October 10, 2011

Hola Familia, This week was pretty awesome! We worked really hard and enjoyed the blessings that came from our work. We were very blessed to be able to help Virginias three kids get baptized this Saturday. Things went way well and her whole family was there to watch the baptism. It was crazy too because the zone leaders asked the dad if he would give the closing prayer in front of like 50 people. So he did. He got up and said "alright we're now going to close with a prayer." He said the prayer and was pretty nervous, but we all said "good job" and the other Elders thought he was a member, haha. But it was awesome! The three kids were way happy when they were baptized. I was able to baptize the two girls and Elder Sangay baptized the boy. It was so awesome. His smile was so big when he got out. We got a picture of him and his big smile too. They all went to church yesterday and the dad seemed to like it a lot too. The branch President was way nice to him. He bore his testimony and adapted the whole priesthood lesson so he could understand it better. He told us he liked it, but won't be able to go next week because he will be working on his property. But for sure there is a seed planted.  Now more about her other son Fernando who has been having some trouble with leaving his house to go drink with friends. He got back Tuesday and we taught him and then his dad came in and said he was gonna send him to rehabilitation. That could mean months or even a year or more until the place thinks he is ready to leave. His son didn't want to go at all but his dad said your going. So he stormed off into the kitchen and crouched down and started to just bawl. It was way sad. The mom and dad went in to try and get him to  come out, but he wouldn't. So I asked them if I could go talk to him and they said yes. So I went in and put my arm on his shoulder and told him that we are here to help him and asked him if he really wanted to change his life around,and he said yes. I told him if he truly does and he puts his faith in Christ and comes unto Him that he will give him the support he will need. I then said if you truly want to do this, I am sure we can talk to your dad and explain it to him and maybe he will give you another chance. He said yes and I asked him if he could come out and we would talk with his parents. We talked with his dad and explained what he would do and then asked him if he would be willing to give his son another chance. He said yes he would give him another chance. We were way happy and we came the next day to make sure everything was good. But when we got there he explained he needed to leave for work and that really stressed me out, haha. But we talked again with him, his mom, and his dad and finally they agreed that he would stay. So we will keep helping him. But now he has a baptismal date for 22 de Octubre and he seems like he is still set for it. So I'm way excited. But about everything that could stop him from being baptized has come and gone. Satan truly doesn't want him to be baptized. But something cool about him is that we came to his house Saturday before the baptism and the mom said he is in his room reading the book of mormon by himself. That truly made my day because not many read the book of mormon as much as they should. But he is taking it as something really important. He and his little brother played soccer with us this morning too.Well now as to what happened for cambios this week. I wasn't taken out of my area and I'm still with my companion so I will have 4 and half months with him, haha. He has never had a compañero or an area for more than 3 months. He now has a little bit more than a year and a half on his mission. I was also just called to be the District leader. It's pretty crazy, but I'm going work hard so I can be a good leader and keep things going how they are going right now. I have truly found out that everything just goes a thousand times better when you give it your all no matter what. Even if you are tired and things don't look good, the blessings are always right in front of us and they are gonna make us so much happier. It's just common sense to always do all you can and put your trust in the Lord. Things have really been going good right now. We have the medina Cuellar mom with her three daughters planned for 29 de Octubre. Then we have a kid of Ninoska who is now 10 who has a fecha for 5 de Noviembre. They told us they will prepare to go to the temple too. I truly hope things will go well with them and that the Lord wil prepare the way. But I know that if I am obedient, work hard, and pray with faith, the Lord will do with them what needs to be done. Now a funny story.. I think I can now say that I drank a drink that was horrifying, haha. It tasted like stomach acid! I'm not going to lie, haha. I downed it faster then my companion. I got a good laugh watching him try it. Right after he asked her (virginia) "what is this?" haha. I can't see how anyone can like that because I'm sure I've puked in my mouth once or twice and it tasted better than that drink I drank, haha. Well things are going great, but one more thing is that I think it's way awesome when I pray now and get this burning, way powerful sensation that everything will be good. I prayed and asked God if he would please help the 3 kids who were just baptized get to church because they wouldn't be able to be confirmed next week because there isn't church here when they have elections. But I got a burning feeling and I knew everything would be ok. They did get to the church as the final hymn just finished, and they were confirmed. We were so happy. They were late because their tire popped on their motorcycle. I know without a doubt that God communicates with his children. No other feeling that burns so deep within could come from anyone else. He speaks through the holy ghost and he blesses those who show their love for Him by doing his will. Have an awesome week.  Love, Elder Christoffersen