Miracles

Howdy family! How y'all doin this fine week? I have been doing very well! I hope that you all had a fantastic week this past week.

My companion and I were going to baptize 3 families this weekend but they all fell through and some of them do not really even seem positive anymore. It is a sad thing when people allow themselves to be influenced so much by those around them that they do not make the decisions that they KNOW they need and should make. We were a little upset because we weren´t able to baptize, yet we were given the opportunity to teach and find some new really cool families. Counting successes and lessons learned instead of failures helps me to stay positive and animated about this amazing work.

This week I was able to experience some miracles in my work. I did divisions with one of my ex-companions (considering there are now a total of 4 missionaries in my zone who have been my companion) and we went and worked in his area after doing two appointments in mine. We had some really spiritual lessons in both areas. My investigators were uplifted and so I was I. It was interesting to be with one of the companions that I did not necessarily get along with super well and having some really great experiences with him. I was able to teach with the Spirit and feel a change in my investigators, and I was also able to see some miracles. Now, I have to be honest, when people don't respond to questions that I ask them or they just act rather rude to me I get irritated. I know that I shouldn't get upset but sometimes I just allow myself to be weak and act in such a manner, yet that night I was talking to some of that Elder's investigators and I was able to actually take advantage of a gift that I have: I was able to discern other's needs, concerns, doubts, problems, etc. all based on Spiritual revelations. I was able to look a man in the eyes and say that I knew what problems he was having in his life, that God knew and that God would bless him if he did certain things. I was able to promise, with amazing clarity and power, blessings to this man in the name of my dear Savior. In all reality I have no idea if that man will continue to be an investigator, but I hope that in that moment he felt the power and conviction in my heart.

The sad thing is that normally when such amazing things happen we find out later on that these people no longer desire to investigate the church. It is quite odd and sad, but at the same time it is very true. I had some truly remarkable experiences and my words do not suffice such spiritually fortifying and uplifting moments.

We should be seeing some miracles in Puerto this week, starting off with the announcement and commencement of a SECOND CHAPEL here. We will see if that happens this week or not, regardless, this week we are looking at baptizing two other families, I really want to baptize them! We are also preparing two activities this month for District Puerto Cabezas. We will be trying to have more activities for the branches and the district over the next little while to help keep people involved in the church and help them get to know each other better. I am also working on developing Christ-like attributes. I realized that I need to progress daily and become the servant the Lord needs me to be, so I have decided to work daily on becoming more like my Lord and Savior. I want to become a better future husband, father, leader, etc. and the best time to start is now! I mean, if we recognize something is wrong in our lives, why take such a long time to change something that we can change now? It's quite ludicrous. Anyway, I have set that as one of my new goals.

I am really happy for these experiences that I am given daily to learn and to grow, to change and become better, to be tested and tried. I am grateful for all of the people I have baptized on my mission and for the wonderful friendships that I have forged with members, missionaries and my mission president. I know that these two years are two years of my life that are almost like tithing on my life, and they are going to be unforgettable. Thank you all for your constant love and support, prayers, thoughts, letters and packages. Sincerely, these things make me so happy and help me stay focused on passing the love you have given me around to all these people I teach here.

Make good choices. Be obedient. Keep calm. Carry on.

Love,
Elder B