Well, this week was pretty tough because
our plans kept falling through and we are trying really hard to find
new investigators and we're just not having the results that we'd like
to see, but then I go and compare the amount of work we're doing now
compared to when I was in Chascomús and it a HUGE difference! Even a bad
week here is pretty good. But we only taught 19 lessons and last
transfer we were averaging about 25 per week with tons of new
investigators! But I can't complain too much. We still were able to
witness many miracles this week!
First off, I have to give a shout out to Justin for
his birthday coming up! Te amo muchísimo!!! Gracias por tu ejemplo! Sos
increíble! Espero que disfrutes tu cumple. Cuidáte!
Alright, so this past week we found three new people. Say hello to
Karina first. Karina is a single mom. She has an 18 year old daughter who
is 8 months pregnant and a six year old son named Matias who goes by
Mati. Anyway, Karina is the lady that just showed up at the church last
week and told us that she wants us to teach her! That's one of those
ridiculous missionaries miracles when you look at your companion and
he's got "baptism" written across his face and a smile from ear to ear!
ha ha! Anyway, we went and taught her the other day and she is soooo
prepared and amazing! We taught her the about the Restoration and she
just accepted everything! We told her to pray and ask God for an answer
about the things we shared with her and she asked, "why? I already know
it's true!" Now could a missionary want any other type of answer than
that? Let me tell you, "no." Anyway, we're planning her baptism for the
22nd. . . I'm dreaming of a white Christmas!!!! :) And we taught her
again last night and it's just too easy to teach her everything. She's
so prepared and offered an amazing prayer!
Alright, another new investigator was Griselda's
husband who has had a rough past. He was caught with another woman a few
years back and there has been some major family difficulties. Griselda
suffered from a stroke and she is a little askew at times. She also has a
baptism date for the 22nd. She's very nervous and her psychiatrist is
telling her to take things slower, so it's going to be a bit of a
battle. Her kids are extremely catholic too. SO, they aren't too happy
about her decision to be baptized. She's already come to church twice
now though. We just have to teach her now and that's all. Her husband is
a great guy, he really is a changed man. He is a little hesitant about
baptism for himself but he is urging Griselda to do it. He believes
it'll be great for her.
Another new investigator we have is Julio. He was a
contact we did the other day, he's 25 and just a stud! He is a definite
lady's man, though. He is way smart and loved our first chat! We gave him
the goal for the 22nd also and he accepted. The only problem will be
getting him to church and to live the law of chastity. He always travels
on the weekends to see his girlfriend who lives far away and he stays
the nights there. SO.... getting him to church will be a challenge and
we will be hitting up the law of chastity soon. He's a great guy, though!
He's be such a great priesthood holder!
One of my favorite experiences of last week was with
the Silverio family. The other week, Elder Borgersen and I printed off a
sheet that had all the kids that were blessed in the church but never
made it to baptism. This was one of those families. We went by and fixed
another day to eat dinner with them! SO Saturday night, while eating
dinner with them, we talked about them and their life story. So, they
were both baptized when they were about 15. Hno. Silverio had an amazing conversion story! He had received the discussions from the
missionaries as a family when he was 12-13ish and then they dropped the
missionaries. But for two years he studied the Book of Mormon and one
day, out of the blue, decided he wanted to get baptized. SO it was a Sunday and he walked out into the living room and told his family he was
going to be baptized by the Mormons. They agreed to it and he got
dressed and went to church after not having gone for two years!!! Now
when he did go to church, it was a night, so he went at night, but they
had changed the schedule. SO he got there and it was basically empty
except for a few young women doing some type of activity. They told him
to come back the next week and to talk to the sister missionaries. SO he
did. They taught him all the discussions and was baptized and held
many calling and so did his wife! But when he was the secretary, he got
offended for something. He mentioned that he didn't approve of the
bishopric talking about very personal things about the members lives. So
they went inactive 23 years ago and never went to church since. . . .
until yesterday!!! We had such an amazing lessons with them telling
about how we got our testimonies and how we need to accept the will of
God and do what He wants us to do, not what we choose. And without even
extending the invitation, he said that they would be going to church the
following day. And they did!!! There, they met up with old friends and
had an amazing time! They enjoyed themselves quite a bit and it was a
very spiritual experience! It was wonderful to see a family so far from
the gospel come back to church and feel the spirit as they once had. It
was wonderful! Although it doesn't show up as a baptism or good numbers
at the end of the week, it was one of the most rewarding experiences
I've had on my mission. I am so excited to go back to them on Saturday
and to start teaching them more and to teach their two kids!
Well, I'm kind of out of things to write about now.
It was a great week even though we walked quite a bit, lost a
competition within the zone, and didn't reach our goals, but that's ok!
It was still amazing! Every day, every week, and every minute you wear
the name of Christ on your chest is an amazing moment. There is honestly
nothing more rewarding than sharing the gospel with your fellowmen. I
love the work. I love the Lord and I love knowing that I am an
instrument in the Lord's hand to bring His children back to him again.
There is no other place I'd rather be than right where I am now.
I love you all and I miss you. But the Work is ever ongoing and I hear the Master's call. Till next week.
Love,
Elder Blake W. Cowan
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