Howdy y’all!
This week was quite the week in deed. We spent most of the
week traveling between here and Santa Fe, had a really good Zone Conference,
and just had a good time in general.
This Zone Conference was really good. They always are, but
this was especially good. First of all, it was my last one so, like I said in
my last email, I gave my testimony as part of my last Zone Conference. I was
one of six missionaries in the Conference that had the chance to bear our
testimonies. It was a great experience, one that I won’t ever forget. In one
way, I’m sad that that moment has already passed, but in another, I’m happy
that I got it over with. As I spoke, I choked up a bit and felt almost like I
was giving my first ever testimony in Spanish hahaha crazy how that happens.
But after all 6 of our testimonies, we got to hear from the Hermana Westover.
She always has a great lesson to teach us and she always leaves me spiritually
uplifted. This time around, she talked about the Joy that we feel through
missionary work and the miracles that we can see. As I was listening to her
speak, I looked back on my time in the mission and I could feel the Joy and the
Love that I have felt during this time. Missionary work really does bring
enduring joy into our lives. Presidente then spoke to us about how we can use
our time more wisely as missionaries and how to use the sparse spare time that
we have better. It was a great reminder of how we can always improve and be
better each and every day. I really love President and Hermana Westover and I
appreciate all that they do to help us and for the love that they offer
us.
The day after Zone Conference Elder Smith had tramites in
Santa Fe. It was cool because my last companion, also named Elder Smith, and
one of the guys from the MTC, who is (believe it or not) also named Elder Smith
all had tramites the same day. So I was able to catch up with them and have a
good time. It was great to see Elder Moore again too! Also, about half of the
new guys who came into the mission this transfer had tramites all the same day
too. So, not only did I catch up with a few old friends, but I got to meet new
people too. This new group of missionaries is super awesome. It was great to be
able to meet them and see just how new and young they are. It made me feel
really old to see them and all of their excitement and fear as they are just
now starting their missions. It made me feel especially old that they were
asking me all sorts of questions about how to best learn the language and
everyone asking me "How does it feel to almost be home??". But it was
more fun than trunky.
I really like the video this week. One thing about the
videos is how they show the emotions of the scripture characters, such as the
fear of Lehi, or the determination of Nephi, or the anger and rage of Laman and
Lemuel. I really appreciate the videos and the way they help me learn more and
ponder more deeply the scriptures.
Also, yesterday was quite the day for us here in San
Cristobal. It was raining when we woke up for church so we kind of figured that
not too many people were going to show up. But, when we got to the church, we
realized that we didn’t have anyone to direct the meeting! Presidente Lisardo
is still in Jujuy taking care of things for his brother who had a stroke and we
haven’t heard anything about him and have no idea when he will be coming back.
In addition, the Branch’s First Counselor didn’t make it either, so I ended up
directing everything. It was quite the experience and a good learning
opportunity.
I would like to end this email now by sharing with you my
testimony of Prayer. I have come to love prayer and the chance that it gives me
to speak personally and privately with my Loving Heavenly Father. I have come
to grow very dependent on the power that prayer offers me, especially in these
last few weeks of my mission as I pray every day that the Lord will bless me
with the Strength and Faith that I need to work hard and end my mission well. I
know that through prayer, God is able to touch us and bless us. I know that
these things are true and share them with you in the name of Jesus Christ,
amen.
Thank you all for the love and support. Thanks for reading!!
Oh, also, I was FINALLY able to pick up my leather scripture covers! I
love how they turned out and I will treasure them forever!
Chau
Elder Haley
No comments:
Post a Comment