New rule - only 45 mins on the copm, but
now we can both write. We just spent the last hour looking for a
different cyber becuase the power went out in our usual.
Logistics:
Talks for Dad - (All
from Apr 2013) Craig Cardon, Tad Callister, and 'We Are One' by Eyring.
Great for strengthening a ward, I'd think, as well as a testimony.
Mom, can you find out how I could make a decent taco seasoning with common spices?
Anyways, time to recount a great week. I'll frame it with a great verse from my persoanl study:
40 But behold, they have rece
I would consider that I recieve my fair share
of wounds daily and weekly in the mission. Contacts rejected,
appointments fallen through, people just disappearing, etc...
Let's work backwards. Yesterday, as ward pianist, I got to choose the
hymns for sac meeting. I chose some of my favorites (and some of the
only i can play): Israel, God is Calling, Nearer My God to Thee, and God
Speed to Right. I played the 2nd for the sacrament, and I think it may
be my favorite of all the hymns. After, as I waited to take the
sacrament, I reflected upon the words (in spanish obviously). They hit
me hard, and I began to tear up a bit.
The first verse is Christ from the cross saying,
"Even if you (directed at the people crucifying him) have lifted me up
on a cross, I will still sing: 'nearer my God to Thee' "
Christ is our number one example. As we "recieve many
wounds," we can always fall back on the fact that he received ALL. He
suffered for us. I know he suffered and died for our sins, and overcame
death. I know that my redeemer lives. Regardless of the suffering, he
never thought about giving up hope in his loving heavenly father.
(Now us speaking): "Even though I go astray, on my
own, cover me with your love and goodness. I will still dream to be near
my heavenly home, nearer my God to thee." most of the time, the wounds
we recieve are self inflicted, and we ourselves are wandering aimlessly
through life. However, often times we just have to roll with the punches
even if we're doing the best we can.
On Friday, went on splits with my DL in his area.
Good day of work. Kinda stinks trying to celebrate the 4th here. Wore a
tie I have with the constitution and flag embroidered, but nothing else
really. Anyways, so we were contacting at around 8:30 pm,
and we meet a real jerk, to put it simply. It was cold, and I still
can't roll my rs in this blessed language. I invite him to come to
church, so he can take advantage of Christ's sacrifice. He asks me what I
said, blank faced, a little condescendingly. I repeat. He says, "no,
blah blah blah" (sounded exactly the same to me. I say, "yeah, what did I
say?" (maybe a little cheeky). He really exaggeratedly says that I
butchered the word. Whatever. A minute later, I testify or whatever, say
another sentence. He just says, "man, spanish is really hard for you ,
isn't it?" There I lost it a bit. "Yeah buddy, its a little hard. Thanks
for helping me out. really friendly." We keep talking to him (classic
big jerk trying to show off in front of his novia), and the 3rd time, he
just says to me, "buddy, practice your spanish." I left him with my
heartfelt testimony and a pamphlet, making sure to really emphasize
every sound, and talk reeeeeeaaaaallllllyyyyy
sllllllooooooowwwwwwllllllyyyy
Alright, so that had me down a bit. That mixed with
some slow progress in the area had me study patience in PMG, which spoke
to me. That led me to Alma 26, the results of the patience of Ammon and
to sons of Mosiah. This verse was direct revelation:
23 Now do ye remember, my bret
I felt pretty laughed to scorn, but decided to just rub some dirt in it and be patience with myself and others.
The next day was tough, until about 7pm.
We didnt teaching a single lesson, it was raining and cold, and just
nothing happening. I'm low on time, but let's just day I decided to just
buckle down and keeping pushing myself physically and mentally. What
paid off for my persistence and patience we really potentialy life
changing. We taught two quick lessons because we decided to just talk to
whichever person was in our path. Good, spiritual, qwuick lessons.
However, around 8:20 I had the best street contact of my life.
We passed a bus stop on the way to an appointment
with a really good referral. I looked to my left and said hi to the
woman sitting there. I try to say hi to everyone, be friendly. Well, her
face stayed fixed in my mind. It looked like she may be crying. We
walked about 50 feet, and the Spirit told me to go back. Molina followed
me.
Turns out this young couple and their 6 month
daughter were just about at rock bottom. They seemed to have been thrown
onto the street or something, and were just down in the dumps. They had
been sufficiently humbled, like the people in Alma 32. Wow. We asked
them if we could take down their adress and visit. They toild us to sit
down and teach them right there. Man, I can't describe the spirit that I
felt as we taught them the Plan of Salvation. They accepted everything.
I hate to use this phrase, but I think they're a 'familia de oro -
golden family.' We cried together, prayed together, and hoped together. I
testfied of patience. Man. I was on cloud 9. Fabian and Florencia. Pray
for them, and 6 month old Perla.
"The path to heaven I will find, your love will keep me up. There will be angels to guide me, nearer my God to Thee."
No
more time. I KNOW that we will find the path, but not after consistent
patience and perseverance. Love is always the answer. God loves better
than anyone. Oooo there's so much more to say, but no time. Don't be the
people that say they want to be nearer to God, but are really just
lying to themselves. There are very few who really have God and
returning to live with Him as our 1st priority. Faith, obedience, and
diligence. Love. Don't know how to say it better.
Love, Elder (Isaac) Blake
Comp fell asleep while I was talking with our DL on the phone - 11 pm or so
Me and Walter this morning - dope dude who's getting baptized on Friday
San Salvador de Jujuy - a beauty
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