Buenos
Dias!
It's
hard to believe how fast time is cruising by... only 3 weeks left and I'm
already turning 21. Goodness, time really doesn't stop for anyone. It's been a
super busy week, and I'm just trying to think about where to start. Last night,
I went to my last Mission President's Fireside, and Elder Lindquist and I sung
a way sweet duet. I had a song all practiced up for it (which I may sing when I
come home - it's called "Savior, Redeemer of My Soul", an awesome
arrangement) but President Hansen, who was the main speaker, wanted me to do a
song that went with the theme of his talk. We ended up singing this song that
his wife brought to us and played for us, called "In Quiet Grove" and
even though it was way simple, it sounded really good. We only got to run through
it a couple times before we performed it, but one thing that I've really
learned on my mission is how to do things on the fly (or as some people would
say, flying by the seat of your pants). It was a way good fireside, but kind of
bittersweet because it was my last one, and the last time I'll see most of the
missionaries that were there. It's weird when you get to the time in your
mission where you have a lot of "lasts" - last stake president
meeting, last fireside, last zone conference, etc. It's so surreal, because
it's been my life for SO long! This is all I know, and I can't really imagine
anything outside of it.
We
also had some excitement, because we did a lot of exchanges in the zone and
then had 2 visa waiters with us the past few days. I love going on exchanges,
because it really is the best time to train people and really get to know the
missionaries in your zone. I learned a lot of things this week, and sadly how a
lot of missionaries don't have a testimony of obedience. One of the missionaries
I went on exchanges with said he had one of the best personal studies of his
entire mission with me because that was one of the only full personal studies
he's had his whole mission. It's hard for me to understand sometimes... since
when did it become an option to get out of bed at 6:30 or actually have our
studies in the morning?? I guess sometimes we just think that it's something
that's universal that everyone will know and do. It's good to get people
working out in the mornings, actually planning at night time, and just making
big improvements in the way that they do missionary work. It's sad that they're
not doing those things already, but at least I feel like I'm getting somewhere
and making a difference!
The
visa waiters that were with us this last weekend were waiting for their visas
to go to Monterrey, Mexico, and they finally headed off this morning! It was
fun to have them and get to split up a little bit. They were focused and
hard-working, but yet totally teachable and loved having fun. It seems like
there's just not enough missionaries out there who are willing to listen and
change, and be diligent in missionary work. Their names were Elder Larsen and
Elder Love, and we just had a blast the whole time they were here. We talked
late that first night they were with us, because they wanted a bunch of advice
from a dying missionary :) It can be kind of overwhelming at times thinking
about all the different things I've learned and the advice I'd give to other
missionaries, but when I look back there have just been so many lessons that
have taught me so many different things. They talked about all of the things
they learned from us in a short amount of time, and I was thinking about how
Elder Lindquist and I really are the oldest companionship in the mission...
lots of experience between the two of us.
We
got to go to the temple a couple times, which was awesome! We went with
the zone on Wednesday and did a session, and it was packed! There were so many
people there and it was my last temple trip with the zone, so it was kind of a
weird feeling. It was surprisingly calming though. I felt good and I felt at
ease. There's nothing that compares to the feeling you get in temples. Your
mind is enlightened, answers come, you feel the presence of God more
real than anywhere else. We also got to go to a sealing on Saturday, which was
incredible. That was the first live sealing I've ever been to, and it was cool
because it was a family that I've seen from the very beginning when they first
met with the missionaries. It was Sergio and Gina Armendariz, who I taught a
few times and interviewed for baptism last year, and who I've gotten really
close to over the past year. Sergio is so solid in the gospel, an absolute
rock, and he's always the most excited stalwart member I've ever met. He was
the one who came over from Mexico last year and had absolute miracles happen,
one of which was Jesus Christ appearing to him in a vision and telling him to
find His church. Anyway, seeing them kneel across the altar and look at each
other, it really hit home a little more, how serious and how incredible the
blessings of the temple really are. This is for eternity, and it's not
something to take lightly. That family is now an eternal family and they will
be able to enjoy a fullness of the blessings of the gospel because of
missionary work! Goodness, the work is good. The Basurtos will be sealed in the
temple this Saturday and I can't wait!!!
We're
also looking forward to things happening in the Liahona 5th Ward. We had a long
talk with Bishop Merino on Saturday and then taught the entire ward council and
bishopric about the Ward Council Process, and we hope to get some things going.
We believe all of our investigators who are so close to baptism aren't
accepting baptismal dates, partially because the ward wouldn't be able to
retain them if they did get baptized. We need the members involved and we need
them to take the initiative on some of these things. So many people have been
baptized in this ward over the past few years, but hardly any of them still
come. We have to make a lasting difference in the ward by solidifying the
members and the leaders, and helping us all to be involved in this great work.
This week is going to be an important one for getting everyone on-date for
baptism so they can get baptized before I leave! It's crunch time!
That's
most of what's happened this week - I've got my birthday on Wednesday, so we've
got some solid meals set up and hopefully some solid lessons :) Life is good
and we're working hard! Love y'all!
~ Elder Carlson
~ Elder Carlson
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