6-25-16 & 7-4-16

6-25-16

Hi mom,

How is your week? I bet you are all busy , you usually are.

This week was great for me.  We did a lot of work this week.  This week was full of just finding and finding and finding.  I always find that I can focus a lot better if I spend time finding.  So this last week we have found some good investigators and less actives again.  I really experience a lot of really different things while I go tracting and finding.  This past week we had to walk through the same flood 4 times. I’m starting to get pretty used to taking off my shoes and socks and getting in the water that is close to knee high.  Its super nasty, but a little black water won't stop us from doing the things we need to be doing.  

We are looking forward to some baptisms as well.  We have one of our investigators, Sister Camila, should hopefully be getting married  so she can get baptized by July 9.  Her niece will also be getting baptized with her.  So we are super excited for that.  

This past week, I was doing a little bit of studying on the teaching of King Benjamin.  I really liked the part when all the people gather to listen to King Benjamin.  It says that they all gathered in their families and then they pitched their tents facing the temple.  That just had me think about how important our families are.  How of course the temple should be our goal.  Then it made me think of how I really do miss you guys.  I then thought of something that I heard once.  It was from a missionary broadcast, it was " We leave our families, so that others can have theirs, eternally".   I know that is so true.  We as missionaries sacrifice a couple of years so that others can live forever with their families.  What a grand and noble calling.  I am so grateful for this opportunity.  I also thank you all for your support and your love.  I look forward to seeing you soon.  

But this is all I have you this week mom, I love you and will talk to you guys later.

Love,

Ian

7-4-16

Hey mom,

Thanks for the email.  …….

Well I am doing great, just as normal.  I am actually currently in my last area... as a zone we took a trip to Wawa Dam for a zone activity.  That was awesome.  I sent a couple of texts and upon our arrival at Wawa we were greeted by some of my old members from the San Rafael ward.  It was so great.  I miss that area so much.  It is so gorgeous there and the members are the best.  Right now we are at a computer shop that I used to always go to as well.  So I am really happy right now.  

These past few weeks have been amazing.  Like I have mentioned before, we are hitting hard on the finding.  We have really been doing a lot of work, and we are really seeing the fruits of our labor. I am actually really sad that I will probably be gone next transfer.  The next missionary here is going to be one lucky guy.  I am definitely not leaving this area with nothing like when I arrived here.  

This past week we have really been focusing on some of our investigators on getting baptized by July 9th.  They really want to get baptized before I leave so we have really been working hard with them to figure out their marriage status before the 9th.  They should hopefully be getting married on the 7th of this month.  Hopefully I should be having 2 more baptism before I leave.  

This past week I was reading in the Doctrine and Covenants 138.  I was reading about how after the death of Jesus Christ, he went to the spirit world and organized his saints into groups.  They then went around preaching the gospel to the other spirits and even until this day do they continue this work.  I just thought about how amazing the plan of God is for us.  Through his grace and his mercy he gives us all a chance to come unto him.  Even the ones who have been lost and passed into the next life. It just makes me think of how we really need to use our time here in this short life to prepare ourselves and to prepare the lives of others around us.  

I am having the time of my life here.  I can't believe that I am under 5 months left. what happened to my 2 years!!! Thats crazy how fast time flies, when you’re in the service of the Lord.  I am so excited to see you all.  Tell me how you are all doing. Keep me updated with the wedding(even if Vince doesn't...).  I will talk to you soon.  

I love you and the family, give my best to the others and have a GREAT week!!!

Love,

Ian