This week has been another incredible one. Ha. You would think the miracles and the spiritual experiences would eventually run out... but they just keep coming!!!
Last Monday, right after I finished writing all of you, we went to a member's house for a Noche de Hogar. Miletis (the mom), lives with her brother who is not a member, so he participated, and also Alexa (one of her daughters) invited her best friend, who is also a non member! It was small and simple, but really really great!
Then right afterwards, Miletis asked us for a blessing of health. Obv, we said yes. And again, I just couldn't get over how powerful the feelings were while I had my hands placed on her head! Nothing but PURE love! I love the priesthood!!!
Then on Tuesday, we had one of the best lessons I've had thus far. It was amazing. We were teaching Carlos; he's a joven that was invited to church a couple months ago by some of our young women, and has been coming off and on ever since. Up until now we've been on a hit and miss pattern with him (i.e. we'd plan a lesson, and he wouldn't be reachable when we called to confirm or when we passed by). Well, two weeks ago we pinned down a lesson with him, and got started teaching. So this last Tuesday was our second lesson with him, and we talked about the restoration and then followed up on our invitation to pray for an answer about the veracidad of this church. Turns out, he prayed. He described his feelings as "full where he didn't realize there was an emptiness," "happy," "more sure of himself," "warm," etc. It was a perfect description of a spiritual witness. He knows it's true! After that we went on to explain the importance of following that confirmation, and how strongly Satan is about to attack him. We promised that if he will do everything in his power to follow his heart and to do what he knows is right, God (and us missionaries) will be there with him every step of the way. I proceeded with the baptismal invitation, and he accepted a baptismal date for the 5th of January! The spirit was so strong! We finished with a prayer and he had tears streaming down his face after we all said "Amen." I love being a missionary!!! God is good!
Wednesday: Exercising priesthood power round two. We met up with Elder Domine and Elder Alba at the chapel so that my companion could give him a baptismal interview, and while we were waiting Kenia (recent convert, the mother of Juan Carlos and Evans) came and asked us if we would give her husband and her blessings. So Elder Domine and I went with them. Wow. I cant get over it. The second the blessing is sealed there is nothing but waves of electric, celestial love surging through my body. I LOVE IT! I know that the power of the priesthood is real! It was amazing!
After I finished Juan Carlos Sr.'s blessing he got up and gave me a huge hug! Ha. That's never happened before! And then he told me that he has decided that he wants to be baptized and that he's willing to do anything it takes to join his family as a member of the church. I about peed. I was SO happy! Since before the baptism of Kenia and he boys, we've been pestering him, and trying to get him to take the lessons from us. But I guess he just wasn't ready! Now he is! He is meeting with us to receive the lessons, and he came to church yesterday and participated in all three hours!! I love seeing the effect this gospel has on people!
Friday we had round two of our end of transfer intercambios with the CCM. It went way better! The Elder that went out with me was much happier, and we had some really great lessons! One of which was a lesson with Amelia (our favorite menos activa) on the atonement. Our FHE with her and the Flia Carazco last week sparked some questions, so we had a 45 minute discussion on the atonement! So amazing! This church is true!!
Saturday was solid. We started off the day with a goodbye lunch for Elder Alba hosted by Josefa. SO good! We ate chen chen (like oatmeal but made out of crushed corn, and it's salty not sweet) with rice, beans, chicken and salad. Then we spent the day preaching with baby bumps cuz we ate so much. haha.
Then Saturday evening we had Mulk's baptism! I dunno if you guys remember him, but he is the brother of a recently returned missionary in our ward, that Elder Alba and I started teaching like our first week together. It was SO cool to see him be baptized, and Elder Alba got to do it! :) It was the perfect end for his mission!
Sunday was awesome. I love the ward of Independencia with all of my heart. We had our primary program and I just got all kinds of trunky. Ha. Little kids just make me thing of home. It was SO ADORABLE. They did such a good job!
Then in Elder's quorum we talked about the power of kindness, and one of the guys got up and shared a really cool thought. He started by telling us that this principle of the gospel applies perfectly to baseball.... Ha. We were kinda confused... Then he asked if we had to choose, would we rather be a bat or a glove...? Ha. Super confused at this point. Well, he went on to explain that if you chose to be a bat, when a ball (or a non member/less active) comes flying your way, you have to hit it. But if you are a glove, you can receive it, and guard it, and then throw it to another glove for safe keeping. Ha. I thought it was a cool thought. We should all chose to be gloves. If we are kind and open, people will notice and they will want to be "received" by us. Kindness is the only way to go diría yo!
We spent the day visiting some new investigators, contacting some new people in the section we are focusing on right now, and then we visited with some members in the surrounding area. SO great. :)
Then.... After we came home, and sent Elder Alba off with the office Elders, our transfer calls came... And, as always, nothing went as expected. Ha. I AM LEAVING MY FIRST AREA! I am currently on an emotional roller coaster. Ha. I don't even know what to think. Ha. My new companion is named Elder Logue. I have only every heard good things about him. And my new area is basically the Jewel of the West mission. :) It's called Ocoa, and it's as far north as you can go in our mission. From what I've been told, there is a hot water heater cuz it's a necessity, because it actually gets cold up there. :) Also, it's in the mountains, and it's BEAUTIFUL! I am super excited, but also ridiculously sad to leave my home here in Independencia...
We spent the day today visiting with members and investigators. We went up to café and had a last lesson with Oliva. We both just balled. Ha. I love that lady. I know without a doubt that she will be baptized in the near future, and she will be an incredible leader here in Café. Probably the first Relief Society president in the new Branch of Café!! :)
Anyway. I gotta go. I gotta go say some more good byes.
I love and miss you all.
Be good. This church is true!!!
Love,
Elder Mooney
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