OK, so I told you how my comp took off to see his dad. It was pretty bad. He found him in a coma state and couldn't even recognize him. They then spent the next two days running errands and trying to figure out what to do. The dad is in a very expensive hospital where their small insurance isn't covering them. They wanted to move him but in the current state impossible. In a couple days they will check him out and try to move him somewhere that there is a specialist to start therapy. Apparently it was bad... they have seen much improvement since my comp gave him a priesthood blessing. Last night they said he was trying to move and wake up. I was just following around other companionships for three days and feeling useless. (We couldn't hardly do anything in our area) and Mendoza came back Thursday night. He is doing fine. He’s strong and not really shaken up. He’s more worried about what happens next and fixing the things he can and not so much about the things that can’t be fixed.
A number of things were learned here 1) don't drive fast, it ain't worth it. If your gonna be late somewhere, wake up earlier. 2) This one I realized on Saturday during a lesson with a young brilliant couple. They need to get married to be baptized and be able to progress in this life but want a nice cushion of one year... we read the wonderful chapter of Alma 34 together. After finishing reading we usually start analyzing and sharing key point in the chapter, usually about what we want to get our point across. My comp started talking about the verses 31-36. He then told his conversion story. Him, his mom and his siblings accepted the church when the missionaries came but his dad didn’t. Shortly after his dad made some bad decisions and his parents separated. When he came to the mission his dad didn’t want him to but finally accepted it and took him to the MTC. About a year ago, he (my comp, Elder Mendoza) had the opportunity to see his whole family cuz he baptized his little sister when she turned 8. At that time his dad expressed a bit of interest in learning more but just said "when you get back I think things will start changing" well that opportunity to "change things" has been drastically prolonged if not eliminated. If the dad had known he was going to get in such a dramatic accident perhaps he would have started that change a little earlier and not waited until as Amulek puts it "its too late" the good thing is he is still here with us and perhaps will have that second chance for change. But none of us knows if we have tomorrow to change the day of our preparation and salvation is today. Now I know we all need to change and we all need to improve, but with frequency my heart is pricked by those of my own family or those close to me that have strayed from the path, that are living in darkness, living on daily pleasures. There may be justification or excuses but if you do not fix what you are doing and who you are being today, perhaps you will NEVER have that opportunity. I pray that you receive this letter and this story and that you receive my exhortation to change now. Don’t think that there is no way, that is a lie from the devil, there always is a way. Do not procrastinate the day of your repentance, because it may not come. Please I plea with you examine your life, find those things that you need to leave behind, don’t justify your actions, don’t look for excuses, and have the courage to do it. Sure change can hurt. Just like a lifesaving surgery may leave a scar. But if you don’t do it today, you wont be able tomorrow. I speak with that courage because I know the need of doing the necessary today, I speak with the authority of a representative of Jesus Christ, and with that same authority I promise you the peace, comfort, forgiveness, and divine love you will receive as you try and do what He would have you do. God will prepare the way, He always has.
Changes have come and I am leaving Molinito and returning to the zone of Linda Vista where I was born. It’s kind of ironic that I will "die" very close to the area where I was "born." I will be with Elder Cardenas, who I already know pretty good. I’m still gonna be zone leader, going on more than 10 months in that position which sometimes can be quite stressful but rewarding at the same time. Its crazy to me how quick time is flying by, I only have 12 weeks left, in fact I believe they will be giving us our flight plans next week... I hope in this last stretch I can continue giving it my all and continue being "an instrument in His hands" which has been my desire since the beginning. It is incredible letting go of personal interests and selfishness and just letting Him do what needs to be done. Wow, things happen you never think could.
I think I’ve babbled enough; yesterday I got pretty sick and was suffering. I feel a lot better today but still have a slight temperature. Pray so that my weak body can last 3 more months pls.
Love you all and you are in my prayers constantly.
-ELDER SOLOMON
P.S. CHANGE=REPENT
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