Apparently I'm Chinese and Honduran

I've started counting weird, interesting, or ignorant things I've heard people say since I've been here:

*Calling me Chinese (they say that because they think my eyes are small):  17 times
*Saying I look Honduran (I don't even know why):  2 times
*Being confused about being baptized when they already were: 3 (that I counted)
*Completely disregarding all the examples of physical temples in the New and Old Testament: 3
*Getting catcalls: 1 (Hopefully that last one doesn't go up.)

Tuesday we had our mission coordination meeting in the chapel. More than half the people that were supposed to be there weren't (including the sister missionaries because the lady they were visiting wouldn't let them leave), so half of the meeting was the mission work coordinator telling me everything that I already knew about being in charge of the area when my comp (Elder Sanchez) leaves. I did get to practice the piano and talk to another member about music though.

Wednesday we spent 1:00-5:30 doing service for the lady that the sisters were teaching the night before. We threw away garbage, weeded, leveled out a huge pile of dirt, moved a doghouse, and bathed the dog (I had no part in that last task). Of course it was the one day of the week I forgot my sweat towel. I was lucky it was in the shade. I do wish I hadn't been wearing my proselyting clothes.

On Thursday I did a fair bit of contacting starting by myself, but my comp had to save me every time with the Spanish. I have trouble holding the conversation, and starting them. My mom gave me some good ideas that I'm really excited to try though.

Friday we visited some of those contacts. One of them went downhill when the conversation (we were talking about the first principles and ordinances of the gospel:  Faith, Repentance, Baptism, Reception of the Gift of the Holy Ghost, and Enduring to the End), and the topic somehow turned to church authority. She believes that it doesn't matter what church you go to because it's all Christianity and the same God. My companion kept sharing many scriptures from the Bible that are very clear on the topic, but then she'd just repeat that she can't read, so it doesn't matter. My companion used the analogy that "Would you rather receive medical care from a licensed doctor, or a guy that just read a medical textbook?" Then she went and said it doesn't matter because it's God who heals and not doctors. I wish I'd known enough Spanish to help more with that, but maybe I would have made it worse. I would have pointed her to the book of Leviticus, which says a thing or two about medical practices (many of which stand up even today! Even more than 3000 years later!) But then again, I would have made it worse.

This weekend was absolutely awesome! We went to the chapel to watch General Conference (I watched in English on my phone). Back on Tuesday, I had prepared some questions for this conference. Two of my three questions had entire talks dedicated to them. How amazing is that? So my spiritual thought for you this week is a challenge to any of you who have eyes to read this, or ears that hear someone else read this to you (any of you who are perfect and have every part of your life under control can skip this, or if you have already done it. If not: read on!). If you've been a member your whole life: do it, if you've never stepped foot in a church: do it, and see if I am right or wrong. In the times of the Bible (most of recorded history), kings, leaders, and scholars would often would go to men of God: most often prophets, but a few with Jesus Himself. They would ask for advice for how to solve a problem, or advice. Whether you believe it or not, we have prophets on the Earth today, with that same authority to proclaim the will of God. And they have given us His will for us over this last weekend at General Conference.

My challenge is this: Prayerfully write down whatever problem or question you have. It could be about the church, Gospel of Jesus Christ, whether God even exists, your life's direction, relationships, or even money problems! Then listen to, read, or watch conference. If you don't have time for all 10ish hours (which you might not, or you could space it out for a week or two with a single talk a day), then just find a few talks that seem relevant or stick out to you. Then just study it out. I promise you (I'd bet my life on it!), that you will find something that will help you improve your life or answer your question. I promise that as you keep your heart and mind open to not only an answer, but with a willingness to act on that answer, that you will receive the answer you seek and the direction you should go. More importantly, I promise you that your testimony and faith will grow. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Sorry this one is so long, but that's what happens when things happen. I hope you are all doing well and taking care. May God bless all of you.

Sincerely,
Elder Cobian

Photos are:
Me (don't ask me about the face)

Also me (I don't know what happened there)


A funny meme

Video from Elder Sanchez before our service project 

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