Week 81

The Zone

Two giant missionaries!

Elder Marin a former companion

Elder Leon

Elder Fernandez and Jeff

Companions...Elder Lopez and Jeff

This past week went pretty well! We didn't have the most successful week with our investigators but that's okay! We received some difficult news on Monday night when Lalo and Gabi called us and said that the attorneys office that has been handling the divorce papers of Gabi moved offices and that they lost them!  We were very sad because they were so excited to get married and baptized tomorrow but now they cannot get married nor baptized because the Gabi’s divorce is not technically finalized. Lalo had been waiting since August to get his papers, and then they finally arrived last week. Right after they start planning the wedding and we announced it in church, we find out that the papers of Gabi are lost again. The papers will most likely be found in 2 to 4 weeks so we are looking at a February or March wedding. The good news is that Lalo and Gabi did not get discouraged or disappointed and rather displayed a very mature perspective. They said that perhaps there is something more they need to do to prepare so they can be ready for their special day.

The best parts of my week were lessons on Wednesday and Thursday night with a couple of wonderful families! We were with Mara and her son Oscar that got baptized a few weeks ago, and their family on Wednesday night. We were so excited that for the first time ever, after visiting their home 3 times a week for the past 2 months, Mara’s husband listened to us share a Gospel message. He was very interested in the Book of Mormon and had a lot of questions! I literally love Mara and her family! They recently opened a Gordita business and give us free food! If you want to know what Gorditas are, just google it, they are delicious. Also, we are planning on baptizing Mara's 13 year old son, Ricardo, this next Friday!

The other awesome lesson we had was with a young couple who are super cool! Pavel and his wife are both super young and love to go biking, hiking, and both speak English! Both went to college in the United States so it’s super easy to relate and talk with them! We had a wonderful discussion about religion in general, about the nature of God, and once again, the Book of Mormon. It was so cool because they already had one and it was in English! I was super surprised! We had an awesome discussion and I really hope they can come with us to church as well on Sunday! 

This week was full of ups and downs, just like every week. However, thanks to these two discussions coupled with my daily study of the Book of Mormon, my testimony has been strengthened that the Book of Mormon is true! It is a wonderful testament of Jesus Christ and His divine role as our Savior and Redeemer!

Have a great week! 

Elder Shipley