Hello!
Well, this last week was filled with a little more water and a drastic change in the temperature. It’s safe to say the winter is starting up and the jackets and scarfs are out of the bags. I think that winter started a little bit earlier this year and am ready to take on the cold. I mean I should probably get used to it if I’m going to live in Provo. Besides the cold, things have been spectacular here in Ochagavia. We had a good month in Abril and are now looking for May to be awesome.
As far as teaching, we have a few good investigators who have gone to church a few time now. We have to help them understand the doctrine and have a real conversion. We’ve found some awesome new investigators though the last week, and now most of our hope in May is in the people we just found. As a missionary here we enter so many houses and meet a lot of great people, but one thing I always pray for is the the ability to recognize the people that will progress. We have to always find new people, but at the same time be able to recognize those who want to come unto Christ. It’s just another thing on the long list of reasons why we need the Spirit
On Friday, we had a meeting as a mission. In Maipu we got together, which usually takes us about 45 minutes by bus to get to, ate sandwiches for breakfast, and listened to President. We had to get there early, and President told us that we’d all get a flu shot to protect us this winter. After the shot, what called my attention in the meeting was when President, after a little bit and out of nowhere, started to talk to all the missionaries who go home in the next two month. He told us all not to be Zombie missionaries and to work hard, and he said that he needs us to endure to the end. It was kind of a slap to the face, not because I wasn’t being diligent, but rather that I realized how soon I’m going home, how important it is to finish strong, and how much of an impact it will have on the mission for us to finish strong.
In my personal studies, I learned a little bit more about the power of the word of God. Alma upon seeing the sins an iniquities of the Zoramites in Alma 31 began to worry about the the well being of the Nephites. "For it was the cause of great sorrow to Alma to know of iniquity among his people." The fear was that the Zoramites would go and join themselves with the Lamanites, which would be a huge loss for the Nephites. While some might have wanted to go to battle against the Zoramites, Alma said in verse 5:
"And now, as the preaching of the word had a great tendency to lead the people to do that which was just—yea, it had had more powerful effect upon the minds of the people than the sword, or anything else, which had happened unto them—therefore Alma thought it was expedient that they should try the virtue of the word of God."
What a powerful verse! The word of God and correct understanding of gospel principles can change our behavior and our hearts, and it can protect us from future temptations and trials. Elder Nelson described it like a shot we use shots to protect us from future viruses and diseases that might harm and kill us (like the flu shot I just had) and in the same way God gives us His gospel to protect us from the spiritual risks in the world. The mission as been so life changing I think because I’ve been able to read, understand and apply the word of God in my life. I’m so grateful for those special hours of scripture study in the morning and hope to maintain the habit always
Anyways, Mom, thanks for the letters yours are always better than mine. haha. I think it would be good to Skype at 7:30 or 7:00 my time so that I can have to time to get back to the pension because we live far away from the church. Looks like things are really moving along over there I’m starting to miss the family even more and sometimes I feel like I’ve missed so much, but the Lord blesses and protects the families of His missionaries. It also makes me happy to hear how well my family is doing. I love you all so much!
Elder Walker
