Well, another week down and yet
another P-day that will seem too short, but I love this time that I have to
relax for a bit and tell you all about how awesome this last week was!
The one word that I can use to
describe the overall feeling of this week would be Joy. We absolutely had some
annoying times and stressful times, but I feel as Nephi felt. That despite all
of their tribulations in the wilderness, he and his family "lived after
the manner of happiness" because they kept the commandments and did what
God asked them to do. This last week Elder Taukiuvea and I journeyed through
the wilderness, figuratively speaking, and we had a lot of tribulations, but
because we were obedient to the mission rules and fulfilled our purpose as
missionaries we "lived after the manner of happiness."
To begin, I must say that the
universe has taken revenge on me. My whole mission I prided myself on not
receiving a single abscess, and was involved in "helping" others get
rid of theirs. I am not so proud to inform you that this week I broke my 17
month "Abscess Free" streak. I got an abcess at the beginning of the
week and it was extremely uncomfortable. It only lasted a few days until I was
able to squeeze it all out. It was only about the size of a marble, but it was
a pain in my armpit! It was in the same armpit and in the same place as the
Abscess that Elder Brochier had a few months ago. However, mine was not near as
bad as his was. So that is my experience with an abscess. It definitely was not
a walk in the park.
We also stayed super busy this week running around
everywhere in preparation for our lessons, our Zone Training, and an activity
that we had on Saturday. We had a really successful week with lessons having 30
lessons this week, 19 of which were with a member present. So we were moving
every minute of every day to get to all of our lessons.
On Thursday, Elder Taukiuvea and I gave a training to the
Zone about the importance of using the Book of Mormon in our missionary work.
It is the cornerstone of our religion, it needs to be the cornerstone of our
testimony, of our study, and of our teaching.
On Saturday we had an activity
for the youth and YSAs. We had a massive Minute to Win It competition and
everyone loved it! We had a decent turnout and I expect even bigger turnouts in
the future.
We have been working really
well with the members and teaching references that they give us to teach. Our
recent convert, Nora, has been a huge help to us. We taught her about the
importance of Missionary Work a few weeks ago, and she got super animated and
excited about it. She was a little bummed when we told her that she can't serve
a full time mission, but she has really magnified herself in the way that she has
assisted us in the Branch. She directed us to her Brother and his family, and
her sister, Gina, and her family. Both families are super nice and Gina has a
strong desire to change her life around.
We also have made an effort to
work with Part Member Families and all of the baptisms that we are planning for
the 26th of November are part member families. We will have 7 baptisms for the
26th, and 2 more the following week. Hercilio and Saquina will be opening the
marriage process tomorrow, will be married on the 26th, and baptized the
following week! I am so excited for them!
On Sunday we saw all of our
hard work pay off when we had 194 people at church! That is huge for us! Of
those 194, 26 of them were our investigators!!!!! Awesome!
I have a testimony that as we follow the will of God that
our lives become much easier. If we yoke ourselves with the Lord our burdens
become lighter. I love missionary work and the privilege I have to devote my
time to the Lord. I am far from perfect but I am trying to do what is right.
I know God lives. I know He loves His children.
Until next week.
Elder Rash * From Elder R.'s mom: He sent pictures this week, but mostly of his abscess. Not something I want to share with everyone. Hopefully he will send better pictures next week!
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