Never back down, never surrender

That has been this week. A ton of pushing forward. The mission is hard. haha yah! Nevertheless, it is the best thing I have ever done in my life. This week we had a lot of cool experiences; finding more investigators, teaching, preaching, and looking towards baptism. 

Good news! Beatriz and Jorge finally have a marriage date for the 20th of October. She will be getting baptised the 22nd. Esteban finally received all the papers, and should be going today to take out the date. Looks like I'll be asking permission to see a few baptisms via skype in a couple months. I'm excited for those days. On top of that, Dina (the baptism a month ago) is going to the temple to do baptisms this Saturday!:D

Well, somethings on my mind. Sometimes I fear I prohibit the progress of others due not taking little acts of faith. We learn in Ether 12:12 that God can only work miracles if people show enough faith. Sometimes I wonder if there's someone there who needs to here the gospel and we don't show enough faith to work the miracle that will change their lives. We're pretty good, however, for example, one day we got back just before 9:30, and I jumped into verifying, and didn't take the time to plan well with my comp. Although there are tons of people to visit, the following day we were left with no one in home, walking in the streets. When one plans well, the Lords can bless us and others with charlas. 

Now, don't get me wrong, we do have a lot of charlas; This week we had 7 lessons with members, 13 other lessons and 9 news, however I wonder if there were people waiting that day that missed out due to our laziness the day before. 

Man, the gospel is such an interesting and important thing. I am grateful for the mercy of the Lord in accepting our imperfections, however there is so much more to do. 

One of the things I was pondering today: I have improved so many things in the mission. It has been a real building ground for who I am and who I want to become. That being said, there are so many things that I still am missing, that I want and need to improve. I come home in 3 and a half weeks. Im not trunky, but ..... there are so many things I still need to get better at before getting back. I know that I won't go home a perfect person, but I don't feel ready to return yet.

Hmmm..... just my thoughts.

well here's something I enjoyed that I sent to another friend today: this week I discovered a new way to do contacts. We touched a door to do a contact and after doing the normal presentation, she stated that she didn't have a ton of time, and was about to shut the door, when I said "so, Im super greengo and am from the states. On top of that, Im going home in a month, now we dont have arroz con leche (a common dessert here) there, could you give me a good recipe?" Turned it into a half hour contact with her accepting a return visit. On top of that, now I have a sick recipe. My comp was dying laughing as we walked away.

Well I love yall so much and hope you guys can have an amazing week! 

Elder Eliason