Lots to write, little time

Hi there,

I have so little time right now but I want to write what I can. We have leadership counsel tonight, we have Elder Uceda coming in one week and transfers are in 2 days. Nevertheless, we are drowning in the work load. The monthly finance report from the zone was due yesterday and my companion started yesterday and so I am having to help him with that. Its okay, I don't blame him for not. He goes home in less than a week. We are also updating the recent converts and rescued lists to make sure everything is in line for when Elder Uceda (de los 70) comes. 

Here are a few things that have happened this week and the last.

1. Carnavales. Not much to write about these days. We found interesting new ways to study the scriptures because we were so bored and we set a lot a new goals. We also cleaned a lot. I'm sorry mom for all the times you asked me to clean and I ``cleaned``. One of the things I have learned on my mission is how to keep a house clean. 

2. Lots of rain. Its starting to rain here. We are entering the rainy season. We Bolivians here get cold and need a jacket if it gets below 80 degrees.

3. Our first Fireside in my ward that I'm in right now. It went really really well! We watched videos and we had everyone participate! About 40 people came! We were very happy. The church is true.

4. Zone Conference. We talked about the doctrine of Christ. How it is different from the Gospel, how does the doctrine of the Priesthood relate to it all. Study it! You'll learn a lot. 2 Nefi 31, DyC 121, 3 Nefi 11-26, Alma, pretty much all of the Book of Mormon.

5. Hard days and good days. Sometimes I have days that end in me by my bed praying that the next will be better. Some days end with me praying and thanking for my day I had. But what I have learned is that if we end each day with fervent prayer, we are comforted. I know He hears me and listens to my prayers. 

I love my God. He is my Father. His Son is my King and my Savior. I testify of Him.

Hurrah for Israel!

Love,

Elder Gehring

Carnavales

I have good news and bad news.

Good news: I take lots of pictures!

Bad news: I can't figure out how to get them on the computer here! Its not letting me. 

I have more good news and bad news. Well, just bad news.

Bad news: The next monday is 'Carnavales' here in Bolivia. 

 

 

Let me explain. Every year for 3 days Bolivia has Carnavales during which every single person goes insane. No one works, everyone eats tons of chanco, and usually many people drink a little. We as missionaries have strict orders to stay in our house and to not leave for any reason. We have a program of studies and 'homework' that we have to finish during these 3 days in our house. This year these 3 days fall on Sunday,Monday, and Tuesday. The monday that is coming we will not be writing our families due to the fact that we are in our house. 

A lot happened this week so I'll tell a few stories.

1. Politics: Here in Santa Cruz right now there are 2 people running for President of Santa Cruz. Each person has their own way of pushing their campagin forward but they both involve painting ALL the houses in sight the color green. One guy paints with a lime green and the other a dark green. They pay people to be able to paint their houses. We are visiting a family who painted their house dark green. My companion was not paying attention and supported himself on the wall. His sleeve and arm were then coverd in dark green paint due to the fact the it was not yet dry. He tried rubbing it out, made it worse, and then frantically ran to a members house were he bleached the shirt and washed it out by hand. The problem was that it didnt come out. His sleeved is now stained. He and I got a pretty good laugh out of that. 

2. Companionship goal: My companion goes home in 29 days. He is not fat but he would admit that he has gained a few kilos here in the mission. He set the goal of losing weight his last month and I support him 100 percent. We (well sometimes just me) do exersize every morning and night. We run and lift weights in the morning and then at night we jump rope for a long time. We dont drink soda when the members offer us, we are cutting down on the snacks while we are in the house, and we drink a ton of water. We'll see if it works. We had NO energy the first few days of doing it but now we feel great all the time!

3. The Book of Mormon: We are teaching a man named Samuel. He is one of the most humble people I know and really really wants to do what is right. The only thing is sometimes he has a little trouble understanding the Book of Mormon when he reads it. He tries so hard to understand the story AND what it teaches that sometimes he doesnt get either one. Last night we went to go read to him. We read outloud verse by verse explaining after every 4 or so what happened and asking questions about what we can learn. We were in 1 Nefi 3 when Nefi goes back to Jeruselen for the plates of bronce. Samuel got so excited about it all, understood the concept of commandments from God, and learned a lot. The chapter ends with the Angel that appears to Nefi's brothers and without reading chapter 4 you dont find out what happend with the plates (If they end up getting them from Laban). When we finished chapter 3 Samuel asked ''And?? So did they get the plates or not?? What happened with Laban??'' etc. It was so amazing to see the joy he found from reading the scriptures. He commited to reading chapter 4 with his family and is progressing spiritually. 

This week I was also studying in Moroni 8. This chapter mainly talks about the baptism of children is an abomination before the Lord but in the end of the chapter I love what it says. In verse 25 and 26 we learn that repentance is such a necessary step in our lives. But once we repent, and recieve the remision of our sins we are given humilty, then we are given the presence of the Holy Spirit and then with that love that the spirit has, we have no need to fear. In verse 16 that ''el amor puro desecha todo temor''. 

I love you all. I have fear sometimes and for that reason I repent to be humble, I am humble to recieve the Spirit, I recieve the Spirit to be filled with love, and I use that love to conquer all fear. 

 Fear not. ''I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.'' Jesucristo

Hurrah for Israel!

Elder Gehring

Letter

I decided to write everyone individually this week. I'll write you all the next week. and I'll send fotos too! 

Love you,

Elder gehring