Well, sounds like everyone is doing great! I am a little bummed
that I am missing all of the temple stuff going on. I really miss going
to the temple, but I might be able to go with some Recent Converts in a
year when they get sealed! This is one of the greatest blessings God
gives us. To be able to live with our families for the eternity! I can´t
comprehend it! The Plan of Salvation is so amazing!
Papito, tu Español esta bien, pero hay un poquito de errors. Está
bien, te perdono. ja ja ja. Sí, yo puedo hablar mejor en Español ahora,
pero todavia no entiendo mucho. Me ecanta el Evangelio de Jesucristo y
yo sé que Él es mi Salvador. Su expiación es marvillosa y ¡aye! palabras
no pueden explicar mis sentamientos de eso! ahora voy a escribir en
ingles para que los oltros pueden entender lo que estoy diciendo. ja ja
ja
You guys maybe having a drought of water, but we are having a
drought of investigators assisting church. It is so frustrating.
However, we have been working with a menos activa since we got here and
we got to her to come to the movie night we had with the ward members
(17 Miracles). She felt the Spirit (hard not to, I was balling my eyes
out) and the next day she was at church!!!! I was so happy all through
out church! And then we had a combined priesthood and relief society.
Guess what we did. We learned how to clean the church. We watched a
bunch of videos about it. Yep, I now know how to clean the church
toilets. As a missionary who had been working with this menos activa for
so long (who didn´t understand this was the true church when she got
baptized, and who thinks about things) I felt disappointed. I was
praying through this whole meeting that the Spirit would be there for
here. We haven´t talked to her since church, but she left pretty
quickly.
Also, I am a little frustrated
with the ward members. So we have a recent convert who is SO strong! Her
husband has now left her and she is paying for all the bills by her
self. She has nothing. Just two daughters. Not only that, but her
husband makes fun of her when he comes, and mocks her religion
(basically this guy is lucky I haven´t seen any of this). Anyways, we
told the Relief Society Pres about this and that maybe she should send
someone out there everyday (for like 10 minutes) to make sure she is
fine. Well, this convert didn´t come to church. We visited her and she
said she just slept in, but also that none of the ward members had
visited her. We had an activity during the week too, that she was suppose
to come to, but her ride didn´t show up (she waited for an hour), but I
know the family that was suppose to pick her up is having troubles with
their son. Basically I am not very happy with my ward leaders. If I
have to gain THEIR trust, they need to gain MY trust! WHY in the WORLD
would I help some one make a SACRED COVENANT with God if I knew the ward
wasn´t going to RETAIN them?!?!?!?!?! That would be CONDEMNING them.
Okay, I am frustrated with them.
Also, all that money was me dad. So basically my bike is the
reason. We were at the bike shop everyday trying to get it fixed. I kept
telling them what was wrong, and finally on the third visit they told
me it was the gear. hmmm. Sometimes I miss not having tools. ha ha ha.
The bodega is a store (I think it is the same owner as Wal Mart). The ATM's are in this store. But don´t worry, all of the money I spend on the
bike this month is refundable.
Friday was fun. My comp went to Leon for his visa so I was with the
other elders. It had rained hard that night and the next morning the
roads were muddy. I got pretty muddy! ha ha ha! It took for ever to
clean my shirt today.
Basically, it has been a tough week, but there is always those
spots of sunlight that make everything great! I know this Gospel is
true and that I am doing a wonderful work! I can´t explain how much my
testimony has grown. How much this means to me. I see the world and how
much it needs this. Many of the people here live in the traditions
of their fathers. If only they knew! We try to teach them, but it is
hard to let go of a tradition sometimes (the key is letting them know
that they are going to something better).
I am in 3 Nephi now and am learning about the Savior! He is
amazing! I love him! Also, PLEASE help out the other ward members. If
they need help, help them. let them know you are there for them. It is
so important!
I love you all so much!
Keep living the Gospel!
Love Elder Michael Blake Crouch
ps. EVERY member is a MISSIONARY!
pss. I have to do a musical number in church. Great, they think I can play the piano. ha ha ha!
