This
week was a great week and full of miracles. This Wednesday we had a
training with Elder Godoy of the 70 and presidencia of the area. He was
great! He spoke about 4 traps that many missionaries fall into often
that makes them become ineffective missionaries...
1. Activities vs. Results
2. Lessons vs. Learning
3. Friends vs. the chosen, prepared
4. Visiting teachers vs. Missionaries
He
talked about each one of these four things, the last thing listed in
each point is the best thing that we can do, but many times missionaries
find themselves teaching a very kind and friendly person that listens
the gospel, but that never progresses. This would be an example of
teaching "friends" and not those that have been prepared to accept the
gospel in its fulness. It was a great training and an eye opener to me
in many things. President Erickson also spoke about the importance of
obedience in the small things, the the Carpeta de Area, area book in English I think. A lot of missionaries don't actualize the area book a
lot, but this is a problem because when we dont keep track of progress,
there is no progress! I'm happy that my companions and I have kept a good
area book. President gave an example of what happens when we stop doing
these "small" things as many people put it. He talked about David, David
and Goliath, and we all know what happened to David. He ended up committing two of the most serious sins, adultery and murder in a way.
But how could this once incredible man and prophet fall? If we read in 1
Sam. 11:1, I believe, it says that when it was time to war he stayed in
the city and not into the war with his troops, he stopped fulfilling
all of his DUTIES as a king. The moment that stop doing our DUTIES,
Satan can begin winding flax and chord around us and drag us speedily
down to hell as Nefi in the Book of Mormon tells us. I hope that we can
all fulfill our duties as children of God.
Also,
it was Agustos baptism! He was baptized on Saturday and it was an
incredibly spiritual moment for me and for Agusto, I couldn't stop
smiling all day! And then Sunday came. There will always be a challenge
before every great spiritual moment, a trial of our faith you could say.
And Sunday was the trial. We got a call from Agusto at about 10:30 in
the morning right before the reunion sacramental and he informed us that
he wouldn't be able to attend church and receive the gift of the Holy
Ghost because he drank the night before, Saturday night. After his
baptism his happiness led him to be with some friends, and these friends
invited him to drink a little bit. He wasn't in a very good state to receive the Holy Ghost on Sunday, but he needs to receive it ASAP for
his baptism to be complete and to overcome these difficulties. Tomorrow
were going to confirm him the gift and he will be sustained sacrament
meeting this coming Sunday. It pained me to the soul to hear about this
from Agusto because he has changed so much, and because he feels really
bad because he has a testimony and knows why this church is true and
important for him. I know he is going to come off conqueror. I know that
the scriptures in DyC 18:13 to 17 are true, if you can, read these
scriptures. There is great joy in the salvation of souls. Grandpa Page
once told me that the "salvation of souls isn't easy" and this is true,
but the joy that you feel when some one is truly repenting and coming
the CHRIST is incredible as you see the miracle of forgiveness in the
person through the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
So,
a little bit more about my companion, Elder Jesus. Hes pretty cool! Hes
from Huanuco, Peru... La eterna primavera, or the eternal spring. It's
perfect whether all the time and it's always super green, hes shown my
some pictures and its a pretty sweet place! He played at a semi
professional level in fútbol for Alianza Huanuco for a few years before
the mission. Only him and his 4 sisters are members of the church, his 3
brothers and parents aren't. Hes a super hard worker and were really
seeing the fruits of our labors, in only 2 weeks! When he got to the
mission he knew close to nothing about the church but through diligence
and obedience he has become a great missionary and knows that Book of
Mormon very well. We have really enjoyed the pkg. that you sent, thanks
for that! And if you could, it would be awesome if you all could write
him a letter, he speaks good English so you can write him in English.
Hope can draw a picture or something, E' Jesus thought Hopes picture in
the pkg. was pretty sweet.
Well, that's about all for this week! Hope you all have a fantastic week!
Con mucho amor,
Elder Potter
Oh yeah, I heard about the Davis boys team and girls at nationals, that's sweet! Hard work really pays off!
I'll send more pictures of the baptism next week, no tengo tiempo ahora.
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| Elder Potter and Agusto |
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