love, Hermana Ramos-Escobar 

New Companion, New Area!!‏

(A/N: Hello everyone! Here is an update of Hermana Ramos-Escobar in her new area and new companion! :D )

Well, I got to Fresno on Wednesday, Sister Horan brought me. Her kind soul, she drove from Los Banos to Merced, back to Los Banos and down to Fresno...Mind you it's about an hour each way...There is no doubt she is going to get a lot of blessings!! We had to drive to Los Banos because I forgot my scriptures at home...Haha, ya i don't know how I did that...But it happened!

When I got to Fresno, I was really excited!! I was ready to work here! We had to wait until Thursday to get our trainees though and that's when I started to get nervous. I was nervous maybe for like 10 minutes, but when we finally walked into the chapel and saw them all there I was just filled with excitement again!

There were 3 Spanish sisters and one was native. I was almost positive that they weren't going to put us together; I thought for sure they were going to have me teach someone Spanish. But President Clark called Sister Hopkins (another trainer) and I up, and Sister Campos and Sister Barney were left. I think President saw the excitement in my face and asked me if I knew who it was, and I said I didn't know. Once he told me to pick Hermana Campos, I squealed and basically attacked her! Haha!! I was soo excited!! I love her :) Everyone tells us that we look a like...I honestly don't really see it but who knows.

Anyways, the first few days in the area were a little rough...We knew no one and we can't go visit anyone after dark, therefore we don't have as many hours to work, which really bums us out. But now that we've gone to church we can go visit the members at night and just get to know them.

Fresno is a lot different than Los Banos!! I get on the freeway every 2 minutes it seems like, where as in Los Banos it would take about 45 minutes to get to a freeway!! Being in Los Banos, I thought I was a city girl, ya...I found out I'm not...

There is soo much work to do here!! There are a lot people that need to hear the gospel! I'm ready to work and Hna. Campos is ready to work! We know that we are together because we can accomplish many things and we're going to work our hardest to do everything that the Lord wants and needs us to do. I'm so excited to be here and I absolutely love being a missionary. There is nothing else I would rather be doing. I love being here in Fresno and I love Hna. Campos. I'm so blessed to have her. 

Sorry it's a really short lettter, I ran out of time!! I love you all!!

Love, 

Hermana Ramos-Escobar

(A/N: Even though she wrote a short letter, she sent some cool pictures!)

Left to Right:
Hermana Vogel's daughter Emily, Hermana Vogel, and her granddaughter Jaylynn.

Being silly in the car.

On the road again!

So called City-Girl driving.

I'm Leaving The Bathrooms!‏

(A/N: Alejandra here, wishing you all a happy Monday! Here is an update for Hermana Ramos-Escobar! And just for those of you who may not understand..."Los Banos" translates into "The Bathrooms", so if you didn't understand the joke, there you go. :D )

So first matters first...EVERYONE needs to go watch Meet the Mormons!! It's such a great movie!! We watched it on Friday with all the missionaries in the Northern Zones and it was soo good! It was incredible! Everyone please go watch it!!

Well on Saturday, Sister Roemmich and I were sitting in the chapel waiting for conference to start when all the sudden we get a call from President. We walked outside and I was getting nervous because I knew what was coming, one of us was going to get a calling. Sister Roemmich was finally able to put it on speaker and all I heard was "Trainer." I looked at her and pointed at myself. She then said, "YES you!! Say something!" So I said, "Yes... I  can do that...." Oh my goodness, I was totally shocked!!! I was shaking!! It never crossed my mind that I even had a possibility to be training. I knew the coordinating sisters, and my district leader wanted me to train but I didn't think it was actually going to happen!! I was honestly soo scared at first!  But I am so thankful that we had conference because it calmed me down soo much! The spirit was really my comforter at the time!

Since, I was going to be training, and Sister Roemmich was going to be a Sister Training Leader, we figured that I would be staying and she would be leaving. We spent that night saying bye to some of the families she had gotten close with these past six weeks. It was kind of sad saying bye to everyone but we were all okay, we knew good things were going to come.

So it's around 9:50 at night and we get transfer calls. I was really calm because I knew what was happening. So we start listening to it. They said "Out going missionaries..." and started naming off a handful of elders and sisters, and all the sudden I hear: "Sister Ramos will be going to Fresno, Echo East where she will be training a new missionary." My jaw dropped and I just started crying!!! I really did not think they were going to move me and ask me to train at the same time!! We later got a call from our Sister Training Leader and she said, "YES!!! I told the coordinating sisters that Sister Ramos could handle getting doubled in and training!!" (Ya.. that would have been nice to know, I could have mentally prepared myself! haha but it's okay). Needless to say, I spent most of that night crying. After talking to Sister Roemmich until about 12, I felt so much better.

I know that it is a blessing that I will be going to a new area to train. I'm really excited to be able to teach my new sister everything that I know. I want to be the best trainer I ever can be! I know it will be super challenging, but I know that I will grow from every second of it! And on the bright side, I GET TO GO TO A SPANISH WARD!!!!  I'm soo excited!! I have never missed speaking Spanish soo much!! It's going to be (and it has been) hard to say bye to people. Everyone here has played such a big part in my becoming a missionary. They helped me when I needed it the most. But now I'm ready to love everyone in Fresno! :) I love that this work will always go on! It doesn't matter where I'm at. The work is still hastening!! I love my Heavenly Father and I'm ready for this new challenge :)

The Garcia Family w/o Jaquelina! :/ I love them!! :)

Hernandez Family!! I love them soo much!! She's an amazing cook!!

Bishop Nuno and his wife! I love them!!

Zone after District Meeting!!

The zone after Zone Conference!!

Know Who You Are‏

(A/N: Happy Monday everyone! Alejandra here with another update sent (via email) by Hermana Ramos-Escobar! Enjoy!)

This week has definitely slowed down from last week!! Haha, we didn't have 5 baptisms, which is okay. I think I needed somewhat of a break, haha! :P Who am I kidding? There are no breaks in the mission!!

This coming week is the last week of the transfer. It finally hit me that I can actually leave this area. The first two transfers I knew that I was staying because I was getting trained. This past transfer, I was pretty positive I was staying because Sister McArthur was leaving, but now it's totally up in the air!! I have no clue what will happen. Part of me thinks I'm staying and part of me thinks I'm leaving! So we'll see where Heavenly Father thinks I should go!

On Saturday we had the chance to watch the Women's Conference and it was AMAZING!! I love President Uchtdorf's talk! His whole talk was really great. He talked a lot about the commandments. I have truly learned that the commandments are simply guidelines to keep us safe. It's really hard to see that some people don't look at it that way, they see it just as some rules to keep. But it's not that at all! I love keeping the commandments. But it really is because I know who I am. I know I am a child of God and I know that I will return to live with Him one day. I know that following the commandments is the only way I can do that.  I have learned that if you truly know who you are, living the gospel is so much easier. If you don't know who you are, you don't know the reason to obey all the commandments, to attend church, to do anything really. But I know that if everyone in this world were to know that they are a child of God and they really truly knew the importance of it, they would change their lives around for the better.

I love being a missionary! I wish I had more time to write but I got to run! :) 

Love always,

Hermana Ramos-Escobar

Hannah, Izzy, Noemi, Miguel and Derek All Got Baptized and Confirmed Members of the Church!!‏ :)

(A/N: Hey everyone! It's Alejandra here bringing you Hermana Ramos-Escobar's weekly email update! Enjoy!)

This week was truly AMAZING!!!!

We'll start from Wednesday. Wednesday, the 17th, was the day that Hannah got baptized. It was really great to see her enter the waters of baptism. She was excited and so ready to be baptized! When she came out of the water, her face was just beaming! She was so happy and she had the biggest smile on her face!! I had never seen her soo happy. I am so grateful I got to be a part of her baptism.

On Thursday we had zone conference and I was beyond happy! I didn't realize how happy I was until one of the elders said, "Sister Ramos, can you stop smiling for like 10 seconds?"  And I realized I couldn't! I realized that I had been smiling for like ever!! Haha! It's incredible to be with soo many missionaries. I don't know what it is, but it recharges my batteries. Even though we had to wake up 5:30 AM and drive for about an hour and 20 minutes, I was filled with energy! I was walking and talking with everyone and laughing with everyone. It was the best zone conference I have been too. I know that the Lord provided.

On Friday, was kind of a normal day...not really. We kind of did our weekly planning, but we kind of didn't. We were helping Sister Horan box up her house...Yeah, she has to move sadly. But she will be staying in the area! So we're happy about that. Along with helping her move, we had to make sure that Izzy, Noemi, Miguel and Derek where all set for their baptism the next day!

Saturday was the big day!! We started off by going to eat lunch with Noemi and Miguel. I was really excited!! Not only is Noemi one of the best cooks here in Los Banos, but Sister McArthur was going to come eat lunch with us!! She was driving down Friday night for all the baptisms and Noemi had invited her to come eat lunch with us, so she was going to come! When she finally got to Noemi's house, I about died!! I was soo happy to see her! I had missed her so much! And I was really happy to see her again and meet her sweet mom! Well, we sat there and ate with Noemi and Miguel...Noemi stuffed us with food!! But you can't turn down her food! You never know when you're going to get that great of Mexican food! 

After being with them we went to go set up everything for the baptisms. At 4:30 PM, Izzy, Noemi and Miguel, were all at the church, ready to get baptized. They all went into the water and they all came out smiling, happier than I had ever seen them before. The same happened with Derek at 7 PM, he and his sister got baptized together and they were all beaming after. 

I am truly grateful to have the gospel in my life. I am so thankful that I was able to help my Heavenly Father bring 5 people closer to Him this week!  I absolutely love being a missionary. I know it is the best decision I have ever made (Besides getting baptized)!

Today during personal study I was reading the book "Our Search for Happiness", by M. Russell Ballard. He was talking about the Holy Ghost. He said that it was much like living close to the fire department station. Everyone is able to receive service from the fire department, but those who live the closest, will be the safest. We all have access to the light of Christ, we all were born with the light of Christ to help show us the difference between good and bad. But those who have the Holy Ghost will safer and better protected.

I know that it is only by being baptized by water that we are able to receive the Holy Ghost. I know that by making the decision to be baptized, we are only taking one step closer to our Heavenly Father. It truly is only one step. We have to continue to have faith, repent, renew our convenants, listen to the Holy Ghost and endure to the end. That is the only way that we will be able to live with our Heavenly Father again.

I love Hannah, Izzy, Noemi, Miguel and Derek soo much! I have been able to feel just a little glimpse of the love Heavenly Father has for them. I am so proud of them for making this decision. And I am so happy that they now have the Holy Ghost with them, to help them be safe, to help them be protected.

I love this gospel with all my heart! I love serving as a missionary. There really is nothing I would rather be doing. It fills my heart with joy. I love it so much!

The Best Week EVER is About to Start!!!‏ :D

(A/N: Alejandra here, wishing you all a happy Monday everyone! Hope everyone is having a good day and will have a great week! For a little spiritual uplift, here is Hermana Ramos-Escobar's latest mission up date! Enjoy!)

AHH! :D :D I'm soo excited for this next week that's about to start!!

Noemi, Miguel, Hannah, Izzy, and Derek will all be entering the waters of baptism this week!! Hannah will be getting baptized on Wednesday, the 17th, the day of her birthday. Her sister Izzy will be getting baptized on the 20th! They are such great examples for me! They are truly amazing!! They have gone through so much stuff and they keep going through so much but they keep standing strong. Hannah is such a great missionary already! She invites all of her friends to come to church with her. And when we ask her about it she always says, "Well I just want them to be happy. Going to church made me happier and I feel like they need that." She truly is amazing and Izzy is also! She is such a great leader in her family!

Then we have Noemi and Miguel!! I love them soo much!! They are incredible! They are the golden investigators that everyone wants to find! At first, it was a little nerve racking because Miguel would always test us. He would say, "Why do you believe in this?" Or, "Is it true that this and this happened?" "What are your beliefs in this subject?" He would always ask us questions and he really would do it to test us! I am so thankful for the Holy Ghost and the Spirit and my companions! Haha, there is absolutely no way I would have been able to answer all of his questions on my own! They are an incredible family! I love them so much and they love us soo much as well! Noemi spoils us and Miguel's kids love us too! They're the cutest things ever!

And then we have Derek!! He will also be getting baptized on the 20th with his sister, Emma!! They are such great kids! They love having us come over and they are soo smart! Everything that we teach them, they remember! They have been soo ready for this day and I'm so happy that they both get to share the experience together! 

This is going to be one crazy week! We have District meeting on Tuesday, baptism on Wednesday, Zone Conference on Thursday (we have to leave at 6:15 to get there in time), and Friday...is somewhat normal...and then 4 baptisms on Saturday!! It's going to be a busy (but fun) week!

I am so excited for all of them to enter the waters of baptism. There are no words to describe how much I love each and everyone of them. I feel so honored and blessed to have been able to meet them and teach them. I know they will grow and do great things in the world. I am so thankful for the Spirit.  Because I know that if it wasn't for the Spirit, there wouldn't be any baptisms happening. Heavenly Father really has thought of every little thing. I am so thankful to be part of this Gospel. I love being a missionary. I know I probably say that in every e-mail, but I really do! Nothing has brought me more happiness! I'll let you all know how everything went next week! :D 

I love the Gospel and I know it's true and I cannot deny it. Nor will I ever!

Love,

Hermana Ramos-Escobar

Cuando Se Salva A Una Nina, Se Salva a Generaciones‏

(A/N: Alejandra here! Hello everyone! I'm not sure if these Author Notes have made it clear or not, but just in case it hasn't, please know that Hermana Ramos-Escobar is not the one updating this blog but it is I (THE AWESOME ONE!!) who is doing the updating. :) So with that out of the way, enjoy her email from the week!)

This week was so good! Things are definitely picking up! I guess it's just the first week of the transfer that is always really slow. So I'm glad that that part is over and we can pick up right where Sister McArthur and I left off!

The craziness is about to begin!! Dun dun dun!!!!

We have a baptism on the 17th and then four on the 20th!! Sister Roemmich and I will be super busy that week! We'll need lots of prayers! Hannah and Izzy will be getting baptized!! Hannah on the 17th (on her birthday) and Izzy on the 20th! (they wanted their own days), and then Noemi and Miguel will be getting baptized on the 20th also a long with Izzy! Derek will also be getting baptized on the 20th with his little sister, Emma, who is 8! They're a part member family, so it's really cool that he'll be able to share that experience with his little sister! I am so excited for all these baptism! I'm nervous because I know it's going to be a lot of work, but I am beyond excited for all the blessings that they will receive!! I absolutely love them all!

I'm so excited for Noemi and Miguel because they are so prepared!! They said that they would like to get sealed together in the temple!! They are truly amazing! They are the only ones we teach in Spanish! So I love being with them because I can actually practice my Spanish! Haha!

Today in the morning I was reading a talk from General Conference of April 2013 by Sister Mary N. Cook. I read it in Spanish and it was called: "Cuando Se Salva a Una Nina, Se Salva a Generaciones" ("When You Save a Girl, You Save Generations"). It was just talking about how one person can make a difference for so many generations! I know that is so true! I have said that before. I'm so thankful that I have the gospel in my life because I know now that my children will be raised in the gospel. Sister Villareal and Sister Salazar didn't just bring me into the gospel but they brought my children into the gospel also! I know that one person can truly make a huge difference.

But I started to think of the adversary also...There are so many people that fall away. There is always that opposition. Just like there are generations that come into the gospel because of one person, there are generations that fall away because of one person. It's kind of harsh to think of it that way, but I know it's true. And we need to look at the reality of things. We shouldn't live in fear but we need to live in reality. It happens.

I am so thankful that I have my Heavenly Father that is watching over me because I know that He is protecting me, especially in this world today. There are so many crazy things going on. I am so thankful that I am part of this gospel and that I am gaining more knowledge everyday. I absolutely love my Savior. I have never felt so close to my Heavenly Father. I absolutely love being a missionary! There is nothing more that I would rather be doing. I know that God lives, I know that his son Jesus Christ died for us. I know that we can all feel His love as long as we pray. Prayer brings us so close to our Heavenly Father. I love this church and I know it's true.

Love always,

Hermana Ramos-Escobar

Group photo of the missionaries!

Hermana McArthur and Hermana Ramos-Escobar

Photo of our dear missionary serving the Lord.