It didn't quite go how we planned, but it was still an amazing week. Remember that goal we set to commit one person to baptism every day? Well...we ended up only commiting Camila. I'll tell you the details in a sec. We set the goal because in Motilones there are 2 investigators that need to get married before they can get baptized, but they just need to do it. They've already decided to get married and everything. Another investigator we have, Jasmin, has been going to church for about a year now. Ever since she and the rest of her family took the missionary lessons. Her husband and 2 kids got baptized, but she never did. She said that maybe in a year (hint hint) she would get baptized. Then there were a couple people that I don't really know here in Aeropuerto that we were going to commit. Anyway, I got a call this week from the Bishop. It went kind of like this: "Elder, Do you know the Hermana Jasmin?" "Yeah. The one that came to church this last Sunday?" "That's the one. She wants to get baptized. When can we meet?" Wow. Haha. So we met with her on Saturday, and she expressed her desires to be baptized. She's had problems with some of the commandments, but she wants to meet with us and take the lessons again, since she hasn't taken the lessons in over a year. So hopefully that all goes well. :) There's something really interesting about the way Heavenly Father works. We discussed this week in a meeting with President Hacking that the more contacts we do, the more refferals we receive from the members. We decided that it was because when the members see that we're working on our own and bringing investigators to church of our own efforts, they trust us more with their refferals. So my companion and I were in the middle of contacting someone when the bishop called me to tell me about Hna. Jasmin. I love Missionary Work. Because Heavenly Father is so, so involved in every moment. He knows when to send blessings and miracles, and He knows when to hold back for a bit and let us work and learn and grow for ourselves. But no matter how the work gets done, there are always amazing blessings that come. The greatest blessing for me is to see an investigator who keeps their commitments to read and pray and attend church. Because those three things are key to receiving the revelation they need: that the Book of Mormon is true. That Joseph Smith is a prophet. That the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is the Lord's kingdom on the earth today. If they keep their end of the bargain, Heavenly Father will bless them with that piece of revelation.
We had a lesson with Camila on Tuesday. We taught her about the Law of Chastity. At times that lesson can be kind of awkward, but I've learned to just be bold and tell them how it is. Because if we kind of beat around the bush and say things in "code" then they end up misunderstanding and just being lost (code: send in the brain bots!). Anyway, the lesson went really well. Apparently in the church she came from, they were even more strict with things like that than us. Same with the Word of Wisdom (Except coffee...that's the hardest thing here). So we commited her to live the law of chastity, and then started a segue into baptism, because we had planned on commiting her that night to be baptized on the 21st of January. I extended the commitment, and she denied it. That almost always happens. She said something about needing more time and wanting to learn more. She said that she did want to be baptized, but further on. Mas adelante. That's when I had one of the most incredible experiences I have ever had. The Spirit completely took over. I don't remember what words "I" said, but afterwards I re-extended the commitment, and she accepted. :D It was an incredible moment. The Spirit was so strong. It was such a testimony builder for me, knowing that the Lord really did use me as a mouthpiece. Those weren't my words. They only came out of my mouth. It was a wonderful experience. She had her interview on Saturday, and did wonderful. Our District Leader said that she told him about her experience praying and just feeling a joy and a peace that she had never felt before. Camila is really just golden. :)
Some days as a missionary I wish there were 30 hours in a day. Because everyone wants an appointment at 6 or 7 pm, and we have to put off important appointments because we already have previous commitments. Kind of lamesauce. So this week, I think it was Thursday, we were running from appointment to appointment, late as usual. :P It's just that the families we were going to visit lived like 70 miles apart. Even on the bus it took us like 1/2 an hour to get there. Then we were short on time and had to run to our next appointment... I think this paragraph started out as an excuse for why we didn't complete our goal of baptismal commitments. We did our best, and had some really amazing results. That's the best thing about goals. Sometimes things don't go the way you plan them, but at the end of the week, you can still see how far you've come, and adjust your goal for the next week.
Oh, so we were supposed to know about the cambios last night. They always call us Sunday night and tell us where/if we're going, who's coming, etc. so you can despedirse and empacar on Monday to be ready to leave by Tuesday. Hopefully we'll know tonight. They told us that between now and April, 60 new missionaries will be coming to this mission, so more than half of the missionaries here right now will be trainers between now and then. So...maybe they'll send me an hijo. Here, they're not greenies, they're sons or daughters. ;) Hehe. Anyway, I'll let y'all know next week.
Take care everyone. Stay active. Say your prayers. Read your scriptures. Especially Helaman 5. Look for how the Spirit speaks to us.
I love you all. :) Take luck.
-Elder Cannon
P.S. Happy Birthday Katie! :) Now your driver's lisence can be upright. Haha. ;) I love you!
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