¡Bienvenidos a mi correo semanal!
Well pour out some maté (a kind of tea) and break out the heavy jackets, it’s fall time here in Ita Paso, with a withering low of 65 degrees Fahrenheit. It is nice now that its only around 80 degrees instead of 95 all time, I noticed that I have a lot more energy now that I am not in the sun all the time, walking from house to house and person to person. This week was really good, we had a couple of divisions with some different Elders and found a lot of new people to visit to and teach.
On Friday evening we finally received official transfer news. I was with Elder Cartwright in Ita Paso, and President sent us a message telling us our transfer news. Elder Harmer was of course leaving, but he was opening up an area called Maria Auxiliadora, which is the farthest area from the mission office in Asuncion. His companion is… Elder Cartwright! That was really funny because President didn’t know we were on divisions and so it was a big surprise for Elder Cartwright to hear his name indirectly and we were freaking out. I will be receiving a new companion on Tuesday, Elder Dorotheo. From what I have heard about him, he is by birth Filipino, raised in Southern California, and has some of the best Spanish in the mission. So I am really excited for that, but sad that I will have to say goodbye to Elder Harmer.
Our last day in the area on Sunday, Elder Harmer and I deep-cleaned our area book and got the area ready for myself and Elder Dorotheo. Elder Harmer then gave his suit and some of his clothes to Juan Carlos to help him start getting ready for his mission. It was pretty bittersweet, Elder Harmer has to say goodbye to one of his favorite converts, but he knows that the miracles and blessings he has seen will only increase as Juan Carlos continues to progress in the gospel and invite others to come unto Christ. We have been teaching his entire family with him and others, and he is already an awesome teacher of the gospel. The gospel truly changes lives and uplifts families!
This week I have really seen the effect that prayer has on people in regards to conversion to the gospel. Each lesson we taught with Juan Carlos, he wanted to start by explaining prayer and the importance of prayer in finding answers. It’s really interesting to see the perspective Juan Carlos has on prayer as a convert. He knows how important it is to find answers about the church and to truly become converted by what the Lord tells you. As missionaries we can tell when someone is keeping the commitment to pray because they have the desire to know more and act on that desire. It’s awesome to see how prayer effects peoples lives, and even our own lives. I hope everyone can find opportunities to pray and ask the Lord for direction in their lives. It has changed so many peoples lives for the better, and i know it can do the same to yours!
Until next week!
Elder Watson
