We had a few things happen this week that I'll tell you about. First, I've seen Elder Ben Bolton a few times this week - we have the same lunch hour - and I saw his big brother Braden yesterday on my way to lunch! It was pretty neat seeing them! I also saw Elder Beenfield, who I served one of my mini missions with - he works as a security guard here now! I wish I had gotten a picture, but I left my camera in the classroom that day. So far that's all the people I've seen, but my best friend Cody Pickett is coming in this Wednesday, so I hope I'll be able to see him a few times before he ships out to Colorado Springs. I'm way excited - It's almost like Christmas! Hahaha.
Again, thanks to everyone who has sent me packages. Thanks, mom for the raincoats, etc., and thanks AnnMarie for the T-shirts, and thanks Rachel and Branden for the candy, and thanks Grandma and Grandpa Gordon for the donuts and cookies, and thanks Grandma and Grandpa Trauntvein for the card! With all the food I've been getting, I'm becoming the favorite missionary in the district! Hahaha. I practically had to fight off all the missionaries begging for donuts :P
We're doing fantastic out here. We are now teaching two new investigators: Anderson and Enthony. We've only taught them once each so far, so I don't know a whole lot about them. They seem like pretty cool guys and they're a lot easier to teach than Abel! hahaha. (Either that or we're just getting better at Spanish, which is possible). We're getting to know each other better as a district, which is fantastic. I love these guys so much. The three Guatemalan Elders are leaving this week and we're all going to be sad to see them go. They make up a decent third of our district and bring such a great spirit into the group. BUT, we all know they'll be off to bigger and better things, so I guess it will all be ok.
Sorry I don't have any awesome stories or anything; all our time is taken up by Spanish study. Not having any free time is difficult, but I know this program is inspired and that we'll make it through. They say the days here are like weeks, but the weeks are like days. That is so true! I can't believe I've been here for two and a half weeks already! It's weird to think that, had I been going to an English mission I would be shipping out in just a few days. Oh! I don't know if I told you, but my first Sunday here, they asked me to give a talk on Enduring to the End - all in Spanish! I had only been here, like, three days and I was so scared I left the notebook I wrote the talk in in my classroom! I didn't realize it, though until I was on the stand, ready to speak. I had my Spanish Preach My Gospel and Book of Mormon and that was it. I don't know how I did it, but I got up there and I just started talking. It was some of the best Spanish I had ever spoken in my life. I gave the whole talk I had written out and bore my testimony, only asking for help with a word once or twice. I felt the Spirit so strong when I did so, and I knew that Heavenly Father was proud of me. After Sacrament Meeting, I had missionaries that had been here seven and eight weeks telling me I gave a better talk than they could. It made me feel so good inside that, even though I forgot my notebook, I had been obedient and the Lord had blessed me for it.
I know that this is the Lord's True Church. I know that without a doubt. In my short time here, I have grown closer to my Savior and Redeemer than I ever have before. I know that He was there in the beginning with the Father, that by Him and through Him, the worlds are, and were created. I know that He sent us here that we might learn and grow that we might progress eternally. He came in the meridian of time, not to condemn the world, but that through Him, the world might be saved. He took upon Himself our each and every sin and died that we might live. As the Son of the Father, he could not be killed; He gave His own life voluntarily to finish the Work. I know that His Gospel has been restored in these, the last days, and that it shall never again be taken from the Earth. I know that as a missionary, I have been Called of God as His special witness and it is my duty to administer His Truth unto this people that they might come closer unto Christ. I also know that He will return in the end to rule among the children of men, and in that day there shall be no more sorrow nor fear. I know these things without a shadow of a doubt. This is my work and my glory, to invite others to come unto Christ through faith in Him, repentance, baptism, the reception of the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end. I testify that these things are true and do so in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Well, I have to go. God be with you till we meet again.
Love,
Elder Trauntvein
P.S. Mom, yeah put my address and email on Facebook! I can't write anyone any emails, but I can write them letters, so it's all good. If I need anything, I'll let you know.
Amy G.: This week's installment. The last paragraph made me totally cry...
Myrna wrote: Me too! It made me cry also. (I hope that card still had the money in it.)
Kirsten wrote: The second to last paragraph did it for me! Love these Elders of ours! Love, Kirsten
