March Mission Council

February 26, 2018

        Well there's not much to say about this week. We were in our area all week, but had lots of little things to do. Overall I was just very tired this week, and I don’t know why. It made it very difficult for me to really get a drive to get out the door every day and do something productive... maybe that’s the effect of paperwork. Sin embargo, this week is going to be great! We have mission council and divisions planned, so there’s no time to waste! 

Everything here in Barra is going well. Some investigators are going to get married this week!!!! and hopefully baptized soon after but there are still several challenges there. Overall, there’s lots of progress, but mainly with younger people. Something that I have found is that as we grow older we tend to believe we have "figured things out" and that those two young American kids don’t really know what they’re talking about. Many people as they grow older seem to close themselves off and trust in their own wisdom. The problem is is that the younger people can’t be baptized if the parents don’t give permission, and it’s really hard to stay active if you live in a tiny branch and don’t have much family support. 

Most of the less active members here are literally like the Nephites. Once righteous and now... let’s just say they don’t keep the commandments like they should. It’s just so sad to see people who once knew and lived and loved the truth, turn from the path just because the world says it’s a little too strict. The Word of Wisdom is one of the most abused commandments here, and Sabbath day observance. They no longer see that they are important but are convinced that God is still with them and that they are on the path. It’s very hard to call a sinner, who loves the sin and hates obedience, to repentance. It makes me think on the words of Thomas S. Monson "may we ever choose the harder right instead of the easier wrong.” It doesn’t matter the amount of effort or how great the sacrifice may be, it’s always the better choice to follow the light of the gospel. 

March 5, 2018

       Well I really don’t have much to say! This week we had mission council with all the district leaders and a family home evening as zone leaders. There’s so much work to do I can’t even believe it. I’m not sure how we are going to get everything done here in this tiny group but I have faith! Im trying not to doubt and just work as hard as I can!

Our family of investigators got married this week!!! But, they still wont accept a baptismal date... They go to church every Sunday. Actually they are literally the ONLY ones (except our mission leader) that go to church every single Sunday. This Sunday we talked about testimonies in the second hour, and wow. It was super cool, several of them shared their testimonies, and they literally said, "I know the Book of Mormon is true and that the church is true". It’s so amazing to see the process of conversion in the people. 

Sadly some of our investigators have dropped off in this week, but that just gives us more time to teach people who are truly ready to be baptized. Also sadly, one of our investigators who was doing really well now cannot be baptized. Her Aunt who takes care of her said a very resolute "no" when she asked if she could be baptized... one step at a time. But a huge miracle is that in La Huerta a family who lives super far away came to church! We were actually thinking about dropping them, because they weren’t completing their commitments. But they made the sacrifice and came to church! Also another miracle, there’s an orthopedic surgeon in Guadalajara who is running for governor. Hermana P. contacted him and he agreed to do I.’s surgery for free! She has a really bad bone infection and needs to replace a poorly put plate in her leg. She’s one of the poorest of the members here... so that’s a huge miracle.

March Mission Council: