Hey Mom!
This week has been kind of crazy!
Our week's plans shifted on account of the sudden death of Brother Persad, and we did our best to help the Ward console that family and do whatever we could to help them in any capacity. They live on the outer edge of our area, so it was a lot of travelling to and from their home when we could and offering nothing more than mourning with them if that was all we could provide. Being able to be a part of that service was such a special experience for me. Everyone always tells you that you come to love the people you serve on a mission, but that was a true testimony to that statement. Brother Persad did everything he could to be at Church every week despite all his health problems, and I know that his example will stay with me forever. We were also able to speak with his less active daughter and his son who has yet to be baptized. We are excited to continue to work with the Persad family and help this Gospel further bless their lives as they ponder on the effect and blessings that came from their Father's labor while in this earthly existence.
We had an investigator who was on date for the 28th drop us because her family found some negative and false information online and were getting into her head a lot with all of it, but her boyfriend Javon (who is a less active member of the Curepe ward) told her that his goal was to get sealed to his wife in the Temple, and if she wasn't willing to at least listen and continue to meet with the missionaries to find out FOR HERSELF not be pressured out by her family, that he was going to move on. He has made so many strides since we started working with him, and we are really doing our best to encourage him to serve a mission. Merlesha, the investigator, after hearing how committed Javon is to the Gospel, decided to pick up meeting with us again, but she wants to push back her baptism date. I know that through diligent effort and the Spirit that she will get back on track and be baptized next transfer.
We also have Antonieta, the Stake Relief Society President's sister. We've been working with her a lot since I came to Curepe last transfer, and she's been steadily gaining a testimony of the Gospel. Sunday evening we talked to her, and without us getting the opportunity to bring up baptism she told us that she wanted to do it. President, we have asked her every meeting how she's felt about baptism, but this is the first time she has solidly given us a YES to a date. We are so excited for the 18th of next month when she will undoubtedly enter the water and be numbered as one of the Lord's Restored Church.
I have learned that nothing in this mission comes without diligence and constant care this week. Our contacting was not up to par at all, and after looking at our numbers Elder Whitlock and I set goals and planned to be as effective as possible to find people to teach so that we can finish this transfer strong, and set up our next transfer. I am so grateful for him as my trainer, I am learning so much about myself and missionary work. He is great.
I can't believe Eric is home this week either, I know you are all so excited for that. Is he flying into Portland? Give me all the details! I love you all so much, just thinking about all the ways our family has been blessed because of Eric's service is filling my heart with gratitude. I just hope that my Mission can do half for us as what his has done. We are working very hard, we just have a hard time getting investigators to church. The travel here is amazing, I think it's just the commitment level and we need to do a better job of making sure they are taken care of getting to the building. We'll get better though I know it. There is a family I talk a lot about, the Rampersads, and the mom Cindy gave an awesome talk on Temples this Sunday. It made me so grateful that we are sealed for time and all eternity. The overwhelming feeling I had this week aside from amazement on how fast this is all going (i will have been out 3 months on wednesday can you believe it?) and gratitude to the Lord and to you guys for this experience and all that I have been given. Know that I am working my tail off so that I can be someone the Mission President would be confident to train a new missionary after this transfer because that is what the training program says to do. One of the APs made a joke about me needing to know it inside and out like I would train, but we'll see. I love you mom!
Love you soooo so very Much
Nick
Hey Dad!!
Booo extra loud for me this week!! I'm glad that you are spending some time with granddad I know that he will enjoy that most definitely. It has been so wet here lately!!! It just rains buckets but my handy umbrella has done me well so far!!! I think that we're good with stuff being sent, maybe if you could find me a journal, but that won't need to get here for a few more months cuz I bought a notebook and am using that at the moment. I am so excited that Eric is home so soon! He can take care of you guys since I'm not around ;) Crazy!
This week truly made me grateful for our family. I cannot wait for the day we are all together again, but in the mean time I know that the Lord is providing for all of us in our different stages of our lives. Let the family know that I love them and that this Gospel is true!! Oh you and mom could send me some pictures of you and Eric and all of us together! just so I can show people! haha I forgot to bring some! ha the tan is nice but it is the dirt nastiest farmer tan you have ever seen! so bad!! haha Thank you for everything you do dad. You have been behind me from day 1 with everything and I will be eternally grateful for that. I have a perfect template for the type of father I need to be for my kids. Keep working hard and I hope you've still been lifting! ;) just had to give you some fatigue (that's a Trini way of saying crap or a hard time). Love you so much Pa
Nick
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