February 16, 2015
Well, I think this is 2
weeks in a row that I’m writing a blog email so hey... Improvement! I’m getting
there, guys, just suffer with me a little haha!
Well this week was
pretty good. I am noticing myself getting a lot more comfortable with the
people here and the language and I’m starting to enjoy myself a lot more.
Things are looking up!!
This week, we didn’t
have much progress with S, but we did have some progress. After almost 2 weeks
of not seeing her, we had a solid lesson with her. We are working through an
addictions book with her so she can stop smoking. The best thing that came out
of that lesson however was that she told us that not having us in her home on a
regular basis, she could feel the difference in her life. As the days went on
without us stopping by, things seemed to get worse and worse for her and she
could feel that she was further away from God. It was really cool to hear that.
Sometimes I think as missionaries we feel like we don’t have that big of an
influence on the people’s lives, but we really do. We are God's messengers and
when we aren't there, Satan is. It’s a constant struggle.
But not only did we see
a bit of progress with S, but we also found a member that is really excited to
help her. We didn’t realize that we had a member living in our area only a
couple blocks from S. So we stopped by Hna. P's house one day to talk with her
and get to know her a bit. We talked about S and Hna P is so excited to help.
She had us set-up an appointment in her house almost immediately. Unfortunately
the appointment fell but the Hna P told us that any day, we can pass by her
house and stop by S's house just to visit for a couple minutes so she can stop
by without us and invite her over without us. That DOES NOT happen down here on
a regular basis. I’m really excited. It’s going to help S a lot!!
Ok. About the robbery.
It wasn’t us. Last night, the sisters were having a lesson in a plaza and just
as the closing prayer was finishing, these guys ran up and basically attacked
them. Pulling their hair, throwing them around. They are fine and no one got
hurt, but a lot of stuff was stolen. Best part, the investigators are fine and
none of their stuff was stolen so they are still progressing towards their
baptism this Saturday. The worst part, is that the lesson was taking place in
my area and so now the robbers think that all missionaries walk around with a
lot of cameras and stuff and so we have to be a little careful in our area. But
in the end, everyone is fine and nothing irreplaceable was taken. All
scriptures were recovered, and as a missionary, your personal scriptures are
one of your most prized possessions.
So this Saturday, in our
ward we will being having 5, maybe 6 baptisms! Really cool! 2 are the two girls
that were with sister when the robbery happened, another 3 are a super cool
family. This family actually lives in my area but the sisters are teaching
them. They are a golden family. The mom was about to get baptized about 5-10
years ago but didn’t do it. But now she is super excited and her husband and
oldest son if getting baptized too. The oldest son (9 years old I think) wants
me to baptize him so that’s exciting! I’m honored to be able to do it! The 6th
is a Jewish woman that has been listening to the missionaries for a long time
but is scared to get baptized. But hopefully this week it will happen! Keep
Cipolletti 2 in your prayers!!
Well, the missionary
life is hard but I love it. It’s a battle every single day but I wouldn't change it for anything. There truly isn't anything like it. I've learned so
much about myself, my life, my Savior, and my God. It’s amazing. I’m so
grateful for this opportunity. It’s indescribable. I love you all and I hope
you know it.
Que siempre sigan adelante confiando en su Dios que les bendice
cada día. Nunca pierdan la fe y siempre sepan que yo les amo y que Dios les
ama. ¡Hasta Luego! ¡Chau!
Elder Clifford
