This week definitely had it's ups and downs. Today the ups and downs happened to be hills because we literally ran to catch the bus to La Coruña, Tuesday we have our zone conference where we are going to receive a training on how to use the new technology we are going to use. We will be learning about how to use Facebook, WhatsApp and various other apps to help us in the missionary work. So no, we have not began using the new apps yet but you will here about it next Monday.
Pretty normal week. Like I was saying, lots of ups and downs. We had one day this week where it was hard. It was just plain hard. No one wanted to talk to us at all no matter how we approached them. But we kept pushing through and the blessings came. After being rejected all morning, in the afternoon we made some progress. In about a 40min time period we were able to have some really good conversations with some great people. The blessings come but after the trial of faith. We even found some former investigators that we couldn't get a hold of by phone and we got to set up an appointment. And we met a really happy 93 year old who looks like he's 73, if that.
Also the hermanas (sisters) are going to have a baptism this week! And our recent convert Isidoro will get to baptize him! I'm super excited for them both =) I asked Isidoro if he would be willing to do it and he was surprised that it was possible that he could. He's so awesome, so learn so much from him.
A cool experience we had is that we passed by some menos activos (who weren't home because nobody is ever home during pass bys haha) and the thought came that we should visit someone named Guillermo. So we went towards his home and right when we were in front of his home is when we saw him walking up the street. It was crazy because he wasn't going home, he was just passing by and we happened to find him. Super super cool. We got there at just the right time.
Awkward moments:
-when a old Spanish man asks if we are testigos de Jehova (Johova's Witnesses) and uses his cigarette that he was smoking as an excuse to leave the conversation. He crosses the street and walks away. And that was it...haha
-One person that Elder Gil talked to, she was sitting down with her husband and Elder Gil he literally just asked where a locutorio (ciber cafe) was, and the lady said "no" and shook her head like a 3 year old girl that wouldn't give up a toy, until he walked away. It was super weird why she didn't at least tell us to go away. She just said no and tried to avoid eye contact. But these are pretty normal things that happen to us hahaha. People treat us like aliens sometimes. It can be pretty hilarious.
Funny moments:
When two old men lifted a washer into a small car, the washer didn't fit well and so then they proceeded to use a bungee cord connected from the back windshield wiper to the bottom of the car. If the washer were to fall out...the back of the car would be toast...
Something important that I've been learning this week is about the Holy Ghost and how it works. I've had so many little thoughts come to mind about what I needed to do, guiding me in the work and to find the people who are prepared. It's not easy to follow the spirit but when those little thoughts come to do something to least we can do is do it. Here are some scriptures to maybe help explain what I cannot about the spirit:
"Yea, behold, I will tell you in your mind and in your heart, by the Holy Ghost, which shall come upon you and which shall dwell in your heart." - I definitely was led by feelings in my heart and thoughts that so had this week.
And another scripture I like talks about how when we pray for answers to questions that we have, that Heavenly Father will give us the answer through the Holy Ghost:
Moroni 10:4-5
4 And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.
5 And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things
I know that Heavenly Father loves us and that we are His children. I know that after centuries of being lost, the same church that Jesus Christ established on the earth has been restored with the same power and truths as before. I know that we have a prophet in today's day who guides us and gives us guidance that we need to follow our Heavenly Father's individual plan for us.
And this weekend (as I'm just remembering) there will be an event that takes place called General Conference. It's where we get to listen and hear counsel and guidance from the prophet and apostles. It's always a wonderful conference and you can even watch it at home =) ask me if you have any questions. Or my mom can do me a favour and post the link to general Conference too =)
Have a great week!
Elder Openshaw
Pictures (don't get your hopes up):
1)we gathered acorns for a member to feed her pigs =) the member said she would share some of the meat with us when they kill the pigs =)
2) pica pollo - a Dominican dish we are with some investigators, really good
3) my companion and I next to a random statue of a man that we pass basically everyday =)
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