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| Rain --again |
So this week there has been a clown in the main street of Quellon
that has been selling pig balloons. He also screams at people and then does a
Joker laugh. He got the people in front of us and it took me a few minutes to relax.
Hate clowns.
We finally got a new iron!! To iron, we were putting the
broken one we have over the gas burners on the stove to heat it up. Very inefficient.
I tried to make an Asian stir fry this week. I tried making
a soy sauce I saw Elder Watson do: 50% peanut butter and 50% soy sauce. It was
horrible. After gagging half of it down, I threw the rest away.
Snap, I’m writing this email super slow in horrible English
because Spanish is taking away my native language. I forgot how to say
"organization" this week in English.
We cut 4 cubic meters of wood for service.
We talked to a youth in the ward. He said in 2 weeks he has
read up into Alma. We were impressed. Then he said he has to read to music to
be focused. When I asked him what kind of music he listens to, he told me Wiz Khalifa.
I died laughing. The kid was dead serious.
This week, we had a dinner with the family Carrillo Lemus. We
ate papas lawancquillina or something like that. Elder Torres cooked it. They
made ceviche (crab salad). Seated at the table with 6 people eating DINNER
(that hasn’t happened in a while) made me feel like I was with my own family. Haven’t
felt that chill in a while. HNO MARIO CAME TO CHURCH!!! TEMPLE! TEMPLE! TEMPLE!
TEMPLE!
We passed by Mattias this week. His grandma met us outside
and told us he doesn’t want to meet with us anymore. We asked if we could talk
to Mattias instead. When we met with him, he confirmed what his grandma said. He
said he wants to devote time to studying, family, and other things, and doesn’t
want to be limited by what we can’t do. We asked questions and listened
sincerely. Turns out he had heard and read some pretty whacked out stuff and we
were able to respond to those doubts, answer some questions he had, and then
watch the restoration video. Helped him out.
In district council this week, Elder Bliss bore a powerful
testimony. I had been feeling lukewarm for a while. That sparked the Spirit in
me and confirmed my testimony of the restoration. The next day, I bore that
same testimony to Nicol, and I felt the Spirit very strong. The day after that Moises
told us he doesn’t believe in what we do, and whipped out some scriptures from
the Bible. I didn’t know what to do, or how to respond. But I did know that
what I have a testimony about is true. So I bore my testimony. My point is that
bearing your testimony has a powerful domino effect. Elder Bliss´ testimony
this week helped me throughout the week. Please bear your testimonies.
Yesterday, we were talking with a youth. Something happened
in the conversation, and then Elder Torres and the kid burst out laughing. I
didn’t understand and thought I said something that was interpreted inappropriately
(happens a lot), or that they were laughing at my Spanish (neither of the two).
Later we were walking to the church, and a group of 3 teenagers were screaming
English words and sentences at me, mocking me. That happens a lot, and it takes
a lot to ignore and keep walking. They followed us for about a minute. Elder Torres
had it and whipped around and did a contact with them and told them they could
practice English with me if they wanted. I felt dumb. I had had it. We got to
the chapel and while Elder Torres was in the bathroom, I prayed on my knees and
cried like crazy. Sometimes it is super frustrating with the language. I want
to build relationships, help others, teach and have others understand, and
express myself. Sometimes I feel like the ability to express myself is completely
taken away from me, even in prayer because I can’t say everything I want to,
and it is such a habit to pray in Spanish that it is now difficult to pray in
English. I felt the Spirit confirm to me that God was pleased with me. God
knows what He is doing. Tender mercy.
After district meeting this week, I was also feeling
overwhelmed on the bus ride home. I was stressed, and struggling with my weaknesses,
and trying to be focused on the work. I prayed. I had the strongest feeling
come over me that in that exact moment my dad was praying for me. I felt his
prayer for me. It helped me.
I know God hears and answers prayers, and our testimonies
have a powerful impact on others.
Elder West
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| Wearing out the soles of his shoes |
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| worn out insoles |
