Hey y’all, today has been a little crazy because today we had a mission
tour with Elder De Hoyos of the Seventy so our P-day started a little later. That's why I am sending this a little late.
This week was pretty sweet though. We saw tons of miracles and worked
really hard. Also, my new and final companion in the mission is Elder Gibby
from Brigham City, Utah. He’s a little shy and reserved but he looks just like
Bruce R. McConkie so that definitely makes up for it!
But anyway, on Monday we visited a referral we had received from some
English missionaries for a guy from Colombia named Armando. He is married to a
member of the Church from Texas who doesn’t speak a whole lot of Spanish. It’s
kinda funny too, because he doesn’t speak a whole lot of English. But either
way he is really open to learning the truth and has really insightful questions
that definitely keep us on our toes. But we also invited him and his wife to
come to Oakcrest’s Christmas party on Friday and it was a huge success! Not
only did they come, but as well Armando’s sister’s family came too and seemed
to really enjoy it. In addition to them we had at least 10 other non members
come to the party as well as many less active members. So the activity was a
huge success and we will be trying to work with those who came and see if they
have any desire to learn more.
On Tuesday we were able to teach Perla and Sergio even though they are
very busy getting ready for their wedding this coming Friday. Sergio asked us
if he has to give up coffee. We asked him what for and he said “to be a part of
all of this.” So we decided to teach the why of the commandments in addition to
the word of wisdom to help increase his understanding of that particular
commandment. He is getting close to knowing for himself that these things are
true.
On Wednesday we ate dinner and taught the Restoration to the husband of
another couple that we’ve been working with and it went super well. He seemed
to especially like learning about how he can use the priesthood to bless his
wife and son and how families can live together forever through the same power.
He’s committed to read the Book of Mormon and pray about it, and knows that
when he receives an answer, it means that he has to keep other bigger
commitments.
On Thursday, we saw a huge miracle. While driving to an appointment, we
noticed a new trailer park that we’ve never seen before. We made note of it and
later in the day decided to knock it. After we knocked every door on one of the
streets, we headed back towards our car to grab some more Books of Mormon.
We
passed a house that we had already knocked but no one had answered. We saw a
car in the driveway, so we knocked it and got let in by a couple from Honduras.
As we began to talk to them they began to tell us about their strong faith that
they have in the Catholic Church and we noticed that they had a large painting
of the Virgin of Guadalupe. We didn’t expect them to really show much interest
in our message, but we continued to listen and eventually we asked them a
question that sparked their interest: Why are there so many churches if Christ
only established one? We taught them about Joseph Smith and the Restoration and
they were in shock after we shared the First Vision. The wife began to cry and
explained to us that this was the first time her husband had ever listened to
religious missionaries and she’s been praying for a long time that he’ll show
interest in learning about God. She said she felt something stronger than
anything she’s felt before. She now knows that God answers prayers and she and
her husband are going to read the Book of Mormon and pray to find the truth. We
know that the Holy Ghost can soften hearts and work miracles, even amongst
those who are hard headed and stuck in their ways of tradition and comfort.
That more than anything has been a testimony that I have gained
throughout my mission. That God is real. That he does answer prayers. That
through Him, miracles are wrought. That His son Jesus Christ stands at the door
knocking for that moment when we are ready to open the door and receive Him
into our lives. That even if we have once accepted Christ into our lives and then
cast Him out, that He will always come back in if we let Him. I also know that
God is perfectly just and perfectly merciful. And that if our repentance is
sincere and thorough, that we can be cleansed through the power of the
Atonement of Jesus Christ.
There are those who may doubt or even mock these
words. However, we must be careful to follow the words of the Lord’s prophets,
regardless of how unpopular in the world’s eyes it may seem. There are
countless stories in the Scriptures of times where individuals and families
were saved and protected as they hearkened to the voice of the Lord and His
servants. And that those who didn’t hearken didn’t have that same measure of
protection, that added measure of strength and comfort. So we must always look
in the mirror and evaluate ourselves as to which side of the line of we stand
on: the Lord’s side or the world’s side.
Anyway. I love all of you. Stay strong.
1: Picture at transfers with my second son Elder Broschart, born in the
wilderness
2: We took this on Friday after district meeting. You can barely see
it, but there is snow on the rooftops behind us
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| Elder Barrus and Elder Broschart after Transfer Meeting |
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| After District Meeting |
