Didn’t you just love Conference weekend??? Oh my it is so
different watching Conference as a missionary. In the closing prayers they
always prayed to bless the missionaries. I didn’t realize it at first but then the
thought came: I am one of those missionaries! No way so cool. We watched
conference at our church building. We set it all up and we had two TVs so we
put the Spanish session downstairs and the English session above. So happy that
we had it in English. Even my companion, who has amazing Spanish, said that it
is tough to understand the vocabulary they use in Conference. And you get more
out of it in your own language. I loved all of the talks. SO funny how
many times New Jersey was mentioned. Every time I perked my ears up and listened
a little more intently. Ha Elder Christofferson mentioned he grew up in the New
Brunswick Ward in NJ. We meet in that ward's building every week for
zone/district meetings. So cool.
Yes and tons about member missionary work too. It really
does help out a lot. We work a lot with members here asking for referrals. It
is more effective missionary work. We rarely knock doors because there is
almost always something better we could be doing with our time. Visiting a less
active, meeting with a member, trying former investigators. Missionary work is
changing a lot!
So I am just loving it so much out here. This past week was
so much fun. The week before last I got to see Elder Packer at Specialized
Training. He is the best, hope I get to be his companion someday. We get along
super well. We even have the same suit, and shoes!
So our church building here is pretty nice. Nothing like
Trailside building but it has its perks. It is two stories and does not have a
gym. The chapel and the cultural hall are the same room. The building is like a
huge meeting place though. The culture here is just get together at the church
for EVERYTHING. I love it.
We have been getting fed so much. Um for the first time in
my LIFE I really have to start watching what I eat! Ha Thats what I get for not
playing soccer everyday like home. We get fed tons of Peruvian food, which
is absolutely the most delicious food ever. So good. We get fed almost
once every day. SO yeah, and there is no rejecting food on the mission. Ha it’s
the worst/ the best. Getting forced to eat food??? AWESOME. Will you
please send me two new suits, and three pairs of slacks? They don’t fit
anymore!!!! HA no just kidding, they are fine. They are still working great!
Luckily, we got them a little big.
Funny story last week. We hardly EVER eat out, but we were
having a slow day and we had to already start heading home for the night.
But we stopped by this little Taqueria on the way because we hadn't
had dinner. It was basically this little room with three fold up tables. Best
Tacos ever!!! Even beats Taco Tuesday at Windy Ridge! It cost us $10
total, but we started talking to this guy in there and then on his way out he
threw us a $10 and said: para que pagar. Ha free meal from a Dominican guy!
Awesome
So every morning we wake up and go play tennis! Even
the roommates: Elder Vargas, and Elder Ramirez. No idea, but somehow
we found four rackets in our apartment, so we play every day. I’ve got a wicked
backhand I have been working on! Ha it’s so fun. We play a few games of doubles
and few of singles. My companion and I run to the court every other time or so.
Its about 15 min away running.
We teach about 10 or so people a week. Every week we either
find 4 new ones or drop two old ones, But usually about 10 a week. It
is some hard work here. There are tons of internigators here, meaning
people who have been taught sometimes 30-50 lessons and still won’t decide to
do anything or get baptized. It seems like we shouldn't waste our time with
them and focus on new people, but the majority of the investigators are
like this. We do find a few new people every week which is so rewarding. We
have 6 set for baptism. We are working hard to prepare them all.
The big obstacle here in New Jersey is we are teaching some
very very poor people. Everyone is from another country and they all work in
factories, or clean, or work a tiny shop on Fayette Street. They work so
much and when they are home they just want to relax and be with the
family. They are not too motivated to do anything else, like joining a
church. Super Sad. But hey that is why I am here. That’s why
I am working my hardest to help change even one person, or one
family. I know these people are ready. Everybody is ready, honestly.
And that is why I feel so blessed to be here. I am here to light that fire
under them! Wow if only they knew how much this Gospel would better
their lives. I am here to tell them that. To show them what peace the Gospel of
Jesus Christ can bring to them. I love it.
I am so grateful to be called to this great work! I
know the Lord is preparing people for me to teach, and is preparing me to teach
them. I am trying my hardest to find them and be ready for them. The work is so
rewarding. Super good quote by Elder Sam Williams, "The work is hard, but
when we are working hard, we are always happy!" (Don’t know if that was
exact.) But how true it is. This has been some of the happiest days so far. The
Lord is so generous with His love.
(This was in a personal note to me but I thought it was so good that I want to share it...) I have been out of my comfort zone for 11 weeks. But
"there is no growth in the comfort zone, and no comfort in the growth
zone." I have been the growth zone almost 11 weeks straight. So its all
good. I’m am learning to be the great missionary, man, father, and husband that
the Lord wants me to be. It is awesome. I am doing great :)
I love you tons! Keep being amazing and remember how happy
this Gospel is. His plan is PERFECT.
Your son,
Elder Sumsion
SHOUTOUTS –
Zaharis Family!!!!
Thank you so much for sending me that awesome puzzle/letter! I can feel all of
your support and love. Keep it up
Williams!!! Thank
you for the letter. You are always so inspiring and uplifting. I felt awesome
after reading your letter.
Murrays!!! Thanks
for the package of all those goodies! My companion and I loved them. So
delicious. You are so generous
(He promised some pictures next week)
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