Catching Up

I've been doing a bad job of updating Elder English's site, so I'll try to rattle some of these off.

From November 2, 2014 - 

We had the opportunity of attending Sister Samar's baptism. She's not in our area, but we've grown really close with her and her family (she has two children who have recently been baptized, and a few more working to make that happen) and she asked Elder Nierves to baptize her. It was great seeing the baptism itself, and even more great because two of our investigators, who both have decided to be baptized and are in the process of preparation, were able to attend and see what it's like.

From November 9, 2014 - 

For those of you who didn't get last weeks email, we were recently booted from our apartment because the landlady wanted to sell the place. For the majority of the week, we lived with the Zone Leaders out of our suitcases and looked for a new place to stay apartment. A few days ago, the Finance Secretary had a chance to talk to the landlady again, and apparently she hasn't found a prospective buyer and is willing to extend the contract, so we've been able to move back in. While I'm very glad to have a place of my own, I was really enjoying getting to know my Zone Leaders better than I had before. When we were first forced to move out of our apartment, I was really really annoyed, but at this point, looking back, I'm glad it happened the way it did. I suppose that's often the way it works when blessings are veiled as challenges.

This last week, we talked to an investigator about some pretty heavy problems with employment in his life. He talked about the fact that he did really well in testing when trying to gain employment, but because of a natural birth defect, he had failed in every interview to confirm employment the last few months. I related with him the story from a talk delivered by Elder Christofferson in which a man in the military was denied a promotion because he was a Mormon, and how that turned out to be a blessing in disguise. I also pointed out that if he had obtained employment in previous months, he very well may not have ever met us, or may not have had time to be taught.

So often, the things that we see as a problem or a challenge is simply a loving God redirecting us, or offering us a blessing that we do not have the vision and foreknowledge to ask for ourselves. God knows our potential, and he knows when we require needed sustenance, or the refiners fire. The key to finding the blessing behind the chastisement is both gratitude and humility. He has a plan for each and every one of us. We just have to be patient enough to see it ourselves.

He loves us.
Love,
Elder English

From November 16, 2014 - 

This week, I had the opportunity to go on two different exchanges, one while Elder Nierves was attending a leadership training, and one we had scheduled in advance with the Zone Leaders. While I love Malilipot and the people here, it's always a great experience getting to see other areas and meeting other wonderful people. I had seen the Zone Leaders area two transfers ago, so I got to see some familiar faces as well as new ones, and had a blast working with Elder Decicio. Truth be told, he's the first companion (albeit our companionship was just for exchanges) who was larger than I, and it was kind of a weird transition. Also, their area is one of the few with bikes. That was fun.

We had a Zone Training on Friday associated with the Leadership Training on Tuesday, in which we were taught how to help those we teach do Family History Work, and I'm really looking forward to making that a more significant part of our proselyting. Back in the MTC, I was able to go through my family tree and learn a bit about my ancestors, and I've treasured the stories and their legacy that they have left for us. The Zone Training really opened my eyes to the fact that the Work of Salvation really isn't confined in any way to the living, and that we as missionaries are in the ideal place to help others look to their dead. The division between missionary work and work for the dead is a division that we need to dissolve. It's one work.
Love,
Elder English