Wednesday, September 17, 2014

The basics...essential to success

Que onda.

This week has been wonderful Mother, and fam!!
Let me tell you why.

This week, it rained ALL THE DAY LONG.  Almost all the days of the week.  It was really wonderful.  After the heat and everything was really humid, it was a nice break in matters of weather, but a little bit of a downer in matters of work.  With so much rain,  people here get really sad....(it just isn't like AZ) and they seem to not want to accept us when we contact them in the pouring rain...hahaha!  And also, many people leave or don't want to answer the door.  Nonetheless, we had a wonderful week and seriously, we have seen more progress in our area!!!

First was with the V... family.  They are a less-active family that has been struggling to go to church for a while now.  They have 4 little ones and many reasons not to go to church.  But this week we finally found them home, and we taught them a little about the sacrament.  Why the sacrament is so important for them, and for us.  We felt the spirit guide us as we taught them and even though the little ones were running around and yelling or screaming, there were moments of peace, when the Spirit talked to them!  In the end, we committed them to go to church.  But the difference is, they came!  It was seriously great, and when that happened we asked them what had  change their minds...to put in the work to go to church. In the end they said it was what they wanted for the family.  They had realized that they had lost focus.   They hadn't been able to have family home evening or read scriptures or have prayers in a very long time.  They realized how fundamental those things were!  It was awesome to see them start on that road to get back on track:)
Also we visited the family of N..., if  you don't remember, the referral from C.... We had only met with her a couple times, and only in short visits by where she worked.  This time we passed  by her house with K...(a member)!  We had been talking to her and her family, but they had seemed a little bit resistant to accept the truth, or to think we were "normal" people.  For that reason we brought K... She helped them understand that we are friends, and are ok.  Really, just to let you guys know, TESTIMONY THAT WE CAN'T ALWAYS DO THE WORK WITHOUT MEMBERS.  It isn't possible.  And K... really played a huge part in helping them know why the Gospel is so important, and how it blesses them, not only us:)
Lastly, something really wierd that happened this week.  We couldn't come in contact with A... the whole week.  He is a member that likes to accompany us, and is always trying to help.  He is  super awesome, and is the only member in his family.  Well anyway, we were worried and finally found him in church, all worried and tired.  He said he had some problems with family, and that his refuge,  that day, was at the church.  It was really great to see that testimony from him.  To see how excited he was just to be there. 
Fam...this is for you....
I think this week, without many opprotunites to have crazy spiritual expeirences, the Lord wanted to teach me something special.  IT IS ALL ABOUT THE BASICS. 
He taught me, through the example of the V... family and their work, what happened when they forgot the basics.  What happens in my teaching, if I forget the basics with N..., and also how strong the basics were for A.... Really, as a missionary here in mexico, it is like being a major league soccer player.  The members depend on you knowing the scriptures, what to say, the talks, playing piano, everything.  You are the number one player.  And as such, we don't go crazy with a bunch of hard core new tricks or things they haven't heard of before. We just have to become SUPER good at the basics. the basics are these. (for me)
1. Praying
2. Reading the book of Mormon
3. Going to church.
That is it.  If I get to do those 3 things in a perfect way, or in the best way I can, I will become the best missionary I can.  To tell the truth, these last few weeks I forgot a little bit of the basics.  The Lord helped me remember them this week.

 I want you guys to know, that I still love it here.  I have never ended a day wishing I was somewhere else.  That is the best thing I can ask for.  I love you guys so much,  and I think about you guys! Don't ever think I don't.
Hope your week is wonderful.
Love,
Elder Goodman!

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