October 24, 2011

Hola familia, Hope things are going good back there. We had a good week here in Riberalta. We worked hard and it was cloudy for 4 days. We hardly even sweat. It was fantastic. But then Friday, Saturday, and Sunday were very hot! But that's normal here. They say it's going to start raining a lot and way hard, so that will be interesting. But things are going pretty good with the investigators. Fernando wasn't baptized but he will be getting baptized this week with his dad which will be awesome. They were interviewed yesterday and are ready. What made me way happy is that their whole family went to church together and for the whole 3 hours. And they all left happy. I hope things can continue to go well for them, and I am way excited that the mom and the dad are in on this together. It will make it a lot easier for the kids to follow their examples and stay faithful in the church. But I truly hope the branch will support them through their start. But no one else went to church, but I'm sure that those who we had with baptismals dates will be able to go this next week. Things are still going great. We will be teaching the Medina Cuellar familia today, so I hope things go good with them. They might have some doubts because we couldn't teach them for two weeks. If we can get inside I'm sure we can help them too. It's crazy. My testimony is growing so much that I can now say things and look at everyone and say with confidence that I don't have a single doubt about this church and that I know with all my heart these things are true. It was weird yesterday in church. One of the priests gave a "fill in" talk because the other guy didn't show up. So he was a little rusty. But I wanted to get up at the pulpit and give a talk. It was crazy!  I haven't ever had that feeling to do that. But I'm not afraid now to get up in front of everyone and talk, and being able to testify of these truths just makes it that much better. I have made the decision about how these things are so true. I was thinking about how hard it could be for a lot of people to believe these things. But without a doubt it's all about the burning, happy, and peaceful feeling you get when the holy ghost testifies of these things. There is nothing in this world that can bring such powerfull feelings to your heart and your soul than what the holy ghost can bring. It testifies to us of the truth of these things and the love that our Heavenly Father has for each and everyone of us. Just this feeling alone gives me the will to work hard even when the path doesn't look so promising or when everything seems to go wrong . This is the feeling that carries the work of God and helps young men 19 years old to represent the Lord. I can't believe the power of the holy ghost. It's probably the most precious gift that we can get in this life. This is why it is so crazy how we can do things so much that kill the influence of the spirit in our lives when we know that it brings to us peace and happiness. Even when we have doubts after having many answers given to us from the holy ghost.  But I am excited for this week. I'm sure it will be another good week with trials and with triumphs. But that's life and it's always gonna be that way. So just smile and enjoy it. All of our trials and suffering will all be for our instruction and benefit, if we put our faith in our Savior. Enjoy your life. We're all blessed so much!   Love, Elder Christoffersen