"Some people say that church is on Saturday, but I'm a Latter Day...Saint"
That's a sweet freestyle rap of Elder Vance's that he came up with this week. Also to start out my email I want to include one of the funniest jokes that I've ever heard, probably just because I wasn't expecting it to make me laugh so hard, but it did. Ok, so... "I heard that Chinese people, in order to give names to their newborn children, all they do is throw a pan down the stairs and make the name from the sound that it makes as it hits the floor "Ping Clang Chon", hahaha.
Oh, HAPPY FATHER'S DAY to all of the fathers out there. I imagine Father's Day is the same here as it is in the US but I can't remember exactly when. I hope my dad and Roy and Grandpa Jim and all my uncles and everyone know how greatly they are appreciated, both by me and by all of their family. I love my dad so much and I couldn't ask for a greater one.
We had a pretty good week this week, things are looking up. We had interviews with President Ward and Hna Ward, which are officially the last interviews that they will do as Mission President and wife, because they are leaving on July 1st, or a little bit earlier. I really love those two. It was funny; Hermana Ward called me earlier in the week to talk about what we would do for lunch after interviews and listening to a woman talking on the phone to me in English made me feel as if I was talking to my mom, haha, really funny. Interviews went well; President really has a way of making his missionaries feel special and needed. He's a great leader, knows how to applaud what needs applauding and correct what needs correcting. He in interviews always gives blessings, just simply puts his hands on my head and gave me a blessing. It was really great, as if he knew exactly what I'd been going through, as though he was a patriarch. He told me before that since I am far away from my father for the time being, that he is the substitute patriarch for him and wants to bless his children. I love that man and I'm really going to miss him. I also got to renew my temple recommend before he leaves and before I leave, so now I can go to the temple endless times before April of 2014, which is good because I'll need it when I get married next March ;) haha just kidding mom!
Hermana Ward got me really excited about going to BYU this coming January. I really hope I can get in. I am currently filling out my application, and it's crazy to think that all this journey is coming to an end somewhat soon. I have to start writing my essays and talking about all the different extracurricular activities I've done here in the mission; like painting houses, pulling weeds, doing service, helping gather coconuts in the San Blas islands, etc, lots of activities I can list. The mission has really opened my eyes to a different world that I didn't know existed before. I've learned what it really means to be in the service of God by serving those around me. It's so easy. Just be an example in all things. I'm doing what the Savior would do if He were here, and that means, serving others, loving others, helping others in all that they need, even if it is simply listening to them complain and vent out all their problems and trials. Missionary work is 99% teaching and listening, and 1% baptizing. I want people to know that I am here to help them and listen to them and love them, and if they remember anything about the tall white gringo that came into their house, I want them to remember that I listened attentively while they talked to me and did my best to relieve them from their pain and suffering.
We have a baptism coming up this weekend, a guy named Noel who is training in the military. He's a cool guy, really prepared, knows his stuff. He's been coming to church with his "girlfriend" who he says is his friend for the last like month and a half. He told me yesterday that he's learned a lot in our church and likes it. Goes to show you, if you go to church, everything is easier in mission work. People progress, simple as that. I'm excited for that baptism.
Just to end I want to share my testimony on Priesthood power. It's real, as we all know and have experienced. We were asked to give like tons of Priesthood blessings this past week. And we wouldn't give the blessings if we didn't know that it was real and that we have faith in God that the person will heal or receive comfort. Everything that is done in the church is done with Priesthood authority and power. If we didn't have it, we couldn't have church. I didn't write down any scriptures, but there's one I really like in 1Corinthians 14, I believe that talks about how the gift of tongues is for the edifying of the saints, not mindless gibberish. I love you all, have an excellent week, tell your dads that you love them :)
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