August Slips Like a Bottle of Chicha Morada

Can we just make this time stand still for a moment because it is moving so quickly? This Semana is now in its fifth week. After months of being unable to perform any ordinances due to the epidemic, we will have a baptism this coming Saturday. We are ecstatic. My buddy, Elder Urcia is overjoyed. At the very least, he will be baptized for the first time during his mission. I'm really delighted for him; all we have to do now is remind the people of all the things we've taught them, and they'll be ready to go. We'll assist Hermana Ibet and Hermana Juana because their desire to be baptized is great, and we're only too delighted to assist them.

I'm continuing to be patient with my buddy. Instead of focusing on his flaws, I strive to see the positive aspects of him. We determined that since he is new, we should make sure that we practice teaching. I'm also attempting to love him like the Savior loves His disciples, flaws and all. I, too, have my own, thus, as Mateo 7:1 says, don't judge so that you won't be judged.

We had a nice time at the Virgin Mary monument in my neighborhood. We ascended again, and it was wonderful to have a bird's eye perspective of the entire pueblo. It was a simple yet exhausting task. I awoke this morning with sore legs from yesterday's hike; shame on me. I'm gaining weight again, and I miss my former physique from Cerro de Pasco, so I'm hoping the early workout would assist me now. Anyway, it's becoming chilly in Concepcion, so lying in bed beyond 6:30 a.m. is an indulgent or sinful pleasure that we shouldn't partake in, so please, God, assist me.

I'm memorizing a lot of scriptures every day because I need to. Spirit reminded me that I needed to do it as well in order to be more effective when teaching. I also want to remember Spanish hymns so that I may amaze my family back home. I was very pleased with myself last Friday when I remembered the entire Articles of Faith in only an hour while cooking. There has been little improvement. I'm now reading the books of Luke and Acts and revisiting the Book of Mormon.

Life is only an experience; whether you are happy or not is entirely up to you. I've had some difficult moments in the mission, and while it may be exhausting and discouraging at times, I just need to take a moment to gaze up at the sky and thank God for keeping me safe and sane this season. I believe that God exists and that He loves me. These two weeks in the mission have taught me that two years is a very small period of time. Though I have yet to glimpse the perfection I want, I am confident that He is there to assist me.

This is Miguel, son of an old investigator for San Geronimo. He is a really cute guy, sadly life made him so mature because they're really living in a poor condition. We helped them move their things to the new piece of land with my companion. It was the most exhausting CSP I had in my entire mission but the most memorable one. 

A snip-snip of my content and photo for my English Connect class every day.