August 16, 2010

Well... I know that in 11 days I hit 7 months... but I didn't know that I was that many days in the mission... weird...


I will make sure that I keep the Hopkins in my prayers, and I'm sure I'm not the only one who will be.

This week was a very, very, very cold week, with some days reaching the sub-zero mark in C. That really affected Sunday as well, with barely any members showing up. It made it especially hard for the family that we are working with right now, the Flia. Martinez. (we had to drop Damian for a bit because he hasn't been progressing)

This is the family that we helped make bricks with last week, so it was quite sad to not see them in church, but we continue to pray for them, and pray for the inspiration that we need to help them get back on track.

The spiritual thing I learned this week was really from watching a mistake. This week the other Elders with us in Cosquin had a baptism. Now, before hand, I'm not going to say I'm a pro at this at all... considering I've had one so far... but what happened Saturday for their investigator's baptism was anything but a spiritual moment. They didn't plan the day very well, or in accordance with what the branch had already planned, which was that the branch had an activity with the primary children so they were all loud and restless, they didn't have anything absolutely set and ready, and overall, their investigator didn't feel comfortable and very embarrassed. It was interesting to think about this baptism and the one that I had... there was a huge difference, and a huge difference in the Spirit that was there... kinda like your experience at the temple.

It makes sense that Lord asks us to be in places where we can feel the Spirit, and now I realize, at times... we need to make places that already have the Spirit, still worthy to have the Spirit. A baptism must have the Spirit so that every one there can reflect and build their testimony, the temple must have the Spirit so that everyone can receive the revelation that the temple gives to everyone that enters, and finally, we must have the Spirit with us to remember all that is truly important.

That is what happened for me this week and I wish everyone a welcome back to school and hope all goes well with the drama that is bound to happen!

-Ian