This week we had Thanksgiving at a Pica Pollo (it's a restaurant chain in ALL of the DR that serves Dominican/Chinese food, and EVERY SINGLE ONE is owned by Chinese people... ha). We met up with a bunch of Elders and Sisters from our Zone, and before chowing on some fried chicken, we took turns saying two things for which we're grateful. :) The catch was that we couldn't repeat something that had already been said. Luckily I was second in the line up so I didn't have to express anything too obscure. haha. The Elder that went first stole "I'm grateful for my family..." So I went with "I'm grateful for my Girlfriend, and this time that I have to serve the Lord." ;) Some of the others said things like "I'm grateful for..." electricity, and running water, beef jerky, packages from home, mouse traps, Caribbean sun, good companions, and loads of other stuff I can't remember. :) It definitely wasn't an American Thanksgiving, and we got some SUPER weird looks when we were taking pictures of our table and our food, but what can ya do? ha. We do what we can with what we've got, and we're grateful for every bit of it. :)
The rest of the weekend was EXHAUSTING... but Ohhhhh so fulfilling. We helped Ambiorix and Coqui (a young couple we've been teaching for a couple weeks) move from their little apartment to a bigger one a few blocks away. :) I was grateful for my companion and Jorge (a kid in our ward that hangs out with us a lot cuz he's headed to Mexico on his mission in a few months), and Ambiorix and Coqui were grateful for our missionary muscles. ;) It would've been impossible to accomplish alone! Even working as a team, it took us four and a half hours to get all their stuff moved! And those apartments have SO many stairs!!! hahaha! We were BEAT afterwards! And on top of that, it was Saturday... The day before fast Sunday... and we already had two group fasts planned with our investigators... Needless to say, we were physically DEAD all weekend long, but we felt SO good! :)
It's been so cool to see the effects of service and obedience here in the mission. Some days I just sit and think about how much sense the Gospel makes. Heavenly Father has told us, through His prophets, every single little thing that we should do to make us truly happy. :) We just have to do it. It was cool to see how selfless service affected my attitude and my happiness levels this weekend. :) I was physically drained, but spiritually full. :) And that's what life is about. Serving God by serving others with ALL our HEART, MIGHT. MIND and STRENGTH. My companion and I already loved Ambiorix and Coqui and we already had their confidence and trust. But it was amazing to see how much that love and confidence grew (on both sides) through service. :)
I love being a missionary! And I love the Gospel! If we maintain an eternal perspective, life just makes sense! :)
I love you all! Keep reading your scriptures and saying your prayers!! That's how you grow! :)
Until next week,
Elder Cade Mooney
P.S. The Photos are still a no go... I'll try again next week.
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