Survived another transfer.... still in Pativillca

July 21, 2014

Well family! I’m still here in Pativillca :)

This week I’ve learned a lot about myself and I’m still here to tell about it :) The week started off a little rough. I had my new zone leader come in, he’s from my group. I struggled with that I think inside. I worry that I’m still here and not progressing as much as a should. I got the STRONG impression to read a talk and I got back the next day and read it. It was from Elder Bednar. He pretty much told me I needed to humble myself and repent.

We went out that same day and we met a man, who had lost his wife. In his old age she’d left him alone with his handicapped son. He invited us into his house and proceeded to yell and attack every point of our doctrine. Left and right, he attacked everything. I felt so horrible. He ridiculed my Spanish my faults, things we had said incorrectly and everything.... I left him with my testimony, stopping when he informed us he’s happy God had chosen me to answer his prayers because he didn’t feel he had answered his personally. He’d never prayed so hard in his life to keep his wife and he felt God had taken her.... I’ve never felt so sad for anyone. It hurt. I left that meeting questioning my faith and everything. I’m grateful they didn’t send me to Europe or any other mission.

We walked on several times that week after we had several people reject our message and I felt horrible. I read something and received some really personal revelation. God doesn’t require us to be perfect. The quote I like said we should define perfection from the atoning love of Jesus Christ and knowing He gave his life even though we are not perfect.

Anyway I learned and grew a lot. I am dedicating some prayers and the mercy of God to a family we found, the family Casado. Se llama Peralez Oncoy and accepted a fecha for 23. The family Pauca Sanchez accepted a fecha for 16 and our consejo de rama…. EVERYONE BROUGHT THEIR FOLDERS! I’ve made them folders to bring their papers and no one brought them before but this week everyone did! :)

I’ve been so great and happy this week. I’m glad to see your all doing so well :) We had 9 menos activos come to church. One of them we met, they were recently baptized. They really wanted to go to the temple but were afraid they weren’t doing everything to get there. You can imagine the joy they felt going to church Sunday and learning that they’ll be able to make it! I’ve had some ups and downs this week but grown a lot. I love you all :) Thank you for your prayers.

Pativillca will have another family baptized at the end of August!! .. if God permits... but He will :)

Love,
Elder Grow