April 15, 2013

Hey Guys,

So we didn´t have any baptisms this week. We had a lesson with los chicos on Tuesday and it was pretty obvious they weren´t completely ready and the aunt has a boyfriend that tells them strange things about the church. So we talked to the bishop and he is having the primary president try and talk to the mom. Maybe she will be more receptive to a member. Other exciting news is that Hugo and Marina a couple we have been teaching for 5 weeks finally came to church. And he told us that his daughter in law has stolen his BOM many times to read it so we are going to start working with her. He has told us many times that he loves the peace we bring to his house. He will have to overcome many obstacles to be baptized (Smoking 30 cigarettes a day, drinking, pride) but I know he can be baptized. But he knows we are representatives of Jesus Christ, The day we showed up at his door step he said we brought the spirit so strong that it calmed the storm that was going to explode there that night. The man Eduardo we have been helping looks like he just wanted money and wasn´t really that interested in the church. We got him a job and enough food to get by then he disappeared and stopped coming to church. Really sad hopefully one day he repents and shows up at church.

This week we have also had more success with contacts almost everyone we found we found knocking doors. Not my favorite way to work but when other things aren´t working you got to do it. This week I have also given out a lot of English test for the Latinos that are learning English. It is a program of 25 lessons with a test after each one. Well since I am really the only gringos in the zone willing to help, it puts a lot of weight on my shoulders. I am helping 4 Latinos with there English plus my kid(companion). One Elder dies in 11 days and needs to take the real test, so I have been cramming a lot with him. This week I have given 5 or 6 test, each one lasting between 15-30 minutes depending on how prepared they are. I gave 2 this morning while everyone was playing soccer. It was kind of a bummer but I played for a bit.

I am almost positive this is my last week in Mercedes. I can´t believe it has almost been 4 months since I got here. I love this ward a lot. It will be sad to leave. 

Oh yea also this week the Stake President dropped the cain on us. I the best cain drop I have ever received. I have never seen someone drop the cain so hard with the spirit. We were in the Bishops office writing an English study list for an Elder while we waited for ward council to start when he walked in. He started asking questions about the family, the mish ect. Then he turns to me and asks me. And Elder Wray How many families do you want to baptize this month? I was a little taken back and took the question to be how many families will you baptize this month. I thought about our investigators and then said 1. When it came out of my mouth I knew I was in for it. Haha he then said oh Elder what little faith. Then asked Elder Perez. Seeing my mistake my comp said 2. He then taught us a quick lesson super spiritual about sacrifice to make our desires realities and how God will help us. He also chastised us for our lack of faith all in front of the Bishop but he did so well with the spirit I couldn´t help but just smile. Anyway that night Elder Perez and I had a good long talk on what we were going to give up to reach our goals. I won't tell you what we are giving up for the moment but it is hard and I hope I have the faith and patience to see it through the end of the week.  

Love, Elder Wray