HOOOOOLA!!!!!
Well, we had a pretty good week. We're still doing our best to 'find those who will receive [us],' and so we've had a lot of people falling through, but we've also seen a lot more people who have a much greater potential to progress - many have already talked to missionaries in the past, and I hope that this time, as we follow the Spirit, we'll be able to participate in the harvest.
This past week, we applied the training of meals with a member in our area. When we asked her to invite someone to dinner, she told us, "Elderes, yo no conoczo a nadie!!" ("Elders, I don't know anyone!) But later on, that day or the next, she called us back! She told us that she had talked to someone and invited them to dinner, someone she had only talked to in passing. But he came! We went up before dinner, knocked on his door, and he came with us to eat! We had a lesson with him, and he said he would be baptized if he finds out that the Church is true. He still has his doubts, but he gave us a real phone number, and we have an appointment to return and teach tonight! The meal training is inspired, and I'm sure the members are connected with many more people who are prepared to receive the gospel than they think. I thought before that the missionaries would come over just to eat, but when we can prepare someone to be taught in our house, that is the ideal situation (and I think you'd see a HUGE smile on their faces when they got that surprise!).
Okay, so during this week, the same fire truck has passed us 3 times...actually, three times in three consecutive days! But the first day, they drove right into our complex! One of the neighbors in our complex left something on their stove and it caught their appartment on fire. Definitely not a good day for them! But everyone was okay, just not the happiest people in the world. The next day, though, was probably the coolest part (yes, even cooler than the pictures we took on our back patio of the firetrucks!): He came up to us and told us that when they went back into the apartment, everything was burned...except for the pass-along card with the picture of Jesus Christ on the front. He said that it was sitting up on the windowsill, and that everything else had burned except for the card. Is that cool or what? I think that's a sign, but I didn't get the chance to tell him that before he walked around the corner...
I'm definitely happy for the opportunity to talk to you! Some days are better than others. Today is a good day, and the last half of yesterday was as well. In the beginning of yesterday, I was feeling pretty down, frustrated, and didn't really see a way to get out of the rut that I was in, and so that got me down even more. But as I talked to Elder Rodriguez, I started to feel a little better. At the end of the day, I was feeling much better. I still am (knock on wood!).
Yesterday...wow, my last 4th of July in the mission...it's weird. I still have more than 10 months left, but I also feel like I'm going home in no time. It's a weird feeling! Yesterday, we made a cake and (I'm not sure if we were supposed to or not) watched fireworks from our doorstep. They only went on for a few minutes, but still interesting. I think the best part was the cake! There's still more! Hopefully next time, I'll have the pictures to send to you!
I received the Camelbak, and it works like a charm! Even if my back is still very, very sweaty, it helps much more. The padding also helps. And I love all the secret pouches and hidden (well, not really "hidden," but fun) pockets in it.
Hmm...what else has gone on during this past week...A drunk man yelled at us in Taco Bell, threatened to kill me under his breath, and by the end of the day, we were best buds! It's very interesting to see all the people you have the chance and blessing to meet, people that you might never have the chance to talk to otherwise. We definitely stand out in our white shirts and ties, riding around on bikes all day. And people know what we stand for. The conversations I have with people are centered around Jesus Christ and the gospel, His Atonement, and how each one of us can find the happiness we're looking for. I'm definitely not perfect - I get reminders of that every day, and they're not very subtle reminders - but I know that Jesus Christ helps us through everything we go through. And there is no better time then time spent serving Him, because you can know that He will provide: it's His promise!
Well, I've got to go. I love you, and I'm looking forward to hearing all about your AWESOME week!
Les amo!! A infinidad, y mas alla!!!
El Devinator
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