The Magnificent Work Of The Lord

Look who's back

     Man what a great conference weekend. I enjoyed this conference so much and it was probably one of the most memorable and enjoyable conference experiences I've had. This was my last time being able to watch conference as a set apart missionary and it just meant a lot to me to hear about the gathering of israel as my mission is coming to a close here in a few short months. I hope yall enjoyed it as well and got spiritually uplifted in the places that you needed to be. I want you guys to pause for a second and brace yourselves for impact. Maybe buckle your seat belts if you will. We're about to talk about an eventful week. Last week I mentioned how we were planning on talking about baptism with a few of our friends. Well we extended invitations to 6 of our friends and they all accepted it! We are going to be baptizing Waldo on the 20th this month (unless I get transfered) and Yvette with her 4 kids on May 11th. We had some pretty incredible lessons with them and it just felt like the right thing to do for them and im so happy that they made that decision to come closer to our savior Jesus Christ. As for the rest of the week, we taught Ofelia again and she is super elect. She's the kindest person ever and gives us little kid snacks and just chats with us like the veil is gone and she remembers us from the pre-mortal days. And we've also been able to find more and more people to teach so we've been busy busy busy and also exhausted. It's so rewarding to come home at the end of the day feeling worn out physically and spiritually, knowing that you accomplished all you could that day. 

     I've been reflecting a lot on the word trust. Excuse me while I get a little vulnerable here, something that's not like me, but I have a really hard time trusting just about anything and everything. Now that may sound dramatic and you're probably right, but it's a real problem that I have struggled with. I remember my wild days of my early mission when I was in training and I just wanted to have things just work, and especially in my way. It was really hard for me to trust in the savior when I felt his promptings go completely against what I had planned in mind. Learning to trust not only my companions, my friends, and myself, but also and especially God, has been a painful and long challenge that has helped me a lot. Trusting in God is so vital for our relationship with him, just as it would be for anyone else. I really enjoyed the talk about that in conference. (I would include his name but my notes aren't around me and I would butcher his name attempting to spell it from my head) it's something that I've been trying to work on, and as I have been trying it with God and others around me, I've seen myself change as well. It's so much easier for me to walk, talk, and act in confidence when I can trust that im doing the right thing, at the right time, with the right person, and God is always the right person. I know now that it is through trust on the savior that we can have the faith to follow him unceasingly, and we need to do things and take risks to build that trust. Thats what I'm going to be working on this week, what can you work on this week?

     As for the rest of the things going on, I'm doing really well. The work is good, the companion is amazing, the district is awesome, maybe too good, and I really don't have much to complain about if at all. I'm really praying and hoping that I can convince God to allow me to stay here in hobbs for at least one more transfer, yall should do the same and pray I stay if you love me. If you told me my first transfer in hobbs that we would have people to teach, people progressing towards baptism, and joy in the work, I wouldn't have trusted or believed you. I'm so grateful that I've had 2 really hard transfers here because now I can enjoy a really good transfer and see the fruits of my labors and consistent efforts. I know the Lord will continue to bless me as I keep trusting in him and working hard, and who knows maybe after the mission I'll have a pretty wife because he's rewarding me for serving him haha! Thank you to the ones who respond and take the time out to do that, and especially thank you to those who read my emails. I love you all and you take care! 

- elder snapping turtle 

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