Well, this week has been an interesting one to say the least. This week we were able to visit a number of less-actives and among them we visited Magdalena. We've had a couple conflicts with her in the past, but this week things exploded. A few days ago our investigator and his member brother, Marcos and Luis, went to live with Magdalena. We visited them on Wednesday and while Magdalena had originally invited us for Thanksgiving there, she decided that she'd like to go with Marcos and Luis to our other member's house, Chon, for dinner. Apparently she didn't have a ride and expected us to just know that she'd need one. We of course didn't think about that because we thought she'd ask us for one if she needed one. So on Thursday she ended up not with a ride and pretty angry thinking it was on purpose and that we don't want her around, and then on Friday our less-active, Luis, was apparently out all night doing stuff, we don't know what, but Magdalena assumed that he was sleeping with his girlfriend and she thinks he was on drugs when he came back Friday morning. She decided she didn't want him in her house anymore (Luis didn't want to stay anymore either) and called us to come over, basically so she could yell at us. Long story short, she doesn't want anything to do with the Church anymore and doesn't want us to come by and visit at all. Which is sad, but it's her choice, but our investigator who had a baptismal date for the 14th of December, Marcos, was living with her at the time (We think he moved out now, but we're not sure) and we were afraid she'd influence him for the worse.
Thankfully there have been many prayers going his way, and he actually wants to be baptized sooner, on the 7th! So we are going to be working hard with him to get him prepared for that baptismal date! He is such a sincere person, he doesn't know too much about religious things, or about Jesus Christ, but he admits that and says that that's why he wants us to keep meeting with him. He also has strongly felt the desire to be baptized and keeps telling us about new things that happen that make him feel more and more that he needs to get baptized! For example we talked about Patriarchal Blessings in Priesthood and when it was mentioned that you have to be a member of the Church to receive one it apparently really struck him as yet another reason to become baptized! We are so super excited for him and super grateful for these miracles we've seen with meeting and teaching Marcos!
On the downside though, our other investigator with a baptismal date for December 7th, Lupe, is probably not going to make it on that date. We haven't been able to contact him lately beyond short conversations on the phone or on the porch when we can catch him. We still keep high hopes for him and keep trying, but it's always a little disappointing when an investigator doesn't make a baptismal date.
But we did get to teach the 4 kids this week. We read the first 12 verses of the Book of Mormon and helped them understand what was going on. They really are great kids that really like learning and have lots of desires to do what we ask them to do and come closer to Jesus Christ. As kids they seem to "get it" so much better than most adults do. We are looking forward to continue teaching them.
We had a great Thanksgiving as well. We woke up and exersized like normal, and then at 8 we went to a Turkey Bowl. We were allowed to play an 1-1/2 which ended up being just about all that I wanted to play!! :) Then we went back home, got cleaned up, showered, ready and then went to a member's home for a Thanksgiving lunch. After staying there for a while we were able to go to Chon's house for a Thanksgiving dinner. And then, after filling every crack in my stomach, we went to another member's house who invited all the missionaries over that didn't have anybody else to go to. We played games and socialized with the members and each other until the end of the night. It was a long, but fun day! :)
I think that's most of the news and major occurrences for this week. I'm so grateful for all your prayers, I can really feel their power here with me. I'd like to say a quick Happy Birthday to Morgan (sorry it's a little late...) and to Brendan (and this one's a little early). I miss you a lot Morgan and Brendan, and hope that y'all are both doing well and doing good. Stay in school, be nice, read the Book of Mormon everyday, and remember that you're children of God. :)
-Elder Whitaker
Thankfully there have been many prayers going his way, and he actually wants to be baptized sooner, on the 7th! So we are going to be working hard with him to get him prepared for that baptismal date! He is such a sincere person, he doesn't know too much about religious things, or about Jesus Christ, but he admits that and says that that's why he wants us to keep meeting with him. He also has strongly felt the desire to be baptized and keeps telling us about new things that happen that make him feel more and more that he needs to get baptized! For example we talked about Patriarchal Blessings in Priesthood and when it was mentioned that you have to be a member of the Church to receive one it apparently really struck him as yet another reason to become baptized! We are so super excited for him and super grateful for these miracles we've seen with meeting and teaching Marcos!
On the downside though, our other investigator with a baptismal date for December 7th, Lupe, is probably not going to make it on that date. We haven't been able to contact him lately beyond short conversations on the phone or on the porch when we can catch him. We still keep high hopes for him and keep trying, but it's always a little disappointing when an investigator doesn't make a baptismal date.
But we did get to teach the 4 kids this week. We read the first 12 verses of the Book of Mormon and helped them understand what was going on. They really are great kids that really like learning and have lots of desires to do what we ask them to do and come closer to Jesus Christ. As kids they seem to "get it" so much better than most adults do. We are looking forward to continue teaching them.
We had a great Thanksgiving as well. We woke up and exersized like normal, and then at 8 we went to a Turkey Bowl. We were allowed to play an 1-1/2 which ended up being just about all that I wanted to play!! :) Then we went back home, got cleaned up, showered, ready and then went to a member's home for a Thanksgiving lunch. After staying there for a while we were able to go to Chon's house for a Thanksgiving dinner. And then, after filling every crack in my stomach, we went to another member's house who invited all the missionaries over that didn't have anybody else to go to. We played games and socialized with the members and each other until the end of the night. It was a long, but fun day! :)
I think that's most of the news and major occurrences for this week. I'm so grateful for all your prayers, I can really feel their power here with me. I'd like to say a quick Happy Birthday to Morgan (sorry it's a little late...) and to Brendan (and this one's a little early). I miss you a lot Morgan and Brendan, and hope that y'all are both doing well and doing good. Stay in school, be nice, read the Book of Mormon everyday, and remember that you're children of God. :)
-Elder Whitaker