October 31, 2011

Hola familia, Things were pretty good this week. We had some great blessings and some good trials. Man ya gotta love it. But the best news is that Tomas was baptized and confirmed, so things are going awesome. It looks like he is going to stay active too. So I'm way excited that we got the chance to bring the gospel into his life. He's a way good guy too. But the sad thing is that his son left again and hasn't come home. He took the motorcycle from his uncle too. He is kind of crazy. but we hope things will go well with them. It's awesome that they stayed strong and made sure that they got to the baptism. I was privileged to baptize him too. Things went great. They are an awesome family and I can see that the gospel is really helping them in their lives to be a stronger family. The hardest thing this week was that the Medina Family didn't make it to church and I was so scared that it was because they were told something bad about us and didn't want to be baptized now. But they just told us that they couldn't make it because the police took their motorcycle because she it drives without a license, haha. She said she will for sure make it this week and she will be baptized the 12th of November. They are way awesome. I asked them if there was anyone that has said some bad stuff about us? I also warned her that people will probably start telling lies about us and she said "oh don't worry, I won't let anyone talk about you guys like that because you guys are here to serve the Lord and you aren't here to do anything bad or to invite others to do bad things. Don't worry. I won't let others talk about you guys like that." That was pretty awesome. I truly hope that everything goes well this week with them so they can go to church and be interviewed. It was crazy too because she even stayed home so that she could go to church this week, but things went wrong danget. It's all good though. The Lord will work things out for them the way it needs to be. But this week has been way good. It has been hot and I have sweat a ton. Especially last night. My entire back was soaked and my pillow from my sweating. I had to sleep at the end of my bed so that the fan was closer to me. But we're blessed right now. It's pure clouds and it feels great outside. I'm excited that I have a long time to work here in Riberalta. It's really different. It's for sure one of a kind. They do celebrate halloween here, but it's not to popular. They say that some people dress up, but not many. Well I'm realizing more and more how to become better missionary and I'm sure that even when I get to my final days, I will be learning things I can do to get better. You just can't ever get to the point in life where you don't have any room to improve. So you just have to be faithful, and always work to improve. That's how you become strong. In this life, we will never get to the point where we can say. now I'm good with where I'm at. You just have to continue on always improving. The blessings will for sure come. We are now trying to work with the branch so they can become a lot more organized. The leaders are going to go out to visit the less actives and the new members so that they can help them come to church. There are a ton of less actives here, and the church has a lot of potential. But for sure, you can see how blessed we are at home to have so many with callings to help out the body of the church. It is truly important. Every calling in the church is essential and helps bring to pass the eternal lives of man. Especially for the missionaries, so they can help the investigators to feel more comfortable. All of the members can help build the kingdom of God. Magnify your callings. You will never understand how crucial it is to bless the lives of many in so many ways. But until next week...     Love, Elder Christoffersen