Monday, May 30, 2011
May 30, 2011
Hola Family,
I am writing you from another city! but still far away from Asuncion. It’s a city called Peter John Gentleman or in Spanish - Pedro Juan Caballero. It is right next to Brazil. We are learning a little Portuguese haha. It’s a chilly area!, the coldest zone in the mission haha. So I will be here for winter, haha. We are teaching a Brazilian girl (Emily) but she speaks Spanish perfectly. The missionaries usually give away Portuguese copies of the Book of Mormon, haha. We have been working with a man, Vicente. He likes speaking Portuguese more than Spanish but with us he has to speak Spanish. His baptismal date is for Sunday after church, so well see - if he doesn’t smoke or drink this week. He really wants to follow Christ. There has been a great change in his life and a greater desire to follow the Savior. In all this city there are 5 companionships of missionaries. We are in rama 1. It is a very rich place (in comparison) because there is a very strong Brazilian influence. You can even use Brazilian money here - reals. There are very big super markets with GOOD food!
I feel that my testimony of the Plan of Salvation has grown here. I feel that every trial that we have is something that God wants for us to learn. I have been listening to many talks that I have on my iPod and a common theme is that trials make us stronger and if we didn't have them there would be no purpose. It is a very saddening experience to hear about the death of a family member but the knowledge that we can live with our families again is a promise that is given from God and an everlasting promise. I love the Savior. I have learned so much from him on my mission. He knows how to shape my life with things that he knows I need. For example, why in the world would a parent give a needle to their child? That is PAINFULL!! Why would a parent willingly inflict pain on their baby? Because they know that a little pain now will save them from suffering in the future, save them from trials that they can not handle. God knows what we can handle and what we can not. If we receive a trial from God it is because he knows we can overcome it and win the victory over our trials. And just think of what we learned. We can look back and see that we have grown.
I love you all soo much and always pray for you, especially for Grandma Spackman. I pray that God can be with her more than ever. I love you Grandma!!!! Thanks for everything, everything that you guys do for me.
Love, Elder Lucas Rodgers
Saturday, May 28, 2011
May 23, 2011
Hola Familia,
It feels like a loss that Grandpa is gone, but the hope that we have to see him again takes away the pains. I know we will be able to see Grandpa again. He was an amazing man and lived an honorable life. I think he is playing golf as we speak.
Like I said we will be getting our changes tonight, so exciting!!! This change went by sooooo fast and I am so happy we could have a miracle baptism!! Seriously, when I first met the lady she could barely walk. It was super hard to get out of bed and to sit down, and her husband didn't have a steady job. We always promised her blessings (when I was with Elder Meneses) but she never came to church. We even planned to have a taxi come by their house. Until one Sunday (when I was with Elder Salvatierra) when we were in the church and we heard someone entering the old bakery where we have our meetings. It was Jorge and Mirta!!!! I didn't know if I was dreaming or what happened. She accepted a baptismal date because she had heard all the lessons when the elders were teaching Jorge. Needless to say she has a lot more health now. She can do more things around the house. A miracle has passed in their lives!! Then after the baptism on Sunday there was a priesthood conference (there are some pictures of people from rama 2 and rama 1 that I am sending). The youth that is in a suit's name is José and the youth without a suit and holding the Canadian flag is Christian, who in about 10 days is leaving to go on his mission to Perú. He is soo excited. Jorge was sustained to receive the Melchizedek Priesthood and after the meeting he was ordained an elder. WHAT A MIRACLE!!! In a year from now they can go to the temple!
I have a question for grandma. I need a recipe for granola, the cereal that she makes so that I can try to make it here. I believe that everything can be found here too.
I love you guys soo much and know the Plan of Salvation is real.
Con amor y muchisimo cariño,
Élder Lucas Rodgers
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