District Leader

July 18, 2011

Well it's been a week of learning, a week of trials, a week of change, a week of many things. I wish I could be there to help in any way possible but it has been made very clear to me that the best way to help is to stay where I am at. I love you all very much and it would be a lie to say that I have not had desires to come home but I know that the best way to show my love for all of you is the show it for our Heavenly Father first. Matthew 10:37 helped me to put things in there place. Also a good read of D&C 121 helps me to realize that the things that happen in this life pass in no time at all when we are looking at a timeline of eternity.

 

God decided to add a little more to my plate this week. Friday night the zone leaders called me up and said that I would be changed in my assignment. When they told me that, I thought they were moving me closer to the mission president for a couple weeks so he could keep an eye on me or something. I didn't think that I needed that, but then they surprised me when they said that the change is that I am now District Leader. Much more to learn and much more to live up to. It's going to be an interesting couple of weeks. I now understand better when it says in Isaiah 55:8 That Gods thoughts are not ours. I have no idea what He is thinking, but I have heard He knows best. :) Although I have had many moments of 'I can't do it' in the past couple days, things are going well. I must be a pretty rough rock and God is just trying to smooth me out a little.

 

I love you all very much. Dont worry about me. I am in the best place possible and things are going good. I will miss Brandon, but the great thing about the Gospel is that I know that I don't have to miss him for long. We will all see him agian, the same old brother, son, friend that he was here. I am sure that he is sharing the gospel now more than ever and he is just waiting for the day that we can join him. Again I love you all and thank you for all the love and support you give me.

 

Elder K

July 25, 2011

Well it has been a good week. I am feeling better and we are working hard and I guess you could say I am starting to get the hang of being a District Leader. Three of the four areas in my district baptized this last week and it's looking like we all might baptize this coming week. I attached the pic of our baptism and a Mormon Ad that I like. Not a ton to report considering I have been able to talk to everyone a little over the phone as of late. I love you all and keep being strong. Everything happens for a reason. Don't let the things that have happened determine how you will act. Let your actions change what will happen. I love you all.

Elder K

 

Testimony Builder

For those who may not know, Jake's older brother Brandon passed away unexpectedly last week. A few of us have been able to talk to him over the past few days and his testimony has been a strength to us all. This is the message that he sent to us this morning:

 

I wanted to write this to all of my brothers, sisters, mom and dad to tell you all how much I love you. This has been a very hard week for all of us I am sure. We all love Brandon very much and will miss him. I wish I could be there with all of you, but I have a calling to fulfill and live up to. I know that the gospel that we live and share with everyone is the only way that we will see Brandon again. We don't have to miss him forever! Every time this week that I started feeling down and didn't want to knock on doors or talk to anyone God put someone in my path that was willing to listen. It seems like every time that this happened the person's need was to hear the plan of salvation. As I taught everyone of these people it was a reminder for me that it's not the end. We have the truth and we can live it. Brandon is just waiting for us. I am sure that in this very moment he is learning as well as teaching of this plan to those who didn't know it in their lives. We have the blessing to know and to share it with others. We are an eternal family and although there are a ton of us, we are united. I love you all and want you to know that I know this chruch and gospel are true. I am here in the service of the Lord and I know that the blessings have come and many more are to come. I love you guys and I will see you all in a year.

Elder K

More from Saltillo

Well still trying to learn the area a little better, but things are going good. We have had new investigators in church every Sunday so far but no one will commit. It is exactly like the same here in Mexico. Everyone loves to talk about Mary and Jesus and all their saints that they pray to but no one likes the truth when they hear it. No one wants to get married or give up their beer. But that's why we are here, right? To show the people what the truth is.
The food is almost the same here as well as the Spanish. Every place has little differences in these areas but its easy to pick up on the new slang words and such.

Things are going good, just trying to get people to lose the fear they have and commit to do what they know is right and get baptized. The Spanish is getting good but it's a bit of a bad thing now that I can say basically what I want I have a hard time not chewing people out a little (with love of course) when they try to tell me that worshipping the virgin is ok and things like that. So I am trying to develop a little more patients in that area.
I called the offices today and they said they will be dropping off some stuff in my area for me. They didn't tell exactly what it all was, but they said mail and a package so its looking good today :)

Well, thanks for everything. I hope you all have a good week and a happy Fourth of July.
Elder K

A street in my area.

Elder K. with a Peruvian elder.

Elder K and his companion.