February 9, 2009
Heeelllloooo!
Yes. I'm sorry I'm late again. And I still hate these Spanish keyboards. They are way lame. Anyway - on with my missionary life....
Alright so we had a good week - and baptized three people on Saturday: Aldair 14, Merly 14 (cousins) and Alonzo 9. Alonzo reminds me of a very young Cameron Utter. Kinda funny actually. Anyway, so we had them all together for one service, and had a really good turn out from the members. I baptized hem, one right after another. It felt really nice to get in the water again, not only cause it's seriously hot here (ha), but just because, well it's been a long time since I got perform the ordinance - like two months or something. Yeah, I know that may not seem like a long time...but here in Piura it is, actually. So it was a really cool baptismal service and we got lots of good pictures. I was going to print off some pictures today to send home...but I didn't feel like waiting in line. I guess I still kinda have a bit of the attitude of: "why do what you can today when you can put it off till sometime whenever?" Today, or next week, I guess. Either way, yoúll get pics from me eventually. Patience, please.
On the not so good side, we had three baptisms scheduled for Sunday that did not go forward. That was kinda sad. Two of them, Fredi and Antonio, a couple of great kids, weren't able to attend church because they had to work with their parents. (ugh.) The parents are a bit of an obstacle there. But Fredi is so awesome. We had a lesson the other day where we just kinda jumped right in because he asked a question, and as we were talking Fredi said: "Wait...shouldn't we start with a prayer?" He's awesome. He actually had his interview this week and told our zone leader that he wants to serve a mission. So, Fredi is doing great - progressing real fast. He will be baptized soon . . . very soon. Elder Rios is very cool. He likes doing letters last on our preparation day. Not my first choice, but he's still cool.
Besides our amazing investigators, we also teach a lot of menos activos, which to be honest... I personally struggle with. I know that sounds bad, but I guess I need to work on my own patience. It just seems like all the stories of these families are the same, having traded Church activity for some very lame reason and can't go back because they are too prideful. It's so sad, pitiful. One dad that just can't admit his own past mistakes, but continues to drag his family away with him with the explanation that: "Jesus knows I'm justified in my actions...we have to show our faith with works, and we need money, so my son and I work on Sunday . . . my wife can't go to church because she doesn't have maternity clothing." Wow, such lame excuses . . . especially the maternity clothing one - three straight Sundays with that one. I even offered to buy some maternity clothes for them, but that did not begin to resolve the issue. It is painful to see leaders of families lose sight of all that is so important, and lead their children from the gospel of Jesus Christ, which will impact future generations. It is so sad, especially because the father is a former Elders Quorum President and the mother a former Relief Society President, with very active children. And it is all gone (for now), due to silly pride - the father being unable to consider that perhaps he is wrong. Hopefully all that will change one day and, who knows . . . perhaps we will play a role in helping lead this family back to Christ. That's our goal.
So the Great Adventures of Elder Royal continue, some good - some bad. But that's life. I love my personal study, and find something awesome everyday. One thing I read recently was in Mosiah 3:19, which most know I'm sure, but the last part talks about being willing to submit ourselves to anything the Lord throws at us in life. That's how strong our faith needs to be - yet in time of desperation and defeat, when we have to be strongest, that is when most people just give up. If we are true to the faith, and endure, we can always conquer adversity and evil. It's difficult, sure, but we can do it. Because in the end, it's always worth it. After much difficulty come the blessings. (D&C 58:2-4. I think that's right. Love those verses.)
On a lighter note, the other day we were walking through the centro of Catacaos when three 20 year oldish girls ran up to us. They were somewhat lighter skinned, so I thought they might be visiting from the states or something and were gonna speak English with me. Nope. Instead, they asked if they could interview me for a class or something, whatever they were doing. It was weird . . . well, and funny. They had like three little cameras on me, and they asked me questions. So, I told them all about my family, you know, about how Brad plays inthe NFL, Kelli plays volleyball for the Puerto Rico national team. I dunno why, it's just how it came out. I'm not quite as good at that kinda stuff in Spanish as I am in English (haha). But it was funny. And . . . many people here comment about 20 times a day about how they love my eyes. I've had some weird things said to me before, but, having an 18 year old kid ask me to give him my eyes is . . . well, something else. It's weird.
This week we have zone conference with everyone - and the rumor is that Elder Todd Christopherson of the Twelve is coming! Oh yeah, and the other rumor is that good old Elder Royal gets to play da piano. Oh joy! I already butchered the music machine in front of a Seventy, so what an honor it will be to do it again in front of an Apostle of the Lord. ;) Here's hoping. And by that I mean, hoping that it's not me - and not that my fingers will magically play great (because, let's be honest, we all know that's not gonna happen). Okay fine, it is me - then hope and pray mightily for my fingers.
Today was a good day for mail, too. Mail is sweet!! I got a Valentine's package from Mom. Woo! And a package from Gian, letter and pics from Brad and Whitney, and letters and pics from Tia. Good, good mail day. Gracias for that. It keeps me going. Oh how I love mail.
I think that's about all. That's definitely plenty for now. Remember how true this Church is, and to read the wonderful scriptures, and say some amazingly heartfelt prayers. And do not take anything for granted. I have had that song in my head lately, ". . . . ya don't know what ya got 'til it's gone. . . ." Truer words never spoken. (Well, that may be a bit of an overstatement, but you know what I mean.) The Church is true!
Elder Royal
--
rjp
Posts
