July 11, 2011

Dear Family,

How was your week? Mine was great. We had our interviews with president. It went great. He shared a scripture with me, that really hit home. 1 Cor. 1: 25-27. He then proceeded to explain to me how there are so many other people, better qualified, that God could choose to do this work. And yet he choose us. “Barely leaving the bliss of youth”, he calls 19- 20 year old boys (21 for women). There is a reason for this. We, as Missionaries, find ourselves quite often in situations where we really do not know the answer. We realize more than ever how important it is to pray always, and trust in the Lord. Do His work, His way. This was what I needed to hear, when I needed to hear it.

Some other news of this week. We baptized Juan-Carlos. We really have quite a unique opportunity to see the spiritual progression of the lives of the people whom we serve. It is quite a great perspective. Carlos is a boy with 22 years. When we first were teaching him, he had no interest in our message, and really didn`t show any signs of progression. But we really saw how God started to prepare his heart to be ready for this change in his life. It really helped me understand that this isn`t my work. I really can try with all of my effort, doing my part, but if it is not the will of the Lord, I won`t be able to do anything. This is why they stress so much for us to live our lives so we can be in-tune with the Spirit.

Other than this, life is great. We have lots of heat here. I have started to get accustomed to leaving the house, knowing my clothes will be damp, within 15 min, from the humidity. The funniest thing happened this Sunday. There was three families of gringos (Americans) in the church who were talking to me in English, and I really was bad at speaking. I am always trying to think in Spanish, and so when these opportunities happen, I`m not adjusted to it. I`m not forgetting my English, I`m just saying that I speak terrible. I`m pretty sure that I`m starting to form my sentences grammatically incorrect.

I love you all so much. I miss you muchisimo. I love my Savior Jesucristo. He suffered for my sins. Your sins. Our sins. He died on the cross. He rose on the third day, breaking the bands of death. He Lives.

Love,
Elder Johnson