Elder Hale: two missions, one God

Viernes Highlight: I expounded scripture in the night doing follow up to Dayana over the phone. It was amazing. We both felt a burning in our chests and we both knew that the Book of Mormon is true.  John 3: 34 "For whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him."  I read over this several times, but only after saying a prayer, I came to understand that God does not give a partial peace to those whom only keep some of his commandments or only wish to listen to some of the words of His disciples. Similarly, the Book of Mormon really is the word of God, and anyone that is denying it will be unable to have the spirit in any measure. (We both felt the spirit really strongly like a burning in our bosoms and she remarked about it.) Ether 4: 10,11 (focused on the part that says) "he that believeth these things which I have spoken, him will I visit with the manifestations of my spirit." I told her: "Dayana. I will add my...

Jueves We are becoming much more effective because of the new ways of Elder Diaz. I am glad that the Lord has counseled me to be humble so that I could receive this and not murmur (very much :)). A key part of this is applying EVERY part of the Preach My Gospel manual. This is the bible for any missionary. If you have not read it you are a fool on accident, and if you have chosen to not read it, you are a fool on purpose. By the way, "Every member is, or ought to be a missionary.¨ President Joseph Fielding Smith ¨She might be someone you met only yesterday, but we have what they need. Let us take new courage from our studies and pray, as did Peter, and now, Lord… grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word, (Acts 4:29).¨ President Spencer W. Kimball

Miercoles Stretching and learning more about how to be the missionary that God needs me to be. Ether 12: 27 helps me to understand that when people are invited to come unto Christ, their weakness will be made plain. They are given that gift from Christ in order to see what they lack. Then I must meet that need with Christ´s restored gospel. Only then will they understand that I am a servant of God… and only then will I REALLY BE a servant of God.

Martes When unfortunate situations occur, it´s best to just mentally restart the day. It´s important to keep the circumstances in mind, but it´s not important to worry to much about it.

Lunes It is really important to never obligate someone. If you were offered a slice of your favorite cake you would naturally want it… unless it was shoved in your face.

Domingo Highlights Ate rabbit (conejo) in the bishop´s house Elder Saldana packed to leave to Yungi early tomorrow Finished the week with a personal record of new people investigating the church!!! We had to choose if we were going to travel a little far for only one appointment and then immediately return so that Elder Saldana could finish packing… or we could find something closer. I felt strongly that we should go, and when we arrived, we met Joel and his wife Yersy whom we already met. Joel is a singer with contracts! They haven´t been going to any church for some time, but they explained some of the many miracles that they have seen in their lives and that they would like to change and put the Lord first. I discerned that they needed the Law of Chastity. I know not why, especially cus they said they were already married, but who am I to deny the promptings of the spirit? They´ll read it, pray about it, and we´ll meet them again.  Giving my all to the Lord has given me so much....

Sabado I had a really full day again! We taught ten new people today: even more than yesterday!  I decided on a new way to define faith for me: Faith is trust in the reality of something of which there is not yet concrete proof. Highlight: (We are sharing stuff we learned during our companion study) Elder Dias: (shares some deep doctrine) Elder Saldana: (shares his favorite scripture) Me: I have learned that pan rallado means bread crumbs Dani: ahhh but you are soo skinny 80 pounds Maricielo: No! I am so fat. Why are all of my family clowns Luis: (trying really hard not to make his laughter visible)

Viernes We did it. We really did it! I love this area so much. Everyone wanted to receive us today. We taught 8 lessons today and talked with and encouraged so many people. I feel so good!  Highlights: Eduardo (new): I want to promise you that I will read the Book of Mormon every day. When we went to the appointment of Geraldin De La Cruz, she wanted to receive us, but she didn´t have a shirt on… and she was alone in the house. We invited her to join us in the house of a member friend of her´s that lives super close. She was totally cool with it, and cus it wasn´t her own house, she threw on a shirt before we left. She told us that she wanted to unite herself with the church, but first she wants to consult with God, so she is going to be praying about it over the next couple days!!! I learned something important: never ever ignore a prompting, or wait to act on it until it´s too late. I practiced this today when I felt to meet someone, but we had little time to be able go to our n...

Jueves Multizone was today. When we arrived, President pulled us aside. He told us that as of that moment, (Elder Saldana and I) we are now in a trio with Elder Dias.  He is from Chiclayo, Peru, and served in Argentina a year before returning home for knee problems (2 months) before being reassigned to serve here in Trujillo Sur.  I was told by Elder Pena that Alberto Garcia, who is my convert of only a couple months, is now the ward mission leader!!!! We went to the appointment for Roxanna and she wasn´t there! But that is okay cus we met her husband for the first time. He was a little formal-cold at first, but then after putting our best foot forward he welcomed us in. He told us that he has a great faith in God and knows that the councils of God are the best thing for the family. Also that he met with missionaries about 15 years ago ¿-’, and that they were the ones that helped him understand the importance of marriage with Roxanna. He really opened up, and after we exp...

Miercoles While in a lesson with Ruth outside her house, her neighbor arrived home from work and was pretending to sweep the same spot of dirt in front of her house for twenty minutes so that she would be able to listen. Then after we ended the lesson we were in a rush and forgot to talk to her… and she followed us! She had seen us visit with her neighbor and had always wanted to visit with her. 

 Lunes Today was a little bit harder to find the people that have really been waiting to hear message of the lord (the chosen ones). Well, they really are all chosen, but they are so confused. I feel sad that I wasn´t able to find much of the manner to be able to help them. I need to get better at listening and discerning the needs and worries of the people. I want to be able to help them. I want to help people be interested in this gospel. How can I do so if they don´t see a direct application for it in their life though? Before I even begin talking, I have to help them want what I have.  We followed the schedule super strictly, and because of that we were still led to people that are really awesome, even if they weren´t able to receive us in that moment, I just want to be in such a way that each interaction however small I have with someone will leave an impression with them that will lead them to Christ.