Elder Braxton Shoemaker

Week #49: Cambios!

What is up everyone?! Wow it was an eventful week! We met our new mission president, President Dunford and he is awesome!!! Gonna be so awesome getting to know him over this next year. Then we celebrated a great 4th of July just like all of you guys back home.. although mine was something very different. I celebrated it without seeing another american the whole week... kinda sad, but the Uruguayos and my Mexicano companion are pretty great too.!

This week we also received our transfers! Ill be leaving Tacuarembo after 6 months here! Man, I loved this area so much. It is a special place for me, a holy ground. I saw the hand of God every day of my life here while Ive been in TBO. But, I'll be leaving my greenie missionary, and will let him go flourish as a missionary! Ill be going on with an Elder Monge! I don't know him at all yet, but he is from Peru and and I cant wait to meet him!
I'll be going to a place called Salto. I've heard great things about this area! Another thing that happened this week (which was the best thing) was Nahielys baptism!!! Nahielys brother, Marcos, baptized her. Wow it was a special experience. Nahiely was truly prepared by God to be baptized in this exact moment of her life. Theres no doubt in my mind about it. Just a few months ago she had no desire to talk to us or go to church, and now she's been counting down the days until she got baptized, and she's even getting to go to the temple this weekend! She's been even more excited for the temple.

It was a special experience to end my time here in TBO with her baptism. Ive been able to witness a complete change in her, and her family. They are some special people that I'll truly never forget. One thing I have truly learned while Ive been here in this area is just the fact that coincidences don't just happen...not even little ones. Every single thing that happens to us, is for a reason. God doesn't leave even the smallest thing up to chance.
We don't always recognize Gods hand in our lives in every moment, but He is there. He will never abandon us, and will always be ready to accept us, if we just listen to His guidance. Just about every day that Ive been here in this area, multiple times a day, Ive asked myself, "Okay why am I here in this exact moment, what is it that I need to do?" That is something that has changed my perspective on everything honestly.

God is always preparing you, and the people around you, to be blessed. He will give us every opportunity in this world to receive His love. The Lord says "Who am I, to promise, and not fulfill?" -D&C 58:31. God has truly promised us all the happiness and love this world has to offer, if we just listen to His counsel and do His will. I know this gospel is true for everyone, and will bless the life of anyone willing to give up their own will.