Heeey Ya'll!
Alright, so it's P-day again here in the south, and we didn't have anything planned for the morning, so here we are at internet café. We had another pretty good week - had two baptisms on Saturday. One was Yuliana, one of the girls scheduled for last week, and the other was a 9 year old, Alexia.(or Angie, as she prefers). I baptized Angie, and felt completely horrible when I threw her down to fast and she came up choking and gasping for air after swallowing a bunch of water. (Ooops. Guess I should be more gentle with the youngins.) Yuliana, 17, was baptized by her father. He was kinda nervous, and it took a record seven dunks, and about 10 prayers to get 'er done. He kept messing the prayer up and not putting her all the way under water. It was, sadly, a little fun to watch. (haha.) Most 'cause the dad's brother is the 1st counselor in the bishopric, and he was like... "c'mon! Be a man and just do it! It was funny. Nonetheless, she was eventually baptized and her father kept his manhood. ;)
Sunday continues to be the most frustrating day of the week for me, and I think it may remain that way until I get back up north with ya'll in 2010. It's rough, trying to explain the importance of the Sabbath Day, and it's rare to have someone actually grasp it. So with investigators, new converts, even long time members, it can be frustrating to explain why they need to attend church, not work on Sunday, and what not - but most people just don't seem to get that. And unfortunately, Sunday is the best day of the week for sales people, the day they make the most bank. (Urg the oposicion. No me gusta por nada.) But that's life. We did have some investigators show up to church yesterday, and we have some people getting ready for baptism this week as well. Still nothing with Freddy, though. Something happened with him - not sure what. He has some outside influences going on. Freddy works a lot, but he's such a nice, humble kid - so we continue to work with him. We couldn't meet with him all week 'cause he was gone late working, but we finally caught him last night and had a good lesson that might reignite that spark within. So, if you could, please say some extra prayers for him, 'cause really, he'd be a great missionary.
Okay, so besides that, we also had our big conference the other day. That was cool. We got all dressed up in suits, and during breakfast, our pensionistta didn't realize the cap was off the milk when she decided to shake it, spraying herself and me . . . and my suit . . . with milk. I laughed. It was more funny than anything. Anyway, the conference was good. No, I didn't have to play the piano (yippie!) and no, Elder Christofferson was not there. Both rumors turned out to be false. However, Elder Godoy of the Seventy was there and gave an awesome talk. It was really amazing - the best conference I have attended so far. Really, really good speaker. Oh, and when Elder Godoy left the building, he walked past me, patted my shoulder and said, "See ya" - in English even! So - that was like the highlight of the week for me.
So things are continuing to go good here in Catacaos. Elder Rios is cool, still awesome, still happy - like one big happy robo-missionary. ("Taste these tears you robot! Taste the happy! I'm not gonna like your eye." haha. Brad will know that.)
Did you guys ever find that "Especially for Missionaries" book? It's really good. I still remember page 99 about how young men don't have agency to choose for or against serving a mission. It's something we are all called to do. Also, the movie "Money or Mission." Just really good tools for Dad and his missionary preparation class. I would love all my friends to join me in the mission field. It's really the chance of a lifetime to serve the Lord for two years.
Happy Birthday Kelli!! I hope you enjoy turning 22. (I love you Kelli!) Oh, and please remind Cody that I love him, too, to enjoy the MTC en route to Des Moines, Iowa, and especially to have fun in the RC (Referral Center). I loved that place.
So family, friends, and all others - the Church is true, and missionary work is awesome. I love reading and studying the scriptures, and teaching. I'm still not the best teacher in Spanish, (haha) but it's coming along. My Spanish is really improving now, because I can't speak English with anyone here except myself. Yes, the Church is true. Don't forget it. Don't ever allow yourself to stray, to go inactive - because its always such a sad story, and we (missionaries) want you to always enjoy the blessings of the gospel in your lives. It's all true. Believe it. Live it. Do it! Peace out.
Elder "Oh Yeah, Who Won the Super Bowl?" Royal
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