March 15, 2010

Adolfo and Christian were both baptized yesterday in our ward. Christian was taught by Elder Turner and Elder Costner. The baptism was great. Juan Chacana baptized him. Juan served in California about five years ago just after he was baptized. He is a great strong member like many here. He loves speaking English with us gringos. I fasted yesterday for the gift of tongues. I felt that I needed to put a great effort into speaking the language more. (it is sometimes really easy to speak to my gringo companions in our native language). I read my blessing to be set apart. It said that I would receive the gift of tongues through my faith in Jesus Christ and by work. That was a great blessing. Please continue to pray for me. I need strength and power against the adversary.
Jimena and Karla (the one that treats us like her kids) is having a hard time. She hasn´t come to church yet and Karla talked to a friend online that talked her out of a baptismal date. I can sure see how that could be hard. I love them like a missionary and want them so bad to come to the peace and consistency of life that we are privileged to live here in the gospel.
Julio and Raqeal are doing so well. Julio and his son have a date for this upcoming week. Julio is the one that found us. The spirit is so strong in their home. I have learned so much from their testimonies. They are really teaching me through their examples of willingness and an absolute craving and desire to find as much as they can about the gospel. What a special family. The mom hasn´t been able to make it to church as many times due to a job, but we are working with her too. She is great.
Miriam, Felipe, Alvero and Benja just got back from vacations. Heavenly Father has opened their hearts more through this blessing of this earthquacke. The family here in the Cyber have their date for the 28th of this month. We have a family night with them tonight. They are doing well and the members have been great fellowshipping and helping us to teach. I´m learning slowly how to teach and have found that there is much power in testimony. I felt the spirit so strong as I testified about the love that Heavenly Father has for one of our investigators, as I thought about the experience that I had had that very day.
I think i say this every time but there is nothing better than being a missionary. I love it out here. It´s hard. I think I have only experienced a fraction of how hard it will be at times in the next couple years, but nonetheless, I love it. Thank you for the pictures and the notes. I loved them.
(Dad) I love you and am praying for you. … I read a part of a poem that Coach Salt sent to me about leadership. It helped me so much. ( I had previously been thinking about if I could keep going if my emotions weren´t pushing me the right way) The quote said "rely on the rock of discipline, not on the sand of emotion". That helped me out a lot knowing that my emotions are going to change, but I always have the discipline to fall back on when I don´t want to do something. I love you.
Mom, I’m praying for you. I’m sure you are going around like a race horse with all the projects that you are doing. Elder Bednar taught us about the power that the prophets received in the book of Mormon through their faith in the Savior. You have a lot of faith and probably so much extra strength that it’s hard to sleep at night (smiley).
Pres, keep being obedient and have fun this vacation. love you bro.
Jayce bro,I´m a bit hesitant to say that those other earthquakes were fun, but now that we are kind of used to them, they are not as bad. The aftershocks here haven´t been as bad as the first and they are a lot less scary in the day. My companion took a video of one happening. You can really only see our books on the table swaying back and forth. Little ones have been happening pretty frequently. It´s incredible to feel the power under your feet.
I´m glad you’re having fun playing some ball. I hope all is going well with VBALL. Bummer that the championship didn’t turn out how you wanted it. I think we got 2nd place in that tournament the last 3 years in a row. It´s awesome to hear you are having fun. I sure enjoy reading your funny stories while everyone looks at me like I’m crazy laughing to my computer screen. I’m praying for you bro. Keep being the man. (Here is a summary of an) experience I had this week about applying the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Heavenly Father has taught me some great lessons this past week. I was having some pride that I was trying to get over. It was weighing down on me. The thought came into my mind to fix the problem with the gospel. (We preach that the gospel of Jesus Christ will help anyone regardless of their struggles) It hit me hard that this means me too. I put it to the test and studied about pride and its antidote, humility. Gratefully the spirit guided my study and I was able to find what I needed and I felt satisfied. That same day in the sector, on 3 different occasions, the Lord blessed me to overcome that struggle. It was so real. I think that was the most real blessing I have seen through applying the gospel. I am so thankful for this experience that has blessed my testimony to grow and has helped me to feel the love that my Father in Heaven has for me.
That was such a testimony to me. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is real. Through the power of the Atonement we can be blessed with power to break the bands that tie us down like Nephi and Alma and Amulek. Keep up the awesome work. Keep being a great example to our family and friends. I read a passage from Proverbs today that I believe Paul wrote. He said that he had learned to find joy in whatever state he was in. I´m going to try to develop that. What a blessing. I love you brother. You are the man!!!! I’m PRAYING for you.