Well . . . what a week here in Santa Elena 1 and just in the whole zone! This week we had a ton of service to do, from Thursday to Saturday the week was full of service and all we have done is pull weeds and chop down trees. Since it's been raining more the plants and monte (weeds) have been growing and in some placed it is overgrown so whenever we ask to do service they always ask to pull or chop their weeds. I am still getting the hang of using a machete but it's been pretty tiring. On Saturday we helped pull and chop weeds and also helped the hermanas move from their house to another one outside of the zone 😐
To start with the miracles
1. To start off the whole entire zone has been working really hard and facing a lot of challenges of sectors and personal stuff. This week we learned that a mom of an Elder in the zone passed away unexpectedly but the Elder has decided to stay and hasn't really let it affect his work or anything else. This week that Elder ane his companion had 15 people come to church which is a HUGE miracle and we're able to see the fruits of their labors. With this the zone had a lot of success extending baptismal Invitaciones and helping people coming to church. Now every companionship has a least 1 baptismal date!!
2. In our area there is a hermano that has come to church 4 times and consistently participated on the classes and already seems like a member of the church. Well, the Elders had received him as an online reference a while back and he has been coming to church consistently. He doesn't have any time to teach him because he leaves for work at 6:30 and gets back at 10:30. Well we walk into Sunday school and he is giving his testimony and after the class we knew we had to talk to him about the Gospel and baptism. He walks up to us and just plainly asks "cuando me puedo Bautizar?" We told him we are ready to prepare him and now has a baptismal date for the end of April!!! I guess Elder Villanueva and his old comp had already taught him about baptism and he said he had been baptized by a rabbi pastor but just by going to church Byron, our friend was able to feel the spirit confirming that the church is the church of Jesus Christ! He has such a strong faith and will be a very strong member in the Church
Now this week I read on Church News that Kalani Sitake had given a devotional at BYU and so I knew I had to listen to it. In his speech he talks a lot about adversity and many stories in his life where he has passed through adversity. I love this quote that he shared:
"Heartbreak means you're a step closer to finding true love. Struggles in school mean you're learning new skills. Being low on funds means you're learning how to budget and will be thankful and humble when more compensation arrives. God will provide. And good times are ahead".
The whole entire zone has been passing through adversity, but we have been able to see the blessings and miracles if we can continue on through hard times and endure patiently.
Love and miss all you guys,
Elder Roper
P.S. Florida taking it all for March Madness
