Hey dad, I was talking to Elder Brown the other day and he invited the whole fam to go with him and his fam and another elder from our generation to Maui Hawaii the second week of August. I don’t know if that would be possible with school and everything, but those two are going to go and they were going to stay in some place called Cahana or something like that. But you can check that out and see what you think.
Well this week was pretty sweet. We had the baptism of apolinar, his wife and another young kid that is 15. It was way cool. Apolinar wanted our president to baptize him because he had that way spiritual experience when pres and I went. So that was cool to have him there as well. I don’t know what it is about my pres but he just reflects the spirituality. I really admire him and want to be more like him. Something that he stresses a lot of the obedience. Actually we are reading the Book of Mormon and focusing on obedience. I have learned so much that is going to help me for the rest of my life. That is what I am going to do for the rest of my mission, read the Book of Mormon focusing on one topic only. It helps you to see things that you have not seen. I loved the story that talks about obedience in Alma 24. I have learned that obedience and humility go hand in hand. Like in Alma 24 they were really tempted to take up their arms again because the Lamanites were going to kill them. I bet that pressure was felt. But I love how they have a council and the first thing that they start to say in the council, before making a decision, is their gratefulness for the things that God had done for them. There are like 5 or 6 verses that talk about gratitude which reflects humility. He remembered and recognized the hand of the Lord in his life and therefore he knew where his strength came from and he knew who he could trust in. So after talking about the blessing that they had receive up till then, they make a decision: not to take up arms and keep their swords spotless before God. The humility brought them to obey. And I have also seen a lot that after obeying and receiving a blessing, something always happens in the BOM. Either the person gives thanks to God or falls into the pride cycle. So what is the key to being obedient??? Giving thanks for the blessings we have received and recognizing that it was not us. When we don’t give thanks what happens.?? We believe we can do it ourselves and soon we find that our prayers are only like a shopping list, we ask and then get out of there. I have loved thanking my Heavenly Father for all the things that I have even though its really hard to pray at night because I stay up until like 11:30 or 12 reading the BOM because I am behind in the reading schedule. But once I begin to speak with my Father in Heaven, I am in another realm. I can feel his presence and know that he is listening to me. And as I give thanks I know I can keep being obedient because I recognize that I am nothing, and that he is everything.
Well this week we have one baptismal date. She told us yesterday at church that she didn’t want to get baptized because she didn’t feel worthy. So we went last night and talked about the atonement and repentance and we put the date again and she accepted!! Her name is Reina(queen). PS . . . I think she likes my comp hahaha. For sure she will want him to baptize her. And then on the 26th, we have the 2 daughters of Apolinar and maybe the husband of one of the daughters. Their names are Angelica, Alejandra, and Carlos. They need our prayers this week because they need to stay pumped up this week, I wouldn’t want them to cool down. We are going to do all we can so that they stay pumped and are “ ret ta go” hahaha what movie??
This next week on Tuesday we are going to the temple as a zone!!! I am so pumped to be able to be in the house of the Lord and I pretty sure I am going to be there every day when I get home. I miss it so much and I love the feeling in there... that is the feeling we will have after this life as we are in His presence.
I heard about Japan too, that is crazy and really we are almost ready for the 2nd coming. The church is so on top of things. And I am glad that all the missionaries are ok. I know that the Lord protected them. And I know that he protects us every single day.
I love you all and hope the best for all of you this week. When I get home I'll have to teach Jess how to chip and put. I loved going to the green and practicing.
Love ya,
Elder Mahas
PS: Trix es para niños no para coneJOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
T
