Anyway, this week was super discouraging for me. My companion isn't used to how hard the work is here in Catamayo, so for the first two days, he was pretty angry. He seems to have chilled out a little bit. Maybe a little too much. He likes to sleep, and all this week he's napped during lessons, and gone to bed as soon as we get home, which is bad because Saturday and Sunday nights we had to be home by 7:00. Maybe he's just tired of all the walking we have to do here. Who knows?
As for investigators, Christian is getting baptized on Saturday, so that's exciting! Familia Cueva have been out of town all break, and same with Familia Silva. They're all pretty receptive though.
I found the dead dog of a member, so we had a funeral service for vivi, the dog last night. Kind of strange to give a graveside talk for a dog, but then again, I'll probably be the same with Cooper.
Being on the mission, you're in tune with the Spirit a lot more. That's something you can't deny. You're out and about teaching or studying all day. I'm not someone partial to sharing my spiritual experiences too much. I kind of reserve them for me. But I had a strong one last week. On Christmas Eve, I bore my testimony of the Savior's life and that He did much more for us than being born. I bore this testimony in near perfect Spanish , with such force, I felt my body burning with the Spirit. You cannot make these feelings, there was someone else guiding me.
The Lord was with us during the week of Christmas. The Spirit in lessons was strong and everybody could feel it.
This week I've felt as if I was doing the work all on my own. 1) my companion was sleeping through the lessons and 2) I did not feel the Spirit guide me as strongly as before. I wondered why. I knew the Spirit was there, I had felt it so strongly just a week ago. Why was I not having the Spirit with me as strongly? I have two answers to that. 1) maybe because I was stressed and my companion wasn't following the rules. Obedience brings blessings, and obedience gives us the right to the Holy Ghost. 2) In Job, that old book in the Bible, it talks of a "just and perfect man" who loses everything because the Lord wanted it to test him to try his faith. Faith had to be tried. When the hard times come, cling to your faith. Never lose it. That's why we have so many less actives here in Catamayo. The hard times came, and they bailed. Sad.
I've also read in the New Testament. I'll share some other spiritual experiences next week. But remember this, there is a great life after this life. Do not lose sight of eternal glory. Do not lose your faith. Help others. "Ye are the light of the world."
Last things: it's true. It's all true. We have prophet who gets revelation from God for us. God loves you, and gives us commandments to protect us and the blessings are huge. Jesus suffered and died so we could repent everyday, and return to live with Him again. Stay faithful, make good choices. You will be blessed, even when you can't see the blessings. I love you all, and miss you all. I pray for Y'all, and hope that you stay true to the faith.
BE EXCELLENT TO EACH OTHER. (Bill and Ted 1:1)
Church is true, book is blue, and God loves YOU!
Supreme being in the Universe loves you. You're pretty darn special.
With love, jokes, and a stuffed bear,
Elder Beech #3
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