Letter #8

September 30, 2024

Hey everybody! Como estàn?

I know I keep saying that the weeks have been crazy every email, but it's so true. Also, whoever said the first 6 months takes forever was a liar, time is flying by like crazy. This week has been the hardest one so far, but I've also grown closer to Christ the most this week.

Just a couple highlights, we had some intercambios this week, which basically means we swapped companions for a day. But man, talk about a tough day. Elder Moss went to another area, and I stayed here with Elder Gonzalez, and I had to lead and plan the day and all that good stuff. So yeah, that was a change, and then all of our lessons fell through again... so we just knocked doors in the morning. But after lunch was pretty much a disaster; I was trying to call all of our appointments that evening (still can't really understand spanish) so I had no idea what anyone was saying, and also, Elder Gonzalez doesn't speak English, so I couldn't communicate with him super well, so it was just rough and very humbling. And then, Elder Gonzalez and 2 other elders (there's 5 in the house) were feeling sick, so they stayed in the house while me and Elder Cadima went out. That went well thankfully, Elder Cadima is an amazing missionary, it was super cool to work with him. But yeah, on a positive note, I learned a whole lot that day.

Another thing I learned from that experience- mothers are some of the hardest workers ever. The morning after, it was only me and 2 of the sick elders in the house, so I spent the morning cleaning, cooking, checking up on the elders, and basically everything that moms do, and man I was beat. So make sure you thank your moms and parents for everything they do, it's not easy.

Also gave my first talk in church! Thankfully we were asked saturday morning and not sunday, so we had tine to prepare (big blessing). But anyways, it went well enough, I kind of just read off a paper and prayed to have the spirit and be understandable, so yeah. The other elders said it was understandable, but I think they were being nice. Pero, todo bien, there's definitely room for improvement.

Also, there was a baptism Sunday! The other elders have been teaching a family and one of the kids decided to be baptized, it was super special, the spirit was really strong. It was just another testimony to how essential baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost are, and how much joy and peace they can bring into our lives.

One of the last things I want to talk a bit about is finding joy in our little successes; I had a lot of challenges this week, and haven't been feeling super confident in my ability to be a missionary. But, throughout the week, there have also been a lot of cool miracles and successes I've had. I've found that focusing on my shortcomings, my challenges, and my mistakes just takes all of my energy and makes the work seem overwhelming. But when I have faith, and focus on the things that do go well, things go much better, and I have more confidence. Even something as simple as "hey, I understood that phrase!" or "I felt the spirit while talking in that lesson" have lifted my spirits out here. So, for anybody going through hard times (which is all of us) don't forget to celebrate your little successes!

Scripture: Moroni 7:45-48

45 And charity suffereth long, and is kind, and envieth not, and is not puffed up, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, and rejoiceth not in iniquity but rejoiceth in the truth, beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. 46 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, if ye have not charity, ye are nothing, for charity never faileth. Wherefore, cleave unto charity, which is the greatest of all, for all things must fail— 47 But charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him. 48 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ; that ye may become the sons of God; that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is; that we may have this hope; that we may be purified even as he is pure. Amen.

Sorry its kind of long, but it's not really complete without all of the verses. This is something that really stuck out to me in my studies. Without charity "the pure love Christ," we are nothing. How do we get it? Work on having those traits in our life, and pray with all of our heart for it. This is the process of a lifetime, but working on it continually will bring so many blessings, and will also bless the people around us too.

Anyways, love you guys, para siempre Dios esté con vos! (One of the best hymns ever).