Weeks 85 & 86

Temple for the second to last time :,) With Elder Polanco ...

...and my Zone :)

Week 86

Well, it has been probably the longest week on the mission thus far!! So, I had another stay at the hospital. What happened is, I had been having some problems bugging me that weren't serious so I dealt with it, but finally my doctor said I should come in and get it checked out at the hospital. Thus, the third (and hopefully the last) visit to Doctors Hospital commenced last Tuesday. I don't think you want to know the details, but I needed to have a minor surgical procedure. It went well and I left the hospital on Thursday and have been resting as much as possible. The doctor said it was caused to too much walking in the hot sun and a variance of food styles. So I need to be extra careful I guess and not work myself too hard anymore...which will be hard since it´s instinct.

Funny story: Another missionary had contacted me before I went to the hospital to ask me some advice because I had a reputation of being the "hospital" guy, due to all my hospital stays here. He wanted to know what to expect, what to pack, that kind of thing. Then, I ran into him later at the hospital. He was slightly surprised to see me in the hospital - again!
 

Doctor´s Hospital round 3!

 The Temple was awesome and I've been preparing all week and trying to "study it out in my mind", about an important life decision. I didn't receive any great revelation or anything, but I did receive a gentle confirmation that tells me what I had thought out is correct. The decision was whether to enter BYU in the Spring or Summer term and I decided on Summer, to be able to better plan and prepare as well as work and save money. (Note from Mom: and to spend more time with the family before leaving for college.) This was my decision in part because of a scripture I found in Mosiah 4:27, which tells us we shouldn't run faster than we have strength and do all things in order. 

Sorry I didn't have much time to write, the bus took forever after the Temple and we got back late. Have a great week, love you all!!

Week 85

Second week in the Pedregal Ward and I am truly loving this area and spending time with my companion Elder Polanco. He's the best companion I could ever ask for :). This week it finally cooled down a little bit and even rained some, but it still gets hot at night, so it's a good thing we have air conditioning! We met a ton of new people, including members we hadn't met before and less active members. 

My companion Elder Polanco taught me how to make Oat-Burgers!
I love them and they taste like a hamburger :O

Elder Polanco turned 19 yesterday and the members bought him a cake, which was a relief because I tried to ask the other missionaries in our ward to buy a cake, but they forgot to buy one on Saturday and since it was on Sunday I couldn't buy one...I did give him a Minion candy pop I had saved and a new tie :D. He was happy, but told me it was a weird feeling have a birthday on the mission and that it felt almost like a normal day. I remember that feeling, but I'm used to it now. To me it's a blessing living this way because it helps us realize that there are more important things in life than birthdays and holidays sometimes and it´s nice to live as a humble servant of the Lord :). 

We were let down on Sunday when Laura didn't make it to church since she had her baptism interview planned after church. We had a member commit to take her and he passed by for her, but no one came out. We aren't sure what happened, but we will try to find out and motivate her to keep trying! 

We had an amazing experience with Javier and Antonia (two investigators we found on our first day here) when they both accepted a baptismal date for the 20th of November, but what was so amazing was the spirit felt and the power it took on them as they cried for joy :D. I know that the spirit is our true teacher and who brings about such wonderful experiences in my life!

I can't believe how fast time is flying, but I am just happy to be here and will enjoy every minute of it, no matter how many trials come! Thank you all for your love and support and I especially thank my Heavenly Father for this wonderful call he sent me. Have a wonderful week everyone!