Week #53: El precio del gozo
Wow these weeks are flying by lately. Can't believe I'm writing another letter to y'all again. This past week was really good, but also full of challenges. Another investigator who was ready for baptism, dropped us. That wasn't fun at all. Honestly, just sad more than anything.
We also had a conference down in Montevideo with President Dunford again, that was honestly so great! He talked strictly about the concept of joy. The difference between joy and happiness, and why as missionaries we're promised joy, but only based on our desires and actions to serve others.
I was thinking a little bit about the past year of my life as a missionary. Its been the most impactful year of my life by a mile, but I asked myself if I've really been joyful. I began to think about all the experiences Ive had. For the past year, I've been living in a third world country, where I kill cockroaches ever night in my house for a solid ten minutes until we can't find anymore. I've used a bucket to go to the bathroom everyday. I've gone through trial after trial...learning a new language and trying to understand the people, and not to mention all the people who have no shame in making fun of me when I don't speak the language perfectly. I've had reject after reject from people who can't tolerate to talk to me for 10 minutes. Ive been sick, tired, worn down, and many times, my body literally just breaks down and I crash on my bed at night and immediately fall asleep. And somehow after all that, I love it all!! I don't want to go home and I wouldn't trade the past year of my life for anything in this world. It is a sacred two years for any missionary who serves with all his might, mind, and strength.
I know that joy only comes through our Heavenly Father, and no where else. As we leave behind our own desires, we find something greater. It is a leap of faith for sure, but it's always worth it, and God will never forget the sacrifices we make for Him. "The greatest decision I ever made, was giving something up that I so dearly loved, for the God I loved even more." Joy is real and is obtainable for anyone in this world!
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| Birthday party for Elder Fernandez from Portugal! |
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All the Zone Leaders at a conference this week.
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| Cutting some firewood...Uruguayo Style! |
