February 2, 2009, Elder Milner

Gringo‏

Hey everyone, thanks for all the emails. And photos, thanks to kristi, a little strange, but thats alright. Well, it was nice to hear from each one of you.
It seems like everyone is pretty content in their everyday life, and that always it is essential to have a little fun. I find that we do much of the same things each day, but still each day is a whole lot different. I always have new opportunities to learn and grow, and serve the Lord better and His children here in the earth.
It is crazy to hear how close Carli is to going on her mission. I just know that she is going to be sent to the Peru Lima North, East or Central missions. Not south, because that would be really strange. Especially if she was in my zone or district. Just kidding. Wherever she goes it will be exactly where the Lord needs her.
Things are going well here. We had the baptism of a young boy named Juan Avalos, and his brother Roger. Juan is 9, and Roger is 8. Their parents are less active members, and they haven´t attended the Capilla in a long time. They are now reactivating in the Iglesia steadily, and for the example of their children I hope to see them fully active and participating in the church. The baptism was really great, and I had the chance to baptize Juan, while my companion Elder Rua had the opportunity to baptize Roger.
The river of garbage is once again refilling, and I am happy to see that. It, apparently, will raise in level a lot durante this month. I am hoping that all of the basura(garbage) will be wiped out soon, and that por fin (finally) we will have a normal river.
We had kind of a funny but sad story this Sunday. We have an investigator, Marselina, who is progressing really well, and her husband, Virgilio, is really a great support for her. She agreed to be baptized this 14 de Febrero. However, she said that this week she probably wouldn´t be able to go to church, because her family was coming from Lima for her birthday (cumpleaños). But we told her she should make this a priority to come, and so she said she would. Well, all things certain, she didn´t come to church this Sunday, and we went to visit her in her house and we saw her and her husband walking in the street with a large group of family members. Her husband turned around and saw us, and then in a panicked glance, started hustling his family away, and his wife too. It was kind of funny, because they are both hitting about seventy, and so it was kind of funny to see them shuffle off. Oh well. It was sad to see them miss church, but we have faith that the Lord is with us, and that we will be able to help them in their weaknesses.
I love so much the scripture in Ether 12:27, that says if we come unto the Lord, he will show us our weakness. We have these weaknesses so that with faith we can become even stronger than before. That we can overcome all weakness with the help and strength of the Lord.
I know this church is true. I know I have weaknesses, but I know that with the help of the Lord I can overcome all things. I know that this work is real, living, and life saving. Soul saving. I am so grateful to be here.I love you all and I will talk to you next week.

Love Elder Milner