Its been a little while so I figured its time for another one,
This past few weeks have been rough to be honest, but i have had some amazing growth with my own testimony, spanish, and just becoming a better person in general!
This area is very slow, as far as numbers go, there is not much success. Although thats not what defines success.
I know for sure that my relationship with god has strengthened ten fold and is still even growing.
Everyday we study, go out, and try our best to share the message of the restored gospel with as many people as will recive us. Its tough in this area with lots of rejection.
Although, we have seen many mighty miracles and many tender mercies!
One friend named, Rona...Rona...is gay.
Yet suprisingly he is progessing pretty well. He just needs to read the book of mormon, pray, and come to church.
Its suprisingly simple how simple and easy it is to recieve a witness of the truth through the holy ghost. Read, Pray, visit church... and there will be the answer through your thoughts and feelings.
Rona is very fun! Every time we call or see him in person he always goes: Hey chicos mormones! Which is pretty much: hey mormon dudes!
This is a common set back for most of those that we teach, if they simply read and pray, they will know the truth.
Another friend we have is named Jacob, he is 13 and the grandson of Gerardo and Imelda, (those two were baptized about a month ago)
Jacob is coming along, little by little. He is reading, praying, and coming to church.
Although there is one thing holding him back.
He isnt nesecarily doing those things with a sincere heart, as we learn in moroni 10:3-5 it is esential to do those with a sincere heart. But, we had a great little lesson with him about sincere prayer, the spirit was definitly there touching his heart and helping him to understand. We invited him to genuinly pray about his baptism and I think if he does that, he will recieve his answer.
A cool experience I had this week,
An Elder in my apartment, named Elder Bonilla was born in El Salvador amd moved to texas when he was 14 so he is basically fluent in both languages, anyway. Elder Bonilla was havin a rough day, and was also feeling very sick,also had many aches and pains. He asked me for a blessing, which I was very happy to give. Now mind you: i have totally forgotten how to pray and give blessings in English. And my spanish is still growing slowly but surely.
Anyway, during the blessing i stopped and made long pauses to see what heavenly father had to give him, because the blessing wasnt from me, but was from our father in heaven.
I cannot remember anything at all of which I said because through the spirit I was an instrument in the hands of god, to bring forth his blessings upon his children.
After the blessing Elder Bonilla gabe me a big ol hug, said thank you and also said, Woah that was Not at alll your words, but the words of heavenly father. Because supposedly the espanish was 100%!
One of the skills I have been able to grow and cherish on the mission is the ability to recognize and understand the holy ghost, in other words the still, small, Voice.
Two sundays ago I had the opportunity to give a talk in sacrament, I spoke last and had a whole list of things I wanted to mention, but as I sat, listening to the speakers and the spirit,,, I realized that all those things were not what was needed to be said.
So
I folded up my little paper put it in my suit coat and followed the spirit which told me all the words to say, even in the moment I needed it.
This ability has helped me SOO much especially in teaching environments, to discern the needs of those we teach.
Something really funny, is the better my spanish gets, the worse my english gets.
For example, the word tocar means to touch, but, tocar puertas means to knock doors.
So one night we were hanging out as an apartment talking about the day and I said: "yo Elders we were out touching doors for almost 5 hours!" Super silly,
Sometimes ill start speaking in English and stutter and return speaking spanish cuz there are a lot of frases that are easier to say in spanish.
One of my favorite things about the mission is the people, its so great to listen to their stories and get to known them. I have gotten pretty good at listening! Because if you give someone the oportunity to talk and just sit back and genuinly listen to their day, their ideas, and their stories, then it is one of the best things ever.
Im doing pretty well, this past month or two ive seen lots of growth in my self, my testimony, and my relationship with god. Its tough but im hangin in there
Im praying for you All!
I love you all so much!
Be safe
Always Remember How much god loves you; and also the sacrifice Jesus Christ did for you.
Love
Elder Sandyberrrggg!!!
.jpg)
.jpg)
