I hope you all are having just a jolly ole good time!
There are a ton of Norwegians who speak English on the island, so we
are going to have an English Christmas dinner today!
This week has been one of those weeks of ups and downs. One of those
weeks where you fall to your knees and someone picks you back up. My
companion and I have spent a lot of time on our knees the past couple
days, but we've had some good experiences too.
So one of our investigators was supposed to get baptized this week,
but after receiving everything, he decided he did not agree completely
with the church anymore. That was a hard loss.... But life moves on,
we are going to continue to invite and continue to press forward as
best we can here.
On a more positive Note though, we have one investigator who has just
fallen in love with the Book of Mormon. He's trying to move to America
soon, and in an attempt to learn about the gospel and English, he's
just been reading like crazy! The lord has blessed him with the gift
of tongues as he has made decisions to change his life and come closer
to Christ. This sweet humble Cuban man is such an incredible to us of
faith, and we are really hoping he sticks to it and is baptized on his
set date. I'm not going to say much more but if you are reading this,
please find the nearest wood and knock on it!
Another amazing experience we had this week was with a family that the
lord brought to us. One day we got a text from a less active man who
asked us to come over and give his 7 year old daughter a blessing. As
we entered this home, it was evident that this family was not in a
good shape financially. The husband expressed to us great desires to
come back to church and have his girlfriend and their daughter
baptized. At first, we were a little worried about this being about an
attempt to get money from the church, but in the past couple weeks,
this man has had an obvious change of heart. We've put a ton of energy
into helping this man and his girlfriend to change. It truly is
amazing to see how the gospel blessed families. They have two major
hurdles ahead of them, but we know they have the faith to make it.
Those hurdles are Finishing papers for divorces and marriages and
quitting smoking. Two nights ago we had an incredible lesson with them
about the word of wisdom. We brought them a framed picture of the
temple and wrote: recordad siempre vuestra visión ( always remember
your vision ). They both began to cry. They want to be married and
sealed in the temple for eternity one day, and we are going to do all
we can to help them do so. The gospel truly does bless families. We
bought a ton of juice, mouth wash, toothpaste, and fruit and brought
them a plan for quitting smoking our bishop had. We also put a picture
of Christ on their door with Philipians 4:13 "I can do all things
through Christ which strengtheneth me" underneath. We just bore
testimony to them of how much the lord loves them and how much we love
them and know they can do it! The spirit was so strong! I know they
have the faith to quit smoking if they give it all they have and find
the strength through Christ! So far they are going strong and we are
praying for them and calling them every day. We know the lord will
bless them with the rest if they are able to quit. We are gonna keep
fasting and praying though!
I too have been able to see the lords hand a lot in my mission this
week. There have been some hard times this past week with everything,
but the lord always brings me hope, always keeps me going.
I'm so grateful for this time of year we have to think about Christ
even more. I'm so grateful for the chance I have to bring others unto
him here. He truly is the source of happiness in this life and in the
life to come.
I know that Jesus Christ is my savior and redeemer. I know that
through him, we can overcome any challenge, any trial, because he
suffered pains and afflictions of every kind. Through him there is no
death, only life eternal. Through him have the ability to return to
the presence of God free from sin as resurrected beings, and be happy
forever. All he asks is that we follow the five steps of his gospel,
and keep the commandments.
¡Él es la dádiva!
Have a great day!
(Alma 7:7-11)
Elder Baron
"Ward Party"
"Baptismal font"
"Ward Party"
"Sunset"
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