Let's start off with the challenges this week.
So we have one particular elder in our district (he's our district leader and he doesn't really like having fun). Everybody accept the Hermanas and the one zone leader disagrees with everything they say but we just tell each other '4 more days'. '5 more days' and so on. Its hard--they honestly use their 'power' to like punish us if we don't do something. I think the mission should be fun--but you need to work hard.
So we set a goal to memorize 63 scriptures as a district this week and as a high goal to memorize 126. So I was like k let's do it. So I went to work. I memorized 10 scriptures the past 5 days, and every day he comes up to me and says, 'Recite your scripture'. So I do and then he says, 'You need one more by the end of the night'. Like bruh, who are u? I memorized my two scriptures that night and it was 9:50 and were supposed to be in our room by 10, so I just memorized 'Jesus wept'. Yep, and he told me to recite it to him, and I did and I went to bed. Its super frustrating, but I only have '4 more days'--I got this. The Hermanas and the two guys came to a conclusion that 'there wasn't going to be any more joking around and no more telling jokes'. This made me mad and I held my emotions back. So I just say jokes anyway. Then they always say 'Elder!' I say 'What?' 'No jokes'. Okayyyyyyy. Just annoying and tedious stuff like this.
Like for example we were setting goals for our mission. And one that I set was that I wanna work my guys out. My district leader got mad and told me that that was slang and that I wasn't allowed to use that. You best bet I argued with him about it. I had some things to say to him that time
I broke my suitcase while bringing it to recepcion yesterday, and now I have to pull it with on handle. Kinda ghetto but its all good.
Alright, on to the good things that happened this week,. For the most part, it was a good week. Just those small little things made it a bit challenging, but its all good.
So first I wanna say thanks to Seth for the letter. At the beginning of the week I was having a hard time and I got it and read it and it made it better. I liked one line he said and it was this--'You carry His name over your heart everyday.' You know I haven't really thought about it like that ever. My name tag is legit over my heart every day. And in big letters it says Jesus Cristo. He is always with me, even in the deepest of times. so thanks for that.
Oh my--so we met with Presidente Lyons two times this week. I'm not kidding--he's seriously the nicest guy on the planet. He's so awesome. Anyways, his wife had to get a kidney transplant about 6 months ago here in Mexico, and she wasn't supposed to live. So Elder Nelson from the Quorum of the 12 came and he gave a devotional to the CCM. And this is when Presidente Lyons broke down and the Spirit was so strong. Elder Nelson sat with his wife before the devotional and talked about what was going on. And Presidente Lyons before promised Heavenly Father that if a blessing was offered they would accept it. So Elder Nelson offered to give Hermana Lyons a blessing. And they said 'yes'. So they went into the room behind the stage and gave her a blessing. Before the blessing Elder Nelson asked Hermana and Presidente Lyons if they had faith that she would be healed. And they said 'yes'. And so he said 'good, good'. Presidente lyons did the consecrating.... idk what they call it in English. And then Elder Nelson gave Hermana Lyons an apostolic blessing. Wow--how amazing would that be? Once in a lifetime. They went to the surgery that next week and the surgery went just as planned. The doctors were texting Presidente Lyons during surgery saying 'We aren't totally sure how this is working, but its looking way better than we thought'. They came out to tell him how the surgery went, and the doctors said, 'We honestly don't know how she survived the surgery, but she did--but were aren't totally sure how she's going to do, or even live while recovering'. She is walking around the house everyday. and they're almost done with their mission, and by the time their done with their mission shell be able to be doing everyday stuff. Can't tell me that that isn't amazing. Power of God.
Hey dad--I'm not sure if you sent me the letter this week or not, but thanks for it--it helped a ton.
Alright, so yesterday was a tough one for me emotionally. I got on to email my parents about my bank issues and I saw Kourtney's email. I couldn't help but to open it and read it. I thought it was okay to do so. So I did. And I read that Hudson had a fall and hurt his head bad and is in the hospital. I couldn't help but just sit there and think how grateful I am for him always screaming. He's such a sweet boy, and I am so sorry for being irritated whenever he would scream. He's a little kid. I have noticed I have missed it a ton. Every time I look at the three kids I miss them and to be honest they're the three people I think I miss the most. Anyways, I got back to studying in class and I asked if everybody could leave the room real quick. So they did (with a little confusion on their faces), and me and my companion got on our knees and prayed. I said it and it was an emotional one. I got up and let everyone back in. About an hour later I felt I should also ask the whole district to fast for Hudson tomorrow (which is now today). So I told them what happened and asked them to fast for Hudson today--and so we are. I have been praying for him all day yesterday and today.
Well I leave Monday at 2AM !!!!!!! Way early, but way pumped. I'm so excited to teach real people and get to know real people.
Alright, so probably yesterday was my most spiritual day, but I think it was Sunday we had a devotional and it was about the Atonement. Part of it was a story from Matthew. I forgot my scripture, but basically its the story about when Peter and the Apostles are fishing and Jesus is on the shore. Long story short--Jesus asked Peter the first time, ¨Do you love me?¨ Peter responds and says, 'Yes I do love you'. And Jesus asks the second time, 'Peter do you love me?' And peter says, 'Yes i love you.' And Jesus asks the third time (you know He's being serious when He asks you three times).... ¨Peter do you love me?¨ And Peter responds and says, 'I love thee.'
DO you really love Jesus and our Heavenly Father? Do you honestly love them? Could you give up all your earthly possessions for the presence of God and Jesus.? Seriously--would you? Do you honestly love him?
I thought about that question all day Sunday. Do I really love Jesus and our Heavenly Father? Would I give up everything to be with them? And you know, I realized I need to have more love for them. I have been trying to be more humble this week, and I think I'm doing a pretty good job at it. So please think about that. Do you really, honestly, whole-heartedly love Him?
Alright, so me and my companion are the only ones from our district going to the temple today, and so I'll email later the pics from the temple. I'm so excited.
While I'm at the temple I wanna buy a el libro de mormon so I can give it to someone sitting next to me while heading to Merida.
K to my friends. Let me tell you how much I miss and love you guys. People here are my friends (kinda) but not like ones I have back at home. I have one friend here that I can go to and talk to about anything, and that's my Heavenly Father. And just like I want the best for my friends here, I want the best for you guys. Have you guys ever really thought about what your purpose is in this life? Why are you here? Have you guys read the Book of Mormon? If you haven't (and I challenged a couple of you before I left and I hope you have started (please let me know how your doing with it)). So for you guys--read it. Ponder it. I know for a fact it will bless your life for the better. It is the truth. I honestly can't put into words how important it is to me. The book is my life. Literally, I am forced to read it everyday (in a good way). You friends know who you are. Don't be shy to read it or ask the missionaries for one. They're actually normal people--and they aren't weird.
Lastly--I love you guys. I miss you guys. I'm so excited (but a little nervous) to go to Merida. But every missionary I talk to that knows about Merida says its one of the nicest and safest cities in Mexico. The food is awesome and the beaches are crazy awesome.
Well I'm gonna send some of my pics from this week right now so I'm gonna peace out.
Elder Hall
No comments:
Post a Comment