It Was Good to See You

Hi,

So the week ended just peachy. There really isn't much to say after talking. It was good to see you all. Sunday was great, and Duilio a recent convert received the priesthood  Yesterday, we had divisions with the some elders from the quorum who are preparing for the mission. It's fun to be with the young elders and help them with their preparation. They remind me of me. Wow, am I glad that I decided right away to go on the mission because after it's a lot harder to make the decision.

One thing I noticed in the skype call was that Anna is looking so old. I couldn't believe it. Other than that I think everything has already been said. On Saturday I ran out of things to say, and right now I don't have much else except to say enjoy the New Year's celebrations.

Elder Walker

PS. Here's a picture of Jorge one of our fechas 

Bitter Sweet

Hi,

I just finished reading all my emails everyone sent me this week, and all I can say is that was one of the most bitter sweet experiences of my life. Seeing the pictures of my beautiful sister getting sealed in the temple and reading the words of the sealer gave me a more real image of the special moment that I missed. I'm excited to say that I wasn't too distracted the day of her wedding and worked the whole day without problems. But seeing the pictures today, I think it hurts more now than that day. Well, there's nothing I can do it about it now. It already happened... so it's time to get back to work....

Well last week was a pretty amazing week. We had a ton of miracles at church on Sunday. Jorge and Magarita both went to church, and they are our progressing investigators for now. They've gone two times and this last week they brought their grandkids. It was pretty awesome, and we thought about baptizing them this week, but with the holiday season the baptismal date fell through, but we're still optimistic for January. We also had a less active member go to church for the first time in 5 years. She's the daugter of an active member, and we've visited her just a few times and she unexpectedly walked in the door of the church. My comp and I just looked at each other and started to smile because it was honstly just a tender mercy. When the people want to repent, it is so much easier. 

Anyways in my studies I've been pondering about a scripture in Luke 9.

57 ¶And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain man said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest.

 58 And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.

 59 And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.

 60 Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God.

 61 And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house.

 62 And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.

I love these verses. I feel like they apply so perfectly to my life right now. This is a time of year when the distraction of missing family Christmas and weddings and movies can turn the special joy of dedicated service to looking back with sorrow for the missed, if I'm not careful. I can't live like that. I won't live like that. I am happy. Every day is a new adventure the Lord literally walks with us, and I can feel His presence. I'm blessed with my companion; we talk, laugh, and enjoy the work. There is no where I would rather be. So don't worry about me. No sympathy needed here. Love you all so much and can't wait to talk with my family on Saturday and see their smiles and to show them mine.

Elder Walker

PS. We are so spoiled in my mission. Look at the awesome mission Christmas party we had!

Christmas is Coming

Hello,

So this last week was a physical test. The physical demands of the mission are pretty rough sometimes. Besides all the walking we do every day, on Tuesday we played soccer. But you have to understand, we played Latin style soccer. It was a holiday so we invited everyone to come and play with us. We had like 30 people show up, and we had to split up and go to a different field. Anyways we had two semi professional players, and we played in the middle of the day.Needless to say it was intense, and we all ended just dead tired. I was happy though because scored a pretty sick goal :) However, after I was so tired that I couldn't even walk after. My muscles were so sore that I almost cried from the pain. I hurt for the next few days. haha. 

I spent most of the week in pain, but we had a good week. Jorge and Margarita went to church with their son, and wow was it awesome!! Finally. The only other bad part of the week was when I threw up in the street, but I'm better now. 

Why should we think to earn a great reward if we now shun the fight. 

That's my spiritual though for y'all this week. I love the work and love the mission.  Even with Star Wars, wedding parties, and thrilling sporting events going on back home, the mission is still better and the reward eternal. I'm going to stay in my sector for another 6 weeks. Love you so much! 

Best of luck Chloe and Joe at their wedding this week.

Happy B day Clay! Love you big guy!

Elder Walker

PS. I attached a little bit of proof. Walking more than ever.

Chile Santiago Oeste

Hola!

Well things are super groovy over here on the other side of the world, in the southern hemisphere. This last week I learned a lot and had a few amazing spiritual experiences. 

In church we finally had an investigator attend after an entire month of countless hours of hard work. We brought one. His name in Jorge, and he is a 45ish year old man with a wife and kid. The wife couldn't go :( but he went anyways :) He has a lot of questions and knows a lot about the bible and Book of Mormon because he has a Mormon friend. We've been visiting him for about a month and are hoping to baptize him soon. 

It may seen like a small task to bring one investigator to church, but it really isn't. We have to work hard and commit them to go to church, but without the spirit they don't get there. Without the spirit nothing happens.

The second spiritual experience happened yesterday. We were finishing a good day and my companion had to use the bathroom, so we went into the house of a Flotante someone that goes to church every other Sunday. President wants us to ask for references and help increase the attendance by visiting the flotantes. So we entered the house and immediately I felt a little uneasy, like I felt like we had to leave and visit someone. So I sat and waited for Elder Moreira to leave the bathroom and I felt the same thing but even stronger, a literal force that told me to visit some investigators. I told the member that we had to go, got up and left the house, and we raced across the sector to visit them. We we got there I was confident, but still unsure about what I felt. As we approached to house, I realized that they were home, which is a miracle because they're amazing investigators but they're never there. We knocked on the door entered and taught a great spiritual lesson where they accepted the baptismal invitation. 

I know this is the Lord's work and it is by His spirit that we preach the Gospel. Just like it says in D&C 50

13 Wherefore, I the Lord ask you this question—unto what were ye ordained?

14 To preach my gospel by the Spirit, even the Comforter which was sent forth to teach the truth.

Anyways, I'm happy to be in the mission and more focused than ever, but it's still hard to see pictures of my family and friends that I love so much. Luckily the solution is simple: work, work, work its the only cure to homesickness.

I love you all so much,

Elder Walker

December's Here

Hello All!

Last week was a blast, but the temperature is getting super hot, which tends to make the work a little bit more difficult. I'm not complaining. I love it here and as a Vegas boy don't mind the heat, but I sweat pretty much the whole day. For example, yesterday we taught a lesson at about 8:30 at night right before we had to go home, and I sat down for 30 minutes. When I stood up, I was still sweating. It's good though because sometimes people see us in the heat and let us in their houses :) With stake conference and a surprise reunion for Thanksgiving, I got to spent a lot of time learning from church leaders. There were a few things that caught my attention. 

1. 1 Nephi 14:14

And it came to pass that I, Nephi, beheld the power of the Lamb of God, that it descended upon the saints of the church of the Lamb, and upon the covenant people of the Lord, who were scattered upon all the face of the earth; and they were armed with righteousness and with the power of God in great glory.

This first scripture was something that President said in the talk he gave to the stake. He talked about the calamities and disasters that would happen and have happened in our days. He said that even though we are few, as testified by Nephi, we have promised blessings and power. It was a scripture that i needed and an answer to my prayers. That same day in the church we didn't manage to bring anyone and spent the whole month of November working harder than ever with few results. I believe these words; however, and know that God has given us more power and more strength today to confront the trials in our life. 

2.Lucas 15:8-10

 8 Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it?
9 And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost.
10 Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.

The second scripture was shared by a member of the 70. Now you're going to have to forgive me because I cant remember his name, but on Saturday he gave a talk for us in the priesthood session. He talked a little bit about church attendance and the importance of the Sabbath day reinforcing the message of the prophets and apostles. Saying that proper church attendance will give us the strength to stay on the path of righteousness. Then he talked about those that have fallen away from the church and shared the scripture above. Christ in Luke 15 uses three parables one of the lost sheep, the second of the lost piece of silver and the last of the prodigal son. Each having importance, but he said that the sheep and the son were lost because they wondered off but the silver was lost because it wasn't taken care of. How many people in the church get lost because of our negligence? I loved it. We have to do everything to help our brothers stay on this path of righteousness. 

I'm doing great and am more and more anxious to talk with the family this Christmas. It's come fast. 

Love, 

Elder Walker

Mission Thanksgiving Dinner!