WOW.

Oh my gosh, I've definitely had the change of heart I've been praying for. I'm learning so much about this branch. I don't even know where to start! I mean, some of these people drive an hour to church. AN HOUR! And that's just one way! Now THAT'S dedication. WOW. So many of them are converts, so they don't know how to lead, or fulfill callings. Their culture is SO laid back, it's just so different! Church usually starts 15 minutes or more late. Kids are running up and down the isles, up to the pulpit and playing on the stairs, crawling under the benches and the parents don't even care! It's crazy! But it's because they feel like everyone is family, so nobody will be offended. And, if they can't come to church, they don't bother to get a substitute, not to be mean, but just because it doesn't even cross their mind! Part of our calling is to show and teach them how to be leaders. How to be responsible. How to sit reverently during sacrament meeting and classes. They are used to going to church for an hour (once in a while) and listening to a sermon and then going home. So this whole 3 hours of church and having responsibility is totally new to them. WOW!!! I mean, I just never thought of these things! Oh, how I have taken church for granted until now!

So far, as of my first Sunday as Y.W. President, I have 4 girls. From what I know about them so far, it sounds like their lives have been hard. Illegal immigrant parents...alcoholic parents...abuse...just, WOW. Two of them get a ride to church every Sunday with a Brother from the ward. I'm so proud of them! I look at these girls and I think of how their lives can change and be blessed with the gospel and knowing that they really are Daughters of a Heavenly Father who knows them and loves them and is always there for them. They were "raised" Catholic, (well, on Easter anyway) so they are very superstitious. I'll have to work on that, too. There hasn't been a Y.W. President in this branch yet that I know of, so I am starting completely from scratch. There is no usual 3 inch binder FULL of useful leadership information or records about the girls, you know...their phone numbers and addresses and birthdays...NADA. They don't know about mutual, or Personal Progress, they don't even have a lesson manual! I don't know how on earth they've survived thus far. But I feel so inspired and honored to get to be the one to get this ball rolling. I have 2 years to get this program structured, organized, and to get the flame lit in their testimonies. I asked them, "So, what do you know about the gospel of Jesus Christ?" And their reply was, "What's the gospel?" (GASP!) This is going to be a lot of work. But I'm excited to do it. I know I'm meant to do it now. OH!!! And Michael, "bless his heart" told President Valdez that I don't want to play the piano. I wish he would have said that I "CAN'T" play the piano...but whatever. I'm just so relieved! Anyway...I think everything is going to be okay. :)