True Progression

     This week I wanted to share an experience that changed the way I view things in the mission. This last Sunday as we ran about looking for our investigators to come to church we had limited success. Many times in the mission I have had the experience of all my investigators just not wanting to progress and flaking out at the last moment. This last week as I sat in the Chapel thinking to myself and feeling a little frustrating for not having brought more people to church; I looked around and to my surprise and complete joy I saw every one of my converts I had in that area. All with their hymn books in hand and singing and listening to the speakers. It filled my eyes with tears to see that these people had been truly converted and that every one of them to that day was persevering and following what God had taught them to do. 

     Gratitude beyond words filled my soul to know that my Heavenly Father made me an instrument in His hands to bring the true gospel to the hearts of these people. I know He is merciful and knows every one of our needs. I know that this gospel heals and liberates us from our all our worries, doubts, and fears. I felt Gods love not only for me but for the people that were around me and I knew that even though we are common and many in this world that he knows us personally and intimately. That if we seek the good in our lives then we will always have good in our lives. The Lord and Savior Jesus Christ once promised his disciples:

"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."

     I know this promise to be true and that as long as we are in the Lords service he will lift our burdens and give rest unto our souls. Just as he let me know of His love for me and gave me rest, He will surely give it unto all His beloved children.

Miracles in San Judas

The work continues here in San Judas. We had transfers this week and I am still here in the office for one more transfer. I am excited to be here in San Judas still but being in the office another transfer looks a little daunting. I have a new companion named Elder Hernandez from Guatemala. I don't know him very well yet but from what i have seen he is a cool guy. I think we will have lots of success. 
     This last week we had 2 baptisms. The first is Luis. He was a 13 year old kid we met contacting one day and he was kind of shy but accepted our message. His parents were slightly opposed at first but they let him decide for himself and he decided to keep receiving us and preparing for baptism. We almost thought he wouldn't get baptized because he got sick a couple days before but when we asked how he was for this Saturday he was excited and ready to go! 
    The second baptism was a young woman named Daniela. Her story was a little different. She has met the missionaries about 2 years ago and had been off and on receiving them until I first met her a few months ago. She had never wanted to progress and so she was never baptized. A few months ago we were teaching her but it was still the same, she just couldn't find it within herself to go to church. Then all of a sudden she disappeared and we didn't think she would ever be baptized. Until a few weeks ago we randomly ran into her on the streets and she wanted us to visit her again. Well this time I think the Lord had prepared her because she accepted right away the invitation to be baptized and she felt like it was something important in her life. So this last weekend she was baptized! 
     Only miracles here in San Judas! I know that God had prepared these people for this time and I am grateful to have been an instrument in helping them receive the spirit and to take these steps in their paths toward salvation and eternal life.

Conference Weekend

     This last week was more or less regular. I wish I could have seen the conference all the way through, but, since we have to bring 4 different investigators to every session in order to attend them (excluding priesthood and Sunday morning) I wasn't able to attend as I did not have sufficient investigators come to church.
     As we committed our investigators to church and as they accepted and later decided not to attend. I reflected on how I felt. Yes, I felt deceived and depressed for the unrighteous decisions of the people i cared about so much but unlike before when my investigators didn't come and I felt angry and hurt at God, I knew that God was just as upset as I was for their decision to not obey him, and I knew that maybe now I would be put as a leader or be rewarded, but the work would go on.
     Sometimes I feel like President is the one running the mission and the work, but I know that someone far greater and merciful is at the head and he knows in all his divine wisdom where I need to be. I know that the work doesn't change if I don't have any investigators in church or if I don't baptize one month, as long as I am trying my best and doing what the Lord expects of me that I can be sure I am doing what I need to be doing.
"Believe in God; believe that he is, and that he created all things, both in heaven and in earth; believe that he has all wisdom, and all power, both in heaven and in earth; believe that man doth not comprehend all the things which the Lord can comprehend." Mosiah 4:9
     Trust in God and believe that He has all wisdom. When we trust in God and His wisdom we can find comfort in the knowledge that if we are doing what we should be doing and obeying his commandments that all challenge will be for our benefit.