January 12, 2009, Elder Milner

Helado‏

Hi everyone, thanks for writing. I didn´t have too many to read, what happened? No, just kidding, it was great to hear from you. So Kristi and Dave set off for New Brunswick? I think that this will be quite the adventure for them, almost like another country. Wow, I wonder how that feels...
Things are going really well here. We had the Baptism of Angelica and Leonardo this other week and I will try and send some pictures along with this email, so it may be a little shorter. But we will see what happens. It was really a great experience. They are doing really well, and this week we knew that they were ready for this step so important in their lives. Angelica had been listening to missionary lessons for over two years, and up until now she had shown little interest. But for this time, she was prepared to receive us, and because of this the Lord blessed her with increased understanding and willingness to change. The Lord wrought a change in her heart that no one else could. It was so wonderful to see them all dressed and white, and to know that they have the opportunity now to be an eternal family. I know what a blessing this is in my life, and so I am very happy for them. Angelica´s husband, Eduardo, is a member, and so is her daughter, Lucero. And now they are a family complete in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Leonardo is 9 years old, and thanks to the great blessings of the Lord was able to understand and listen to all the lessons. I had the great opportunity to baptize Angelica, and I am so grateful to the Lord. Angelica is a very serious person, but I saw her smile more Saturday than in all the times we taught her combined before. What a blessing from the Lord.
I received a package with Decorations for Christmas and letters from Grandma and Grandpa. Thank you all so much, this really means a lot to me. Thank you to all the cousins who wrote the notes, and aunts and uncles. You really are the best family in the world, as juvenile as it sounds.
Well, it looks like I won´t be able to send the pictures this week, but I will see what I can do for the next week. And I will send some more pictures in letters. Mom, Dad, did you get my letter from December?It surprising has been a little less extreme the temperatures this week, which is strange, as this is not normal for this time of year. Something that is a little strange is that the River of Garbage now is actually starting to be a river. We crossed through it this Saturday, and there was nothing, and so we went back Sunday to cross to the other part of our area, and it was two feet deep of water. It was strange, within one day the river was actually a river. A very brown river. It will be interesting to see how it is in a few days. I will keep you posted.
Well, this is the last week of this change, so it will be interesting to see how things change within a week. We had interviews this last week, and it was my first interview with the President in the mission field. It was really good to talk with him, and to feel of the powerful spirit that follows him. Really he is called of God. Really, this life is not easy. We see this everyday in the lives of our investigators, and see the difficulties they face. It cant be easy. We are here to learn and grow, and our trials help us along the way. It is not easy, but its possible. I love this gospel and know its true. I Love you all, and will talk to you next week.

Elder Milner