We found out last week about a few of the people that we were hoping to baptize last Sunday. Laura's husband refuses to let up, or even talk to us, so we had to drop her, at least for a time, as an investigator. Iraís is still progressing, we'll see how it goes. I have a lot of faith she'll take that step. Doralicia has been hard to find. We finally found her last night and set up an appointment with her for this week. I hope all goes well. Eleazar is doing well. :) He has a fantastic girlfriend that is by his side whenever she can be to explain any questions he may have about the gospel. She is certainly a blessing to him.
Something that threw me off was how one of the teachers in church this week was treating Eleazar. He continually referred to him as the "recently baptized brother" and continually commented on how he probably didn't know something or other in the lesson. I have never been an adult new member of the church, but I know how he feels, in part, from another experience. The first few days of having to talk a completely different language are terrifying. You don't know much...you know you don't know much, but you really really don't want anybody to point that fact out. You are doing the best you can and know you will get there in the end, but you want other people to help you without being condescending. If somebody points out that you probably don't know something, you feel like crap. You need a friend who will help you along. I don't think President Hinckley ever said anything truer than that the majority of members of the church have no idea what it feels like to be a new member and have a hard time helping new members. To boot there was a high priest who always comes into elder's quorum and talks about random things and odd "deep doctrine" stuff that leads the entire class off into the middle of nowhere. It's very distressing :P. I hope things get better in that class.
We found a family walking in the street yesterday that we had been trying to teach. Most importantly, the dad was there. He had been hard to find but he seemed to be interested, at least slightly. I hope everything goes well with them. They're a really cool family that could do a lot of good things in the church. It was truly a miracle that we found them. :)
Perla and Jacqueline are two fantastic investigators as well. They are both wives of members. They have been coming to church a lot and are progressing, but have their own challenges to get baptized. Neither husband is worthy, due to the way they got married. In México it's very, very common for people to just hook up and live together instead of getting legally married. Marriages here are generally extremely expensive...on the scale of 3,000 pesos. In comparison, the average mexican family usually doesn't make that in a month. They both are now legally married, but both still have their rights suspended. Perla knows it's true, but wants to get baptized by her husband. I don't know about Jacqueline. She's really cool and seems to really like the gospel, we've just only taught her once so far, so I don't know still :).
In other news, I am trying to read the Book of Mormon again before the end of the transfer. I am especially looking for how to obtain revelation and how to be certain that it is revelation. I have already learned a lot and know I will keep learning more. There was (I believe) a young women's general president that said that if she ever had a question, she would get a new copy of the book of mormon and read it all the way through. By the end of the Book, she would know the answer to her question. I'm putting it to the test. :)
All the family letters were really short this week, so I don't have a lot to respond to. Make sure to keep writing ;).
I'll leave you with a poem that I've always liked that a fantastic Seminary teacher, Brother Rassmussen, gave me. I'm unsure of it's name, so we'll just call it:
Believe and be Saved
Believe and be saved, the minister said.
Believe and be saved, and rise from the dead.
By faith we are saved from death and from hell,
So believe and be saved, and all will be well
Then after the sermon back to his posh home,
In his brand new Mercedes all covered with chrome,
He sat in his chair, with thoughts running deep,
Took a quick nap, and died in his sleep.
To the gates of Saint Peter, he arrived with a grin.
"I believed in the Savior, so let me come in!"
"Oh no, not another," said Saint Peter with a sigh.
"The Devil's working hard, and his toll's running high.
"To believe in the Savior means to do as He says;
"Because faith without works is nothing but dead.
"Satan knows Jesus, believes in Him too.
"Tell me, what's the difference between Satan and you?"
Believe and be saved, the minister said.
Believe and be saved, and rise from the dead.
By faith we are saved from death and from hell,
So believe and be saved, and all will be well
Then after the sermon back to his posh home,
In his brand new Mercedes all covered with chrome,
He sat in his chair, with thoughts running deep,
Took a quick nap, and died in his sleep.
To the gates of Saint Peter, he arrived with a grin.
"I believed in the Savior, so let me come in!"
"Oh no, not another," said Saint Peter with a sigh.
"The Devil's working hard, and his toll's running high.
"To believe in the Savior means to do as He says;
"Because faith without works is nothing but dead.
"Satan knows Jesus, believes in Him too.
"Tell me, what's the difference between Satan and you?"
I know that we must do what the Lord requires of us. Whenever we do, we always recieve blessings. Sometimes, they are not the blessings we expect, but even if it is just peace in this life, it is enough. I know that God lives. He hears and answers our prayers. Sometimes He doesn't give us what we ask, but He always answers. I know that complete Truth is on the earth again. I know that if anyone will look with an eye of faith on the Church and ask God to help them know if it is true or not, they will know as well. I know because I have done it and so have millions of other people. We are few, but, as Nephi said, "the power of the Lamb of God...descended upon the saints of the church of the Lamb, and upon the covenant people of the Lord...and they were armed with righteousness and with the power of God in great glory." (1 Nephi 14:14) We are members of the church of God. He has called us to build up His kingdom. What a wonderful thought that is! What's even better is that I know that it is True, completely and totally. "And now, if there are faults they are the mistakes of men; wherefore, condemn not the things of God." (title page, Book of Mormon) I put my trust in God and I cannot turn back.
With All My Love,
Élder Sudbury
P.S. The mission home is about 3 hours away from my area and my zone leaders only go there on Sunday, so I should get the package next week.
Love,
Élder Sudbury
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