I´m coming home....I´m coming home...Tell the world I´m coming home...

Hey there family!!

So this last week was great. It was a good last week of hard work. I
love Guaymas! It has been a tough area..like really tough but I have
loved every minute because I know that the Lord has pushed me and
molded me even more into the person he needs me to be.I am far from
perfect but the experiences of the mission and living this gospel to
its fullest has really helped me progress and understand better my
purpose. Everything I have been able to experience in this year and a
half has been to teach me and boy have I learned. Being a student of
the Lord is such a great way to learn, he truly is the master. I have
come to love this gospel so much more and to truly learn to love
others. I have learned too much and I wish that I can put everything
on this screen but I can´t do that. I just want you guys to know that
I love this gospel and love this work! It has not bin easy and there
have been many tears, disappointments and failures but they have
strengthened me. Don´t get me wrong though there has also been lots of
laughs, joy and pure happiness. And all the happiness and joy have
pushed all these negatives feelings to one side. I don't know if I
have told you this quote before but its so great if I did sorry,but I
am just going to share it again. Its says..." In the mission the
sorrows will outnumber the joys, but the joys will outweigh the
sorrows." Its hung up here in the house of the missionaries. Its true
because as missionaries we get rejected a lot but we are so happy for
all those rejections because it gets us one step closer to someone or
a family who is ready! And when we experience those joys they truly
outweigh everything else. We also get the privilege to work more
closely with the Lord and witness many miracles everyday. Actually
today I have already seen two miracles!!


The first one was this morning when we were at the bus station waiting
to get picked up. Hermana Herrera (my old companion and daughter) told
me that they found a woman who has been looking for the gospel. She
saw Hermana Herrera´s name tag and was hey you are a missionary right.
She asked her who works in Niza (my area) and she told the woman that
my companion and I do! The woman then grabs Hermana Herrera{s agenda
and writes down all her information and tells her send them to my
house so they can teach me and my family we want to get baptized. So
awesome right?! I wont be there but it doesn't matter that is the
family we have been praying and fasting for! Now they can receive the
gospel!!


Miracle number two was that Brandon and Ramses got baptized and have
the priesthood!! I taught their family in Pueblitos and left them all
with baptism dates before I got transferred. They are the family of
ten!! Well The two sons just got baptized this last transfer and the
rest of the family is right behind them. I was so happy to hear that
though because I thought that maybe the other missionaries didn´t keep
visiting them. But the Lord helped them receive the gospel and soon
the whole family will be baptized and be in the temple in no time.
Like Elder Nelson always says we have to have the end in mind…eternal
life!!

Sometimes as a missionary you can feel like you haven´t done much but
then stories like this come into your life and you realize all your
work was for something. We all have a roll to play and every roll is
important! Well i love you all and I love this gospel and I don´t have
a doubt in my heart that it is ALL TRUE. We will have much more to
talk about everything later. I have to go now.... Take care!!

See you all soon! Don´t be late to the airport haha LOVE YOU!! Signing out!



Love,
 Hermana Rauch

Many miracles are happening

Hey there fam!! How are you guys??

So this has been an awesome week!! Lots of work and lots of fun! There
are so many things I want to tell you!! So I will share some fun
stories...

First off...God has a good sense of humor because look what happened.
We have been praying for a family of five people to find and teach and
baptize. And well they always teach us to be specific in our prayers
and we weren't specific enough because in Spanish we said "..Padre
ayúdanos encontrar la familia de cinco.." And well this week we found
Gabriel and Maria Cinco. Yep that's there last name jaja They just
moved here from Monterrey and we are excited to teach them but we were
not expecting that as our answer for the family of five jaja But God
works in mysterious ways so maybe they are the family we needed to
find!

Then we found the Franco family. We went looking for a less active
family and knocked on the wrong door (the door of the Franco family).
They told us which was the right house and we thanked them and went to
go on the right door. We wanted to tell them(Franco family) about  the
gospel but they didn't open their screen door. So we went knocked on the
door of the less active family and they weren't home. My companion
hermana Smith and I both felt that we had to go back to the Franco`s
house so we did. We knocked on the door and they answered! they
accepted us in their house and they told us that they wanted to get
closer to God and we were glad that we came back. Its was so amazing to
see the reward of following the spirit!! They are an amazing family of
four!

Then we found Paul and Erika and their two children. It was like
8:30pm and we had nothing else to do because all of our plans fell
through sadly. We didn't want to go home early so we decided we were
going to go tracking in our housing track. We were walking and there
was NO ONE in the streets. We were determined to find someone tho so
we kept looking. My companion Hermana Smith all of a sudden says she
saw a key and I was like okay..and she insisted we find the key. So we
took out our cell and used the little lamp we had to find the key and
after a few minutes I found the key! Then I thought now what...Well we
knocked on the door off the house in front and they told us that it
wasn't their key and that maybe it was the neighbors key and shut the
door fast. We went to knock the neighbors house and nobody was home
but just in that minute the family pulled into the driveway. They
came out of the car with puzzled faces and the first thing I said was ,
"Hola, buenas noches, creo que encontramos su llave." They were so
happy that we found it!! They went all the way to a beach called San
Carlos to go find the key and couldn't find it. They were so happy
that we found it like super super happy because it was a key to their
motorcycle. They invited us to teach them the gospel and said they
wanted to go to church and share the gospel with their friends. We
joked later and Hermana Smith and I were saying we may of given them
the key to their motor cycle but next we will give them the key to
enter the waters of baptism and begin their journey living the gospel
to make it back to our eternal home. We thought we were clever jaja
But really it was such a cool experience!! They are such a prepared
family!!

Okay last one...there is more but I can't write them all. So usually as
missionaries we say good morning, good afternoon and good night to the
whole world because we are nice like that jaja Well one day after
lunch we were walking to an appointment and said "Buenas tardes" to a
woman in the street she didn't respond and we thought hmmm thats weird
and kind of rude but turns out she was crying! She looked startled
when we passed by because I think she was thinking of a lot of things
and then said said softly " Buenas tardes muchachas". I knew and felt
we had to talk to her...so we did! We shared a brief message with her
and showed her a video and she just started crying more and told us
this is what she needed. More than anything she needed help with her
oldest son. We told her that our message was for the families and that
we could help her if she put her faith in the Lord. She told us where
she lived and we made an appointment and hugged and kissed us. I know
that God helped us find her in that moment and that the gospel will
bless their lives.

But yes as you can see many miracles are happening here in Guaymas!!! I
love it here so much. We have so much work to do that I don't have too
much time to think of other things so that's good!! I love this work
and I am so blessed to be a part of it. The gospel is true and I love
sharing it!! I hope this letter finds you all well and surrounded with
love.  Have a great week and we will talk more next time!!! Love you
guys!!! SO MUCH!! :)

Con todo mi amor,
Hermana Rauch

Hermana Smith and Hermana Rauch

Guaymas!!!

GUAYMAS!!!!!

Wellll hey there family!!! How are you guys???

First off I cant believe that Brent is a missionary!!! he is so grow
up? How did it go dropping him off at the airport and hearing him be
set apart?? Wow I cant believe I am missing so much of Brents
spiritual growth. It makes me so sad!! He is getting to grown up. But
I am sure you say the same about me.But that is how it is right. I
know that he is okay :) I hope you are all well and that you have been
having many great experiences, especially with missionary work!!! And
that so fun that missionaries are coming home and you are able to see
their growth!! Its is honestly so crazy to see the time just fly by.
There is a quote I saw the other day that's says, " Time goes go slow
for those who don't work, time goes fast for those who do, but for
those who love the work of the Lord time doesn't exist." And boy is
that true!!! I have honestly grown to love this work!! And it has
made the time not exist. Everyday I just know I have to get up and do
the Lord's will and it really doesn't matter the day. Everyday we are
just expected to do our best and keep progressing and keep helping
those we come to love progress!! Its an amazing work to be apart of 
and this good thing is we are all invited to the work!!

Here in Guaymas its a little hard for us to find people to teach. The
whole zone has been struggling including my companion and I. We have
tried every idea in and out of the book and have been working and
praying like crazy!!! Its been hard but I know that the lord will
bless us soon. We just have to keep completing with him. The scripture
that has been motivating me is DyC 82:10 " I, the Lord, am bound when
ye do what I say; but when ye do not what I say, ye have no promise. "
As missionaries we have a higher law of obedience and sometimes we
receive rules that just seem ridiculous but I know if we are obedient
to our mission president and the laws of our father in heaven he is
bound to bless us!! So that is exactly what my companion and I have
been doing! I know that soon we will see the blessings. The area is
tough but our love for the work is strong. I know that the Lord has
people prepared to hear us we just need to find them But that's is
basically what we are doing right now...finding...finding...finding!!
It would be a lot easier if the members would help!! So please help
our missionaries back home!!! They need you!!! We need your help!!!
But the good thing is that my companion is really comitted and she has
been helping me be happy through all this and vice versa. Sometimes we
can get bummed out but together we pump each other up!! We will pick up
our area soon and then everyone will want to be in our area. I just
know it haha

I love you guys and I am so proud of you guys!! Sending two
missionaries out is tough. But I aprereciate the things you have
taught us all through life. Thanks too you guys Brent and I are out in
the field!!! I love you and I love this gospel!!! Take care and
rememer to share the gospel!!!

Con todo mi amor,
Hermana Rauch

I'm here in Guaymas!

Hola Familia!!

Como estan??? How are you??

Well we had transfers and I am here in Guaymas!! It’s another city...finally!! haha I am here next to the beach. It’s quite a temptation. I just want to go and enjoy the beach because its sooo pretty but I can’t haha Mom you would want to take pictures all day here haha But don´t worry I am behaving! It’s really weird being here.

I honestly really miss my old area. There is just a lot to get used to.

The majority of the missionaries here are way to relaxed too. We are

far from president . I need to keep working hard. But, on the bright side, I love my companion, she is great. Her name is Hermana Rocha. Remember how abuelita would always joke about me being Hermana

Rocha??? haha Its quite entertaining being companions because

everywhere we go its like Rauch and Rocha...everyone says we should

form a band haha Or put our names together and call us Raucha or

Rouch...yeah lets just say we confuse everyone. I need to send

pictures but here my cable wont work with this computer next week we

will find a new place. Promise!!!

Well this week has been pretty tough for us because we are opening an new area. But we have seen miracles and been truly blessed. I have been

able to learn the area pretty fast but trust me we are getting lost a

lot.  But getting lost is a good excuse for asking people where we are

and then presenting ourselves as missionaries.  But yeah we are just

finding people to teach like crazy and have been working a lot with

the Bishop Ibarra and the members and less actives. We have seriously

had such cool experiences. I am going to share two. Okay so first one

was a less active we found. Her name is Carmen and she has been away

from the church for a while now. She is married and has a little girl

but she is the only one baptized. She hasn't been to church because

she didn't know if it was really all true and felt rushed into

baptism. So we visited her this week twice and had two really powerful

lessons. The spirit is always so strong in her house. She said she

would come to church and yep on Sunday morning there she was with her

daughter. SHE LOVED CHURCH! After it was all over she came up to us and said “wow this is exactly where I need to be.” I am so glad she felt

that confirmation from the spirit and I know we have to keep helping

her be strengthened.  She told us later she had been visiting other

churches because she was so confused but she now knows that the church of Jesus Christ of latter day saints is for her!! We were so happy to

hear that. And we know that we need the members to work with us to

keep her coming.  Another cool experience happened last night.  We had a

few appointments lined up and well they all fell through. It was early

like 7pm and I was like what are we going to do. Well in that moment I

thought of a family we received as a reference a few days back. We had

already gone to contact them but they weren´t ever home. So as we

passed their house I was like I think we need to visit Felix and Anel.

I didn't know why but I was just like lets go there. So we did and

they were home!!! The kids were all excited and they arranged all the

chairs in a circle and the husband was all ready to listen because he

was the one who told the missionaries to visit them.  But the wife

Anel came out and was, oh no I am catholic and I will always be

catholic. And the kids were like come on mom lets listen to

them... they´re missionaries of God!! So we started with a hymn, I am a

Child of God and from there the spirit totally changed. It was soo

awesome to see how engaged both Anel and Felix were along with there

three kids.  The lesson went great and they did want us to go haha.  We

meet with them again on Tuesday! We will see what happens. But the

thing I really like about these experiences is that the SPIRIT was

working through us and that is what made all the difference. He is the

one that truly testifies and converts the people!! It’s amazing to see

people have the spirit change them. This work is truly amazing.  I love

it!!! There is a lot to do here so I hope we can do it well!! We just

have to rely on the Lord, I know that if we do our part and put ourselves in

his hands he will guide us.

I love this gospel!!! And I love you guys!!! I hope that you are having an amazing experience with missionary work!!! Take care and know that you are always in my prayers!!! Love you tons!!

Con amor y cariño,

Hermana Rauch

Surviving a summer in Hermosillo

Hey there familia!!!!!

How are you all doing this week??? Lots of fun it looks like!!! How's school?? You still send the kids right??haha

      Wow!!!I am so happy for Janae!! She will love her mission!! Its a lot of sacrifice to live the gospel or make choices that lead you on the right path for everyone but it is totally all worth it. I feel like the more time I am out here the harder it gets but at the same time the Lord gives me more strength and teaches me more and more. he never leads our side and will be there through it all. So when do the rest of the missionaries leave and where are they going?? I can't believe Brent will be next...that´s so crazy!!! The mission is such a great experience they will all have something different to take on but it will be awesome. And holy cow Lauren is a mom!!!! That is so crazy!!!! Her baby girl is precious tho!!! I can't wait to meet her!! She is so beautiful!! Crazy to see all the stuff that happens in just nine months. Everyone is off getting married, having babies, and going on missions and just growing up!! Its insane how fast time flies!! We are ending another transfer here on the mission. It is scary because every day just goes faster and faster!!! I am looking for a pause button still haha Let me know if you find it, okay??  And awe my sweet Bryson...I sure miss that boy!!!! Hug him and kiss him a lot for me!!:) Hug everyone for me haha

       As for me things here are going well. The heat is taking a chill pill and not trying to kill us anymore...well kinda haha It is still really hot but it winding down from what it was like before. The people here joke that there are only two stations here in Hermosillo summer and the train station haha It may be only funny it Spanish but I think you guys will get it. As a zone we are thinking of making I survived a summer in Hermosillo shirt when the summer finishes at the end of October. Its like the shirts they have for scary roller coaster or huge mountains people climb and stuff like that but we need one for here. Nobody will understand it but we will haha My companion and I have found lots of families to teach this weeks!! Its amazing how the Lord lets us show our faith and work hard and in the last two weeks here has lead us to have some amazing experiences and find some awesome families. Its fun to teach people about the gospel but when you can find an entire family that makes all the difference. We have been so blessed to find a lot these passed weeks!! We are being blessed that's for sure!!! We have also started doing more activities with the ward so that they can invite their friends. We are teaching English classes which brings lots of new people to teach and are working a lot with the members. Its been giving us lots of success now, we have to do our part and teach them well and with the spirit. We are also teaching family history classes. We are busy busy busy!!! There is not ever enough time in the day but we have been greatly rewarded. The ward is looking a lot fuller too every Sunday because we have been focusing a lot on less actives too. All our efforts are being blessed. The Lord always blesses us but sometimes it is after the trial of our faith!! I am always being taught while I am out here that not everything is at the time I want it to be or in the way I want it because the Lord knows the when and where and why to everything and if we are going to do his work we have to do it in his way...no other way works!!!

Well LOVE you all sooo much!!! Take care and we will talk more next week!!!! Promise!!

Hermana Rauch

Hey Family!!!!!

 How are you all doing?? Okay well first off let me answer all mom's questions so I don't forget...

1.) The baptism got changed to this weekend for the Fierro Flores Family so I will tell you how it goes!

2.) And I got sick with the food, it always gets me and my companion sick

3.) And yes thank you the oils work

4.) And we eat with members usually everyday for lunch except pday

5.) The food is good mostly beans and tortillas I just get sick a lot and throw it all up

6.) And yes we have a little griddle now to cook with

7.) Yep still in Jardines, Hermosillo with Hermana Malaga. She's training me so we will be together for the next transfer too

8.) We can not use members computers to email it is against the rules, only for holidays to Skype

9.) No videos

10.) Yes I can print emails but is is expensive and I usually only do it when I don't have time to read them all but not often

Okay there you go haha :) So yes we are finishing this transfer next week and Hermana Malaga and I will be together again for the next transfer. We had to move some baptism dates around so Jimena and Miguel are being baptized this saturday and then Maria Elena, Nicanor, and Rafaela on the 22nd of February and hopefully a few more of our investigators will accept their dates too. It is so exciting to be apart of all these peoples lives. They are amazing for all the changes that they are making and really want to come unto Christ and their testimonies continue to grow. I love being here and being apart of this great change and decision to enter the waters of baptism. And something totally random is that we sing all the time!!! Everyone here wants us missionaries to do musical numbers at church and at baptism and at their houses and they just always want us to sing. They love it so much!! I am definitely not a singer so it is a little uncomfortable, well more in the beginning I am used to it now because it is like protocol haha But yes the Hermanas and Elders over here are singing machines. It actually is kinda fun now because I am learning all these hymns and church songs in spanish. But yeah my Spanish is coming along not fluent yet but it is good. We are busy busy teaching all of our investigators and getting them ready for baptism. We go out with the youth a lot which is fun and we get to see them excited to work. Hopefully Brent is going on with the elders. Do we have elders in the ward still? Or even having the missionaries teach people in our home or going out with them just even for one lesson!! I know it makes all the difference when the members come out with us. The people progress so much faster and gain those friendships that are essential. It is so HARD to get members to come to lessons with us we really struggle but they are slowly getting more excited about the work as they understand their vital role. I wish our family was more missionary involved because now I see the struggles. So hopefully you can offer the missionaries our home for a lesson or go out with them some time. I know they will love it! We are pulling teeth over here to get members out and the reason is we really can not do it alone. I know that your busy after reading all those fun activities and I don't want to be annoying haha Just a good idea!:)

  Thanks for always filling me in on what is new!! Tell all the boys I love them so much!! Brent, Brendan, Breckin and Bryson
Im sending you all a big hug a kiss!!xoxoxo That is great that they are playing sports, going out and having fun, dates, piano, and all that good stuff. And yes tell Brent to go to EFY!! He may feel old who knows whats ages go now with all the mission age changes but go if he wants. I loved EFY!! I am so happy that I went for those four summers and blessed. My testimony was strengthened so much and I had so many unbelievable spiritual experiences. And holy cow Brent is graduating this year that is so weird I feel so old. Enjoy senior year Brent!! And is he going to BYUI first or his mission?? And yeah that is good that Brent and Brendan are doing their eagles. Get it done already haha And wow I wish I could see them play basketball I am sure it is so fun. We always have zone pdays and everyone wants me on their team to play basketball haha We played football today too and everyone was impressed with my arm to throw. It is so fun getting to play all these different sports but it is kinda unfair for all the people who are really short haha But it is fun and we get a good workout in! See mom don't worry I am taking care of myself haha And Aww tell little Bryson that I miss him so much and squeeze him tight for me!! I miss all of you a lot but I know that I am in the right place. And I love that book you sent me its the best. I want another one with pictures of you guys and my friends for my birthday haha Tell all the boys I think of them and I am glad they are all doing well and having fun with all their activities.  And of course I love you and daddy a lot!! Really I appreciate all your support you have always given me in everything I do especially my mission. I have met so many missionaries here who are converts or the only members in their family and have done all they can to be here on the mission. Lots of crazy stories but their parents don't support them and a lot don't write and have kicked them out and all these horrible things. But they are some of the strongest missionaries I know. They know the gospel is true and they do not need anything else. These people I have met have really made me so much more grateful for you all and for all the support you have given me always. I don't know how I could do this without you guys, so thank you!!xoxox 

   Well I love you and I will talk to you more next week!!! Take care and know you are in my prayers!! And check the mail soon there should be mail soon!!:)
Love Hermana Rauch!!!!