This week has gone by pretty fast.
The truth is its been a little tough, personally more than anything. I'd
describe it with a paraphrase from Elder Bednar - "What we do doesn't always reflect what we know." I know what I need to do to be successful
and be happy, but I sometimes give in to the natural man within me and
lose a bit of the fire I started out with. I don't know exactly -
perhaps its being in the same place with the same people for so much
time, not really sure.
It was great to hear about Brig's patriarchal
blessing - super cool stuff. Also, I forgot to thank Anna for the letter
that was in the package. I loved the story and its interesting how
Satan works in subtle ways.
Well, the theme for this week and this transfer has
been/will be charity. Mom, you talked about Moroni 7 (one of the best scriptures ever - you should read it) the other week, and
I decided to study it and throw some of the verses on the back of my
new planner. We're making it a matter of prayer personally and in our
comp to be given more charity. A few cool experiences:
Feeling a bit overwhelmed Monday
after the shocking surprise that we'd have another 6 weeks together and
I'd be staying in Limache, I decided I needed to change some things.
Herm and I don't talk all that much in the apt - we're both kinda quiet,
keep to ourselves. Well, I don't want to be confined to my own thoughts
so much, and I've been feeling that I can't really love anyone here if I
don't love my comp, so I decided to just tell him I like him and that
I'm happy to be working with him again. I did, even though I was kinda
second-guessing if he's take it weirdly, and it was great. He opened up
and we just talked about about how we were feeling etc.
A few days later, we hit up one of our constant
investigators - Antonio. I don't remember if I described him last week;
he's about 50, been an alcoholic most of his life, and is going to an
accelerated elementary school for adults. He's dope, but he relapsed
with the wine this week, and it's been tough to carry a conversation.
Anyways, we stopped by. He got super pumped to see us, and repeatedly
told me he was so proud that I'm staying in Limache etc - classic drunk
guy. Well, we started talking outside his house, and about 3 mins later,
he started to break down and cry. Hard. He's had a really hard life,
and I think he's got a lot of problems that he doesn't talk about. I
decided to just give him a hug. He put his runny nose in my nice old
white shirt, and just cried. Then, he went to Herm. Herm doesn't
really show love/affection much, but he gave him a big bear hug too.
Antonio kept telling us that he trusts us and knows we're gonna help him
sort his life out. I felt genuine love for him, and although its tough
to see him succumb to the wine, and basically impossible to teach him
anything under the influence, he's getting better. He's a real, just
innocently awesome guy.
We've seen lately that we're increasingly dividing
the difference between ourselves and being missionaries. Like, there's
40 and then there's Elder Blake. Man, Elder Blake sucks. He's boring, no
fun, and just dryly teaches doctrine from Preach My Gospel. Nobody
wants to come unto Christ through such a dud. We're both trying to
eliminate this difference, and preach and teach being ourselves. Trying
to focus on getting to know the people we talk with (not to or at) and
letting them see that we're normal. I think this will be a key to
success going forward. Not being a freaking robot, and making the work
fun.
I'd love any advice you normal people have to be
more friendly, warm, and engaging when we're talking to people in the
bus or the street or a taxi. Hahahaha basically, what makes you want to
talk with a stranger? What are some spiritual pick-up lines we could
use? Hit me up with your answers.
Love yall tons. Keep sending letters - they're the bomb. Go to Church.
Elder Blake
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