Letter from May 19, 2014
Hey Mom,
I so sorry for not
emailing last week. I didn't forget, but I couldn't get a computer
available to me long enough to write you because the Family History
Center was closed off and no one could get on. We just got permission to
go to the libraries and email you all if we don't get the chance to on
P-Day. So, if it ever happens again, you will hear from me later.
First
off, I loved talking with you and the rest of the family. I can tell you
are all very happy and are really enjoying your friends and home right
now. I am happy that Benjamin is getting a lot of opportunity to be able
to do soccer, martial arts, etc. and that you and Dad are also doing
alright. Now, I can't help it if I am learning TOO many things on the
mission. It's like my mouth is open and they are spraying me with a fire
hose. It's just too much. I appreciate the compliments on my teaching.
That is something that I have always taken pride in. My motto for teaching
is if the Spirit is there and we testify of it, then we did our part.
Missionary work is becoming more like a schedule to me now. I have felt
complacent as I work from time to time. It's something that I'm really
trying hard to work on because, when you become complacent, you lose
your sense of urgency, and if you lose your sense of urgency, then you're
going to miss a lot of spiritual promptings. And you don't want that on
your conscience. That, and Elder Mata is almost done with his mission and
the poor guy is really trying his hardest to go out knowing he has done
his best and he is stressing himself out in more ways than one (which
in turn stresses me out). So yea, it's been a challenge, but we have been
working hard and we have been seeing the results. Fernando, jr. and
Aranza (the son and daughter in the Delgado Family) want to be baptized
now. The parents mentioned that church is going to be hard to attend
because of their work schedule, so they are going to let the kids go on
and get baptized and they will go get baptized later. They are really
trying hard to get their schedules changed to try and make it to
sacrament. Their desire is so sweet and sincere. Mata continues to nag
me saying, "You better continue to serve them in any way possible when I
leave." I'm all like, no pressure, right?
We also witnessed a baptism in
the ward last Saturday and I was able to see my favorite companion, Elder
Russel. I have missed that guy so much. We were going down memory
lane and just talking about old investigators. Man, Mom, I will tell you
what. I have gained so many brothers on the mission. The bonds you make
with them here are just above and beyond explanation. You sweat with
them, you teach with them, you starve with them (haha), you share
EVERYTHING with them, you shed tears with them when everything goes rock
bottom, you become their family. It's not just my companions (all of
which are my brothers), but others that you serve with. You have always got
each other's back. We encourage each other, motivate each other to be
better, we press forward, and in our darkest hours (I have shared many
of those with my brothers) we are all we have. I can't even mention the
members that we serve with such passion without choking back tears.
The mission so VERY HARD. It is exhausting, it is gut wrenching, it is
easy to lose hope and give up, you are always tired, the work is
non-stop, you have to continue to go the extra mile, and usually, you are
always sick with something. However, it is rewarding.....but we get no
reward out of it. We see lives change, people grow stronger in faith,
their self-confidence rises, a light sparks in their eyes, their hearts
are warmer, their families closer, and our spirits and our drive feed off
of that. I love the mission so much. It is so hard though, but it is so
worth it. Frustration comes all the time, but so do the small miracles
we see. I can't imagine how much meaning my life would have if I did not
serve a mission. I testify that this is the place where I need to be.
The Gospel of Jesus Christ has been restored. The Atonement
of Christ will cleanse us, strengthen us, and we will feel His healing
touch. Know that we are NEVER alone. His Love is unfailing, I so
testify in the Name of Jesus Christ Amen.
Elder Sierra
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