Christmas Week

 A week it has been as we celebrated the birth of Christ and spread the gospel to those in need. We have had the amazing opportunity to serve this past week almost every day. Service for me is the greatest way to show love because at times it can be hard to know what to say and especially difficult to relate to someone's emotions on the level that they need. Therefore though service I can shut up and move some couches for someone and show them this kind of love. But honestly I have seen growth in myself as I use words and speak to people the words of the gospel that they need to hear. For example last Tuesday we helped some people we met through wonderful Facebook Marketplace move some furniture and clean their entire house. I loved scrubbing walls for a couple hours and wiping a refrigerator down from top to bottom. They were very appreciative and "accepted" a Book of Mormon that we left on the hood of their car. 

Christmas time has caused for families to gather and feel the peace and joy that Christ offers. We came into the week very excited to be involved with everyone but were too soon notified by the mission office that because Tennessee is the WORST IN THE WORLD for corona cases we would not be seeing any members. Apparently TN is the epicenter but check me on that, and even though I'm down in Georgia we got shut down too, the week of Christmas. It wouldn't be 2020 if this didn't happen so I don't what else I was expecting. 

Still we went caroling Wednesday night and I'm upset that I didn't bring a coat because it was freezing. So cold in fact that in snowed the next day on Christmas Eve, how iconic. We had an awesome district counsel that morning and played a couple games. As well I was able to give a training about our divine potential as sons and daughters of God and I know that I talk about this topic a lot but it truly is important to understand and apply. 

Christmas morning after opening some gifts we headed to a local soup kitchen to help serve up hundreds of meals and loads of pies for those in need. What another great opportunity it was. 

A few great lessons to point out this past week would be with Vanessa where we were able to explain the Gospel of Christ and commit to baptism for the 16th. She more recently has come down with a sickness and we are waiting for results. Sometimes I wish Satan could just back off for a day, but where would be the growth in that. We had a wonderful discussion about personal prayer with Jose and Reynalda and another lesson yesterday with just Jose. Reynalda is not looking to progress too much but Jose expressed his desires to sincerely change and continue forward. I still can't believe the blessing it has been to teach him and see his and others progression, especially all while in the Spanish language in the southern states. I am thankful for those who taught me and helped. Anyways Jose is great and I'll update you more. 

Christmas week was fun and still have a ton of candy to eat so we're finishing 2020 on a super healthy note, oops. Take care everyone and remember your true potential, then do more. Byee

Navidad Week

 Quick week leading up to Christmas and it was a blast! We went on exchanges with the ZLs and Elder Tautu and I had the opportunity to talk about the Book of Mormon with a few people as that was our Zone goal for the past week. It has amazed me how many feelings coming from those who are experiencing this book for the first time have to do with simplicity and calmness. This book is "easier to understand" and "helps me to feel Christ's love." A personally focused on sharing personal experiences with the good book to those I spoke with so that they might see what it affect it truly has on people. Simply testify and people will listen and take it to heart. 

We had a great lesson with a young woman named Vanessa and we toured the church building afterwards. She loved it and had a great time yesterday at church along with her dad who is Jose, a man we've been teaching for a while. Marketplace finding is going great as always and we got our hands on a treadmill a couple days ago for free. The people are some nice folks and we plan on seeing them tomorrow. 

Zone conference was Thursday and we listened to some great musical numbers as well as performed some funny skits. Our group was assigned the story '2000 Stripling Warriors practice social distancing'. I was a Lamanite and died because I wasn't wearing a mask during the war, yeah it was a blast. Over the weekend we helped out at the Torres home moving furniture, tearing out flooring and prepping for some new hardwood. We had an amazing lunch with Nelly and Gonzalo Sunday afternoon which included some authentic Uruguayan bbq and some homemade cheesecake thanks to my chef of a companion. 

Always a fun time in the mission and especially looking forward to this Christmas week and sharing the story of Christ's birth. It's important because we can become better every day through him. Don't settle with where your at, grow some more and do so through the Savior Jesus Christ. Bye

La Luz del Mundo

 Had some progressive lessons this week with a few of our investigators and I'm excited to see what comes of their efforts. A lesson with our friend Victoriano went well as we were able to explain the restoration of the gospel and extend a Book of Mormon. He is originally from the state of Chiapas in Mexico and speaks a dialect called Tzotzil. Of course Gospel Library has a translation available and he very excited to begin reading. He additionally invited us down the street to a sushi restaurant where he works and I ate real sushi for the first time. A lot different than the chicken nuggets I'm used to so it was quite the experience. That night we were able to see some people who we dropped a couple weeks ago. They gave us a Christmas tree for our apartment and have really missed our conversations we used to have. 

We held some great lessons throughout the week and things have turned around as far as I could tell. They came to church and are going to be amazing members one day because I am confident they will commit to baptism one day. Thursday morning we had the opportunity to help a lady move. She is being taught by the English sisters in the district and was a very kind lady. While we were moving we may have hid some cigarettes that were on her counter, we do it with the best intentions. It was also my companion's birthday and he wanted more sushi so back we went for an endless sushi deal and I'm still feeling it. The Light the World activities have been fun and we have seen a change up in attitude within the district. 

Church was a blast as four of our investigators were able to attend. Jose and Reynalda have some things to work on and they were able to meet with Bishop. Additionally we met his daughter who is interested and we will meet with some more this week. Bishop was kind to have us over at his house again today to fish in his pond and play some billiards. 

All-in-all a great week with some stressful but fun things thrown in there. Elder and Sister Kearon of the Seventy shared some more thoughts with us as a mission, one being a talk from Richard G. Scott 1995 about trusting the Lord: "Just when all seems to be going right, challenges often come in multiple doses applied simultaneously. When those trials are not consequences of your disobedience, they are evidence that the Lord feels you are prepared to grow more (see Prov. 3:11–12). He therefore gives you experiences that stimulate growth, understanding, and compassion which polish you for your everlasting benefit. To get you from where you are to where He wants you to be requires a lot of stretching, and that generally entails discomfort and pain." Take care bye.

Every Child of God is Needed

First week of the new transfer went well. It has begun to snow a couple times, none of it is sticking but we're definitely in the winter months. Last year at this time I was in the middle of a Peruvian summer drinking hot coco and yeah it didn't make any sense, miss those friends I made. I am blessed to have this opportunity of experiencing different kinds of Christmas and am excited for what is to come. 

We have been focusing on members this past week and plan on maintaining this momentum through the coming weeks. One less active in particular has not been to church in many years and was questioning the existence of God. We were able to explain some principles and ask some thought-provoking questions. I pray for the spirit to touch him and be with us as we visit him again this week. Our friend José is on date for baptism and we have been working to figure out details for the difficult situation he is in. What stands out is the desire he has to change and follow the commandments of God, he just has an obstacle to get over just like we all do in our own lives. 

At district council we were able to discuss ideas on the next step for him as well as others working towards baptism. I was able to set some goals for the district with a focus on members as I already mentioned before and we plan on being more unified this transfer. I shared 1 Corinthians chapter 12 which talks about the body of Christ and the importance of each member. We all have spiritual gifts and every one is vital to the operation. 

Yesterday we had the opportunity to hear from Elder and Sister Kearon of the Seventy as they are touring our mission this coming week. Sister Kearon shared her thoughts regarding competition and comparison. "Someone else's gifts are not a threat to you... When you feel an unhealthy sense of competition, ask yourself, what is your motivation?" She included 1 Corinthians 12 as well and stressed the importance of understanding our own importance in this work. Her husband, with a classic British accent, shared some additional ideas about our thoughts, emotions, and reactions. "How do you think the Lord is feeling about coming back? He can't wait until He comes back. If you are being hard on yourself, just stop it!" No matter what your starting disposition may be you can always add and learn more attributes of and through Christ.

This week I am going to become and be the message that I teach. Learn to choose your reactions when hard things happen; as we learn in Alma 62:41, will you harden or soften your heart? We truly do thrive on opposition so attack this week with that in mind. Anyways Georgia is great and the people are greater, hope everyone's doing well. Cuidanse!!