Letter #21

Cooking in Central America

Thought this was funny, smallest mini-ex I've ever seen

Food shoutout of the week- homemade chocolate covered pretzels, marshmellows, and peanut clusters

Las vistas

Hey everyone! Muy buenos días, como estamos?

Man it's been an insane but great week, sorry in advance if this one is a little long!! 

First off, gotta brag on some members. There's a older member named Alicia Amaya here with an incredible testimony. She has an insane backstory, family issues, health problems, financial worries, basically every problem you can think of, she's been through at some point in her life. Yet, despite (and because) of all these hardships, her testimony is one of the strongest I've seen! Not only that, but she wants sooo badly to share it, and the blessings she's seen with her family (and her family is hugeeee). Literally just about every time we visit her, she has some other non-member family visiting that she wants us to talk to, and we've seen so many miracles with them already. It's been a great testimony builder for me of the impact that we can have on our family, don't be afraid to share your testimony with them, it will change your life and theirs!!

On the same lines about family, gotta give a shout out to our miracle with our baptism date! For context, there's an superrrr inactive member here that's been through it the past couple of years, made some big mistakes, owns and works at a bar (we're working on it), and basically is someone that you wouldn't think would ever give the missionaries a reference... right? To make a long story a little shorter, he has a nephew that's not baptized, and he's basically been the driving force to get him baptized! It's been a really cool miracle to work with them, it's been an amazing experience.

From both of these experiences, I just have to share my testimony with you guys of the importance of families. They are central to our Fathers plan, I testify of that with all my heart. I also testify of the impact for good you can have on your family!! From all of these experiences, the main thing I've learned that if you want to have a stronger family, share your testimony with them!! Heavenly Father and His Spirit will bless you in your efforts, I can promise that!!

One more super cool miracle... sorry its already been a long one (give yourself a pat on the back if you've made it this far)

Last story I wanted to share is about the power of prayer. We were trying to visit familia Montes (our recent converts) but needed a member to come with us, and we had been trying all day to find someone. We called, texted, and asked literally everyone, but they were all busy with stake conference or weren't answering. So, with 10 minutes before the appointment, we stopped on the side of the street to pray to find someone to help us. During the prayer, a bus stopped right by us (didn't think much of it, busses pass all the time) but right as we ended we heard a voice behind us literally say (in spanish obviously, but heres the gist) "Elders, here's the answer to your prayer." We turned around to find Obispo Quinteros (same guy as my last emails, this guy is incredible) who told us he came back early from the stake meeting to catch the last bus home. To make a long story short, basically we were lead to be in the exact right spot at the exact right time, and then we had an amazing lesson with familia Montes, the Spirit was incredible!!

There's a lot more I could share, but I'll let you guys go here (I can practically hear the sigh of relief). If you skipped to the end here, go back up and read the part about families!! Other than that though, let me know how you guys are doing, I'd love to hear your adventures and stories!!

Til next time,

Elder Bagley