October 15, 2012

Dear Family, So, I did really leave you all hanging last week. I guess now I must explain myself. It all happened like two weeks ago. It was a Tuesday. I should have known from the start that it was going to be a bad day. While Elder Lopez and I were going to refill the jug of water (because you cannot drink the water from the tap... just in case I had not told you) anyways, I was riding along nonchalantly on my bike, practicing riding with no hand while eating a bowl of cereal. (for future reference, this is not a good idea on a dirt road with pot holes) I hit one of the pot holes, and fell, spilling all of my cereal, and you all know how I feel about my cereal. So that is how my day started off. Then before lunch, we went to see Rogelio at his work. Upon entering, we found ourselves face to face with a member of the Pentecostalism Church. He was friendly,.... at first. He asked us questions such as "What does the name Jesus mean?" :o In the end, we listened as he tried to convince us the God is Spirit, and that the Holy Ghost is the gift of tongues. I had no intention of contending with him, and even less, because we were in the presence of an investigator. It was a very uncomfortable situation. When we left, I sure did not feel warm and fuzzy inside. Then, when the day could not get any worse,.... So we went to lunch, and guess what the Hermana had prepared... MÓLE. Yucky I tell you what móle is so that you can share my opinion. It is chocolate cooked with peppers, and peanuts and bananas, and whatever else that is on hand. It is normally served as a sauce on top of cooked chicken. I definitely was not in the best mood. Then upon leaving the house after eating, I got hit by a car. It was NOT my fault. I was crossing the road, and the lady had a stop sign. She just was not paying any attention to me, and plowed right in to my side. My companion said it was pretty funny to watch. Picture it. A white lanky guy flying into the middle of an intersection. What a day! Anyways, after that we had the baptism of Yahira (picture included). It was very special. In the end, the day was not lost. Thanks to the baptism of Yahira, Abraham and his wife Maria decided to get baptized too the following week (picture also included). God works in mysterious ways. Well, so this past week has been really special. We worked all week supporting Abraham and Maria en their decision to be baptized At first they had their doubts, but then as the time passed, they became more and more excited. After their baptism, one of their family asked them how they felt, their response astounded me. They said "you´ll just have to try it for yourself". YAY They really are super excited. It has been so great to see how far Abraham has come. Just 5 weeks ago, he was the type who would go out and drink beer all the night with his friends. He was always the first to hit the bottle. He has not touched an ounce of liquor since the 16 of September!!!! Wow. It is amazing to see how lives can change. I really hope that they will enter in the temple and be sealed for time and all eternity in 1 years’ time. Also, in their confirmation it was really special. They have 5 years married, and have tried on various occasions to have children. They have had many complications, and that has really saddened the two of them. Well, in both of their blessings that they received upon receiving the Holy Ghost, they were promised children. Wow. That definitely was an answer to their prayers. I love you all. Thank you so much for your support, and your prayers. Till next time,... Love, Elder Johnson