New Companion: Elder Cruz

Dear Family,

Where do I begin? This was quite the eventful week. . . I almost spent more time with the Mission President than in my own area. I'll explain in a second. But this week I have realized many things about myself and about other people. I grew a lot closer to President Stapley and have spent hours in deep and meaningful prayer. In all, this week was one large challenge, but I have come out of it as a better person and very relieved of many things. 

First off, I think you'd all like to meet my new companion. Elder Cruz from Brazil!!! He's a stud! He just got here today actually about two hours ago. In his last area he had more baptismal dates than any other missionary in the entire mission! I'm excited to work with him. He's a little bummed that he'll loose 13 secure baptisms in the next three weeks, but I know the Lord will bless us for his willingness to go where the Lord sends him.

Second off, you're probably wondering what happened to Elder Tantachuco, well, that was the main challenge of this past week. It started early on last week when he started to say some nasty comments to me and criticizing me a lot. Then he just wouldn't talk to me at all. He got quite mad at me for some reason and decided to ignore me for a few days. We had leadership counsel on Wednesday with all the zone leaders, assistants, and the mission president. There, he got mad at me again for nothing. We taught the zone together on Thursday and he barely was willing to prepare the workshop with me. I couldn't feel the Spirit with us much and we weren't teaching very well. 

So on Friday morning I decided to call President for our companionship problems and for the many problems he had with disobedience. I'm not going to go into much detail. I don't think it's necessary. Anyway, President told us to be in the mission home in a few hours and that we would be having interviews. 

Long story short, the results were that Elder Tantachuco had to leave the area in an emergency transfer. He was demoted to junior companion, and he had many items to turn in to the mission home to be saved until he finishes the mission in seven weeks. Also Elder Gonzalez who lives upstairs will be sent home early on the 29th of March for other things that I had told President about. 

So you can imagine that it was quite uncomfortable for me to be with those two in the same pench and working with them from Friday to just a few hours ago. Crazy stuff. . . But I learned a lot from this experience. I learned the importance of being exactly obedient and of being completely honest. I am super determined to finish the mission as strongly as I can and nothing is going to stop me from doing so! Not even one of my closest friends in the mission like Elder Tantachuco. By the way, he did thank me in the end for what I did.

Well, enough of that, I'll let you know about the investigators. Not much happened this week. Ha ha! I didn't get to teach much this week. But we'll have more success very, very soon! 

I love you all very much and for all you missionaries and future missionaries, don't be afraid to talk to your presidents about these types of things. He'll know how to help. For the others out there, trust in your bishops. They can help you with anything! I am so grateful to have leaders called of God. I have a strong testimony of callings and I love the promises that the Lord extends to us through them. I miss you all and I love you dearly.

Love,

Elder Blake W. Cowan