Hey Everyone!
This week I have started the scripture challenge. Last week
the scripture was James 1:5 because I wanted to memorize it in Spanish for the
lessons. This week I am still looking for a good one to focus on. I will choose
today or I’ll use the same one as you guys!
I want to thank my family so much this week! The beginning
of the week was a little frustrating. It was a hot week this week and it felt
like every house we went to rejected us or didn’t remember the appointment we
had put. But on Thursday the Zone Leaders made a trip to Santa Barbara and gave
me 2 giant packages!! The first was a box from Grandma Anderson with 2 blankets
in it, one for me and one for my companion Elder Melgar! We were so so thankful
for that and he wants me to tell you thank you so much Grandma Anderson!! I
also got one from my family that was so awesome, I could really feel the love
from home. It was much needed, both for the encouragement, and for the One Wipe
Charlies!
This week we had interviews with our Mission President,
President Dester. He and his wife are so awesome, they are like our parents in
the mission. Sister Dester was still worried about the blanket situation but I
told her I got one. The interview with President Dester was very cool also. He
assured me that you guys will think I am a very different person at the end of
the mission. He told me that I need to be more patient. I am not really
surprised by that but it is something that I needed to hear.
Later that day, we were sitting in priesthood class and a
member of the bishopric pulled us out of class and told us that one of our
investigators named wants to go to the temple! The ward takes a temple trip in
2 weeks. So they asked if she would be prepared for baptism this week so that
she could go to the temple with the youth (she is 14). We were like Uhhhhh ya,
that´s why we´re here! haha So We got permission from her parents to have a
baptism this Friday the 16th! it was an obvious blessing from Heavenly Father,
not just for her excitement to get baptized, but for us to have a little more
faith as missionaries. As for our other investigators, we have really been
pushing for the baptism of 2 kids. To be honest at first it seemed like they
didnt want to learn about the church. They are from 2 separate families, both
very poor. They do not pay attention well so it is very hard to teach them. I
was wondering why we were teaching 2 9 year old kids, but a thought came to my
mind that it was a good thing, even if they don’t want to get baptized because
someone needs to fight for their minds! If we just leave them with their
families they will grow up just like everyone else. I don’t know how much
longer we will try and teach them but I forget how important it is for kids to
know who Jesus is and know how to pray. I know a lot of things that I am able
to teach is because I learned it in primary!
Catching a ride with the Branch President
Anyways, the power went out a few times, it rained many
times, we got wet, and then when it gets hot the next day its always humid, but
I am learning a lot from Elder Melgar. Mainly how I can better my teaching
(still struggling with that one) and with patience as well.
Check out the gun(s) on this guy!
Have a great week this week guys, I love you so much!!
Love, Elder Dowell
