The work is moving forward!

March 18, 2013

Sounds like Venturing (the scouting program for older boys in our church) hasn't been the same at all since we're all now taking "High Adventure" to the next level on our missions!

 

The weather here is also on the warm-up. It's going to be a HOT summer!!! We can already tell that much! The nice thing about my timing of coming on my mission is that I will only have to deal with a summer and a half of Texas heat because I got here in September and I leave in July. Still, I am glad I am in a car right now, though I have a feeling I might be on a bike this summer!

 

It's kind of funny, for missionaries it's hard to keep track of the time! We went over to a member's house yesterday for dinner and it was decked out for St. Patrick's day. The kids immediately started pinching us because we weren't wearing green. Holidays don't mean anything to us! It was funny, yesterday we rode our bikes by this Irish Pub that usually looks deserted, but it seems like St Patrick's day is their biggest day of the whole year! Haha.

 

The work is moving forward! We were able to give blessings, teach lessons, study the gospel, talk to some drunk people, eat with members, plan, contact people, spend some time on the bikes and, generally speaking, just do work! I love being able to report numbers on Sunday night, plan for the next day, and just think: "Well, another week in the books. I am tired." Sometimes being tired is the best feeling!

 

We had a baptism this Saturday. He is the young son of a member. He wasn't able to get confirmed this Sunday, though because his mom had her baby on Saturday after the baptism! Elder Munoz totally guessed it was going to happen like that! He said, "He will never forget what day he was baptized because him and his brother were 'born' on the same day!"

 

I am really grateful for all I am learning from Elder Munoz. He is a really hard worker and always talks with everyone. We are striving to be obedient and we feel joy from our labors. Various times this last week we would walk out of lessons just so happy that the spirit was there the whole time, even if they didn't accept a date or hadn't read the passage assigned. There was one lesson that we were a little nervous for.  This lesson there weren't any kids, Elder Munoz and I were able to stay calm and testify of what we know about Thomas S. Monson being the prophet. The Spirit was strong. After the closing prayer one of the young daughters came in crying, having just woken up. It was a gift from our Father in Heaven! I'm grateful he does so much for us in this work or it would be way too much!!!

Texas, where memories are made. I love this place! Take care of yourselves and enjoy the weather!

 

God Bless Texas! I am Elder Black. Thus I end mine epistle.