Week 18~

This week was my last week with Elder Saez, and we were in a trio because Elder Cac was learning how to run the Branch. It has been a really good week. I love the area that I am in and feel like I am really developing strong friendships with the members here. I know it is going to be hard to leave.

We had our first Baptism here on sunday and it was just pure happiness. Edgardo and Eva are married and have no kids and we have been visiting them for quite some time and they finally got baptized. 

It has been so fulfilling to witness the changes that have happened in their lives. Edgardo was smoking two packs of cigarettes a day about a month ago and their marriage was pretty rocky and now Edgardo hasn’t smoked in two weeks and has no desire to. And their marriage is better than it has been in a long time. 

I learned something very important this weekend that I realized at their Baptism. Often as missionaries we put the focus on getting someone to commit to baptism because we know how important it is, but we forget to recognize how awesome all of the little changes are that happen on the way to Baptism. I reflected back on all of the awesome lessons and spiritual experiences we have had with them and realized that those moments were just as satisfying as the baptism. I realized even more, that all I am here to do is help people. And I do that by inviting them to Follow Jesus Christ.  This gospel really does change lives for the better. With the help of our Heavenly Father we can overcome any challenge in our lives. My testimony of that principle has grown immensely being here. 

Elder Saez left on sunday and I was super sad to see him go. We were super close,we were like brothers, so it has been weird not having him around but my new comp is awesome. I am learning a lot from him and I know we are going to have a good transfer together. He is new to the area so I have to take the lead a lot of the time now which I am enjoying. I am officially done with my training so I am not completely useless anymore haha. Everything is going really good! I am super grateful that I still have so much time here because I have so much to learn.