Dear family,
So, a lot happened this week. It was
kind of hectic. A couple of good things that happened: Dionila
(mother with two sons whose husband passed away about 5 years ago) and her two
sons both came to church this week. We got there a little late because we
went to their house to pick them up, and when we did, the branch president
informed us that the assigned speaker (the high councilor was speaking too
so there was only one other talk assigned) didn´t show up for the
week. So, guess who´s first in line to speak when the speaker doesn´t
show up? So, for the first time in my life I gave a talk in sacrament
meeting that I prepared in about 5 minutes using just my scriptures. And
I think it lasted about 12 minutes and I felt pretty good about it, so that was
fun. I focused my talk on the Atonement and how if we understand the
Atonement and the Gospel well as members of the restored church of Jesus
Christ, we will understand that people cannot receive the fullness of the blessings
of the Atonement without receiving the ordinance of baptism and the gift of the
Holy Ghost by one holding the Priesthood Authority of God. So, our
desires and efforts to share the Gospel are literally a direct measurement of
our gratitude for the Savior and the sacrifice that He carried out on our
behalf. I hope I helped a little bit some of the members of the branch to
understand why they should be motivated to share the Gospel :)
Also, cool and kind of funny side note is
that the high council speaker that came this Sunday is named "el Hermano
Kevin". He´s very American and from Northern California, served his
mission here 5 years ago, went home for a year, came back, got married here,
now works as an English teacher (English teachers here that speak it well make
BANK--like they have AC in there entire house :O), and just went back to visit
his family for the first time since he moved down here. So, that´s kind
of funny. But, it was cool talking to him (all in Spanish, by the way, he
didn´t say a word in English, and his Spanish accent is killer, he seriously
sounds like he was born and raised in Chiapas). But yeah... kind of weird
and funny story all at the same time.
Some not so good things that happened this
week: Marisol, who was going to be baptized this coming Saturday, had to
go to Guatemala for an undetermined amount of time. So, her baptism is
now very much postponed until she comes back :( Also, another really fun thing
that happened this week. Friday, I got sicker than I have been since my
first week, and I actually threw up in the house of one of our
investigators. Eso me dio un buen de pena. But, it happens (if
you´re a gringo missionary in Mexico). So, I called the Doctor that they
have for us in the mission (thankfully they have one who speaks English and one
who speaks Spanish, because I have no idea how to speak medically in Spanish),
and I was kind of freaking out trying to remember how we start phone calls in
English, and I was really relieved that he answered in Spanish. But
anyway, he told me to buy some pills, I bought them, I took them, we had to
stay in the house Friday and Saturday, but now, I´m better! And we´re
really glad to not be in the house and sick anymore.
I’m so glad you got the package I sent. Adam wanted to know how much all the stuff in
the package cost in dollars. I don´t remember really, but the only thing
in there that was expensive was the big hammock (700 pesos, around 55 bucks),
which I bought like my second week here (the little one Albertina actually sold
me when I was in San José for really cheap). Aside from the big hammock,
all of the rest together would have cost me less than 25 bucks. The
expensive part was just sending it, so it´ll be awhile before I send another
package.
You asked about the hammock: The big red one is the one I used in
Tapachula. I actually have yet another one, which I bought because it´s
as big as the red and green one but it´s what they call
"doble-tejida" which means "double woven", so it´s pretty
sweet. And it´s also like 10 colors and beautiful, and I am hoping to
have the chance to use it again in a future area. Oh, and I bought it
because I found a place in Tapachula where they sell them super cheap
right before I left San José.
Anna asked about the spinning tops
toys: To answer the questions about the
trompos, I'm ok with them. I can do a few cool tricks and stuff (flip it
onto my hand with the string then let it run down the string and such), but we
don´t really have a ton of time to mess around with them. But, toys here
have seasons. Which is kind of weird. When I got here it was trompo
season, and there were always a ton of kids in the street playing with trompos
in Tapachula. Now it´s the season of canicas (marbles), so we see more of
that in the street now. They actually use "toys" here way more
than in the States, because there aren´t too many electronics around here.
Keep up the good work with you´re Spanish,
Mom!! I know it´s tough, but you´re doing great :)
Also, I just wanted to comment super fast
that you´re the best mission mom ever! All the other missionaries are
going to hate me for getting 2 packages (maybe even 3 if interviews aren´t
until late in this change) packages at once. Thanks a ton :) I love you!
Basically, that´s all that´s going on here
right now, we´re working hard to find the people that the Lord has prepared for
us, because right now we´ve had to leave a lot of investigators because they
don´t keep their commitments and won´t progress. I´m kind of starting to
understand why everyone was kind of "aww sorry you´ve got to go to
Huixtla", because there hasn´t been much success here for a long
time. But, Presidente Cárdenas has promised every area in the mission
that as we stive to become "perfect missionaries", the Lord will give
us baptisms every week. We´re holding on to that promise, and we´re going
to find the people who are here waiting, and "kept from the truth only
because they know not where to find it".
I love and miss you all so much! Have
an awesome week :)
Con amor,
Elder Nickerl
No comments:
Post a Comment