Glad that be writing another week, and man the time is going by fast on the mission. This past week I hit my 6 month mark, which is quite sad, because I have less time than I would want. But this past week was good nevertheless, and was an exciting one. And because of what happened this past week, we are going to have a very very busy week for this upcoming one.
Paredes: The Paredes are a less active family that we had dinner with last week on P-day. The wife is from Mexico, and we had carne asada for dinner. And oh man, was it good. Afterwards, we addressed the concern of the scriptures. The Father wants to gain his own testimony of the church, and Joseph Smith is one of his concerns. The only way for him, and for each one of us to gain that testimony, is by studying in the Book of Mormon and really earnestly praying to receive the truthfulness to our Heavenly Father. And then we will receive the answer by the power of the Holy Ghost. That is one of things that I have been personally working on this week, Last week it was having the Holy Ghost with me more, and that went well. This week, it is following the whispering and the promptings of the spirit, which is really hard. But with work, and study, and pray, the help will come.
Zone Conference: Last Wednesday we had Zone Conference for this transfer. It was really wonderful, and it was interesting being around completely different missionaries then my last 2 Zone Conferences. It all started off really well and our mission president, President Nelson, talked about repentance. One of the focuses in the mission is the doctrine of repentance, because daily repentance is the only way to return to be with God. One of the things that he taught us with was 8 myths about repentance that is found here from lds.org: https://www.lds.org/youth/article/8-myths-about-repentance?lang=eng
This is the only way that we can teach others repentance, to first clean the inner vessel, to help others do the same. After that our first counselor taught about Agency and Accountability, and how everything is our choice, either Eternal life, or death. Then the second counselor, a former mission president in Mexico City, strongly and boldly taught about commitments. We have to be bold and follow the spirit to invite people to read in the Book of Mormon, to go to Church, to be Baptized, because it is the only way that a human being can enter into the kingdom of God, and they have to understand that. One of the things he shared was Jesus calling to Peter, Andrew, James and John. He said Come, Follow Me. They then had to make a choice, and that is what we have to do. People can either follow the Savior and his church, or not at this time. Then after some further instruction from our Mission President, our Zone leaders, and a fun musical rendition of How Firm a Foundation that I got to participate in (sorry, no video), we had a good lunch in the middle and finished at the not too late time of right before dinner. It was great.
Tuesday Night: Tuesday night was crazy because of weather and other stuff. For the past two weeks, up until about Thursday, all of the snow and ice was being completely melted from the city. The temp was in the 30's and 40's for about 2 and a half weeks. Because of this, one of our wards (which we were working in all of Tuesday night, and that also is all fields) was having flooding. Because of the flooding there were many rivers and lakes that were forming on the rounds. And the water amount was so large that sometimes it was gushing off a small drop off on one side of the road (sorry, no picture). Then after not being able to see a couple of people that were trapped, on our way back, we ran into two homes that had men working outside making a ditch and sandbagging because their houses and yards were getting flooded. Everything turned out alright and because the snow and cold came back, we'll have a short break from the flooding over here in Idaho.
Nacho: We had another Lesson with Nacho this past week. After talking about the Book of Mormon and more about how it came about, we thoroughly invited him to read more and to pray about it. After he accepted, we asked him why? He said that he saw that it was a good thing, and the examples from people he worked with that were 18 year old members about to go on missions has softened his heart. We invited him to church, but he had to discuss it with his expecting wife, and they didn't make it. We are going back again this week, and we are planning to solidify the restoration and the importance of church.
Oval Chart/Sunday: One of the things that our Mission President pointed out was one of the mistakes I've made since whitewashing into the area. I hadn't met with any of the bishops, which is top priority. After meeting with two of three bishops in our area, and presenting the Oval Chart, they were on board and we were then able to train two ward councils on it this past Sunday. Everything is now falling into place, and it is because we are following the direction that our Savior wants us to do his work, in the way that has been revealed to the Prophets and Apostles. One of the other things that was awesome about Sunday was a music devotional that we had at the Visitors Center. I re performed the How Firm a Foundation piece (part of a quartet of singers), but the whole event was full of the spirit, hymns, and many LA's and Investigators who attended.
It was a great day, and we were able to meet a part member family and set up a time to come back and teach.
Studies: Usually the thing I write about studies is something I studied this morning (Monday morning) and this week is not any different. This morning was chapter 17 of the book of Mosiah in the Book of Mormon. Something that stood out was some of Abinadi's last words before his death.
9 Now Abinadi said unto him: I say unto you, I will not recall the words which I have spoken unto you concerning this people, for they are true; and that ye may know of their surety I have suffered myself that I have fallen into your hands.
10 Yea, and I will suffer even until death, and I will not recall my words, and they shall stand as a testimony against you. And if ye slay me ye will shed innocent blood, and this shall also stand as a testimony against you at the last day.
He submitted himself to the will of God, even though it was suffering on his part. He followed the will of God to testify to the wicked priests and the King, and the effect of that humility helped Alma to be converted and help teach the gospel to hundreds. And he knew that if anything needed to change in God's plan, and that it was the best for himself and the people, that God would be able to make it happen, but he followed his will up until the end.
No Pictures: camera ran out of battery and I forgot to charge it. Next week, there will most likely be more pics.
Hope all y'all have a great week! keep me posted on life around the rest of the world. And let me know if there is anyone that I should add onto the list!
Elder Carson Maurice Baker
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