1st BAPTISM!!!!!:)

This week was amazing. Slowly but surely Im learning Spanish. Thats probably one of the hardest things in the mission for me. Not being able to talk to people in an intimate way that helps me understand them solely because of language barrier. However, thats what the spirit is for. It can overcome any of those barriers and touch the lives of many people.

So, before I tell spiritual stories here are some things I learned this week

 

1) Just roll with the punches. There was a day where all 5 of our planned lessons fell through. Yeah. That was a rough day. However, We were still able to make some good out of it. I discovered that if you just adjust to what life throws at you, you will be so much happier. Have a plan, have a plan b, have as many plans as you think you need, but if something comes up, prepare to be flexible.

 

2) Let people make their own choices. This is one thing I was bad at during high school. Id jokingly (but still seriously) get after people for not doing their homework (sorry Cheriece). In doing so (and things like it). I was rejecting humility. I found a scripture the other day during personal study (I cant remember where) that said Humility is not compelling. Fascinating. This is something I can work on.

 

3) Members are key to missionary work. They help out SOOOOOO much when they want to. Help your missionaries. give them referrals and go to lessons with them. Oh and send home food with them. That makes them happy:)

 

4) The Lord has a plan for everything. Trust him. This kind of goes along with roll with the punches.

 

5) dont overwhelm people. Jesus talks about us being the salt of the earth and what if we lost our flavor. Well what if we try to give people too much at one time. We learn things line upon line precept upon precept. Start at the basics and work up. Dont load on all the salt at once. That just gets rejected.

 

6) Dont try to cut your own hair........... Ill explain more with the pictures

 

7) talking through feelings really helps in forgiving yourself and coming to terms with things. This is something I have never been good at. I keep things inside and help other peole with their problems. However, I have an amazing trainer who asks the questions no one else dares to ask, and It really has helped me.

 

8) Tortugone, tortellini con mushrooms, and tacos = good  Fideos con tuco = dia triste

 

9) Blessings come in weird ways sometimes. When the lord wants his work to progress and someone is trying hard to do what is right he will provide a way. Lets just say one of the barriers to one of our investigators went to prison for 5-6 years this week (her dad..... he wasnt a very nice guy, but hopefully he will learn some good things while there).

Ok. Three quick things. 

 

1)President is amazing! I honestly have complete trust in him, his calling, his callings, and everything he does. I had an interview with him this week, and left feeling amazing. I love that guy.

2) I was able to talk to this guy in the streets this week in english. It was a fascinating conversation about why he doesnt believe in god and why I do. Im not sure If the conversation did him much good, but It definitely gave me more confidence and hope for when I learn spanish fully. 

3)Bruno's baptism. This was amazing. I love that guy so much. Bruno is a 8 year old stud. No one in his family is a member, but he has a great testimony. He loves church, and loves the missionaries. I was able to baptize him and it was great. It was really cool saying the ordinance in spanish. I am so excited for him and to see where his life leads him.

 

Love yall tons,

Elder Eliason

​I tried first. Elder Pope tried to fix it, but um that didnt work, sooooooooooo.......

 

 

​I have no hair. In this picture the top of my head is a little sunburned. Elder Salano Could not stop laughing as they were giving me the cut and now he calls me Elder Pelado (pelado = bald)

Bruno :)

Our zone at los dedos last p-day

Elder Mitchell is in my zone