Life is Like a Rollercoaster - Monday, June 24, 2013

Man... It was quite the week. 

Cookin' dinner at Anni's 6/17/13

On Monday night, we went over to Anni's house to make spaghetti and fritos. She wasn't home yet when we got there, so we took over the kitchen. ha. We did the dishes and cooked dinner for the whole family. When Anni got home we were all but done frying the platanos, and she was surprised. :) She said she didn't even know what to do with herself! No one EVER makes her dinner! She's the mother of 4 boys, and the guy that lives with her doesn't do squat around the house, so it was nice for her to have the evening off mom duty. haha. Being a missionary rocks. 

Tuesday we said our goodbyes to Elder Melara (the kid from Honduras that I've been living with for the last 4 months) in the morning, and came home in the evening to a new house mate. haha. He's also from Honduras, his name is Elder Bonillo, and so far I'm extremely impressed with his forma de ser. Our other house mate Elder De La Cruz (the Dominican) is a decent individual as well. If things continue as they have so far, it will be a great transfer. :) 

Wednesday morning I made no bake cookies for my companion. He turned 20 months old... Remember when Taylor hit the 20 month mark?? Like yesterday, right? Ha. I keep telling my comp to focus on the moment at hand cuz he's runnin out of time!

In the afternoon we had an AWESOME lesson with Edward and Sandra. They are still progressing like gold, and they just keep eating up the things we leave with them. Edward (without a suggestion from us) has made a goal to read the WHOLE Book of Mormon!! They have both told us multiple times that they know this is the true church. Of all the different churches they have visited, NONE of their doctrines make as much sense as ours! We talked all about the Word of Wisdom. Edward has been down that road, and he's NEVER going back. They are both more than aware of the dangers of drugs and alcohol. The coffee and tea thing was new though... ha. They both drink coffee, but right when we told them that our Heavenly Father, through modern day prophets, has commanded us not to, they swore it off! We explained that God wants to keep us safe, and He uses prophets to keep us up to date on all of Satan's new tactics! Moses had no idea what a bong was! ha. We are SO blessed to have a Prophet to lead and guide us through these troubled times! 

Thursday things went downhill... I got up to work out, and could barely move... I had a fever and was achy all over. Elder Holland has advised us not to write you people about illnesses because the sniffles, after traveling 2000 miles over the airwaves, is often interpreted as pneumonia. haha. Mom, Aunt Wendy: I'M OK! ha. But I did spend the day in bed and/or on the toilet. ha. I got a blessing though, and took some meds along with ridiculous amounts of water. I live with worthy priesthood holders, and my companion is good to me. So really, don't worry! ha. 

Friday I woke up feeling about the same... But we had to go to a leadership meeting... So I got up and showered, and we slow walked to the ZL's chapel. It was a good meeting. Elder Pittí (replaced Elder Richardson as ZL) shared a scripture chain I really liked: D&C 132: 24 -- Knowing Christ is Eternal Life, Mosiah 5:13 -- We know Christ by serving Him, Mosiah 2:17 -- We serve Christ by serving others. :) SERVE!

After a nap in the afternoon we made our way out to work. I was pretty miserable the whole day... My fever wouldn't break for nothin! But I got lots of support from the Lord as I worked. I noticed that I got more out of our lessons because I was putting more into them. Usually it's just a day to day thing we do. But when I was sick as a dog, I had to make a sacrifice to be in the people's homes, and to testify of the truth. The Spirit was a lot stronger, and I felt like I was able to explain things clearly, and testify of it all with greater certainty. :) It was a cool experience. I related it to fasting. When we fast, we are putting our bodies under stress, and relying on our spirit to work through it. During the fast our spirit gets stronger, and our carnal cocoon is weakened, leaving raw spiritual power. I think that's why Heavenly Father revealed that Fast Sunday, and Testimony Meeting needed to be on the same day. :)  

Saturday was much better. The fever finally left, and the only symptoms that have stuck around are a runny nose and a cough. NBD. ha. In the evening we met with an inactive member named Wendy. She was baptized a few years ago, and was getting ready to put her mission papers in when gossip and harsh words chased her out of the church. She understands a TON! She had a small doubt about Baptisms for the Dead, but we cleared it up really easily. She is teachable, and humble, but doesn't want to go back to our ward... :( It makes me sad to see peoples progression halted because of the tactlessness of other members. Obviously Wendy gets to choose how she reacts to people's judgey comments, but seriously. Let's all make a goal to talk good about people! If you don't have something nice to say, DON'T SAY ANYTHING AT ALL! 

Yesterday was great! :) Church went really smoothly. Sandra and Edward came and brought their 6 year old, Juan Pablo. He sat with me during sacrament, and had me draw him pictures on the back pages of my Missionary Planner. Ha. It reminded me of when my Dad would draw us pictures to keep us quiet in Sacrament meeting, and then we would all try to draw like him! ha. Plus, Juan Pablo is like Creed, 'cept Dominican. After we sent him off to Primary, Edward and Sandra came with us to Gospel Principles class, and then Sandra went with Adrianna (Montero) to Relief Society. :) They LOVED it! We introduced them to lots of members, and Edward talked to a guy in our ward from his same line of work so he can keep his eye out for any job openings! I love the fact that ANYWHERE in the world you feel like going, there's always a ward family to take care of you! The church is TRUE!

As you all know, last night was the World Wide Leadership Broadcast! It blew my socks off! It is SO exciting to be a missionary right now! These are the last days! 

I liked when Elder Anderson said, "The Lord is with us when we give the Lord the Best of us." And I loved the interview with Elder Nelson and Sister Marriot. Just think, Brother Marriot got that incredible lady for a wife just because he had the courage to share the gospel! WORK WITH THE MISSIONARIES! YOU'LL RECEIVE BLESSINGS!! :) Love everyone, love is the key, and we come to love others through service! Just Do It! 

Now we're back to Monday. Another Pday come and gone. Next week I'll do it again. ha. Until then. 

-Elder Cade Mooney

P.S. For all of you that will be in the Airport tomorrow when Taylor comes home: Give him a great big hug for yourself, then release, and go back in for an even BIGGER hug for me! Tell him how much I love him and how proud of him I am!