Week 55: Assurances

Hello everyone!! It's been a great week for me and Elder Saberdo here in San Juan. We're starting to see some progression with the people we're teaching which is super great. Ah, I love seeing the changes in people's lives through the Gospel.

Story time... yesterday we were out working and it was raining pretty hard. To be honest, walking in the rain has lost a lot of it's fun the longer I'm out here haha. It was raining and my feet were hurting, the wind was strong, etc. I had the thought to just go home for the night. The appointment that we were going to wasn't too important, she didn't seem too interested in the message.

After thinking like this for quite a long time, I tried to remember the reasons why I am here on a mission. I looked down at my nametag to see my savior's name, and I remembered that his life was never easy, he spent every day in the service of others. I decided to keep pressing on and finish the day.

The last appointment last night, the lady was grateful we came and visited her. She then unexpectedly asked me directly why I'm out here on a mission. Why I'm walking around in the rain, why I'm far away from my family and friends. When she asked me that I had one of those moments of self evaluation. I then felt so much peace as I tried to tell her that I'm here to serve my savior, and because I know the Book of Mormon is true.

She then told me that she wasn't going to change because she's been a catholic her whole life..

But in that moment, when she asked me directly why I was out here, I felt such a feeling of peace and an assurance that God knows me and that he's proud of the work I'm trying to do here. Last night I flipped open my Book of Mormon, and this is the first verse I saw, it fits in perfectly to what I've learned this week.

11 Yea, and it came to pass that the Lord our God did visit us with assurances that he would deliver us; yea, insomuch that he did speak peace to our souls, and did grant us great faith, and did cause us that we should hope for our deliverance in him.

I know that if we're doing what we need to do, if we are striving our best to follow the commandments and live the gospel of Jesus Christ, God will bless our efforts, no matter how imperfect and inadequate we are. I love this gospel, and I love my mission.

Have a great week you all, love you all!

Ingat po kayo,

Elder Ansel Childers

Pics:

Eggs are delicious.

mini exchange with Elder T, great time.

Birthday party for my companion, played games and had a lesson on the beach. So much fun.

grilled meat after work with some members. masarap. reminds me of home

Some of our favorite people/returning members that we're teaching made it to church this week :)

river full of water and corn husks

one of the members who we love to work with