Hello Family,
Change week was this last week, though yesterday actually was the day that we got our new companions. Elder Ribeiro left the area to go and actually be in the office for his second time in the mission. I am still here in Boca del Monte 2, and my new companion’s name is Elder Ulloa. He is 20 and is from Nicaragua and has 16 months in the mission. Obviously we have not had that much time together but I think things are going to be good. Last night we were talking about the zone a bit, preparing for a zone meeting that we had this morning and it was really nice to be able to have a real conversation in which we shared ideas and desires for this change. Finally, somebody else who really has the desire to work hard and brings ideas to the table on how to do it. Who knows, maybe next week my tone about the whole thing will be different, but for now I’m content.
The baptism for Maria and Jaime went great. The ward really did not support us that much which was really frustrating, having to be calling people like the bishop and his councilors to see if at least one of them would be there and all of them saying no, when previously they had all said yes. Then the bishop finally showing up about 35 minutes late dressed in shorts and a t-shirt. Also, nobody from the Elders Quorum presidency was there. Setting all of that aside, it was a great success. Sunday they were confirmed and seem to be happy. We are going to be working with them a lot to be able to try to get some references from them. Just a casual invitation...
You should all pray and try to come up with a least one person to share the gospel, include the missionaries and constantly invite them to church. How great the joy will be for the Lord and for you guys.
This week I was doing some reflecting on how it is that we can show our love to God. I came to the conclusion that it is something that we can really only do through our actions. Things we do and do not do. In a couple of different places in the scriptures we are taught, "…if ye love me, keep my commandments." As I have learned from Dad’s Ward Conference talk, God really wants our will, He wants us to be consecrated to Him. It is something that is absolutely essential, being consecrated is not just being worthy, but also making our life something sacredly dedicated to the Lord. Just like parents on earth, God wants children who are obedient, who always communicate with him through constant prayer, and who want to come back home in the end.
I love you all and hope that you have a great week, with a big focus in the things that really matter most, and that we let the little things of no value or concern go their way.
Love,
Elder Marks
Change week was this last week, though yesterday actually was the day that we got our new companions. Elder Ribeiro left the area to go and actually be in the office for his second time in the mission. I am still here in Boca del Monte 2, and my new companion’s name is Elder Ulloa. He is 20 and is from Nicaragua and has 16 months in the mission. Obviously we have not had that much time together but I think things are going to be good. Last night we were talking about the zone a bit, preparing for a zone meeting that we had this morning and it was really nice to be able to have a real conversation in which we shared ideas and desires for this change. Finally, somebody else who really has the desire to work hard and brings ideas to the table on how to do it. Who knows, maybe next week my tone about the whole thing will be different, but for now I’m content.
The baptism for Maria and Jaime went great. The ward really did not support us that much which was really frustrating, having to be calling people like the bishop and his councilors to see if at least one of them would be there and all of them saying no, when previously they had all said yes. Then the bishop finally showing up about 35 minutes late dressed in shorts and a t-shirt. Also, nobody from the Elders Quorum presidency was there. Setting all of that aside, it was a great success. Sunday they were confirmed and seem to be happy. We are going to be working with them a lot to be able to try to get some references from them. Just a casual invitation...
You should all pray and try to come up with a least one person to share the gospel, include the missionaries and constantly invite them to church. How great the joy will be for the Lord and for you guys.
This week I was doing some reflecting on how it is that we can show our love to God. I came to the conclusion that it is something that we can really only do through our actions. Things we do and do not do. In a couple of different places in the scriptures we are taught, "…if ye love me, keep my commandments." As I have learned from Dad’s Ward Conference talk, God really wants our will, He wants us to be consecrated to Him. It is something that is absolutely essential, being consecrated is not just being worthy, but also making our life something sacredly dedicated to the Lord. Just like parents on earth, God wants children who are obedient, who always communicate with him through constant prayer, and who want to come back home in the end.
I love you all and hope that you have a great week, with a big focus in the things that really matter most, and that we let the little things of no value or concern go their way.
Love,
Elder Marks