Hey family of mine,
Yes, I apologize profusely for the letter last week. It was a very slow computer and trying to send pictures became difficult and it was a bit of a mess. Im sorry…I will do better I promise. J.
Things here are going swell. Helping my companion get used to the area and the investigators is always interesting. I think I have introduced him to like 100 different people in the past two weeks. The time after changes you always hear the whole `Wait, and the other missionary? What happened to the other guy?` It can be fun to joke around with the people and make up funny stories,…but all in good taste of course.
Elder Barrios is my new companion. He is from Guatemala (Next place to visit haha) He is this little short stout happy Latino. We have a blast. He has 7 months and served a half of that time in guatemala due to visa problems. So he brings some insight and ideas from another mission that help us out sometimes. But things are good. We are happy and get along well.
This week was a…..good week. Yes I can say ¨good¨. That doesn't mean it was very easy, or full of amazing experiences, but it was good. We had a couple of days in there where we were on fire, and we had lessons here, new investigators there, contacts over here, and referrals over yonder. Those days are great, because you come home wiped and dead, knowing that its because you worked hard and helped a bunch of people. But then we had some other days where almost every appointment fell through…and you feel like you must have a skunk on your head becasue nobody wants to talk to you. Those days we just had to shrug our shoulders and keep going. Those days we still came home whipped and tired, but its not a very satisfying feeling. We just had to say that there is always tomorrow! (easier said than done…but possible)
We are working with some really great people right now, investigators, less actives, and branch leaders. I often reflect on the HUGELY amazing blessing it has been to be able to come and meet and know so many different, new and interesting people. And How they have become part of my life. Honestly it is still weird to me how you guys most likely will never meet these people who have been apart of my life this little while…. And how they will never meet you, I try not to think about it, like I said, it makes me feel….weird haha, if that makes any sense. But we have some investigators that have some very good questions that have helped me reflect personally on my own testimony. Investigators can ask inspired questions too. And when they do, it not only gives us the chance to invite the spirit with our own testimony, but reflect as missionaries, members, children of God. Well, I wish I had a great example right now for you.,,,that would make this little rant worth it….but alas.. maybe next time haha.
The other day we had an interesting experience…i wish i could give you more details, but i´ll sum it up…..we were visiting some less actives, as we aproached their house, we found their grandpa who lives in the fields in the high parts, seated on the porch, a little drunk, and a little anti mormon. We began a conversation, and he had a lot to say about how we are liars and that god only has one true church… and we were like ¨yeah…your'e right¨ lol. But as the conversation went on he got angry really fast, it kinda took us by surprise. ( we are seated in front of him) And he very quickly pulled off his belt and gave me a very swift whip with his leather belt across the lap haha. Yelling and telling us to never come back. We decided it was a good idea to leave after that haha. But it was a good little axperience, a little physical violence to remind you that you are doing the right thing haha.
Well, I hopemy little update is alright. I hope everything is going well with you guys. Enjoy the NEWLY DEDICATED TEMPLE!! Wow, awesome. J
I love you all so much, you are in my prayers!
Elder Lonsdale
