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| A Dominating Force in Colombia! |
November 27, 2017
Dear Family, Friends, and World,
So, this was an interesting week! The day
after P-day I got really sick and when I woke up I couldn’t workout or anything
cause my stomach and head were just pounding! But, I thought it would pass in
like 30 minutes so I kept going and did everything that I was supposed to and
studied and all that and went to work! Well, after lunch at the President’s
house he saw how sick I was and the Hermanas (Sisters) noticed too because I
was so silent and I told them what was going on and they all told me to take a
nap... Now, anyone who knows me knows that I do not like to take naps. I feel like
it is kind of a waste of time. Well, we got to the house and I was expecting to
just take the medicine I got and get to work but Elder Espinoza told me I needed
to take a nap! So, I did. Well, after maybe an hour I woke up and got myself
ready because I felt like I had wasted enough of the Lord’s time. The nap
helped for a bit. But, not long after I felt the same way. So, I just suffered
through the day and taught. Whenever I taught I forgot about the pain and just
focused on the investigators! I just couldn’t stand the thought of staying in
our house not working! I mean that is why we are here! Now, I know you all are
thinking, “But, you need to be healthy!” You are correct! And, I took all the
steps to get healthy and I didn’t like it so I just decided to take the pills I
needed and drink lots of water! The remainder of the week I had a little bit of
a headache but I worked through it and was fine. Now, I am 100% better. I
really got ever it probably on Thursday! |
| Following in the footsteps of Dad with a Coke and Empanada! |
Well, we have encountered a problem here. The “Testigos
de Jehova” (Jehova’s Witnesses). They get to a lot of people sometimes before
us and, hahaha, even knock on our door sometimes! Hahaha!! But, we taught one
lesson and she was really interested but skeptical at the same time. And she
said she liked the Testigos a lot. Well, we did everything we could and had a
discussion with her and I think just because of curiosity she will read El
Libro De Mormon. So, that’s always fun when people think we are Testigos
knocking on their door. So, that got me thinking about how can we approach
being different and setting us apart from the Testigos when we go knocking on
doors? Now, our appearance is a bit different because we are always in a white
shirt and tie. But, most of all we have the truth and who cares if they first
think we are Testigos because as soon as we teach and describe who we are they
know we are completely different with a more unique and truthful message. What
sets us apart is we have the true gospel of Jesus Christ! People recognize
that and I see it in their eyes when we teach them. They know that there
is something right about what we are teaching, they just need to accept
it!!
So, one day we had a servicio (service project)
and it was supposed to only be 2 hours cause then we had our district meeting
at 10 in the morning. Well, that turned into, “we will go until lunch,” then it
turned into, “let’s work the rest of the day.” You would think maybe, “Oh man,
poor Elder Weaver,” but, nooooo! I loved it and I am being honest here. Hard
sweaty work just got me excited and ready for the rest of the week. I don’t
know what happened but working hard just makes me feel like a new man!! We had
to shovel dirt from on a hill down in a wheelbarrow in through the house into
the back and in another part of the house and, let’s just say some of the other
Elder’s got tired fast. Personally, I like to GO, GO, GO but some of them were complaining
about how hot it was and wanted to take a break. I just get the work done! Now,
this reminded me of 1 week before my mission when my dad made me shovel rocks
into the truck and down into another area of our property and it took me all
day. And, I am so grateful for that work my father made me do because it
prepared me. I am also grateful for my Grandpa Chuck who taught me how to
actually shovel correctly and how to be efficient. My dad taught me a lot but
one thing he taught me is hard work is a good thing and that it just needs to
be done and you always feel better after a job well done! And, it is so true! I
live by my Grandpa Fred’s 10 Demandments and try to apply them every day.
Thanks Dad and Grandpas!!
So, let’s just say I have a few “snakes” here (they
call “snakes” girls that want a nice missionary boyfriend). There is an
investigator who is interesting. We taught her La Ley de Castidad (The Law of
Chastity) and she understood it and I think it’s going to be hard for her cause
she didn’t understand at first why sexual purity was a good thing. Well, we
explained it and everything and we are praying she does it. But here’s where it’s
interesting, her mom asked me if I had a girlfriend? I said, “no.” She didn’t
believe me and then she asked if girls in the USA are pretty? I said, “yes.” Then,
she asked about here in Colombia? I said, “yes.” Then she asked me what I
thought about her daughter? Now she is a very pretty girl but I am not going to
say anything because I am not here to flirt!!!! I am here to do God’s work.
Luckily Elder Espinoza saved me and I didn’t have to answer. Obviously, her mom
is looking for a guy for her daughter that’s good but, listen, I am not going
down that road! No thank you! I’m on a mission and I have no time to think
about girls!
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| My Zone! |
This week really tested my patience, my faith
and my ability to deal with my companion. I am very impatient when it comes to
learning this language and trying to understand. I have had trouble when my
comp says he understands what I am going through and all this other stuff that
just doesn’t matter. Well, I finally kind of just got over myself and dropped
the pride thing and just started to let my comp know how I was feeling. The
problem is that it was difficult to truly express myself and how I was actually
feeling in Spanish. But, it was good and I am doing a lot better and I just had
to take time to help him understand who is Elder Weaver and what is going on
with me. I noticed that I was able to smile more, be more willing to talk to
people, and to understand and open my mouth. President Laney came to Barranca
because he is technically the President over the 2 ramas (branches) here as
well and he helped me a lot. He’s like my second dad. I was able to just talk
to him and express myself and he knew exactly what to say. He said a lot and I
don’t remember much just the fact that he was able to relate and tell me what I
could do. He said how getting through the first 2 transfers is tough and then
after that you reach higher and higher. I can’t describe everything we talked
about but, l I can say that I felt the spirit and peace enter my soul. I was
able to finally let out what I have been keeping in and he was able to help me.
He asked if he could give me a blessing and I gladly accepted. I just remember his
sincerity and the ability he had to recognize what I needed. After that I just
felt like Preston again and I have been able to work much better. I have grown
a lot in this past week and I thank my Heavenly Father for the hardships that I
am enduring every day because they make me a better man. I am serving the Lord
my God and I know this gospel is true. I have a testimony and sometimes that’s
all that I can share with these people. I know that when I testify they feel
something because I see it in their eyes! My faith was at a level very high and
now it’s even higher because of this week. I am becoming a better Elder Weaver
every week with every hardship.
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| Elder Espinoza and me! |
We got one investigator to come to church
which was awesome!! Haha, he had even stayed up until 6 in the morning partying
for his dad’s birthday and still came! That’s amazing!! That family is gonna
get baptized! I feel
it! Pray for family Robarro!
Love ya!
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