Being a Mormon missionary is often difficult.  Persecution has always been part of the deal!  Erika is getting her share, that's for sure! Here's a recent example: one day while she was out tracting, a man with a long, jeweled beard opened the door.  She told him who she was and he asked if she believed the Book of Mormon is the word of God.  Erika said "YES, I do!"  Then he told her he had studied Mormonism and that it was a cult.  He pointed at her and said with hatred "The Book of Mormon is FALSE!"  Erika calmly replied "Well, I can testify to you that it is true."  The man continued screaming at her and her companion even as they walked away. Such occurances are common for Erika!  Here's what she has to say about such experiences:

"All that does is make my conviction stronger and make me want to stand a little taller and stand out a little more. It helps me to realize that my testimony is immovable. No matter what anyone says, I will never budge from my conviction that the Book of Mormon is the word of God and that it will bring you nearer to God than any other book can."

Erika has grown to love the people in Florida, even those who persecute her.  There are many wonderful people there as well, who look out for her. She is trying hard to leave hope in the lives of all the people she meets!