Monday, March 12, 2012
Hooooooooola!!!
Pasamos la semana bien! Era interesante como dijiera que no habiamos tenido lluvia/tormentas anteriormente, pero esta fin de semana pasada no queria dejar de llover... (We spent the week right! It was interesting as we had not had dijiera rain / storms before, but this past weekend did not want to stop raining ...)
But it was good, though! Some opportunities to grow in the faith, and some experiences that I hope I'll never forget! It's been really interesting, time here. I was thinking this past week how it would be both fun and inspiring to write down a list of experiences I've had and how they've helped me to grow, what I've learned from them, and how my testimony was strengthened. I haven't had the chance to do that yet, but I'm hoping and praying to have that opportunity (with the Spirit guiding me) soon. I've been struggling a lot to write in my journal, and it's been kind of frustrating. There are so many awesome experiences to record, and not enough time in the day to write everything down! Do you have any suggestions? Time management has been one of my weak points, and so any advice in that area would help out a lot.
Okay, on to business!
I think for the apartment question, Rockland/Rockport was good (The one I stayed at last time - It was a good one, but I don't remember how expensive it was). If Justin is good with living there, that would be cool! I think the best part will be rooming with Justin, that would be really fun! And if Brad can be there, too - I'd be great with that! I think if all three of us are in one place, a 6-man would be good. But if it is just Justin and I, a 4-man might be better. Just personal opinion. And as far as grocery store is concerned, I don't think it is too far away. We should be able to catch a ride with someone when they go down. Or maybe we can break out the bikes!
The week here has been going well! The Lord always gives us more opportunities to learn and grow, it seems like! We've had some downpours here, over the past 3 days. The rain really hasn't stopped completely since last Thursday. Today it's looking a bit clearer. Texas really does need the rain, though!
As a mission, we're really focusing on baptismal dates, keys (10 purpose-driven OYMs each day, per missionary), and investigator lessons. It's been really amazing to see the hand of the Lord come forth and provide! Last evening was a great example of that:
We were planning on going to a devotional for the mission last night (directed towards investigators), but weren't able to find anyone to go, or even any members to take us down there. We really did everything we could to go, but weren't able to make it. After that, things just seemed to not be going very well. We weren't finding the favorable response that we wanted to find. But in the evening, we were able to have a miraculous lesson with someone and give him a copy of the Book of Mormon. We set up an appointment to return on Saturday! Then, on the other side of the street, we were able to enter the house of a family we have taught twice before, but this time we were able to extend to them a baptismal date, and they accepted! Her name is Rosibel. Two of her sons were there as well, and they were asking a lot of questions about the pictures in the front of the Book of Mormon - Samuel the Lamanite, Moroni and the plates, Christ in the Americas, the Liahona, etc. It was really fun! I think it can be really easy sometimes to just go through the motions of being a missionary. But when we can really feel our purpose, when we have those moments that teach us why we do missionary work, it makes everything worth it. I know that this fullness of joy that comes from doing the work of the Lord is eternal and lasting. It doesn't go away with time. When we are able to find that love for the people and really desire their salvation, then this whole work just fills you up!
Elder Duran is doing well. He's been talking to a lot of people! It's definitely been an adventure, going through the ups and downs together. I'm definitely grateful for the opportunity that I have to serve with him! It seems like the Lord just teaches me more and more each day through him, and he really reminds me a lot of myself in the beginning of my mission. When there are times that I get impatient, I think back on how my first few transfers were, and then change my way of thinking and way of teaching. It's been a big learning experience.
Well, Magdaleno went back to El Salvador today. I was thinking about it this morning, and it did make me kind of sad. He was at Church yesterday, though, and so it was good to be able to say goodbye to him there. It's just weird to think that he's not coming back for a while.
And I think it's about time to go. Sorry I couldn't answer all the questions! There is so much to write! If you put some of the questions in next week's e-mail, I'll try to answer them!
Los amo, a infinidad, y mas alla!
Con mucho amor,
Elder Devin Collins
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