Monday, October 13, 2008

IN REPLY TO A POSTCARD FROM MOM & PAPA ON THEIR VACATION TO SAN FRANCISCO

Dear Mom, (and Papá)

Well, I've got a little sliver of time right now for "lunch" but I wanted to take the opportunity to write you back! Based on the postmarked date it only took two days for your letter to arrive, so hopefully this will come Wednesday or so.

It's so good to hear you and Papá have been able to get away for a while and have 5 minutes peace. I'm sure Calvin won't mind taking care of the younger ones to give you a moment to relax.

One thing I really miss about normal life is the chance to relax on Sundays. It seemed so weird to me at first, to be working every day of the week except Thursday. But I've since come to recognize that I can still feel the same Spirit on Sundays, while busily engaged in the Lord's work.

Having been out almost a year now, and being mostly familiar with the way things work, I'm starting to look at it all in different ways.; I'm beginning to recognize how much happiness and joy can be found in this great work of the Lord. Lots of times it seems we do our work each day so that we can get to the time when we can do the things that "really" make us happy or that are "really" fun.

Today I had somewhat of an epiphany as a cool couple with their new-born baby were following us down to Bothell to the Spanish ward. I found I was stressing out, worrying about how church was going to be; if we'd be early, etc. That's when I realized that such a wonderful thing as their coming to church should be something that brings me joy to see! After all, they were my brothers and sister, and they were doing the things that would bring them joy int his life and fullness of joy in the next. Why wasn't I feeling happy? And then, I did! I was rather surprised the lasting kind of happiness I suddenly felt in that moment. It was very satisfying, and an incredible "break-through" so-to-speak. I know as I continue to look for the promised joy that missionary work brings, I'll have an even greater desire to share it.

Anyway, that was my cool moment for the past couple days :). I love those learning experiences. They always help me to know that the Lord is continually mindful of me and all his children.
The snail mail is really fun for me now. I really had a hard time with it at first, but I'm used to the slower pace now. It was just hard getting used to waiting a week or so before getting a reply. :) But have no worries. At least from this end, you too have become a lot better and following through with the mail process. Not just for you, but the kids too! So don't feel too bad; you're making a lot of progress. :)

That's cool to hear your Red Iguana story. Hey! Recado! That's what it's called! I've had mole a bunch of times and really like it! I remember hearing that it had cocoa in it, like the sauce you put in chuchos, but I could never remember what it was called! Wow, it's amazing to me how different the Guatemalan & the Mexican cultures are! I always assumed they'd be a lot alike, but up to now, it seems the language is the closest thing. And even then there are many differences! Have you ever had posole? We eat that all the time too!

Wpw, you slept in?! 'Till 11:00!?! Jeez! You must have really needed the break! It's good to hear you're making the most of all of it, even if it isn't in Italy.

There are plenty of tiendas all over the areas I've served. There's a taco truck called "Tacos Pihuamos" that makes great tacos de carnitas. I've even gotten a burrito de lengua that was great too! Still haven't done the Ducales thing though. But we get "paid" on Wednesday, so I'll be sure to grab some on P-day.

Hey, how come we (as kids) never heard about all that getting married stuff between you and Papá? All I remember is Papá not getting a ticket, but instead being escorted back to school (or work?) by a policeman after speeding down I-15 from a date with you! But that's okay, I love you anyway!

Con gran amor,

Elder Sean

P.S. Give my love to Brig and Tara, and tell them thanks again for the shirts! Oh, and I liked the "Ord Brothers" Logo. :D

Friday, October 10, 2008

18 SEP 2008

Oh my family,

Thank you as always for the letters! I received Olivia's and Papá's today. Perfect timing. :)

I've always thought the more centered I am on the work, the less I think about the mail. And not only that, when a letter comes, it's even more of a pleasant surprise! The letters i've been getting lately have been most enjoyable. Therefore, I'm on the right track. :D

The past week has been great. The transfer is winding down and there's been a relief of pressure. We've still been working hard and this past Sunday it really payed off! We had 4 Spanish-speaking investigators at the Spanish ward!


Sunday morning was particularly stressful. We drove from house to house, making the final follow-up on those who had committed to church. (The "Sunday Morning Roundup", as its sometimes called.)

The biggest challenge we have when it comes to Spanish investigators is getting them to the Spanish ward 20 min. away. Just imagine finding and teaching people in Provo, but having them attend church in American Fork. On top of that, not many are able to spend the money on gas so we usually set up rides for them with members.

One of the great Spanish ward members, Hno. Sotello lives here in Monroe, so usually we ask him to give rides. The problem is he likes to be at church about 15 minutes early and those who need a ride have to be ready early too.

Well, Sunday morning at 10:20, we stopped by a potential investigator's house to see if he was planning on coming. The week before we'd stopped by at the same time and he wasn't there, but he said later that he was planning on us coming at 10:30. "Ri-i-i-ight," we'd thought.

So we stopped by and knocked on his door at 10:20 last Sunday to find that again he had ditched us. We decided to wait and see if he'd be there at 10:30, but in the meantime, Hno Sotello was leaving so the investigator (José) wouldn't have a ride anyway!

I started stressing out when an older woman came out of José's apartment telling us she had him on the phone and he said he'd be there (to his apt.) in 10 minutes! Where were we going to find a ride for him now?

In that situation, some would say, "well, throw him in the back of your car and get him to church! You tried to get him a ride but it didn't work out. It's for the greater good!"

Suddenly it became a huge trial of my faith. Could the Lord provide a way for us to obey the rule of not providing non-member rides and still get José to church?

I've always maintained the belief that there is always a way to accomplish what we've been commanded to do (help people repent by coming to church for example.) And still keep the rules that have been given to us by prophets and apostles. Now, it seemed, I was being proven to see if I practice what I preach.

From certain other experiences I've had throughout my mission, I'd witnessed this principle in action, and seen the Lord pull through every time. But of course, we must do everything we can first. "Have I done everything I can to find him a ride?" It thought, "No."

I was praying hard as I called an RM form our English ward, making a last-ditch effort to get the ride. I had to promise him blessings, but he eventually agreed to leave Sunday School and help us out.

It was a tense moment waiting for the both of them to show up, but at almost the same time, they both pulled in and I knew that we were home-free. I knew, and so did my companions, that the Lord helped us out. Calling the RM was totally a shot in the dark, but it all worked out way too well to have not been divinely prepared. José even brought a friend!

In retelling the story, it seems a lot less cool than it really was, but in the moment, it felt like taking a step onto water trying to be fully confident you would not fall in. It's one of the coolest feelings I've had out here, but takes a lot of work. It's in those moments that I've learned what faith really is.

And speaking of cool feelings, another awesome experience happened on Tuesday. A 10 yr old girl named Raeven was baptized! The coolest part was that I played a crucial role in the process, even though she was taught and baptized in the Zone Leader's area.

(Okay, let's see if I can make this short...)

My comps and I were playing soccer with some Hispanic kids on a field right by the ZL's apartment. While kicking the ball around I was talking to Chris, a boy the ZLs were teaching who was going to be baptized soon.

Raeven was standing nearby and heard us talking about the baptism. "What's baptism?" she asked. I took the advantage of the teaching opportunity and told her about how baptism was something Jesus Christ told us we needed to do. It was something that could make us happier! We could have all the bad things we've done washed away because Jesus Christ died for us.

I basically taught her a really simple 3rd lesson when I could have just answered her question. Honestly, I was surprised by her interest and excited to tell her about that oh-so important aspect of the Gospel.


After a minute of my explanation she said, "I want to be baptized!" It was so cool! Whether she ended up actually being baptized or not, I thought it was the coolest thing that she would be so teachable and willing.

After talking a little more I pretty much handed her over to the Zone Leaders.

I was sitting there at her baptism that night when an intense feeling of gratitude came over me. It was such a great blessing to me to have been able to see the fruit come of the seed that was planted. I can't really say I planted the seed--it's the Spirit that does the real teaching, right? :)

So the moral of the story is, it doesn't take much! Who knows how many people we know that are "only kept from the truth because they know not where to find it." Or how many people we don't know, like neighbors, etc. ;)

----

Hey, now it's Saturday, and time to get this in the mail. I'm at the church, waiting for the font to fill! melody's baptism is in an hour! it's a great day. I hope life is not too crazy managing school/work schedules back home and that you still have time for "good times" moments!

LOVE, ELDER SEAN
P.S. So there are lots of cool web-spinning spiders this time of year in Washington. And lots of these dinosaur-sized mosquitoes that are actually "Mosquito-Hawks" because they eat mosquitoes. Anyway, I've had lots of fun catching the Mosquito-Hawks and watching the spiders do their thing: Bite it, wrap it, and wait for its innards to dissolve! So cool!