10-15-2012

Whats up!!!"!!!!!!

I am super excited to hear about the BYU trip Braiden but not excited to get dominated by my little brother in basketball ha. But sounds like a good week. Caleb you sound crazy. I didn’t understand everything you were doing but it sounds cool! 

Well this last week was great!! I have some bad noticias and good ones. This last Thursday we had interviews with the president. He basically told me that he wasn’t going to interview me cause we would have another interview in 3 weeks but asked me if i had any questions. I got permission from him to go the temple with Raul and Rubi to do baptisms for the dead!! I am so excited this last Sunday raul got the priesthood and they are getting interviewed for the temple Wednesday night!! It is going to be so awesome. I love them so much Raul is very animated and doing very well on his progress and i don’t know why but out of all my converts here in Lucerito the members just attacked this one. Everyone is inviting them to their houses and to do stuff and church activities and is probably the best reception of converts that i have seen in Paraguay till now! It makes me very happy, There are a couple verses in alma 29:? (9-10,14 maybe) but it talks about how Alma finds his joy and it is through the success of his brethren and their personal growth! I really love that scripture because it is true. Yes it is really fun to achieve something and have alot of people admire or recognize you but the real joy comes from recognizing other people and seeing the joy that they have. Braiden know that! You will find more happiness on your mission then on the court. It will be a different happiness, it’s really hard to describe. We also went last night to nicolas house with the bishop to drop the cane and it went really well. nicolas was excited to see the bishop in his house and has been reading alot and promised to assist every Sunday from now on out! He is painting me a picture. 

The sad news is that family that we found that we took to the conference, they were so excited for their baptism but the moved this last week to the north mission! It was really sad cause they had a fecha for the 27 of October, but we must need to find another miracle before i leave.

There are some moments on the mission that are not appropriately described or as good over the email or writing.  Moments that one can’t tell very well. This last week i had an experience that very literally changed my outlook on the atonement, the personal significance that it can have for me. Talking with my companion this last companionship inventory (or whatever it is called) what was being said brought me to tears and to moments when i could not speak. I love the atonement and i more fully understand the importance and the power that it can and should have in the lives of every single one of Gods children. I also realize that one person can not come to a complete understanding of this perfect act. I see and listen to the testimony of elder holland and think, wow what has he experienced to have such a strong testimony, but just as elder bednards talk says a testimony is your person relationship with God given through revelation from the Holy Ghost. Its all so  personal and even though many people can be listening to the very same message and be in the same place your personal sensibility to the spirit is what will build your testimony because no man can force these truths upon you. Elder badnards talk was amazing!

I know that I’m a child of god and he loves and takes care of me and i know that only trough honoring my covenants will i become like him. THIS CHURCH IS TRUE!  Elder Shaw