That time someone go hit by a motorcycle...SuperNURSE

January 11, 2016

Hey all,

So this isn't just a fun title. It is actually something that happened this week. One of our missionaries was hit by a motorcycle. I was able to visit her and assess the healthcare being given and then we were able to do divisions with her and her companion in their area after she had been released from the clinica. She was incredibly blessed. She didn't break even one bone. The Lord truly protects his missionaries. It was crazy. I was able to do some serious nursing this week and by serious nursing I mean I changed bandages and watched other nurses give injections. ;) 

But my testimony was strengthened so MUCH!!! We were able to only be in our area for half the week but my comp reminded me of my calling as a nurse and that it is my primary assignment and as I give my all to it the Lord will bless me with opportunities when I am available. It was incredible. The days we were able to leave and make visits we were introduced to 4 new investigadores by a member that have such potential to progress. We are still working with Richard and Carin and trying to help them progress but they haven't come back to church yet and we are unsure. 

We are changing a lot of the goals we have as a mission and going to be talking a lot more to those we pass in the street and focusing on not letting a single opportunity pass us by to talk with everyone!! I am SUPER EXCITED to get out there and get talking. I know the Lord will fill our mouths with what we have to say. I was able to share with two ladies in our time in the other area and on the buses. It was a great experience. I also came closer to my Savior this week. I know that when all is hard and wrong and that when we feel all alone he is there and he gives us the strength to carry on. he will help us have the love for others. he will give us the power to forgive others. he is truly the WAY the TRUTH and the LIFE!! With him...we can do all things. I love my savior and I love the chance I have to testify of him and of the joy that can be found through this gospel each and every day!!! Have a great week and remember him....come closer unto hiM!!!

Love,

Hermana Albach 

Mujerdocio -- Not really but almost

January 18, 2016

Hola todos!!!

H. Castillo and K80

Como estan?? Well this week was super great!!! Loved it! We had a great zone meeting on Monday where we set up some other key indicators to help us talk with everyone and have people progressing towards baptism! Then we went to get ice cream and there just so happened to be a sale of 3 liters of ice cream for the same as one. So H. Bowen and I took them up on that and needless to say all the elders were REAL surprised. We had ice cream for the rest of the week. hahaha. Not good. but nice in this ridiculous calor <heat> that we have right now. Then our comps headed to Asuncion for tramites and Hermana Bowen and I were together for a day. it was SO MUCH FUN!

We got to teach together once again and it was just awesome to fit right back together without much problem.

We had a great day! Then we had a bunch of nursing things for my comp this week but even with that we tried to actively talk to people on the bus, on the way and just everywhere. I will admit sometimes I chickened out..yeah even still it is sometimes hard for me. But we are just loving life and the area. We are getting prepared for the capilla abierta <open house> that we will be having this upcoming Friday! 

<This sister was hit by a motorcycle driving too fast down a sidewalk. Her eyelid was sliced open along with her leg. She is doing much better now and on the mend.>

Carne asada!

And now for the reason behind the title. We were officially the only two women at the elders quorum home teaching activity. There was no one and I had been at the church doing nursing. THey invited us to eat the asado they had prepared. so we accepted but little by little more and more sacerdocio <priesthood> arrived. It was pretty awkward  but the branch presidente said I only have to come to two more activities to be actively assigned as a member of the quorum. MUJERDOCIO! <women in the priesthood> I laughed pretty hard. Good times.

Also was able to give a talk this week and I realized something really great. Our conversion to the gospel is best measured by our desire to share it with those around us. Are we taking an active part in the obra misional <missionary work> in our specific parts of the world or are we laying back thinking "oh the missionaries will do it". We are all a part of this precious work and when we truly have participated in the atonement of Jesus Christ, we naturally want to share and bring others unto this joy!

Love you all,

Hermana Albach

Oh, how I love this girl!

Feliz 2016!!

January 4, 2016

Hey everybody. It has officially been three days and it is already p day again. So not much new stuff has happened. I am super grateful for my companion who has designated herself as the official nursing secretary and she even takes phone calls sometimes. It has been a great relief because we have some pretty sick missionaries that have taken a lot of my time lately. But as she reminded me today, I am doing things that are really changing and helping those around me. It was a good reminder that even though I may not be helping those in my specific area, I am helping the Lords children and even more importantly the Lord missionaries so that they, in turn, can help even more of His children. 

I love this work and we are excited to get working and helping others to come unto their Savior Jesus Christ. I am currently reading in the New Testament and I came upon a verse in chapter 24:24, i think. It talks about even the very elect being led away by the false christs that will come and do miracles. As I was thinking about how much I don't want to be led away, the thought came to me, or probably inspiration: I won't be led away if I KNOW and have FELT the true love of my Savior. We must come to KNOW him so that we are NEVER led astray. How do we come to know Him? We do all the things he asks us, we pray and talk with the father, and we read the words that he taught. I have felt much closer to my Savior as I have read the new testament and thought more about who was and is Jesus Christ and what was he like? How did this happen? I know that as we strive to come to know our savior we can have the experiences and confirmations that the apostles or authorities have. We have to determine what we want and then ask in faith believing and it will be given unto us. Incredible promise. Try it out!!

Love you all,

Hermana Albach

Prospero Ano Nuevo

January 1, 2016
<Happy New Year!>

Hola todos!!!

I LOVE this girl and will miss her immensely!

I hope you are having a wonderful first day of year 2016. We are spending it having p day instead of on Monday. Don't have much time but being able to see my family for Christmas was a special treat but also to be able to spend so much time with those that I love here in Paraguay for both of the holidays and feel so wanted and needed was incredible! I know this church is true. It is so interesting to me when we contact people and ask if they have ever asked if their church is true and they respond with "no but it is tradition of the family." I am so grateful every time I can reflect to myself and be grateful that I have asked, and I have received an answer and I know that this church is true. I do not attend just because all my family does, I go because I know it is the only way to come closer to my Savior and renew the covenants I made with Him at baptism. What a great promise. 

K8, Elder Hodson, H. Castillo, Elder Gosch
New Year's Eve Dinner with Familia Sanchez

So we had transfers this Monday and surprise, surprise I am STAYING in Rama 2 and I am now with Hermana Castillo de Lima, Peru. She is chiquitita <small, petite> but super spunky and sassy and is so strong! I am very privileged to be her companion and learn from her and her experiences. She has been a member for 6 years and she is the only member of 11 people in her family. What faith...and whenever we talk about struggles our investigators have she always says, "they can do it, they just need more faith." 

So I challenge you all to evaluate your faith and read Ether 12 and Hebrews 11 and strive to be as the people written about!!

love.

hermana albach

Not sure I want to let her go

Elders Hutchison, Cabrera, Gosch

Cheeeese! Happy Day, Alejandro

Gosh! Elder Gosch trying out my sun hat.

Elder Cabrera

Lightning, Luz, and Tuesday Emails

December 14, 2015

Hey everybody,

As usual don't have much time but I just want to share my simple yet strong testimony of our Savior Jesus Christ. I know that HE is the reason for the season. That without Him there would be no happiness. That He is truly the greatest gift that has ever been given to mankind. No amount of time, money, or chucci <fancy> wrapping paper can one up the gift of a Savior to the world. The gift of an ever present  and loving best friend. The gift of repentance and true and lasting peace. 

I know that He LIVES that He loves, and that He is HERE. He is in every act of service, in every smile, and in every tear. The Lord is always WAITING with open arms. So let Him in. Let Him be a part of your life, who you are, and what you can truly become with Him. My favorite scripture and one that has brought me comfort time and time again...when I have to eat something really gross, or when I am watching someone that I love so much make poor decisions and turn away from Christ is this: Phillipians 4:13. TODO LO PUEDO en Cristo que me FORTALECE!!! <I can do everything through Christ which strengthens me.> He is the way, the light and the truth!! 

I love you all and hope you take time to come to know your Savior a little bit better this holiday season. What are you going to give to your Savior? It is HIS birthday and a time that we should focus on how we can truly make Him happier? I am doing great and loving where I am and who I am with and the great potential and power our area has for change and growth!!! 

Love, 

Hermana Albach 

**Not sure what her title means this time but so thankful to read and enjoy her testimony. Mom Albach