Kimber

______________

January 12, 2009

Hey Y'all

Well, we had a pretty good week. Now that I look back on
it, it's one of those weeks that went by hecka slow, but a week later
on Prep day, it went by really fast. I'll never figure out how that
works. Maybe physics can explain it to me one day. Anyhoo, yeah we
had a good week, and I have to say, Elder Calderon was cool this week.
I dunno how it happened...but last Monday I decided I could be
frustrated and miserable for our last three weeks together, or I could
try learn and find ways to be happy. So I tried to "humble" myself
and learn more from Elder Calderon rather than focus on everything he
does that annoys me. That turned out pretty good and we had a lot of
fun together this week, joked around a lot, and taught a lot of really
good lessons.

We had one baptism this week, Janet, who if you remember,
came to church a couple weeks ago, hated us, and did not seem
interested at all. Well, turns out she has changed a lot, opened up a
bit more so she talks to us now, and was baptized on Friday. It was
kinda funny though because in her interview she told our district
leader that she didn't want me or Elder Calderon to baptize her. So,
maybe she still hates us. (haha.) Well, she said something about
wanting to be a missionary's "first" baptism (whatever that means).
At any rate, my comp baptized her, and I was kinda jealous cause it
was a pretty warm day and the water in the font felt sooooooooo good
(jk). So Janet got baptized, which is cool, and we have a few really
good people that we are working with right now. Wow, I have been in
San Pedro for over 4 months now, I think. Crazy. We have cambios
next week, so I will probably be outta here pretty soon. Kinda sad.

I had a really good week, really happy, felt the spirit a
lot, and it just went really well. On the darker side, I also had
about the most depressing moment of my mission so far. You might
remember Kimber, a convert who we baptized a little while ago, Janet's
younger brother. Anyway, he is 13 so we have been trying to get him
ordained to the priesthood, but lately he hasn't been coming to
church. We asked him why, and its because he is working now. (Ugh.)
But then as we talked further, it became apparent that he was not
telling us the truth. Finally, Kimber came out and said he did not
plan in returning to church, because he is Catholic. I then said:
"Kimber, I don't care if you're Mormon or Catholic, both religions
believe in the Ten Commandments, and that includes the dia de reposo.
So you're breaking the commandment either way." He said nothing in
response, and would not look us in the eye. I was so sad and
frustrated. I don't know how I held back everything I wanted to say.
I did tell him that following Christ requires action. He did not
invite people to merely accept Him, to merely like Him, but to get up
and walk with Him. That requires faith, dedication, and sacrifice -
something many here do not understand (due to longstanding
traditions). So, Kimber has been on my mind a lot the last few days.
Really sad to me. Something that I will definitely do differently
when I am a senior companion is take greater care in preparing people
for baptism. They must be truly converted to the gospel of Jesus
Christ, and understand the significance of baptism, that it is not the
end, but the beginning of a life long journey that requires a diligent
course seeking after Christ. Please pray for Kimber. I love him, and
feel that we may have failed him as missionaries.

Other than the Kimber experience, the week was good and I
am really happy. Oh, let's see, last Monday night, we woke up and our
room was filling with water from...somewhere. That was not good. So
we got to clean that up at 4:00 am. That was cool (not). And it
ruined a lot of stuff in our room - sadly, most of my mail, which I
keep on the floor. Sad. (haha.) But it's ok. I thought it was more
funny than anything. But I never knew if the leak was from the sink
or a toilet...and personally... I'd rather not know.

We did a good job working with the members this week, and
had noche de lugar (Family Home Evening) almost every night. The
first night we were with this family and playing with this big ball,
hitting it around and stuff...and I was just waiting for something to
break. Eventually the clock on the wall got hit and fell...hitting
one of their daughters in the head. It was...very funny. Oh, and
guess what? Everyone blamed me. Yes, that's right - blame the
defenseless gringo and then make fun of him in Spanish. (No, I didn't
do it, Dad.) We have a lot of good members in this area and it's nice
to walk into a member's home and see all the LDS pictures of Christ
and stuff. It really changes the spirit of a home (as opposed to so
many other homes with the creepy, gory statues of Christ - the Christ
I know and worship overcame agony and death, ascended into heaven and
is a glorified being who loves me dearly).

Good to hear you received my package and the tape. I miss
listening to it. It was hilarious (if I can say so myself). I miss
my buddies in the MTC. Great guys. Hey, good to hear Jordan is going
out with the missionaries there. That is awesome. Hey, could you
guys do something for me? Send a note to my buddy Elder Campbell. He
had a rather difficult start to his mission after leaving the MTC, and
I know he could use a boost. You guys are great at stuff like that.
;)

That's about it. Things are going good right now and I'll
be sad to leave San Pedro when the time comes. Mom, Dad, if you could
send me a hard copy of the Christmas letter, that'd be cool. And
there is a book you guys should get, its called "Especially for Mormon
Missionaries," by Miller and Fugal. It's good. I read a bit of it
from a missionary that has it. It's like a Chicken Soup for the Soul
book - has a lot of good stuff, including a story about a mission
president that helped get a boy on a mission by telling him that a
mission is a foreordained calling that all men have. While we have
the "agency" to refuse, it remains something all men are commanded to
do. Anyway, really good book with lots of great stuff, and that
story, which I wrote down for future reference (page 99) is really,
really, really good.

That's it ya'll. Take care. Thanks to everyone that
sends letters and Dear Elders and what not. They really help me a
lot. And if I haven't written some (or most) of you back, it's not
because I do not deeply appreciate your letters - it's because I am
weak in writing (and these long emails take lots of time). So thanks
for all your support guys (in spite of me). I love the letters and
the uplifting stuff you guys send. Helps a lot. Keep praying for me,
and for those who we fellowship and teach. Your prayers are felt.
Y'all are awesome. Family, friends, everyone. The Church is true!

Elder Royal