The test to the True Grit of Mormon Missionaries

This was sent July 20th:

This has been an amazing week.

The beginning was average.  Just gave some capacitations (trainings), went on divisions with the zone leaders in El Centro. That was a cool experience walking on pavement for the first time in a while.

We got free pollo y tajadas from the lady that owns the big pulperia down the street. Delicious.

And then the week got good. BAPTISMS.   Lets go. 

We baptized A and her daughter Y on my mom’s birthday! That was awesome. 

I have prayed so hard for baptisms, worked so hard.  Finally got that high.  I am so happy.  So so happy. This joy is something only the lords work brings. Its pure. Its love. Its Jesus. They were both confirmed this Sunday also.

Then today for p-day, we went to the Bamboo temple. Its a huge bamboo jungle, well all of Honduras is a jungle, but this part is mainly bamboo. It was sweet.

This week has been one of great blessing and I love it here.

Just a little reminder from my bud to all the nay-sayers.

"STOP IT"

D&C:103:36

 36 All victory and glory is brought to pass unto you through your diligence, faithfulness, and prayers of faith.

Keep the eyes frosty.  Don’t let the bad guys getcha.

quote credit : Elder Venn

Con Amor+

Elder Smart

Entrar o salir, tú decides (stay or go, you decide)

This was sent July 13th:

Zone Conference picture with  Pres and Sister Klein

This week was... another week.

We went to San Pedro Sula for my companions last interview with Presidente Klein... My comp goes home in a week.  So there's that.  

Elders Martinez and Smart

San Pedro is so different than my areas.  Completely different.  I remember when I went there like 10 months ago with Elder Vera, but I had forgotten about it.

It rained this week.

The rivers were streets... or... no, ya the rivers were streets.

I tried to pray in English this week, that was hard.

I finished reading the Pearl of Great Price.  That was awesome.  I really think it is something that most people look over when they mention the scriptures.

We have officially "burnt" my area.  I have contacted every single house in my sector of Berlin. I don't know what I'm going to do this next change with a newbie, and with nothing, really to work with.

On other hand, we planned the baptism of A and J this week.  FRUITS OF LABOR :-)

We taught Hermana M about family history this week. People here don't really remember the names of their grandparents so this is a real chore.

picas:   Baño Catracho (Honduran bathrooms)

Ya gotta keep it real here in Berlin or it will eat ya up.

D&C:81:5

 5 Wherefore, be faithful; stand in the office which I have appointed unto you; succor the weak, lift up the hands which hang down, and strengthen the feeble knees.

Luke 6:35

 35 But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.

JS-Matt 1:37

 22 For in those days there shall also arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders, insomuch, that, if possible, they shall deceive the very elect, who are the elect according to the covenant.

Slay the Giant

Con Amor+

Elder Smart

Q&A:

Advice to Mom, and her talk she is preparing for this next Sunday on covenants: 

As a missionary, what does this mean to you, and the people you teach?

We all start with faith, but from there, we have to act on that faith, and we make covenants and perform ordinances...  and not with just anyone either, but with GOD.  Everything should be a covenant in the "true" church.  The Sacrament, our Priesthood, our church callings,  the temple, even daily prayer and reading the scriptures are fulfilling a promise or covenant... The lord asks us to do these things so that we may progress. 

We are so, so weak.  We are as the dust.  Nothing.  But through trying to do our best,  putting our all into these bonds with God, we will be able to rise out of that dust and become more like God after this life.

Are you dreaming in Spanish? Yes, when I do dream, usually I'm too exhausted to dream.

Oh and Mom. Dont worry. I don't care about the golf clubs, all I care about is playing the game. They can't take that away from me. (Jeff and Andy's golf clubs were stolen out of Angela's car trunk this week).

I’m still in “America”

This was sent July 6th:

A year ago... last 4th of July it was all about fireworks, hotdogs, music and parties. 

It’s sort of the same here (like everyday)… Gunshots, baleadas, Reggaeton (Spanish reggae), and piñatas. 

It’s cool though.  I’m 50% Gringo, and like 50% Catracho. This still equals an American (the Americas) right?  At least I know I’m free. 

I hear the USA women's soccer won the World Cup!   USA!!

It rained.

Hey some of the colonias have really weird names here.  Like El 6 de Julio.  That’s not only the date right now (July 6th), but the name of the colonia.  They named it after the date when it was founded.  Interesting… 

Berlin 1 (sister area of mine) got robbed this week. The thieves cut the metal bars off of the windows and got in.  They’re OK though.  Missionary blessings are real, we are still safe here in the land of the dead.

I just want to say that I'm glad to have been born in the U.S of A.  It seriously is the promised land.  God gave it to us for a purpose, and we get to live there.

This scripture is one of my very favorite scriptures. It’s a pump up for sure. For the low in heart and destitute, give it a read, and change.

D&C 63:37

37 And that every man should take righteousness in his hands and faithfulness upon his loins, and lift a warning voice unto the inhabitants of the earth; and declare both by word and by flight that desolation shall come upon the wicked.

Tenemos Lomos Poderosos

Con Amor+

Elder Smart

Q&A

How’s the rash?

I’m pretty sure the main rashes are heat rash. They show up all over in random places now.   I Dunno.  It seems to be going away.  I’m good though.

No te preocupes mamá (don’t worry, mom.)

There is AC in the church right?  

First of all there is no air conditioning in the church house either, however... there are blessings all around us mom.  Everyday we have the opportunity to pray.  We can literally talk to God. I didn't really realize that until i came out on the mission, mom.  We also have the opportunity to experience life.  Even if life sucks some times, that’s what we agreed to in the pre-existence. We wanted sucky stuff to happen to us so we could grow and be better, and become more like our heavenly father.

Missionary laundromat