Elder Elkins
Elder Elkins is a stud from Greenbay, Wisconsin. He was the first Elder from my mission that I ever met. When I was in the MTC, he was an assistant to the Mission President so he came to the MTC to train the new missionaries. Crazy enough, he ended up being my comp. E. Elkins has 21 months in the mission so he is in the prime of his mission. He speaks great Spanish and is really excited to baptize here in José León Suarez 1.
I was transferred from Suarez 2 to Suarez 1. It's in the same ward but the area is very different. My new area has a lot of passage-ways that run in between houses. They're about 3 feet wide squished by 2 story buildings on both sides. The longest we've found so far is about 4 blocks long. The area is a lot poorer as well. There are more houses made from wood and aluminum siding here.
Gladys
This Friday we did divisions with the district leader in our zone, Elder Asper, and his companion, Elder Giraldo. Divisions are when you switch companions for a day to learn from other missionaries. Miracles always happen when we do divisions.
Our miracle was Gladys. Elder Elkins and Elder Asper were knocking doors in the Villa Paraguaya and found Gladys at home. After hearing a shortened version of the first vision, Gladys immediately accepted to have us come by the next day and visit her family.
Gladys is a single mom. She has 4 kids, ages 12, 9, 4, and 1/2 a year old. She told us that her boyfriend had left her just over a year ago when she found out that she was pregnant again. He went to Paraguay and came back with a new girlfriend. When Gladys found out, she got mad. She told us she went verbally attacked her ex and his new girlfriend. Ever since then, she told us that she has been ashamed to talk to God.
We were able to teach her a little about the Atonement of Jesus Christ and invited her to church. She came (alone, with all 4 of her little kids) and I'll tell you, I have never wanted someone to have a good experience in church soooo bad. So bad. She accepted the invitation to be baptized and receive the Holy Ghost in 4 weeks! We are excited to see the gospel of Jesus Christ change her family's life!!!!!
"Bendiciones" (blessings)
An interesting phrase that we hear a lot here is "bendiciones." When we pass by people in the street they always yell it out. I can't yet decide if people actually believe that saying the word blessings does something or if it is just a tradition of the people here.
Testimonito
I am grateful to feel God's presence. This week we had a conference with 80 or so missionaries. I was praying to feel the Spirit in the meeting because recently I've haven't felt like I've been feeling the Spirit as much as a missionary should. So, I looked for the Spirit and I prayed for it.
As someone was speaking (I can't remember who) I felt something small in my heart. I felt the need to find more people to teach. Later in the meeting, I got the chance to bear my testimony about Jesus Christ to my zone. As I did, I felt the same feeling again but more strongly. I know that I felt the Spirit.
Feeling the Spirit doesn't have to be something big. I know that we can all feel the Spirit of God if we are obedient and if we are looking for it. Own all the testimony that you have and have faith that the rest will come!
I love you guys!
Elder Smith
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| . La Zona Norte! |
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| Planning Baptisms for the next 4 weeks. |
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| Divisions with E. Asper, E. Elkins, yo y E. Giraldo |
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| Harvesting from the chapel's avocado tree. |
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| Avocado Tree, Elder Elkins being himself square and center :) |
