¿Que tal?
I had a pretty good week! It’s been an odd but fun adjustment from Ciudad del Este. I serve in the 2nd of 2 branches here in Coronel Oviedo, and it is a lot bigger than my previous area, both in branch size and area wise. It’s a good solid 10-20 minute walk between each appointment, but that gives us plenty of time to contact people between each house we visit. We have several friends we are teaching that are progressing nicely, which is really nice. In Ciudad del Este it was always very hard to find new people to teach and to help them progress. It’s been a bit easier here, and it also helps that Elder Valenzuela can speak guarani, as we can get into houses that otherwise would have been closed to us.
Speaking of Elder Valenzuela, I spent this entire week speaking in Spanish, with no English! Well, a bit of English because of language study and the words he knows, but still, it was a ton of fun. We work pretty well together, and he is a very hard worker. I am working on improving my Spanish vocabulary and this week I also started to learn basic vocabulary and grammar of Guaraní, so we’ll see how much I know by the time I finish my mission. I always smile when I think back to my first weeks in Paraguay and compare that to now and see the improvement. Being here in Paraguay has really helped me know that the gift of tongues is real.
This week as Elder Valenzuela and I were working, I thought back to a scripture that I read in Doctrine and Covenants about spreading the gospel. D&C 33:7-10 reads:
7 Yea, verily, verily, I say unto you, that the field is awhite already to harvest; wherefore, thrust in your sickles, and reap with all your might, mind, and strength.
8 Open your mouths and they shall be filled, and you shall become even as Nephi of old, who journeyed from Jerusalem in the wilderness.
9 Yea, open your mouths and spare not, and you shall be laden with sheaves upon your backs, for lo, I am with you.
10 Yea, open your mouths and they shall be filled, saying: Repent, repent, and prepare ye the way of the Lord, and make his paths straight; for the kingdom of heaven is at hand;
I am grateful for the power the Lord gives us when we open our mouths to proclaim his gospel. Whether you are a missionary or not you can open your mouth to people to invite them to come unto Christ, and you will have sheaves upon your back, and will be blessed.
I hope you all have a good week!
Elder Watson
