the day of jon, luis and litzy´s baptism, a dog ripped my pants, but i sewed it up, and i got burnt.
baptism of esteffani
baptism of jon, luis and litzy with hna flor and her husband that helped us.
its very interesting that you wrote me about being a peacemaker in the last letter, because there have been a few big changes in our companionship this last week. for the better, thankfully. last monday, i wrote to president spannaus and told him what was going on, my feelings, and for advice. he was just going to write me, but decided he should talk to us both individually then together. i explained everything to him and he asked a lot of questions and gave a lot of advice. i told him my concerns about obedience, and the desire to have a good companionship, and he told me what i needed to do. and just like you told me mom, i needed to worry about my changes first, he told me the same thing. one advice you said in specific made me realize what my big error was. i wasnt being humble. you said that i should try to realize how god wants me to use my spiritual gifts and not how i think he wants me to use them. also that an obedient companion loves the lord more than being right. also e. zazueta had a few things contra-banned that i told president about, then we all talked together. he helped us put goals and line things up so that we could talk. we stayed in the house for a time talking and getting things better, then we also did it the same night. we talked about a lot, and why our companionship wasnt succeeding like it should, and what we needed to do to fix it. it went really well, and we have done a whole lot better in this last week! we found more new investigators and had some really good laughs and talks together.
this week, we were really busy and worried about preparing magali and jorge for their baptism this next thursday. they are both really excited, but need a little help keeping a few commandments, i ask for your prayers for them in specific, and that they pass their interviews. we taught them the commandments and realized their problems and explained to them why they had to stop in that moment, it took a little time for them to understand good, but they both accepted it, realizing that by accepting and keeping the commandments, they would grow closer to god and receive more help as a family. they are great, and really excited for their baptism, both elder zazueta and i will baptize one of them each. also jorge says he wants to be a missionary, so we will help him get a mentor and that the bishop watches out for him.
also we found a little old man named ramon who has one of the saddest stories i have ever heard. he has no family except for his little brother that is actually struggling for his life to live. his parents and other siblings have died. his other relatives dont have any care or concern for him, and he also is sick and has a disease in his feet. he is 59 and doesnt work and usually doesnt eat. last week, he just showed up in another ward wanting to get closer to god, and luckily we found him. he is extremely humble and does all that we have asked him to gain a testimony. i feel really sad to know that i cant help him much, except help him start on the path to salvation. which is a lot i can offer, but i wish there was more physically i could do also. he went to church again and loved it.
this week, i also started reading jesus the christ by james e. talmage, and have read about 57 pages to this point. i have really enjoyed it, and have been reading and applying the scriptures that he explains. one word that stuck out to me in specific is meekness. i realized that i havent looked at that word since my time with elder snyder, and am sad i didnt write down a good definition of it. if anyone could help me to understand it better with a definition or scriptures i would like the help. any way, not a whole lot is going on right now. we as a companionship completed our goal of 3 baptisms with an overall 5, but the zone fell short of the goal of 20 by only getting 15... that is the best that zone acapulco has been in almost 6 months, so we were happy, and have good feelings that we will complete it this next month. well thanks everyone for your help through your prayers. i really needed it, and i know that everything worked out much better because of your faith and dedication to help the lord in his work. thank you and may god bless you all.
ps. im super excited for general conference this next week, but its a little annoying that saturday is 10 am, 2pm, and 6pm, but sunday is 11am, and 3pm. i dont like the time change in utah... haha but whatever. it will still be great! love you all, all these blessings we have right now are from this time of season, the resurrection of jesus christ and his birth, the foundation of the church in this last dispensation, and other things that have happened on these dates. love you all.
elder facer