Semana Santisima!

This week was awesome!  Angela, who was babtized last week, got confirmed on Sunday.  Our investigator Juana in Nahuala, remember the old lady we started teaching? got babtized and confirmed this weekend.  One top of all that, this week we found 23 new investigators, which is the most Ive had in one week in my whole mission.  Lots of families and people who seem really prepared, we are pretty excited and have a lot of high hopes for this week!

On Tuesday the Asistants came to my district meeting, which was good though a little bit stressful because there where 11 people there and I was a little bit undecided on what I needed to focus on.  We talked about Chapter 10 of Preach my Gospel and focused on asking questions.  I began loooking in the New Testament and thought it was so interesting that Christ often answered peoples questions with a very profound, divine question.  The scribes and farisees (I have no idea how to spell that in English haha) always were criticizing Christ, especially about things like the Sabbath Day and other parts of the Law of Moses.  He taught them the true doctrine and He did it in such an interesting, deep way.  My companion and I have been focusing on beign better teachers and teaching like Christ taught and loving as He did.

On of the new families we found, well, was just a big miracle.  There are a lot of little shops in peoples houses that we call "tiendas" and most of the time we dont contact in tiendas because they are usually busy and always work on Sundays.  My companion felt inspired to knock on the door of a tienda and we found a scruffy looking guy named "Sender" (yes, "Sender") stripping copper wire to sell the copper, which reminded me of what happened when we were building our house back home but this man was super nice and let us in.  We taught lesson 1 to him and his wife, which went very well and the Spirit was strong.  They are from the coast, dont go to a church, and at the end asked us about babtism so we are very excited for the appointment we have with them tonight.  

On Easter we went to Stake Presidents house.  He lives in our ward but obviously is always pretty busy.  Their house is super nice wow, I felt like I was back home in the States!  His family is very kind, we showed them pictures of our families and watched the video "Halleluyah" that the church made for Easter.  They told us that they are willing to help with whatever family we are teaching so we should be going to their house with Sender and his family.  To top it all off, they gave us some "Dots" candy so I would say that it was a good visit and that we built a lot of confidence with him and his family.

I dont have a lot more to say other than that I know that this is the true church. After studying the scriptures so much and praying and trying to keep myself so clean for so long, the Spirit confirms to me each day that these things are true.  I know that we can all conquer death and that the Gospel is a gospel of happiness.  How awesome is it knowing that we can be together forever!  Helping other families realize this has been the biggest blessing of my life.  I feel so greatful for the support that I recieve from the Spirit and also from the family.  I love you all, feliz General Conference and we will talk next week!  

SPANISH!!!

Hey well this week we had changes so it was a big week!

My new area is called Olintepeque and it is absolutely huge, we cover a ward and also a branch called San Carlos Sija.  The area has a lot of giant fields and gated communities but there are still a lot of houses and the members seem really cool.  Everyone speaks Spanish  and I think the coolest part is that from pretty much any part of my area you can see the temple of Xela!  My new companion is Elder English from Idaho, my first American companion in 20 months haha its been a lot of fun and we have been working like crazy this week.

We have a cool investigator named Nestor.  His wife is kind of a less active member but has been reactivating.  Wow, Nestor is so cool and is in 1 Nephi 16, just a really solid guy and he is going to be babtized on April 9th.  We have been going with him every other day and, though I havent been here very long, Im excited to see him grow and accept the Gospel.

Other than Nestor there werent really many investigators here in Olintepeque.  We decided to work really hard and to talk with literally everyone.  While knocking doors we found a guy named Cruz who let us in.  He explained that his mom is really sick and that his dad passed away about 8 years ago.  We taught him the first lesson and challenged him to read the Book of Mormon, but it didnt seem to us that he understood very much.  We returned with him on Saturday and we were shocked but how much he remembered and liked the first lesson.  We read the Book of Mormon with him, invited him to church, and he came!!  I feel so happy that we came in contact with Cruz and we will continue helping him progress and learn about the plan of Salvation.

This week was my birthday and the sister missionaries in our area did something really nice for  me and my comp.  My companion doesnt really know a lot of the members, so the sisters talked with a member family and planned a little surprise dinner.  We went to the members house at 8, read a scripture, then went to eat.  I sat down and one of the members put a plate with two stuffed wrapped burritos in front of me.  I thought to myself, "Can it be?" and it was: TACO BELL! After the delicious Taco Bell and some cake, the members gave me some candy and chips and stuff.  It was an amazing day and I really felt the love of Heavenly Father has for me.

I know that Jesus Christ gave His perfect life for us.  Lately Ive felt such a profound peace in my heart and just so... good.  I know that we can all feel the peace that Christ offers us, before the mission I felt it from time to time but a lot of times I felt nervous about tests or friends or stuff like that.  There are a lot of stresses as misisonaries and a lot of setbacks, but I notice that life is really just so good and that the hard times make the good times better.  I love all of you and know that the Church is true.