Week 8: Preston Withdrawals!

Dear Friends and Family and People of the World, 

     I name this email, “Preston Withdrawals,” simply because I have calculated in the past how long it takes people until they realize they miss me and it is usually about a month and a half plus some like a week or 2. So, if you are right now having Preston Withdrawals just know that it will be ok and that I am having a great experience down here!

    So, at the beginning of the week we had “cambios” (changes) which was really cool and good for me because I got another perspective on how to contact and teach. I think I really did learn a lot. Elder Dias was my companion that day and we did awesome! At first contacting was slow but then we decided to say a simple prayer and asked that we might find a family that we might be able to teach. And, what do you know in about 30 minutes we found a house with literally a huge family and everyone was engaged in what we were teaching. The mom was the most into it which was cool to see! That whole day was just fun and it flew by! 

Elder Weaver, Elder Espinoza and some friends in Barranca

     The next day was also a really great day! We had a district meeting and we did a small activity where we ask regular common questions investigadores (investigators) have. We then looked for a scripture and answered their questions. And, when it was my turn to answer I surprised everyone because I don’t think any of them thought that I could do it. That was kinda cool and funny to see. After that we got to work going from house to house, appointment to appointment and people were letting us in and talking with us and we got to teach a lesson or 2 to new people. But, one family in particular named La Familia Garzon. They were so awesome to teach because we taught something new that I have never taught which was templos (temples). When I would ask if they wanted to seal their family and receive blessings of being an eternal family I could just feel the power in the words I was saying and saw them just change and really want what I was talking about! None of them are baptized yet! But, don’t worry cause I feel like it is going to happen soon! They really want what we are talking about. The only problem is the mom she isn’t married and so she can’t be baptized until she is married. But, one of them can be baptized because he is 16 and so that means all he needs is his mom’s permission. So hopefully we can get that through. So, we got a lot of referrals this week as well and we have 9 new investigators on top of the 13 others we are currently teaching. 

A small frog on P-day

     Two other people that have really humbled me a bit this week are Luz Mar y Manuela. They have literally no money and they can’t feed their family. They only get to eat one meal a day and so they really are suffering. It’s hard because it is a rule we can’t give money to them. So, we have just been praying for them and teaching them. It’s crazy because if they would just join this true gospel and be baptized I know that so many of their problems would be resolved. I know it would happen because I have seen it before in my life. This gospel indeed blesses families and helps families in ways I think we can’t quite understand. 

     There is another familia that I absolutely just love! It is literally a family of just girls and one little boy who is the most crazy, wildest thing ever. But, this family is sooooo sweet and they had no trouble just talking and playing with me and trying to help me out. I don’t know how but me and this little boy named Darwin just totally bonded. When we finally had to leave he gave me a flower and started to cry. How cute and sad is that!? But they ended up showing up to church which was awesome!!! I love that! 

Doing some manual labor for service

     So, I am not gonna lie, this past week has been hard on me. I really am progressing in the language but then every time someone talks to me I just don’t understand everything and it just becomes very frustrating. And, I get really hard on myself and ask why does this have to be so hard and why can’t I just know this language. Well, I got a lesson of how life could be worse and I really don’t have it that bad. We visited this new investigator’s house and they were so nice and I could tell they were ready to hear this gospel. They have been humbled by something that happened in their family. We went into their house and there was a child and he has to use a wheelchair because he can’t extend his arms and legs. His dad said that he was a normal boy until one day he just couldn’t walk and run and play. In that moment, I knew that we were supposed to talk to them because we have the right thing for them. I know that through the plan of happiness that boy will receive a perfect body and will be happy and will be able to run and play again! And I can’t wait to share that message with him and I can imagine his face just light up. I then was humbled and realized I really don’t have it hard. Is learning the language hard? Yes, but I don’t have a hard life. I have food in my stomach and my body functions properly. So, truly I am grateful and a little bit more humbled. 

Packages from home for Preston (all smiles).

     This past Sunday I had the opportunity to speak in church. Those talks that I made in the C.C.M. came in handy that’s for sure!! But, I’ll be honest, I didn’t use it word for word. I said what I felt needed to be said and expressed and tried to relate to the people in and out of the church. And I really think I did well. I got my message across and I think I impressed a few people. The problem is that I can talk fairly well but when you make it a conversation it becomes different because I can’t understand as well. But anyway, it was good and I just told them how important it is to just endure little by little and then a little bit more and just keeping their commitments and covenants and just sticking in the church because if you do it will bless you and your life. After church, we went to a members home for lunch, gave a quick message and then left. Well, after our message the father of the family told me to come listen to this message or voice memo thing (I hope that I didn’t break a rule). His old American comp sent it to him for me! That message was exactly what I needed. He said how hard it was for him and that he worked through it and got to where he needed to be eventually. He also said that I just needed to be patient. He didn’t know me but literally he had the same exact experience as me and the same emotions that I am having. All I know is that it was exactly what I needed to hear and I know my Heavenly Father answered my prayers right then and there.

  This whole week has just been a testimony of prayer for me and how powerful it really can be. My Heavenly Father has given me strength this whole week and has made me better. I understand a bit more every single day and that is an answer. He makes it easier for me to work harder, faster and stronger every day. He has brought new people into our lives to teach and he has softened the hearts of those we have taught. I truly believe we have received people because of Him. And, every time that I pray, I am comforted. And I know that every day he answers me in a different way and blesses me. It’s hard to really tell you how it happens. All I know is that it does and that I am strengthened every day and so are the people we teach. Learn more about prayer and the Plan of Salvation at mormon.org and lds.org. Or, better yet, invite the missionaries to teach it to you! Thank you for all the emails! I’m really doing good out here working hard and sharing the real restored gospel!

     

Love,

Elder Weaver