Guess what happened?

You will never guess what is happening this transfer! But that's okay because I'm going to tell you just like I always do!
Are you ready for this??
Okay.
I'm staying in Auburn...BUT...I'm going ENGLISH speaking!!!!
I know, CRAZY! I obviously was NOT expecting it since I was called Spanish speaking and I was not warned about the change at all!
But it's okay because I know all of the decisions were made after a lot of thought and praying for revelation. God knows what He is doing!
President Eaton told me that I will only be English speaking for this transfer and that the next one I'll go right back to being an Hermana!
The reason why I'm going English speaking is because he doesn't have a lot of English sisters right now but more will be coming next transfer so he didn't want to have to close an area just to open it back up a transfer later.
So this means that Sister Walker will be my new companion. You all don't know her but she is awesome and she has this obsession/undying love for Texas!! :) And she's not even from Texas. Haha!
It should be a lot of fun! I was sad about not going to the Spanish Branch but we use the same building for church so I'll still be able to see all of the Hispanic members in the halls. It should also be easier to cover one ward instead of two stakes so that is a plus!
It will be really weird to speak in English all day though! I also realized that I don't know the first vision of Joseph Smith by memory in English. I only know it in Spanish.
Anyways, wish me luck! This next transfer is going to be full of Spanglish!
I had tons of fun with Hermana Hill this past transfer and I love her so much! We made tons of plans for this transfer of stuff to do together but that will just have to wait since we won't be companions. I love you all so much and wish you all the best! Thank you for your love and support!

Hermano Rosalio Lopez and his Ferrari ;)

La Hna Hill! Somos carnalitas!

Are we really grateful for what we have?

This past week Hermana Hill and I received priesthood blessings of comfort and just like always, it was so great!
Don't worry! Nothing is going on and we are both fine. We were just talking a lot about the priesthood power and both felt that we were in need of divine help from God. :)
The priesthood power is the power of God and worthy men that are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints can receive the power of the priesthood.
All of us fall short of perfection so these men are not perfect but as they strive to live the commandments of God and become more Christlike they are able to bless the lives of others with the priesthood.
I have a testimony that the priesthood power that many worthy men hold today is the same priesthood power that the ancient prophets had. It is the same power that Jesus Christ and His apostles had. It is the same priesthood power that was restored to the earth when God called Joseph Smith to be a prophet. It is the same power that the prophet we have today, President Thomas S. Monson and his leaders hold. 
What an incredible blessing it is that God allows worthy men to hold the priesthood to be able to serve others!
Asking for a priesthood blessing this past week was the first one I've asked for since I've been on my mission and I can't believe I didn't ask for one before.
I received my blessing from Elder Cabrera who is one of the elders in my district this transfer. He was pretty nervous about giving the blessing but the words that he said were inspired by the Holy Spirit and they were exactly what God wanted me to hear.
If any of you ever are in need of a blessing of healing or of comfort do not hesitate to ask for one from a righteous priesthood holder. In fact, it's a blessing for them to be able to use the priesthood so when we ask for blessings we are doing them a favor.
I know God lives and that He loves me and every single one of you!
Keep serving God with all of your hearts!

Love,

Hermana Soliz

Auburn District!!

I have a prediction!

I hope you all had a wonderful Mothers Day this past week!!
I was so happy that I was able to see my family over Skype! I love you all!
So I have a new prediction of what will happen this next transfer.
It turns out that Hermana Mortenson, who has been out for 3 transfers, is going to teach in English for the next couple of transfers or until we have more English sister missionaries.
However, we are still getting two new Spanish speaking sisters so that means there will be a trio somewhere!
My guess is that the trio will be here in Auburn! Which means that Hermana Hill and I will have another transfer together!
Nobody really knows what will happen but that is my guess.
This whole transfer has just flown by! The past three preparation days felt like they were one right after the other.
The Spanish branch was in charge of a stake activity that we had this past weekend and it was so much fun! There was a lot of people there and I'm hoping that we can start teaching some of the ones who weren't members. Some of the members performed a dance number and it turned out really well! There was a ton of dancing and Mexican music and of course Mexican food!
It was so cool to see the members having so much fun!
The only sad part about it was that Hermana Hill and I couldn't dance since we're missionaries. Haha! But we will visit in the future when they have another fiesta!
Also this past week we had a zone conference with President Eaton and we learned all about the Atonement of Jesus Christ and how that helps us talk to people and find new people to teach!
It was so great! Not only did we talk about the sacrifice Jesus Christ made but also of the sacrifice of the Father.
We also spent a lot of time role playing asking people different questions to help get out of the habit of just saying something like, "How are you?" It was so much fun!
I have a goal to study the sacrifice Jesus Christ made for us at least once a week! There is just so much more to learn!
I love you all so much and I know that God loves you all too!
He loves me and He is slowly changing my heart and shaping me into a better person!
Remember, "Consecration is the only surrender that is also a victory."
Hasta luego!

Hermana Soliz

Hna Hill and Soliz - Beautiful day in Auburn!

She had hiked up a hill to get a good pic for mom.

Ana and Miguel's Baptism!

This past week was another week full of blessings! The highlight of course, was the baptisms of Ana Aguilar and Miguel Gonzales.
Miguel is the 10 year-old son of Hermana Marcelina Gonzales and we visit her about once a week.
Ana Aguilar is the woman that we found and were teaching all of the lessons to. She was so prepared and ready to be baptized right from the beginning!
One thing that really helped Ana learn was that she had a friend, Hermana Lopez, who was a member of the church that she could go to with her questions.
Ana met Hermana Lopez while she was walking in the neighborhood one day and even though it was the first time they had met Hermana Lopez used the opportunity to invite Ana to a church devotional, where people would be sharing their testimonies and watching church videos.
Ana accepted the invitation and ever since then she wanted to learn more.
This is a wonderful example of how we can do missionary work! It is also proof that we can do missionary work with EVERYONE! It doesn't just have to be our family and close friends.
We had dinner this past week with a member who lives in Puyallup and she was telling us about a talk she had heard at church.
The member giving the talk was a convert to the church and explained that throughout her life she knew many people who belonged to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints but none of them shared the gospel with her. She continued to explain that the time between her first encounter with someone who was LDS and the time that she actually learned about the church was 17 years. She then said that 17 years is too long.
Just like this member who shared her experience in church I know that 17 years is too long. We can all do so much better than that!
There are so many different ways that we can share the knowledge of Christ's teachings with others! Pray for opportunities to share the knowledge you have and I know God will put prepared people in your path.
You might think that it's scary to speak with others or that you don't want to be pushy but when we know the truth it is our duty to share it. Some people will choose not to listen and that is okay, but we must open our mouths and give them the opportunity to learn more about what God has in store for them. If we never open our mouths they will never know.
I know that all of you can find someone and help them learn more and be baptized like Ana and Miguel. I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints has the power and authority of God to carry out ordinances such as baptism. This is part of the message we need to share with the world.
I know that people can change and that there is always hope! The teachings of Jesus Christ that are found only in this church really can change lives.
I love you all and hope you have a great week!

Hermana Soliz

Ana's Baptism! All three of these lovely missionaries have been my companion!! Love them all!

Miguel with the Elders, love him!

Showered with Blessings!

This week we had so many things happen that I don't even know where to begin!
Well Hermana Hill and I have received an overflow of referrals to visit which is great! We've found some new people to teach, including a family so we are excited about that!
Ana Aguilar had a baptism date set for May 9th but now she is getting baptized May 2nd! :)
We have been inviting everyone we talk to to come to the baptism!
It's really cool because awhile back President Eaton suggested asking people "Have you ever seen a baptism by immersion before?" as a way to get a conversation started and now we can actually do it!
Also our investigator Daniela got married! She looked so beautiful!!
We also had another mission devotional Sunday night!
Audon and Maria Ayala, who I taught in Renton both gave their testimonies!
Rosalio Lopez who was also recently baptized gave his testimony too!
I love the devotionals and they are a great way to do missionary work!
One of the videos that was shown at the devotional was the video of the parable of the prodigal son. I love that video! I love it so much that I sent it so you all can watch it!

This is the link
http://www.mormonchannel.org/watch/series/mormon-messages/the-other-prodigal-son 

I know that our Heavenly Father lives and loves us. It is never too late to follow Him. I know that when you read the Book of Mormon you will feel the spirit of God testify to you that the Book of Mormon is true. I know that as we read the Bible and the Book of Mormon everyday we will be guided by the spirit and God will shower us with blessings!
One chapter I studied a lot this past week was Enos chapter 1 in the Book of Mormon. I learned a lot about prayer and the relationship that I want to have with God. I learned and recognized things that I hadn't before. I hope you all read the Book of Mormon and I invite you all to learn more about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. If you learn more about the church and it's teachings you will come to understand why I came to share the teachings of Jesus Christ with others for 18 months. I love you all so much! Keep learning more about the gospel and keep growing!

Love,

Hermana Soliz

What really happens during weekly planning!

Auburn Zone Service Project Activity

Me, Daniela, and Hna Hill

Daniela and Ricardo's wedding!

Update from Auburn....

Hay mucho trabajo aqui en Auburn y Puyallup y estamos emocianados para ver todos los milagros que vamos a tener esta traslado! :)
Hermana Hill es la mejor!

So Hermana Hill and I have only been companions for about a week but I know that we are going to see miracles together this transfer! :)

We have already talked to so many different people that I know we are bound to find someone to share our message with!

We were trying really hard to receive referrals with no luck but yesterday we received one!! :)
Also yesterday we contacted this man named Daniel who was riding a horse. Go figure. It was my first contact with someone on a horse.

We had taken a wrong turn and we saw him riding his horse down the street and we were so excited that there was a horse but then we passed him and realized that he was Latino so we turned around and talked to him!

We also found this trailer park that we had no idea existed and there is a lot of Spanish speaking people that live there so there is definitely potential to find new people to share the gospel with!

I've been working on sharing a scripture from the Book of Mormon anytime I talk to someone ans two of my favorite experiences from this past week while doing that were with Cameron and Steven.

With Cameron the conversation started out by me asking how long it took him to grow out his hair which was a little shorter than mine. It was just the first thing that popped into my head and then all of a sudden it came out of my mouth. I probably could've thought of something better but oh well. It turned into a really cool conversation and I was able to talk about faith and testify that God lives. I was also able to share a scripture from the Book of Mormon with him and he accepted one! I also left him Alma 32 to read and he said he would actually read it for real! :)

When we found Steven it was totally because of divine intervention from God. We were looking for a certain apartment that seemed to be nonexistent so we decided to get out and and contact people in the area. That's when we found Steven outside smoking. He was actually taught a lot of the lessons in the past by the Elders but because of one reason or another had stopped learning. He said that he had been praying to God for answers to know what to do. I shared one of my favorite scriptures with Him, Ether 12:27, and testified that I knew it wasn't a coincidence that we where there that day to talk to him and that running into us was part of his answer from God.

I know that just like in these two experiences God's hand is in everything! His plan is perfect and we need to trust in that. God knows each and every one of us and what we are going through. He knows how to comfort us.

I had the opportunity to see very clearly this past week the difference between what happens when we keep trying our hardest to keep the commandments of God and when we give up because of our own desires to have things be easier or to do what we want before the things of God.

I testify that things without our Heavenly Father are NEVER easier and we are definitely NOT happier! Do not fall into Satan's trap and settle for less than what you deserve! Fighting for  the right to live with God again is worth so much worth than the temporal things that will only last for this lifetime.

I love you all and you are in my prayers!

Love Hermana Soliz

Me with my new companion, Hna Hill!

Holding Ashleigh's duck :)

Mulu is from Ethiopia, hardly knows English. We work together at food bank.

Last time Hna Singer and I were together before transfers, will miss her.

Staying in Auburn!!

So we got transfer calls but I'm not the one leaving. I'm staying in Auburn for the next 6 weeks and Hermana Singer is going to Federal Way. Hermana Hill who is one transfer  ahead of me will come to Auburn with me. It should be tons of fun! :) I hear that she is a fantastic and obedient missionary! 
I'm glad I get to stay here in Auburn another transfer because with all of the crazy changes this past transfer I haven't been here very long.

I've been thinking a lot about consecration and God's will and pride and just a whole lot of stuff lately and I am learning so much! :) While I was researching I came across this quote that I thought I would share :)

 "Just give it up. Surrender your will to Him. Unconditionally. Withhold nothing. Turn it all over to Him; all of your desires, wishes, dreams, and hopes. Be true and faithful in your head and in your heart, not just in your behavior. Trust in Him. Trust Him who knows all things. Trust Him who has all power. Trust Him whose love for you is perfect. Trust Him, who alone, suffered, paid, and atoned for your sins, and for your weaknesses as well. Trust Him that He will make of you, immeasurably more, than what you will ever, ever, in all eternity, make of yourself. He will create of you a masterpiece. You will create of you only a smudge. You will create an ordinary man. He will create a God."
The Lord said, "Let me make of you all that you can be."    

Isn't that just so true! The only thing that matters is if we are trying to align our will with God's will. If we're not then in the end we are selling ourselves short.

The miracle and highlight of this past week was Yesmin Valera's baptism!
She was one of my very first investigators when I was in Enumclaw! I always knew she was going to be baptized and I'm so glad I had the opportunity to be there and support her! I love her and her family so much! The baptism was amazing and it was the first one I cried at. Yesmin wanted me to bear my testimony at the baptism and well...I cried. Happy tears of course! :) Then they had Hermana Mitchell on watching on Skype and she gave her testimony too and I cried some more! It was a great night and I know Betty and David will be baptized soon too! Then they can go be sealed as a family in the temple :)

I love being a missionary! I get to meet so many different people from different walks of life. I get to share with them the most important message there is to offer. The message of the restoration of the church of Jesus Christ. I get to celebrate with them in the good times and comfort and support them through the hard times.

Yesmin's baptism was a very special time and I hope I never forget the feelings of love and peace that I felt there.
 
Les Quiro mucho!

Hermana Soliz   

Yesmin with her family.

I got to come to Enumclaw and Sis Mitchell was on Skype to support Yesmin!

Yesmin and sweet Brother Blad!