Week 9

 Hello everybody!


I'm still getting used to the mission field here in La Masica, there's plenty of heat, rain, and annoying dogs to make it a challenge! Despite these things, there have definitely already been some rewarding moments. We have our first person set for a baptismal date! After two lessons! His name is Javier. He is very enthusiastic and always cheerful. I'll add a picture of him as soon as I take it. Please pray for him. I've heard it said that after someone commits to be baptized (or really do anything good) that Satan works double-time on them. So please, pray.

On Wednesday I had my first zone conference! It was in La Ceiba, and it was pretty good--good except for the piano playing, which was done by me. I was playing before it started to prepare to play this last Sunday in sacrament meeting, and then they asked me to play. I could not get a hymn book to stay open, so I was messily playing with one hand while trying to hold the darned thing in place. We went to a fried chicken place afterwards though, so I'd say it was worth it.

Friday and Saturday I also went on splits with Elder Vanderhorst from the Dominican Republic. He trained my trainer (Elder Patón), which according to him makes me his grandson. He really likes to contact people. Elder Godoy visited this mission a couple weeks/months ago (I wish I hadn't missed that!) and promised the missionaries here one baptism a week if we contact a minimum of 20 people a day. While I worked with Elder Vanderhorst we got two baptismal dates! Elder Vanderhorst told me he hasn't gotten exactly one baptism a week, but it's been a mean average. I think that's really cool! We also had two baptismal dates scheduled, which is equally awesome!

Saturday morning I went to Elder Vanderhorst's ward to buy carne asada (It was great! Not as good as my dad's though). They're doing a fundraiser to go to the temple open house in September. My ward here is going to do the same, but with hamburgers. The members here are very faithful. They also don't take the temple for granted like I sometimes do. Never take the temple for granted.

Church this week was good. That is except for my piano playing. I only was able to practice twice, they changed the songs the day before, they added an intermediate hymn in the middle of Sacrament Meeting without telling me, and I wish we had a real piano instead of the tiny electric one here. That's another thing to never take for granted: pianos! Overall though, I enjoyed it and am just glad for the opportunity to practice. I hope I will play better next time.

A scripture that's been on my mind is D&C 6:23 "Did I not speak peace to your mind concerning the matter? What greater witness can you have than from God?"

There have been times since I got to the mission where I felt very worried about some things. I just need to always remember that I have felt God speak to me through the Spirit about peace. With some of these things I've done all I can, and it's now in the hands of God. Very capable hands, if you ask me!

I'm also very glad to hear from all of you in my House (Casa 46!!!!!), District (diez b!!!!) at the CCM, or just from my stake back home. I love you all and am glad that you're going through some of the same things that I am. I'm also very jealous of those of you who get to eat Mexican food, but the food here is food too.

So that's all I've got, I hope you are all doing well and have seen the hand of God in your lives. I know I have! 

Sincerely,
Ruben

Pictures:
Elder Vanderhorst, an investigator, and I when I went on exchanges with him.

Elder Patón and I at the ocean after zone conference


Me at the same spot

There it is!!!! The ocean!!!!!


A good shrimp dish the family that cooks for us made this week.

They grow avocados really big here!


The family that cooks for us peeled the egg for me. That was the best part.








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