You were killing me in that mini skirt. Skipping rocks on the river by the railroad tracks. You had a sun tan line and red lipstick. I worked so hard for that first kiss and a heart don´t forget something like that!"
Hahahahaha so I just have to start by saying, it is super weird to see a red squigly line underneath everything I write. hahaha. So this week has been INTENSE.
Let me start with last week:
We had interviews with Presidente Cordon on Friday. It was super good to speak with him. Later in the email I´ll talk more about what we talked about, but it was good. He is an amazing man and I am awestruck every time I talk to him with how awesome, amazing, humble, and super intelligent he is. What an amazing man!
So I was super happy because we had the confirmation of Junior. Which was awesome. Elder Holliday confirmed him. He didn´t make one mistake. I think I was more nervous for him than he was nervous. Thais also went to church, this girl we´ve been teaching for a super long time. She really enjoyed it. We also had a few more people come and a random kid we met on the street who turns out to be friends with the bishop. That was cool and all the messages this Easter were just absolutely fantastic. I loved it and felt the Spirit super strong.
But then I got sad. On Monday we passed by Thais´s house. When we got there, there was broken glass on the floor, claw marks on the fridge, and a metal bar that was all bent. The minute we walked in the house, I felt the spirit leave and for the first time in a long time I got scared. I looked at Elder Holliday and said "Do you think we are worthy to cast a demon out?" Hah, I was part kidding. Lia, who is the mom there, was crying and I asked what happened. She then informed me and Thais had sold her soul to the devil, tried to kill Lia, ripped up the Book of Mormon and was trashing on Jesus. She was taking a shower and said "I don´t even want to see a missionary today." My reply: "Too bad." We sat down and Lia left the room. I told Elder Holliday that we would remain here in silence until we felt the spirit. At 15 minutes, Thias got out of the shower. When she saw us, she started crying. I motioned for her to sit down. We waited another 15 minutes in silence. Then I felt the Spirit, but just with me and Elder Holliday and then after another 15 minutes, we left a message. She looked at me and said I don´t even want to be baptized in your church anymore. I corrected her, The Church of Jesus Christ. I read her another part of the Book of Mormon and she said that it wasn´t true and I said "Thais, you know it´s true." Then I left her the last 3 verses of 2 Nephi. "And to those of you who will not hearken unto these words (the Book of Mormon) I bid you an eternal farewell, because in the last days, these words will condemn you." Or something like that. she said it couldn´t be true because the Love of Jesus will make up for any lacking she has. To which I replied "God´s love for us cannot rob His laws." (See Love and Law by Elder Dallin H. Oaks. FANTASTIC talk) and then we (very sadly I might add) left. Don´t worry, I stayed super calm and was super nice to her. My last words were, "You know where the church is, you know what time the meetings start. You will be very welcomed into the church when you decide to follow Jesus Christ."
So then we left.
SO we didn´t have pday on Wednesday, we had it on Friday. We also had transfers. So, I got transfered. Hah. I am now in São José dos Pinhais (which is the same zone at Xaxim) and I am a Zone Leader. WHAT?! I did not see that one coming. President, in our interview gave me a heads up. He actually told me it would happen. but you never know. So now I am pretty much in Curitiba again. Which I am happy about. I am with Elder Elias. He is a Brazilian from the state of São Paulo. from a little city about 30 minutes from the Campinas Temple. He is awesome and has fire in his bones.
This is why I didn´t have time to write yesterday (Friday) because it was super rushed. The zone leaders forgot to have someone meet me at the Rodaviario (which is like a HUGE bus station) so from 7-12 in the morning I was alone. I almost went crazy. Man is not supposed to be alone! I found some elders at like 12. I called Elder Elias, who told me that the assistants told him he would find me at the chapel where we do transfers at 2. So we went to that chapel. P.S. my luggage bags SUCK, literally, they don´t have wheels. but that is just an FYI. I went to the chapel, we participated in the meeting of the new missionaries. We received a TON of new missionaries, which we needed. They are opening a lot of areas they had to close due to a lack of missionaries.
In President Cordon´s little talk to the newbies and the trainers he said, and as he said it he started to cry, he said "Today, the devil is trembling in the Brazil Curitiba Mission, Congradulations Elderes and Sisteres." It was super spiritual and then we went to our house. Which took us 2 hours. We didn´t have time to use the internet yesterday, but President gave us permission to use it today.
I love my new companion. He keeps telling me how excited he is to work with me. He used to be companions with Elder Groom (my companion from the CTM) and I guess Elder Groom spoke well of me. Our area has a lot of work to do but that is fine. Just the way I like it. I am ready to see some miracles. We have had some great spiritual discussions already and I am excited to work. And I get to be close to Xaxim. which is GREAT! I am excited.
I know that this church is true. I have never known it as much as I do in this moment. The Book of Mormon is the word of God and is the most correct book on the face of the earth. Anyone can say whatever they think about it. But it doesn´t matter because God told me that it is true and no man can take away the testimony that God gave me. It is not that on the mission we seek for leadership positions or even in life. Just for opportunities to grow and progress. Like the hymn says, "Progression has one eternal round" (If you could hie to Kolob) I am excited to grow more and serve the people more, other missionaries more, President Cordon more, and most important, the Lord.
Sorry that this email is a day late (maybe a doller short) but just because it´s late, don´t let that take away the fact that I love you more than the world itself. I love you so much family. You mean the world and everything in it to me and i´m sorry if it seems like it´s taken me this long to figure it out. I will get the info (times and telephones) for Mother´s Day this week. I sure do love you all so much. I am excited to talk to you (and a little nervous) start thinking of questions and things to talk about NOW. I sure do love you all. I am so grateful we can be together forever. The Lord will do His part, now let´s do ours.
Com Amor!
Elder Askins
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