Hello everybody,
Another week has passed, and I am still here, as a missionary, serving in Elche. This is the last week of the transfer, however, so all of that could change very soon, but of course, we will never know for sure until next Monday.
In my last email, I wrote about having a very busy and successful week. This week was quite the opposite. Almost everything we had planned for the week ended up failing on us, making a very big contrast between last week and the one before. It was disappointing, yes, but that’s just the life in the mission. We still had several of our investigators make it to church on Sunday, and we should hopefully be having a better week this time around.
On Friday, Elder Catmull and I had the chance to do intercambios with Elder Williams and Elder Dunham, our zone leaders. Unfortunately, they were having the same luck that we were having with appointments failing, so I had to spend about 10 hours street contacting that day. I’m not going to lie, street contacting is something that I really don’t like to do; it’s something I know should like to do, and I want to like it, but I guess I just haven’t completely reached that point yet. But, Friday, when I was working with them, it was actually something that didn’t seem as much of a burden as it had before. It was more enjoyable than it has ever been, and although I was absolutely exhausted, it still felt like a really good, satisfying, and successful day.
From 1 Nephi 13, we learn that, “And blessed are they who shall seek to bring forth my Zion at that day, for they shall have the gift and the power of the Holy Ghost; and if they endure unto the end they shall be lifted up at the last day, and shall be saved in the everlasting kingdom of the Lamb; and whoso shall publish peace, yea, tidings of great joy, how beautiful upon the mountains shall they be.” I love this promise because it shows us that no matter what we’re put up against as missionaries, if we persevere, trusting in the whisperings of the Holy Ghost to guide us, and do our best to build up the Lord’s kingdom, we will indeed be blessed. It’s not always easy, but it’s always worth it when it comes to the Gospel.
I hope all of you have a great week with success in whatever you do. Also, if you have the ability and opportunity to vote in the upcoming election, I would encourage you all to do so. I stand with the First Presidency as they say: “As citizens we have the privilege and duty of electing office holders and influencing public policy. Participation in the political process affects our communities and nation today and in the future. We urge Latter-day Saints to be active citizens by registering, exercising their right to vote, and engaging in civic affairs.” We are incredibly blessed to be citizens of a country with such great liberties, but our individual participation in the political processes is so important to maintaining them.
With Love,
Élder Stark ??
Photos
1: Mexico City South mission reporting…just kidding, we’re all wearing our sombreros backwards because Spain is most definitely not Mexico. Hermana Gibson, Elder Darrington, Elder Catmull, Elder Goates, Elder Larsen, Elder Llavina, Elder Stark, Hermana Garcia
2-3: Secret door we found in the JAS Center (institute). There’s an entire half to the building just with nothing in it, but it was still really cool to find.
4: Sunset from a roof
5: “The Good Burger” with Elder Goates, Hermana Gentry, Hermana Giraldo, Hermana Sanchez, Hermana Prior, Hermana George, Elder Darrington, Elder Catmull, Elder Llavina, Elder Stark, Elder Larsen
6: After a baptism that the other elders had
7: Until next time
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