This was
a good week.
And also
just insane. I was with my own companion working for just 2 full days out of
the 7. I love weeks like that. We just worked and worked and at the end of the
week... 4 baptisms. Elder Garcia and I finished changing after the second
baptismal service and just looked at each other in amazement like ''Is this
real?''
We
baptized 2 in our own ward and 2 in the San Martin Branch. Both were single
mothers with one of their sons, funny how that worked out. I will tell you more
about the ones in my ward when I get back. But the 2 from San Martin...wow...what
a miracle. I went on divisions last Thursday with a returned missionary I had
never met from another ward and went and talked to them. I hadn’t seen them for
a little less than a week. The kid, Jose, 17 years old, straight up told me to
start the lesson that he didn’t want to get baptized. I said a silent prayer in
my mind, asking the Spirit to speak for me. I can’t remember what was said, but
I made him a promise and I challenged him to pray. That night he got his
answer. The next day he found work (the promise). Friday. I went on divisions
with another missionary and then the mom didn’t want to get baptized. The
member stepped in that is fellowshipping. He finished talking and then the
Elder by my side simply says ''So. Sister, what do you have to do?'' ''Get
baptized.'' We baptized them at 3 o’clock on Sunday. I am amazed, week by week,
how the Lord touches hearts. I feel extremely blessed in this time. I have
never taught so many people at one time or felt so busy. I love it.
That was
the high, but as we all know, life has its downs as well! I don’t believe I
have shared too many of my ''down'' moments with you all in the 20 plus months I
have been here. I have written even less in my journal, simply because I don’t
have too many! But this week I had one. On Friday night to Saturday morning I
was just feeling not good. Sick. Discouraged. Just not me. I knew that I couldn’t
be that way because a lot of people and missionaries were counting on me to do
my best that day full of planning and baptismal interviews and teaching. I
started my personal study feeling the same on Saturday morning. I wrote in my
study journal and at the same time asking God ''Jake, why are you here?'' He
answered! I read that day Jacob 1:19 and 2 NE 33:15 and felt as if God was talking
to me. Their words became my words. I was simply prompted to stop thinking
about myself. I started thinking about what I needed to do and the people I
love that I am teaching and helping and what I felt simply disappeared. I think
every missionary has their moments like that. It was a good learning experience
and life lesson. Its all about taking the mirror of selfishness from before our
face and looking outward to those who need us. That’s the cure.
I love
you guys. Lots of what I have learned here are things I have noticed in you mom
and dad all my life. I hope I can continue putting them in practice forever.
We went
to Antigua as a zone. I’ll try to throw in some pictures!
Basically
I am loving life and counting down the days until my big buddy Rene gets
baptized on Friday at 6:30. That'll be a legendary day.
Love you
guys a ton,
Elder Smith
PDay June 6, 2016
Chimaltenango Zone visiting Antigua
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